Gaza (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Defunct | 2013 |
| Headquarters | Salt Lake City , United States |
| Products | Studio albums, extended plays |
Gaza was a sludge metal group originating from Salt Lake City, Utah, in the United States.
Established in 2004, the band was signed to Black Market Activities and produced one extended play alongside three full-length studio albums. They became recognized for their harsh sound that fused elements of metalcore, grindcore, noisecore, and sludge metal, as well as for their forthright anti-religious and political stances.
History
Gaza initially began as an indie rock ensemble but swiftly transitioned into metalcore under the leadership of vocalist Jon Parkin. The band's name alluded to religious strife without endorsing any particular faction.
The founding members were Casey Hansen on drums, Jon Parkin handling bass duties, with Michael Mason and Luke Sorenson on guitars. After the departure of two vocalists, Parkin assumed vocal responsibilities while Matt Nanes joined on bass. This configuration recorded their first EP, East, in 2004, which was released through Exigent Records.
Following Nanes' exit, Chris Clement took over on bass. In 2006, Gaza secured a deal with Black Market Activities and launched their debut album I Don't Care Where I Go When I Die. Clement eventually passed bass responsibilities to Anthony Lucero of Bird Eater, who remained for subsequent projects. After Sorenson left following the release of He Is Never Coming Back, the group continued as a quartet and produced No Absolutes in Human Suffering.
In late 2012, vocalist Jon Parkin was accused of rape, allegations the band publicly denied; the issue was later handled privately. Despite this resolution, internal conflicts escalated, culminating in the band's dissolution in 2013, with members attributing the split to disagreements involving Parkin. Bassist Anthony Lucero explained:
Ongoing frustrations with canceled tours and interpersonal disputes led us to remove Jon [Parkin] from Gaza after the allegations became public. Although we contemplated continuing under the Gaza name, we ultimately decided to start anew.
In May 2013, Mason, Hansen, and Lucero went on to form a new band called Cult Leader.
Final lineup
- Jon Parkin – vocals (2004–2013), bass (2004)
- Michael Mason – guitar (2004–2013) (currently with Cult Leader)
- Casey Hansen – drums (2004–2013) (currently with Cult Leader)
- Anthony Lucero – bass (2006–2013) (currently with Cult Leader)
Former members
- Dustin Dransfield – vocals (2004)
- Dreu Hudson – vocals (2004)
- Matt Nanes – bass (2004–2005)
- Chris Clement – bass (2004, 2005–2006)
- Luke Sorenson – guitar (2004–2009)
Discography
Studio albums
- I Don't Care Where I Go When I Die (2006)
- He Is Never Coming Back (2009)
- No Absolutes in Human Suffering (2012)
Extended plays
- East (2004)
See also
- Artists associated with Black Market Activities
- List of grindcore bands
- List of mathcore bands
- List of Utah musical groups
- Music of Utah
External links
- Articles with short description
- American mathcore musical ensembles
- American sludge metal groups
- Metalcore bands originating from Utah
- Heavy metal bands based in Utah
- Musical groups formed in 2004
- Musical groups that disbanded in 2013
- Musical acts from Salt Lake City
- American musical quartets
- 2004 establishments in Utah
- 2013 disestablishments in Utah
- Musical groups disestablished in 2013