Human Waste Project
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | December 1, 1993 in Huntington Beach, California, United States |
| Founder | Jeff Schartoff, Roman Marisak |
| Defunct | July 8, 1998 |
| Headquarters | Huntington Beach , United States |
Area served | United States, United Kingdom |
Key people | Jeff Schartoff, Roman Marisak, Scott Ellis, Aimee Echo, Mike Tempesta |
| Products | Album: E-lux (1997) |
Human Waste Project was an alternative metal group originating from Huntington Beach, California, established in December 1993 by bassist Jeff Schartoff alongside guitarist Roman Marisak. By 1994, the band's lineup solidified with Schartoff, drummer Scott Ellis, vocalist Aimee Echo, and guitarist Mike Tempesta.
In June 1996, the band secured a contract with Hollywood Records and subsequently released their debut—and sole—album, E-lux, in September 1997. Despite favorable critical reviews, the album did not achieve commercial success. Their touring efforts and exposure through Kerrang! contributed to developing a dedicated fanbase within the UK. Additionally, they performed on the secondary stage of Ozzfest UK in June 1998, even though Hollywood Records had dropped them two months prior.
After their appearance at Ozzfest, Aimee Echo departed from the group due to creative disagreements, leading to Human Waste Project's final concert in July 1998. Between 2008 and 2009, members reunited sporadically for partial performances but never officially reassembled.
1993–1998: Formation, E-lux, and dissolution
Human Waste Project came into existence in December 1993 through the collaboration of Jeff Schartoff and Roman Marisak. When contact with Marisak was lost, Schartoff assembled a new lineup featuring drummer Scott Ellis and vocalist Aimee Echo, who became the exclusive singer following Michael Walsh’s exit in 1994. The band experienced several changes in guitarists before finalizing Mike Tempesta as their lead guitarist. They supported prominent bands such as Sublime, Helmet, Deftones, and Korn during tours, which helped them obtain a contract with Hollywood Records on June 6, 1996. In November 1997, they toured the UK as support for Tura Satana, honoring an agreement between Echo and Tairrie B to tour Europe together once signed. Returning to the UK in December alongside Coal Chamber, they garnered substantial media attention from European rock outlets including Kerrang!. On June 20, 1998, they performed on the Kerrang! Stage at Ozzfest UK.
Despite their achievements in the UK market, lead singer Aimee Echo became frustrated with being pigeonholed into heavy metal or nu metal genres and disappointed by the commercial underperformance of E-lux. She exited the band after their Ozzfest appearance, prompting Human Waste Project to disband. Their concluding performance took place at Los Angeles’ House of Blues on July 8, 1998, where they opened for Sepultura. Following the breakup, Echo and Ellis formed theSTART; Schartoff created Professional Murder Music and joined Peter Murphy's touring ensemble; Tempesta became part of Powerman 5000.
2008–2009: Reunion events
On March 27, 2008—Aimee Echo’s birthday—after a theSTART concert at Crash Mansion in downtown Los Angeles, three members of Human Waste Project joined her on stage to perform "Dog" and "Shine". The audience included former musicians from Snot, Sevendust, Craig Riker of Deadsy, producer Ross Robinson, and Chibi from The Birthday Massacre.
A publicly announced reunion occurred at the Key Club in West Hollywood on October 10, 2008, where Human Waste Project opened for Snot. Three original members appeared (with Chelsea Davis from theSTART filling in for Scott Ellis), performing most tracks from E-Lux along with a cover of Depeche Mode’s "I Feel You". Aimee confirmed that this would be their sole full-scale reunion show with no intentions of further touring.
A brief reunion followed on July 9, 2009, during a theSTART performance at The Roxy, when Mike Tempesta joined mid-set to play "Dog" and "One Night In Spain," the latter also featured in theSTART’s setlist.
On August 3, 2009, Mike Tempesta appeared during another theSTART show at New York City's Mercury Lounge, performing one song after being introduced by Aimee Echo.
Discography
Studio albums
| Year | Album information |
|---|---|
| 1997 | E-lux
|
Singles
- Powerstrip (Reached number 85 in the UK charts)
Further reading
External links
- Short description with empty Wikidata description
- 1993 establishments in California
- Alternative rock groups from California
- American alternative metal musical groups
- Musical groups from Los Angeles
- Musical groups established in 1993
- Musical groups disbanded in 1998
- Musical groups reformed in 2008
- Musical groups disbanded in 2009
- Nu metal musical groups from California
- Musical groups disestablished in 1998