Joseph Simmons (guitarist)

Joseph Lee Simmons
Born	(1978-06-18) June 18, 1978 Houston, Texas, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Musician, songwriter, brewer
Years active	1994–present
Known for	Guitar and bass playing in hardcore punk, sludge metal, metallic hardcore, melodic hardcore, emotional/post-hardcore, black metal bands; co-owner of Sound Study Recordings; head brewer at Swamp Head Brewery and First Magnitude Brewing Company; co-founder of Bay Cannon Beer Company

Joseph Lee Simmons (born June 18, 1978) is an American musician known for his skills on guitar and bass, as well as his songwriting and brewing expertise. Hailing from Houston, Texas, Simmons was raised in Coral Springs, Florida, where he participated in hardcore punk acts such as Dinner Time and Lock Down. He also played in the sludge metal outfit Bird of Ill Omen and the metallic hardcore group Morning Again. Later relocating to Gainesville, Florida, he contributed to several metallic hardcore bands including Culture and Some Sort of Radio, the melodic hardcore ensemble As Friends Rust, and the emotional/post-hardcore band Salem. Presently, he performs with the black metal group Rot in Coffins.

Between 2007 and 2013, Simmons was a co-owner of the independent label Sound Study Recordings alongside former bandmate Thomas Rankine and engineer Matthew Finch. This label issued releases from artists such as Burning Love, Chris Wollard and the Ship Thieves, Comadre, Coliseum, Off with Their Heads, and Ruiner.

Beyond his musical career, Simmons has held positions as head brewer at Swamp Head Brewery and First Magnitude Brewing Company located in Gainesville, Florida. In 2019, he partnered with Matthew Juaire to establish Bay Cannon Beer Company in Tampa, Florida.

Initial projects: Fork in the Road and Bird of Ill Omen (1994–1997)

During the mid-1990s, Simmons performed with early hardcore punk bands Dinner Time and Lock Down based in Coral Springs, Florida. In August 1996, he became a member of Fork in the Road, a newly formed sludge metal/metalcore band from North Miami that soon evolved into Bird of Ill Omen. The lineup included vocalist Damien Moyal (previously involved with Culture, Shai Hulud, and Morning Again), guitarist José Martinez (later affiliated with Poison the Well), bassist Thomas Rankine (who would later join As Friends Rust and Further Seems Forever), and drummer George Rios (formerly of Floor). Earlier that year, Martinez, Rankine, and Rios had collaborated in the emo band Crestfallen.

Throughout late 1996 and early 1997, Bird of Ill Omen composed enough material for a full-length album while performing locally alongside bands such as Shai Hulud, Morning Again, Discount, Strongarm, Vision of Disorder, Earth Crisis, Zao, and Cavity. The group underwent lineup changes when former Morning Again bassist Peter Bartsocas replaced Martinez in November 1996, and added a second vocalist, Rob Ogman. In March 1997, Simmons was removed from the band after accepting an invitation to join Morning Again as their guitarist; Andrew Logan succeeded him. Unaware of Simmons' departure while on tour with Culture, Moyal resigned from Bird of Ill Omen in protest.

Several songs co-written by Simmons and Moyal were intended for Bird of Ill Omen's debut album. Three of these tracks—"Spoon," "Pronoun," and "Now Ruin Is"—appeared on their first album, Self, Dare You Still Breathe?, which was released on CD through Eulogy Recordings in February 1998, on vinyl via Think Tank Records in July 1998, and later on cassette by Contraband Goods in October 2021.

Morning Again (1996, 1997–1998, 1999)

Simmons made his initial appearance with Morning Again on December 26, 1996, stepping in as bassist following Peter Bartsocas' exit. At that time, the group featured John Wylie on guitar, Louie Long on drums, Kevin Byers handling vocals, and Stephen Looker serving as a temporary second guitarist. The lineup eventually solidified with Gerardo Villarroel taking over bass duties and Ryan Stafford joining on guitar.

By March 1997, Simmons officially became Morning Again's guitarist, succeeding Stafford and departing from Bird of Ill Omen. Although Stafford performed the guitar parts for the forthcoming Martyr release under Good Life Recordings, Simmons received credit in the album's liner notes. To support Martyr, Morning Again embarked on a US and Canadian tour in June 1997 alongside Bird of Ill Omen, featuring appearances at events such as the Syracuse 3-Day Super Festival and Indianapolis Hardcore Festival. Upon their return, drummer Louie Long was replaced by Matthew Thomas.

Promotion of Martyr continued with a European tour during July and August 1997, where Morning Again toured with Belgian groups Congress and Hitch. This tour included performances at festivals like Malmejock-Skatefestival and The Ultimate Hardcore Festival held in Belgium. In August 1997, the band recorded the track "Dictation of Beauty" at Midas Studios in Belgium for a split release with 25 ta Life, which was issued in January 1998 through Good Life Recordings. A subsequent European tour took place between November and December 1997, sharing the stage with Agnostic Front, Vision, and Maximum Penalty.

In February 1998, Morning Again entered Studio 13 in Deerfield Beach, Florida to record their debut album As Tradition Dies Slowly, produced by Jeremy Staska and consisting of ten tracks. Just three weeks after completing the recording sessions, Simmons was dismissed and replaced by Stephen Looker, who had left Culture and As Friends Rust to join Morning Again; interestingly, Simmons later became a member of those bands himself. The album was released on June 30, 1998 via Revelation Records; however, the band dissolved four months later in October.

Simmons briefly rejoined Morning Again in December 1999 for two clandestine reunion performances under the aliases Hand of Hope and Cleanest War at Club Q in Davie and Gainesvillefest in Gainesville. This lineup featured Wylie, Moyal, Eric Ervin, and Jason Dooley alongside Simmons. A live recording from their initial Belgian tour in 1997 with Simmons was included as bonus material on the compilation Hand of the Martyr, co-released by Eulogy Recordings and Alveran Records in April 2002. Additionally, the original "Dictation of Beauty" track was reissued on the 12-inch vinyl compilation II by Germany’s Demons Run Amok Entertainment in September 2015.

Culture, Some Sort of Radio, and As Friends Rust (1998–2002)

In March 1998, following his departure from Morning Again, Simmons received an invitation from Damien Moyal to join two Gainesville-based bands: the metallic hardcore group Culture and the reassembled melodic hardcore act As Friends Rust. Simmons stepped into the guitarist role previously held by Stephen Looker in both ensembles. These bands shared several members, including Moyal on vocals, Gordon Tarpley on guitar, and Timothy Kirkpatrick on drums. Culture's lineup also featured bassist Christopher "Floyd" Beckham, while As Friends Rust included bassist and backing vocalist Kaleb Stewart.

As Friends Rust entered Goldentone Studios in March 1998 with producer Rob McGregor to record the track "Home Is Where the Heart Aches." This song, combined with four tracks from a 1996 demo session, was compiled into their debut EP The Fists of Time, which Good Life Recordings released in July 1998. Meanwhile, Culture wrote "Pimping the Revolution," which was initially available only as a live recording on Genet Records' 1999 compilation Vort'n Vis Hardcore Festival 1998 and later appeared on the 2012 collection From the Vaults: Demos and Outtakes 1993–1998.

Culture's spring 1998 North American tour was abruptly halted by vehicle problems. Subsequently, Tarpley exited both bands, leading Moyal to enlist former Morning Again guitarist Peter Bartsocas for As Friends Rust and Kenneth Brian Sulak for Culture. In mid-1998, As Friends Rust toured across the United States alongside Discount and Dillinger Four, performing at events such as More Than Music and Wilkes-Barre Festival. Culture embarked on a European tour late that summer but lost Simmons and Kirkpatrick afterward; these two musicians remained with As Friends Rust.

Following Culture's disbandment, Moyal, Simmons, and Tarpley formed Some Sort of Radio, a metal project active from late 1998 to early 1999; however, it never recorded material or performed live.

In October 1998, James Glayat replaced Bartsocas in As Friends Rust. The band recorded "The First Song on the Tape You Make Her," which appeared on a split release with Discount issued by Good Life Recordings in December of that year. Early in 1999, they toured Europe and the UK with Discount and Purusam.

Toward the end of 1998, As Friends Rust secured a three-record contract with Doghouse Records. In May 1999, they returned to Goldentone Studios to record six tracks; their self-titled EP was released on September 17, 1999. The European edition was mistakenly promoted under different titles by Good Life Recordings. That summer, the band toured across the U.S., followed by a European and UK tour in July and August that included appearances at festivals like Ieper Hardcore Festival.

On October 5, 1999, Japanese label Howling Bull Entertainment released Eleven Songs, a compilation spanning recordings from 1996 to 1999. The group performed at Gainesvillefest in December of that year. In 2000, Simmons provided backing vocals for the grindcore band Crucible’s debut album.

Early in 2000, As Friends Rust participated in mini-tours with Fast Times and Good Clean Fun and took part in festivals such as Krazy Fest 3. Doghouse Records reissued The Fists of Time in June; subsequently, the band toured nationally supporting Strike Anywhere at festivals including Mixed Messages and Hellfest 2K—although they missed Hellfest due to venue changes.

July 2000 saw a brief series of European shows organized by Good Life Recordings; from August through September, the band embarked on a five-week Europe/UK tour featuring joint performances with Grade, Ensign, and Garrison at events like Ieper Hardcore Festival and TurboPunk Festival.

Prior to this tour’s start, Kirkpatrick and Glayat intended to depart once it concluded. Early during the itinerary, Glayat suffered a leg injury in a van accident; former guitarist Bartsocas stepped in for four weeks. Vocalist Moyal developed laryngitis during this period, prompting Stewart to assume lead vocal duties temporarily while Bartsocas handled bass responsibilities. Upon Glayat’s return, Beckham replaced him on guitar despite Stewart’s objections—a move that led to Stewart’s exit from the band.

By February 2001, Moyal, Simmons, and Beckham had added drummer Alexander Vernon along with future Rehasher bassist Guillermo Amador. They recorded two tracks for Doghouse's Fan Series seven-inch vinyl issued in March. Vernon was soon succeeded by Zachary Swain on drums; Thomas Rankine took over bass duties in April. Within months they had composed sufficient material for a full-length album.

Recording sessions held at Wisner Productions in July 2001 produced ten tracks that became their debut album Won, which was released in October across Japan (Howling Bull), Europe (Defiance Records), and the U.S. (Doghouse). The band supported Won with extensive touring that included an August–September U.S. run cut short due to the September 11 attacks but featuring appearances at Magicfest and Furnace Fest.

From October through December 2001, As Friends Rust toured Europe and the UK alongside Strike Anywhere with support acts Planes Mistaken for Stars and Durango 95. British label Golf Records reissued Eleven Songs on CD in October; a performance at Camden Underworld was filmed for DVD release in December 2002.

In February 2002, under strained circumstances—with Moyal recording vocals separately and handling co-production alone—the band recorded five songs at Wisner Productions for Equal Vision Records. This resulted in the EP A Young Trophy Band in the Parlance of Our Times, released in May by Defiance (Europe) and Equal Vision (U.S.). Shortly afterward, Moyal departed amid mounting tensions despite upcoming tours and label interest.

Beckham briefly assumed lead vocal duties while Tarpley returned on guitar during tours supporting Sick of It All, Shai Hulud, Thursday, This Day Forward, Coheed and Cambria, Fairweather, Liars Academy, Prevent Falls as well as an opening slot for Agnostic Front.

Late March 2002 saw Adam D'Zurilla join as vocalist while Beckham resumed guitar responsibilities. The band toured with Bloodlet and Hotwire before performing at Gorefest Miami. Late May included Florida shows supporting Prevent Falls and Whippersnapper.

Full-time touring resumed June through July with Canadian dates followed by U.S. performances alongside Prevent Falls, Garrison, Clark—including appearances at Krazy Fest 5 and California’s Van’s Warped Tour. Beckham left in late July; As Friends Rust continued as a quartet with Simmons as sole guitarist for their August–September European/UK tour supported by The Copperpot Journals.

This concluding tour featured festivals such as Defiance Records Festival (Cologne), Sommerspektakel Open Air Festival (Sarstedt), and Ieperfest (Ypres). Prior discussions had considered changing their name to reflect their evolving sound; announcements confirmed this would be their final tour under As Friends Rust before officially adopting the name Salem upon returning home.

Salem (2002–2004)

Despite As Friends Rust playing their final show on September 11, 2002, the band was still advertised under its former name for previously arranged tours until the end of that year. Salem continued to perform tracks from Won and A Young Trophy Band in the Parlance of Our Times to support those releases. Upon returning to the United States, Salem added Jeremy Robertson, formerly of Die Tomorrow, as a guitarist. A tour planned with The Remedy Session was ultimately called off.

Salem's inaugural official performance took place on September 28, 2002, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where they opened for Further Seems Forever, initially still listed as As Friends Rust. Throughout October 2002, shows were promoted under the old name until a late October tour alongside The Movielife, Brand New, and The Reunion Show correctly identified the band as Salem. Following this tour, Swain departed and was succeeded by David Miller, who had previously played with Die Tomorrow and Glasseater.

A December 2002 tour with Digger was canceled; instead, Salem performed at Gainesvillefest and the South West Florida Winter Music and Skate Festival. Early 2003 saw the band touring with Finch, From Autumn to Ashes, Steel Train, and Allister. February featured tours with Further Seems Forever, Elliott, The Early November, Unsung Zeros, and Punchline. Salem also appeared at prominent events such as the Skate and Surf Festival in April 2003 and the Orlando Magic Festival in June 2003, followed by four Florida dates on the Van's Warped Tour.

In mid-2003, Salem recorded their debut EP Love It or Leave Me with producer Beau Burchell. The release came out on October 28 through Fiddler Records and Geffen Records. A music video for the track "Smoke & Mirrors" was directed by Jason Page. That summer, the band toured with The Remedy Session and performed at the Go Time Festival in August. Later tours in October and November included dates with Poulain, Tora! Tora! Torrance!, The A.K.A.s, Sadaharu, and The Big Collapse. Additionally, Salem played at The Fest II in Gainesville, CMJ Music Marathon in New York, and Friction Fest in North Carolina.

In early 2004, Salem toured alongside The Bled and The Hope Conspiracy during March. This was followed by shows in April with Running from Dharma and Believe in Toledo, including an appearance at Henderfest. During this period, Simmons was temporarily replaced by David McNally. Once Simmons returned, Salem embarked on an April–May tour featuring bands such as From First to Last, Underoath, Sincebyman, and Scatter the Ashes, including a performance at A Day in the Park Festival. Tours from May to June included Autopilot Off, Riddlin' Kids, Jersey, and A Second Chance. Between August and September, Salem toured with Further Seems Forever, Brandtson, and The Kicks.

A UK tour was planned for September–October 2004 with Johnny Truant to promote the British release of Love It or Leave Me through Sorepoint Records/Eat Sleep Records on October 4. Undergroove Records issued a split 7-inch vinyl featuring both Salem and Johnny Truant. However, Salem canceled their UK dates after Simmons quit while traveling to the airport. Hondo McLean stepped in to fill their place on the tour. Later that year, David McNally officially joined Salem as a guitarist.

Sound Study Recordings and Brewing Ventures (2007–Present)

Between 2007 and 2013, Simmons held co-ownership of the independent label Sound Study Recordings, which he established alongside Thomas Rankine and engineer Matthew Finch. The label's roster featured artists such as Burning Love, Chris Wollard and the Ship Thieves, Comadre, Coliseum, Off with Their Heads, and Ruiner.

In addition to his musical endeavors, Simmons developed a significant presence in the brewing sector. He took on the role of head brewer at both Swamp Head Brewery and First Magnitude Brewing Company, located in Gainesville, Florida. In 2019, together with partner Matthew Juaire, he founded Bay Cannon Beer Company based in Tampa, Florida. The brewery experienced a temporary closure in December 2022 after its premises were damaged during a nearby shooting incident. After months of inactivity amid escalating local crime rates, Bay Cannon Beer Company permanently closed its West Tampa taproom in May 2023; however, the brand announced intentions to maintain operations through other venues.

As Friends Rust Reunion and Rot in Coffins (2008–Present)

Simmons rejoined As Friends Rust in March 2008 following vocalist Damien Moyal’s announcement of the band’s reunion for European and UK performances scheduled for August that year. The lineup featured members from the 1998–2000 era—often referred to as "The Porch Days"—including Timothy Kirkpatrick, Kaleb Stewart, and James Glayat. The Back in Coffee Black Tour '08 commenced with a U.S. show at The Atlantic in Gainesville, Florida, before proceeding to six dates across Europe and the United Kingdom. In June 2011, the band recorded demos for new material but ultimately shelved these recordings due to dissatisfaction with the results.

In June 2014, As Friends Rust embarked on a tour of Japan, supported by local hardcore groups Endzweck, Noy, and Nervous Light of Sunday; drummer Joshua Williams temporarily filled in for Kirkpatrick during this period. To coincide with the tour, Japanese label Cosmic Note released a compilation album titled Greatest Hits? on June 4, 2014, featuring tracks recorded between 1996 and 2002. This compilation was subsequently reissued by Indonesian label D'Kolektif in December 2014 and Dutch label Shield Recordings in April 2015.

On May 22, 2015, German label Demons Run Amok Entertainment issued The Porch Days: 1998 to 2000 on 12-inch vinyl, compiling all studio recordings from that era along with previously unreleased live tracks. To promote this release, As Friends Rust performed three shows throughout 2015: at Saint Vitus in Brooklyn, Belgium’s Groezrock festival, and The Fest 14 held in Gainesville, Florida.

During a hiatus for As Friends Rust in 2017, Simmons formed the black metal project Rot in Coffins alongside vocalist John Hope, bassist Michael Lipscomb, and drummer Dennis Bickart. This group released a self-titled EP in March 2018.

In 2018, As Friends Rust resumed songwriting and demoing new material intended for their second full-length album. They initially planned to release a two-track EP by mid-2019 as a preview but postponed it by one year. That same year they played three shows: one at The Kingsland in Brooklyn and two performances at Hamburg’s Molotow during the Booze Cruise Festival. Following the festival appearances, bassist Kaleb Stewart left the band without an immediate replacement.

In early March 2020, As Friends Rust recorded two tracks for their comeback EP Up from the Muck, with sessions conducted across studios in Florida and New York and mixed by James Paul Wisner. Released by Unity Worldwide Records on July 3, 2020, this EP marked their official return. In September 2022, the band appeared at Furnace Fest in Birmingham, Alabama featuring former Culture guitarist Richard Thurston on drums alongside Michael Lipscomb from Rot in Coffins on bass. Work is ongoing toward completing their anticipated second full-length album.