On Bodies

On Bodies

Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	2009
Defunct	2017
Headquarters	Cincinnati, Ohio , United States
Products	Hardcore punk music, EPs, compilation albums

On Bodies was a hardcore punk band from the United States that operated between 2009 and 2017. Primarily rooted in Cincinnati, Ohio, the ensemble featured musicians originating from Michigan, Florida, New Jersey, and Kentucky. The group was initiated by multi-instrumentalist, backing vocalist, and chief songwriter Richard Thurston—known for his involvement with bands such as Timescape Zero, Culture, Blood Has Been Shed, Diecast, One Nation Under, Terror, and Walls of Jericho—alongside vocalist and lyricist Damien Moyal (previously associated with Culture, Shai Hulud, Morning Again, Bird of Ill Omen, As Friends Rust, Bridgeburne R, and Damien Done). Subsequent lineups incorporated former members of bands like Until the End, Where Fear and Weapons Meet, Glasseater, Destro, Mixtapes, and The Homeless Gospel Choir.

The band’s discography includes three EPs: Planet Hospice released in 2012 through (Eulogy Recordings / American Enemy Records), The Long Con issued in 2013 via Coffeebreath and Heartache Records / Irish VooDoo Records, and Unremarkably Mortal from 2015 on Irish VooDoo Records. The latter two EPs were combined into a compilation titled Unremarkably Mortal + The Long Con, distributed in Japan and Europe in 2015 by Cosmic Note / Demons Run Amok Entertainment. On Bodies also produced music videos for their singles "Just Can't Win" (2012) and "Down and Doubt" (2015).

History

On Bodies came into existence in August 2009 when Cincinnati-based multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Richard Thurston (known for his work with Timescape Zero, Culture, Blood Has Been Shed, Diecast, One Nation Under, Terror, and Walls of Jericho) reached out to his former Culture bandmate, vocalist/lyricist Damien Moyal—then located in Ann Arbor, Michigan—with a background including Shai Hulud, Morning Again, Bird of Ill Omen, As Friends Rust, Bridgeburne R, and Damien Done. The collaboration remained dormant for two years until Thurston invited Moyal to contribute vocals during spring 2011.

Initially recording nine tracks as a duo with Thurston handling all instruments, the project secured a contract in mid-2011 with Eulogy Recordings—a Florida-based label managed by John Wylie, himself a former member of Culture and Morning Again. Their first EP, Planet Hospice, originally a demo recording, was released on February 14, 2012. It appeared on CD and digital formats through Eulogy Recordings while American Enemy Records issued it on 10-inch vinyl.

In July 2011, On Bodies expanded its lineup by adding Miami guitarist Richard Walbert (formerly part of Destro, Where Fear and Weapons Meet, Until the End, later Morning Again), who introduced Florida drummer Julio Marin (ex-Destro and Glasseater) along with guitarist Chad Kishick (previously with Shai Hulud and Where Fear and Weapons Meet). Thurston transitioned to bass guitar. Notably, Moyal, Walbert, and Kishick had prior experience collaborating in the band Best Wishes.

The complete lineup made their live debut at the release shows for Planet Hospice in February 2012. These performances were filmed to produce a music video for the track "Just Can't Win," which premiered on March 9, 2012. In July 2012, the band recorded five songs for their second EP titled The Long Con. Despite some delays, this EP was released on May 16, 2013 as a 12-inch vinyl through German label Coffeebreath and Heartache Records; it later saw release via American label Irish VooDoo Records in March 2015. By spring 2014, the Florida-based members departed as the band aimed to establish a more Midwest-centered lineup for touring purposes.

Returning to a duo configuration consisting of Thurston and Moyal, the group recorded their third EP Unremarkably Mortal in October 2014 before recruiting new musicians. Cincinnati guitarist Zachary Colina, who had previously worked with Thurston in One Nation Under and Anthem, joined alongside New Jersey drummer Joshua Williams (formerly of Culture and As Friends Rust) and Cincinnati bassist/backing vocalist Joshua King (ex-Suffocate Faster). Thurston moved to guitar and backing vocals. This formation appeared in the music video for "Down and Doubt," released on February 17, 2015 to promote Unremarkably Mortal.

In March 2015, On Bodies toured Japan supporting their compilation album Unremarkably Mortal + The Long Con, which had been released on February 25 by Cosmic Note. This label also featured the song "Prevail" along with the "Down and Doubt" video on its compilation Cosmic Note 2015. The digital edition of Unremarkably Mortal was self-released by the band on March 11; Irish VooDoo Records followed up with a 7-inch vinyl version on August 3.

Later that year, Thurston and Colina brought aboard Covington drummer Boone Haley (formerly with Mixtapes) as well as Cincinnati bassist Megan Schroer (who would later join The Homeless Gospel Choir). Colina, Haley, and Schroer had previously played together in Head Collector; additionally Colina and Schroer collaborated in Boys alongside members of Mixtapes. On September 25, 2015 German label Demons Run Amok Entertainment reissued the compilation Unremarkably Mortal + The Long Con on 12-inch vinyl. The band undertook short U.S. tours during November and December of that year. In April 2017 Thurston and Moyal recorded material intended for a fourth EP which remains unreleased.

Members

Definitive lineup

• Richard Thurston – guitar, bass, drums, backing vocals (2009–2017)
• Damien Moyal – lead vocals (2009–2017)
• Zachary Colina – guitar (2015–2017)

Previous members and live performers

• Richard Walbert – guitar (2011–2014)
• Julio Marin – drums (2011–2014)
• Chad Kishick – guitar (2011–2014)
• Joshua Williams – drums (2015)
• Joshua King – bass, backing vocals (2015)
• Boone Haley – drums (2015–2016)
• Megan Schroer – bass (2015–2016)

Timeline

• ^{Release dates for studio albums and EPs are shown; band membership frequently shifted between recording sessions and releases.}

Discography

EPs

• Planet Hospice (2012, Eulogy Recordings / American Enemy Records)
• The Long Con (2013, Coffeebreath and Heartache Records / Irish VooDoo Records)
• Unremarkably Mortal (2015, Irish VooDoo Records)

Compilation albums

• Unremarkably Mortal + The Long Con (2015, Cosmic Note / Demons Run Amok Entertainment)