S.A. Slayer
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1981 |
| Headquarters | San Antonio , United States |
| Products | Heavy metal music |
S.A. Slayer, initially called Slayer, was a heavy metal group from San Antonio, Texas, established in 1981 by former Blitzkrieg guitarists Robert "Bob Dog" Catlin and Art Villarreal, bassist Don Van Stavern, drummer Dave McClain, and singer Chris Cronk (associated with Fates Warning, Jag Panzer, Karion). Shortly after formation, Steve Cooper replaced Cronk as vocalist. The band partnered with local label Rainforest Records to record six tracks intended for an EP at B.O.S.S. Studios, working alongside producers Bob O'Neill and Rick Shrieves. Their Prepare to Die EP debuted in 1983, positioning "Slayer" as a leading metal act within Texas. Following a legal challenge involving Metal Blade Records founder Brian Slagel—who represented the California thrash band also named Slayer—the group adopted the name S.A. Slayer. Despite this claim, both sides have denied the existence of any formal cease and desist communication.
History
In 1983, guitarist Art Villarreal departed to create the influential power-progressive metal outfit Karion alongside former member Chris Cronk, bassist Pete Perez, and drummer Frank Ferraira. His role was filled by guitar virtuoso Ron Jarzombek, who made his first appearance on Slayer’s sole full-length release, Go For The Throat, produced by O'Neill and Shrieves. The album’s launch faced delays due to the closure of Rainforest Records but was ultimately released posthumously in 1988 through Los Angeles-based Under den Linden Records under the moniker "S.A. Slayer" to distinguish them from the California thrash band "Slayer." Both bands had previously shared a stage at San Antonio’s "Villa Fontana" during the latter’s Haunting the Chapel EP tour. This concert on November 30, 1984—marking one of S.A. Slayer’s final performances—was organized by Omni Entertainment, a local promoter dedicated to advancing the San Antonio heavy metal scene.
Go for the Throat
Following the album’s completion, the band encountered difficulties with Rainforest Records, which was reluctant to release a record that might provoke legal action from the Los Angeles-based Slayer backed by a major label. Complicating matters further, their distributor Dutch East Indies was involved in legal disputes connected to the Dead Kennedys Frankenchrist album.
Disbandment
The group's concluding show took place at "The Cameo" in San Antonio, a venue renowned for hosting early performances by Metallica and shortly thereafter Nasty Savage, following the Slayer vs Slayer event.
After the breakup, three members—vocalist Steve Cooper, bassist Don Van Stavern, and drummer Dave McClain—collaborated with former Riot guitarist Mark Reale to form the brief-lived band Narita. This initiative was a calculated response to S.A. Slayer's difficulties, which included considerations of changing their name. Subsequently, Reale and Van Stavern revived Riot, enlisting vocalist Tony Moore and drummer Bobby Jarzombek, who had ties to San Antonio’s Juggernaut.
Bobdog Catlin, one of the founders, co-established Juggernaut alongside Scott Womak and Harlan Glenn. He also participated in various projects such as Pigface and San Antonio’s avant-garde ensemble Pseudo Buddha. Later, Catlin reunited with original co-founder Art Villarreal to create Martyrhead, a band dedicated to performing covers of classic 1970s and 1980s Motörhead tracks.
Dave McClain moved to California where he played with several groups: Turbin (featuring ex-Anthrax singer Neil Turbin), Catalepsy (a spin-off from Detente), Murdercar (featured on Metal Massacre X), Ministers of Anger (on Metal Massacre XI), before joining Arizona thrash band Sacred Reich, and ultimately becoming part of Bay Area heavyweights Machine Head.
Guitarist Ron Jarzombek collaborated with his brother Bobby in Happy Kitties prior to joining Austin’s progressive thrash pioneers Watchtower in 1986. In 1993, he established the progressive technical metal trio Spastic Ink with Bobby and bassist Pete Perez. Jarzombek has contributed to projects by former Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman as well as members of Cynic side project Gordian Knot. In 2005, he launched the technical extreme metal outfit Blotted Science, teaming up with bassist Alex Webster from Cannibal Corpse, while maintaining his involvement with Watchtower.
Steve Cooper lent his vocals to San Antonio’s Juggernaut for their 1987 release Trouble Within and briefly collaborated with fellow Metal Blade artists Exxplorer. He died on May 14, 2006, due to kidney failure linked to type 1 diabetes.
Both Slayer albums have been extensively bootlegged across countries including Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, and Brazil. A partially official limited edition CD reissue of Prepare To Die was issued in 2004 with only 1000 numbered copies. Recordings from the final S.A. Slayer performance, "Slayer Vs. Slayer," occasionally appear on auction sites like eBay.
Musical influences
In a 2009 interview with Backbeat, Art Villarreal and Bobdog Catlin cited Judas Priest and Iron Maiden as their main inspirations. Their sound also incorporated elements from contemporary rock groups such as Budgie, Rush, Black Sabbath, Oz Knozz, Pavlov's Dog, and Head East. Significantly, the band toured Texas as an opening act for Metallica during Metallica’s inaugural Texas tour supporting the Kill 'em All album in 1983.
Past
- Steve Cooper – lead vocals (1983–1984)
- Chris Cronk – lead vocals (1982)
- Robert "Bob Dog" Catlin – guitar (1982–1984)
- Ron Jarzombek – guitar (1984)
- Art Villarreal – guitar (1982–1983)
- Don Van Stavern – bass guitar (1982–1984)
- Dave McClain – drums (1982–1984)
Discography
- Prepare to Die EP – released in 1983 (Rainforest)
- Go for the Throat LP – released in 1988 (Under den Linden)
See also
- Slayer, a different band sharing the same name