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Scream (band)

From Alfawiki
Scream
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1981 in Bailey's Crossroads, Virginia, United States
Headquarters
Washington, D.C.
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide (toured Europe and North America)
Key people
Pete Stahl, Franz Stahl, Skeeter Thompson, Kent Stax, Dave Grohl
ProductsMusic albums, live performances

Scream is a hardcore punk group originating from Washington, D.C., established in 1981 in the suburb of Bailey's Crossroads, Virginia. As a key part of the Washington Hardcore movement, they reunited in 2009 and were actively touring across Europe by 2012.

History

Formed in Northern Virginia, Scream's original lineup included vocalist Pete Stahl, guitarist Franz Stahl, bassist Skeeter Thompson, and drummer Kent Stax, who took over from the initial drummer Steve Atton shortly after the band's inception. Arriving toward the conclusion of the first wave of D.C. hardcore, Scream endured longer than many contemporaries. Along with groups such as Minor Threat and Government Issue, they blended rapid rhythms, politically charged lyrics, a straightforward demeanor, and a dismissal of mainstream commercialization.

Their recordings took place at Inner Ear Studios located in Arlington, Virginia, and notably, they were the first act on D.C.'s independent Dischord Records to issue a full-length album rather than just EPs.

For their sophomore release, Scream incorporated guitarist Robert Lee "Harley" Davidson to develop a dual-lead guitar dynamic that became a defining feature on their third album. During this era, keyboardist Bobby Madden contributed to selected compilation tracks and live performances.

Following the third album Banging the Drum, drummer Stax departed and was succeeded by 17-year-old Dave Grohl for the fourth album No More Censorship. This record was distributed through reggae label RAS Records instead of Dischord. In spring 1990, the band toured Europe; their show in Alzey, Germany was captured for Your Choice Live Series Vol.10. Their fifth studio effort, Fumble, was completed prior to disbanding but saw release in 1993.

Post-breakup and one-off tours

Following Scream's dissolution, Grohl relocated to Seattle to become drummer for the rock band Nirvana, while Pete and Franz stayed in North Hollywood and formed the rock group Wool.

Coinciding with the postponed release of Fumble, the Stahl/Stahl/Thompson/Grohl lineup embarked on a North American tour during summer 1993. They reunited briefly for a special "mini reunion" gig at The Dragonfly in Los Angeles in August 1994, featuring Zack de la Rocha of Rage Against The Machine guesting on "Human Behavior". Another reunion occurred on December 28, 1996, when the Stahl/Stahl/Davidson/Thompson/Stax formation performed at Washington, D.C.'s Black Cat, with Grohl joining on drums for "No More Censorship". This concert was later issued as Live at the Black Cat in 1998 through Torque Records.

In 1997, Franz Stahl became part of Grohl's newly founded band Foo Fighters for two years. Pete Stahl took on roles as road manager for both Foo Fighters and Queens of the Stone Age, while also recording with groups such as Earthlings? and Goatsnake. Thompson remained based in D.C., occasionally performing with Scream and other projects. Stax played with Skinhead/Oi! outfits including the Suspects and United 121 before prioritizing family life. Davidson moved to Los Angeles to join The Drills (1989–1991), later returning to D.C. to establish Orangahead and subsequently joining Baltimore punk band Jakkpot for a European tour in 1998. He also created Festival of Fools and God is Dead.

Reunion

The founding members came together once again for a performance at the Black Cat on December 20, 2009. A temporary lineup featuring Pete Stahl on vocals, Grohl on electric guitar, Thompson handling bass, and Stax on drums appeared at the 9:30 Club's 30th anniversary event on May 31, 2010.

In 2011, the original group recorded the Complete Control Sessions EP at Grohl's Studio 606 located in Los Angeles, which was released both on vinyl and digitally. They followed this with a European tour in early 2012.

Pete Stahl announced in March 2018 that their 1988 album No More Censorship would be reissued, with the release date set for April 27, 2018.

Drummer Kent Stax passed away from cancer on September 20, 2023. By November of that year, Jerry Busher had taken over drumming duties. Subsequently, Scream launched their album DC Special on November 10, 2023 through Dischord Records.

Current

  • Pete Stahl – lead vocals (1981–1990, 1993, 2009–present)
  • Franz Stahl – guitar, backing vocals (1981–1990, 1993, 2009–present)
  • Skeeter Thompson – bass, backing vocals (1981–1988, 1988–1990, 1993, 2009–present)
  • Clint Walsh – guitar, backing vocals (2009–present)
  • Jerry Busher – drums (2023–present)

Former

  • Kent Stax – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1981–1986, 2009–2023; deceased)
  • Dave Grohl – drums, percussion, vocals (1986–1990, 1993)
  • Robert Lee Davidson – guitar, backing vocals (1984–1989)
  • J. Robbins – bass (1988)

Touring

  • Andrew Black – drums (2024)
  • Bobby Madden – keyboard (1984–85)
  • Ben Pape – bass (1988; partial tour)
  • John S. Pappas – drums (1985)

Studio albums

EPs

Compilation albums

  • Still Screaming/This Side Up (1995) Dischord Records
  • Fumble + Banging the Drum (1995) Dischord Records

Live albums

Singles

  • "Walking by Myself" b/w "Choke Word" (1986) Jungle Hop Records
  • "Mardi Gras" b/w "Land Torn Down" (1990) DSI Records

Compilation appearances

  • Bouncing Babies (1984) Fountain of Youth Records – "Ultra Violence/Screaming"
  • Flipside Vinyl Fanzine (1984) Gasatanka/Enigma Records – "Fight"
  • Another Shot for Bracken (1986) Positive Force Records – "Green Eyed Lady"
  • F.R. 5 (1986) Fetal Records – "Solidarity"
  • Viva Umkhonto! (1987) Mordam/Konkurrel Records – "Feel Like That"
  • State of the Union (1989) Dischord Records – "Ameri-dub"
  • It's Your Choice (1991) Your Choice Records – "A No Money Down" (live)
  • 20 Years of Dischord (2003) Dischord Records – "Fight/American Justice" and "Search for Employment"

External links

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