Stabbing Westward
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1985 in Macomb, Illinois, United States |
| Founder | Christopher Hall, Walter Flakus |
| Headquarters | Macomb, Illinois , United States |
| Products | Music albums, EPs |
Stabbing Westward is an American band known for its blend of industrial rock and alternative rock, established in 1985 by Christopher Hall and Walter Flakus in Macomb, Illinois. Their discography began with an EP released in 1992, followed by four studio albums: Ungod (1994), Wither Blister Burn & Peel (1996), Darkest Days (1998), and the self-titled Stabbing Westward (2001). The group disbanded in February 2002, with two compilation albums issued the following year. They reunited in 2016 to celebrate their 30th anniversary and resumed live shows. Their first studio album in over two decades, Chasing Ghosts, was launched in 2022.
Formation and initial phase (1985–1992)
While attending college, Christopher Hall and Walter Flakus created Stabbing Westward, deriving the band's name from a phrase used in a political speech during the 1950s. After moving to Chicago, Illinois, the founding lineup featured Hall handling bass and lead vocals, Flakus on keyboards, and Jim Clanin playing guitar. Andrew Hunter briefly took over guitar duties from Clanin, while Jim Sellers joined as bassist and Angelo Negrette on drums for live performances. This ensemble produced the 1991 EP Iwo Jesus, which included early versions of tracks such as "Violent Mood Swings" and "Shame". Only a limited run of 100 copies was initially distributed locally.
Hall briefly toured as a percussionist with Die Warzau before returning to focus on Stabbing Westward. Subsequently, Hall, Flakus, and Sellers enlisted drummer Chris Vrenna of Nine Inch Nails fame to replace Negrette; Vrenna contributed to demos that secured their contract with Columbia Records. These recordings—made in Evanston, Illinois—featured songs like "Violent Mood Swings", "Lies", and "Nothing". At Columbia's behest, Stuart Zechman joined as guitarist following Hunter’s exit. After Vrenna returned to Nine Inch Nails, David Suycott, a longtime acquaintance of Flakus from high school, took over drumming responsibilities.
Ungod era (1993–1995)
With Zechman on guitar and Suycott behind the drums, the band recorded their debut major-label album at Eden Studios in London under producer John Fryer. The album Ungod was released through Columbia Records on February 15, 1994. During the summer of that year, Stabbing Westward supported Depeche Mode on their Exotic Tour, followed by a North American tour opening for Killing Joke in the fall; however, commercial success was limited.
Towards the conclusion of the Ungod tour, David Suycott departed and was succeeded by Andy Kubiszewski, who rapidly mastered the drum parts mid-tour and subsequently became a permanent member.
The "Thread Mix" version of "Violent Mood Swings" was featured briefly in the 1994 film Clerks and included on its soundtrack. The track "Nothing" appeared in Bad Boys—although it was not part of that film’s official soundtrack—and later featured in Johnny Mnemonic, where both it and "Lost" were included on the soundtrack release. Additionally, "Lies", "Lost", and "Can't Happen Here" were used in the 1995 movie Mortal Kombat, but none were included on its accompanying soundtrack CD.
Wither Blister Burn & Peel (1995–1997)
Following Stuart Zechman's departure after the Ungod tour due to internal disagreements, the group lost a significant songwriting contributor. Drummer Andy Kubiszewski stepped in to share songwriting responsibilities. Prior to joining Stabbing Westward, Kubiszewski had experience performing with The The, recording alongside Nine Inch Nails, playing in Prick, and leading the Cleveland-based act Exotic Birds. He brought numerous demos to the band, including "What Do I Have to Do?", "Haunting Me", "Sometimes It Hurts", "Crushing Me", "Slipping Away", "Desperate Now", and "Goodbye," which were included on Wither Blister Burn & Peel and later Darkest Days.
Recording sessions took place at Bearsville Studios in Woodstock, New York. Without a full-time guitarist at that time, Sellers and Kubiszewski handled guitar parts themselves.
The 1996 release of Wither Blister Burn & Peel marked their commercial breakthrough, becoming their first album to be certified gold. This success was propelled by singles such as "Shame" and "What Do I Have to Do?", which enjoyed extensive airplay on MTV, MuchMusic, and radio stations. The band supported the album by touring with Sponge. The track "What Do I Have to Do?" was featured in the 1997 film Masterminds and later appeared in an episode of the television series Smallville. After completing the recording, Mark Eliopulos joined to perform guitar duties during live shows.
Darkest Days (1998–2000)
Relocating to Los Angeles, Stabbing Westward recorded their 1998 album Darkest Days, which was conceived as a four-act narrative, although it was not marketed explicitly as a concept album. This record represents the sole studio contribution of Mark Eliopulos. The lead single "Save Yourself" achieved notable success; however, overall album sales did not match those of its predecessor. The band embarked on tours alongside groups such as Placebo, The Cult, Monster Magnet, and Depeche Mode, and performed at prominent summer festivals. When drummer Kubiszewski suffered a broken collarbone, he was temporarily replaced first by Chris Vrenna and then by Johnny Haro, who later joined Econoline Crush.
Several songs from Darkest Days gained additional exposure through various media placements: "The Thing I Hate" served as the opening theme for the 1998 PlayStation game Duke Nukem: Time to Kill; a remix of "Torn Apart" was included on the soundtrack for the 1997 film Spawn; and "Save Yourself" appeared in movies such as Urban Legend and Tekken, as well as in the finale of Season 5 of True Blood in 2012. Additionally, "Haunting Me" was featured as the opening song for the 1998 film The Faculty.
In 2000, just prior to commencing work on their next album in Hawaii with producer Bob Rock, Columbia Records ended their contract.
Stabbing Westward and breakup (2001–2002)
After securing a deal with Koch Records, management advocated for a stronger pop-oriented sound, which met resistance from Christopher Hall, Walter Flakus, and Mark Eliopulos. Following this creative clash, Eliopulos was dismissed and replaced by Derrek Hawkins, who contributed both in studio sessions and live performances alongside new producer Ed Buller.
The initial demos for the self-titled album were considered overly dark; existing guitar parts were minimized in favor of Hawkins’ fresh pop-influenced riffs.
Released on May 22, 2001, Stabbing Westward included the successful single "So Far Away". Although it found popularity in Australia, it did not meet global sales expectations. Without securing a contract for a fifth album, the band officially dissolved on February 9, 2002.
Post-breakup period (2003–2015)
- Christopher Hall, the band's lead vocalist, established the Los Angeles-based group The Dreaming in 2001. Their initial album, Etched In Blood (2008), received widespread airplay across the country and was distributed through retailers such as Hot Topic and Best Buy. The Dreaming embarked on extensive tours, both as headliners and co-headliners alongside acts like Trust Company and Flaw. Their sophomore release, Puppet (2011), achieved a peak position of No. 32 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart. Later projects included Rise Again (2015) and the remix compilation From the Ashes (2017).
- Walter Flakus engaged in collaborations with The Clay People and Chokt, held the role of APD/Music Director at Chicago’s alternative radio station 101 WKQX, and subsequently took on a midday DJ position at rock outlet WCHI-FM. He became part of The Dreaming lineup in 2015.
- Jim Sellers founded Sellers Market, a natural foods retail store, in 2005; it ceased operations in 2012.
- Jim Clanin departed from the music business to manage a Dairy Queen franchise located in Illinois.
- Andy Kubiszewski contributed his talents to projects such as Prick, Affected, and the Russian pop duo t.A.T.u., while also composing scores for television series including Monster Garage, Ax Men, and Storage Wars. Additionally, he produced music for children’s albums like Habla Blah Blah.
- Mark Eliopulos performed guitar duties with bands like Violent New Breed, HTH, Super Model, and Brave Ulysses.
- Johnny Haro briefly served as drummer for Stabbing Westward before joining Econoline Crush and co-founding The Dreaming alongside Christopher Hall.
- Stuart Zechman retired from his musical career, relocating to New York to focus on family life.
- David Suycott became the drummer for Machines of Loving Grace in 1995 and continues to work in production and remixing.
- Derrek Hawkins contributed to Ace Frehley’s 2009 solo album Anomaly.
Despite fan petitions sparking rumors in 2010 and 2012 about a Stabbing Westward reunion, these plans never came to fruition. Nevertheless, Christopher Hall, Walter Flakus, and Johnny Haro performed together on stage during a Dreaming concert in Las Vegas on November 15, 2013. Flakus later joined The Dreaming as a permanent member.
Reunion and Chasing Ghosts era (2015–present)
In 2015, Stabbing Westward reunited after Mark Eliopulos joined them live during The Dreaming's "Rise Again" tour stop in Chicago on June 11. This reunion officially included two performances celebrating the band's 30th anniversary: one on September 22, 2016, at Chicago's Cold Waves Festival—a charity event supporting suicide prevention—and another on October 31, 2016, at Philadelphia’s Dracula's Ball. The lineup featured Christopher Hall, Walter Flakus, Mark Eliopulos, Johnny Haro, and Carlton Bost (known for his work with The Dreaming, Orgy, and Berlin). Jim Sellers was absent due to professional obligations.
In January 2017, Walter Flakus expressed willingness to participate in additional reunion concerts. A comprehensive tour was then announced beginning February 2017, which included an appearance at that year’s Cold Waves Festival in Chicago.
Following their reunion, the band released a re-recorded version of "Plastic Jesus" featured on the Cold Waves V compilation (September 22, 2016) along with an unreleased track from 2001 titled "Home in You" included on Cold Waves VI (September 28, 2017).
Johnny Haro was removed from the band on August 17, 2018; Bobby Amaro from Orgy took over drumming duties. From October through December 2018, Stabbing Westward toured across the United States celebrating the twentieth anniversary of Darkest Days, performing much of that album along with other selections.
In June 2019, the band announced they were working on new material; however, Eliopulos later confirmed his departure from the group. Early in 2020 saw the release of Dead and Gone, marking their first new recordings in nearly two decades.
By May 2020, Stabbing Westward had signed with COP International for their forthcoming studio album titled Chasing Ghosts, their first full-length release since 2001. The lead single "I Am Nothing" preceded the album launch on March 18, 2022.
Musical style and influences
Stabbing Westward is predominantly recognized for their industrial rock and alternative rock genres, incorporating facets of industrial metal, alternative metal, and nu metal into their sound. Frequently likened to Nine Inch Nails, Alan Escher from AllMusic suggests their musical roots align more closely with British synth-pop innovators such as Depeche Mode. The vocal delivery of Christopher Hall has often been compared to Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails.
Their initial release, Ungod, was described as a "lo-fi aggro-synth assault," whereas Wither Blister Burn & Peel marked a transition towards a stronger guitar presence. The band's 2001 self-titled album featured a softer, more melodic approach with reduced heaviness.
Among the artists that have influenced Stabbing Westward are Ministry, Revolting Cocks, Nine Inch Nails, Depeche Mode, Soundgarden, The Cure, Bauhaus, The Sisters of Mercy, Joy Division, and Pearl Jam.
Current
- Christopher Hall – lead vocals, guitars, keyboards, drum machine programming (1985–2002, 2016–present)
- Walter Flakus – keyboards, programming, backing vocals, guitars (1985–2002, 2016–present)
- Bobby Amaro – drums (2018–present)
- Cyamak Ashtiani – guitars, backing vocals (2024–present)
Former
- Jim Clanin – guitars (1985–1990)
- Andrew Hunter – guitars (1990–1991)
- Angelo Negrette – drums (1990–1991; died 2019)
- Chris Vrenna – drums (1992, 1998)
- David Suycott – drums (1993–1994)
- Stuart Zechman – guitars (1993–1995)
- Jim Sellers – bass (1990–2002)
- Andy Kubiszewski – drums, guitars, keyboards, backing vocals (1994–2002)
- Derrek Hawkins – guitars, backing vocals (1999–2002)
- Johnny Haro – drums (1998, 2016–2018)
- Mark Eliopulos – guitars, backing vocals (1995–1999, 2016–2019)
- Carlton Bost – bass, guitars (2016–2024)
Timeline
Colors indicate primary live performance roles.
Studio albums
| Year | Title | Chart positions | Certifications (sales thresholds) |
Sales | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US |
US Heat. |
US Ind. |
AUS | ||||
| 1994 | Ungod
|
— | — | — | — |
| |
| 1996 | Wither Blister Burn & Peel
|
67 | 1 | — | — |
|
|
| 1998 | Darkest Days
|
52 | — | — | 79 |
|
|
| 2001 | Stabbing Westward
|
47 | — | 2 | 97 |
| |
| 2022 | Chasing Ghosts
|
— | — | — | — | ||
EPs
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Iwo Jesus | Self-published |
| 2019 | Iwo Jesus | |
| 2020 | Dead and Gone | |
| Hallowed Hymns | COP International |
Compilation albums
| Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | The Essential Stabbing Westward | Sony |
| What Do I Have to Do? |
Singles
| Year | Track | Chart rankings | Album | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Airplay | US Modern Rock | US Mainstream Rock | AUS | ||||||||||
| 1993 | "Violent Mood Swings" | — | — | — | — | Ungod | |||||||
| 1994 | "Control" | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
| "Lies" | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
| "Nothing" | — | — | — | — | |||||||||
| 1996 | "What Do I Have to Do?" | 60 | 11 | 7 | — | Wither Blister Burn & Peel | |||||||
| "Shame" | 69 | 14 | 7 | — | |||||||||
| 1998 | "Sometimes It Hurts" | — | 39 | 20 | — | Darkest Days | |||||||
| "Save Yourself" | — | 20 | 4 | 64 | |||||||||
| 1999 | "Haunting Me" | — | 34 | 19 | — | ||||||||
| 2001 | "So Far Away" | — | 21 | 23 | 85 | 'Stabbing Westward' | |||||||
| 2020 | "Dead and Gone" | — | — | — | — | 'Dead and Gone' | |||||||
| 2021 | "I Am Nothing" | — | — | — | — | Chasing Ghosts | |||||||
| 2022 | "Ghost" | — | — | — | — | ||||||||
"—" indicates the track did not chart or was not released in that market. | |||||||||||||
- Tracks "What Do I Have to Do?" and "Shame" were not officially released as commercial singles but gained positions on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart through radio exposure.
Promotional singles
| Year | Track | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | "I Don't Believe" | Wither Blister Burn & Peel |
| 2001 | "Angel" | Stabbing Westward |
Additional tracks
- The song "Dawn" appeared on the soundtrack for Escape from L.A. (1996).
- "Torn Apart," remixed by Josh Wink, was included in the Spawn soundtrack (1997).
- "So Wrong" was featured on the Bride of Chucky soundtrack (1998).
- The cover of "Top of the World" by The Carpenters was part of the Triple M Musical Challenge II compilation (2001).
- Their rendition of "Bizarre Love Triangle" originally by New Order appeared on the Not Another Teen Movie soundtrack (2001).
- "Plastic Jesus," a re-recorded version from the Iwo Jesus EP, was included in the Cold Waves V compilation (2016).
- "Home In You" featured on the Cold Waves VI compilation (2017).
Music Videos
| Year | Song Title | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | "Lies" | Peter Christopherson |
| "Nothing" | Julie Hermelin | |
| 1996 | "What Do I Have To Do?" | Josh Taft |
| "Shame" | Paul Cunningham | |
| 1998 | "Sometimes It Hurts" | Kevin Kerslake |
| "Save Yourself" | Matt Donaldson | |
| 2001 | "So Far Away" | Shawn Foster |
| 2020 | "Dead and Gone" | Vincente Cordero |
| "Crawl" | ||
| "Cold" | Christopher Hall | |
| 2022 | "Ghost" |