Tension (hardcore band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1993 in South Florida, United States |
| Founder | Mikey Hurley |
| Products | Music albums, EPs |
Tension emerged in 1993 in South Florida as a Christian straight-edge hardcore punk ensemble.
History
The band's inception dates back to 1993 when vocalist Mikey Hurley initiated Tension as an offshoot of his primary group, Endure.[1] He brought aboard guitarist Joe Keit alongside drummer Chris Michaelis.[2] Shortly thereafter, Nick Dominguez, also from Endure, joined on bass, finalizing the original lineup. Within a few weeks, they recorded six tracks for their initial release, In Our Time.
In the same year, Dominguez departed to become part of Strongarm[3], with Ray Rodriguez stepping in as his replacement.[2] The band followed up with the well-received EP The Sickness of our Age in 1994.[2] After Michaelis's exit, Eric Leon assumed drumming duties, ushering in what many consider the band's most successful era. During 1995, Tension embarked on a tour alongside Uplipht and Strongarm, performing roughly 25 to 30 shows.[4]
Subsequently, Mike McDermit succeeded Leon on drums and contributed to their first full-length album, Agent of the People. Under the Uprising Records label, Tension released this album and also reissued Sickness of Our Age.[2]
Celebrated as a seminal group within the Florida hardcore movement,[5][6] Tension maintained strong ties with influential Florida bands including New Found Glory, Endure, Strongarm, Shai Hulud, and Further Seems Forever.[7]
Among those who briefly joined were prominent musicians such as Matt Fox (Shai Hulud), Chad Gilbert (New Found Glory), Ray Souza (LOAD), Kenny Fontaine (Kenny Steel), and John Wylie (Where Fear and Weapons Meet).[2] Throughout their career, Tension performed alongside notable acts like Earth Crisis, Hatebreed, Strife, Shelter, and Marilyn Manson.[2]
In 2017, original frontman Mikey Hurley passed away at age 45; reports suggested suicide.[8] His death was deeply felt by former members and fellow musicians alike.[2][8]
Members
| Tenure | Member | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1993-1997 | Michael "Mikey" Joseph Hurley II (deceased 2017) | Lead Vocals |
| 1993-1997 | Joe Keit | Guitarist |
| 1993-1995, 1996-1997 | Ray Rodriguez | Bassist |
| 1996-1997 | Mike McDermit | Drummer |
| Tenure | Member | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1993, 1995-1996 | Nick Dominguez | Bass |
| 1993 | Matt Fox | Bass Guitar |
| 1993-1994 | Chris Michaelis | Drums |
| 1994-1996 | Eric Leon | Drums |
| Chad Gilbert | ||
| John Wylie | Guitar | |
| Ray Souza | ||
| Kenny Fontaine |
Discography
| Release Year | Album Name | Record Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Agent of the People | Uprising Records |
| Release Year | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | In Our Time | First Street Records |
| 1994 | The Sickness of Our Age | Endless Fight Records |
| Year Released | Compilation Title | Issuing Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | SFSA: South Florida Slammie Awards Vol. 1 | GJ Records |
| 1994 | "Stand Aside" featured on Identity?! Songs of Hatred | Century Media |
| 1995 | "Stand Aside" included in Ceremony of Fire | Uprising |
| 1995 | "Greed" appearing on Point Counterpoint | Inside Front Records |
| 1995 | "Greed" featured in South Florida Comp | Far Out Records |
| 1995 | "Unheard" on Over The Edge Compilation Vol. 2 | Endless Fight |
| 1995 | "Stand Aside" included in Stones to Mark a Fire | Militant Records/Vegan Earth Order |
| 1995 | "Stand Aside" featured on Bloodlines - The Seeds of Rebellion | Century Media |
| 1996 | "Greed" appearing on Inside Front the Compact Disc | Inside Front |
- ↑ "Fast FWD - What They're Up 2 Now: Chris Carbonell of Strongarm". Indie Vision Music. January 13, 2014.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedHistory - ↑ "Strongarm". New Release Tuesday.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs named:0 - ↑ "8 Vital Bands From the Current Crop of Florida Hardcore". Bandcamp Daily. August 16, 2017.
- ↑ "Broward and Palm Beach Counties' Ten Best Hardcore Bands of All Time". Broward/Palm Beach New Times. June 9, 2014.
- ↑ "Endure". Richseam.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Chris Carrabba homecoming cloaked in mysteries". South Florida. August 23, 2017.