Zoetrope (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Founder | Barry Stern, Kevin Michael Rasofsky, Calvin "Willis" Humphrey |
| Defunct | 1993 |
| Headquarters | Chicago , United States |
| Products | Heavy metal music, albums |
Zoetrope was a heavy metal group originating from Chicago, recognized for a style similar to thrash metal but described by the band themselves as "Street Metal".
History
Established in 1976 by Barry Stern (drums and vocals), Kevin Michael Rasofsky (guitar and vocals), and Calvin "Willis" Humphrey (bass), with guitarist Ken Black joining soon after, Zoetrope initially performed cover songs before developing original compositions and releasing a single in 1980. They were active participants in Chicago's hardcore punk community, frequently performing alongside local hardcore acts and maintaining ties with the punk venue O'Banions. In addition to their own work, Black and Stern produced the 1986 self-titled album for Chicago hardcore band Life Sentence. After producing demo recordings, Zoetrope secured a contract with Combat Records and unveiled their first LP, Amnesty, in 1985.
In 1987, the band recorded A Life of Crime in Los Angeles under the guidance of producer Randy Burns. During these sessions, Ken Black departed to focus on overcoming substance dependency and was succeeded by Louis Svitek. Despite Svitek appearing on the album cover, Kevin Michael confirmed that Black had completed all his guitar tracks prior to leaving. Svitek participated in the subsequent tour but was soon recruited by M.O.D., while Barry Stern exited to join Chicago-based band Trouble. Kevin Michael reassembled Zoetrope with new members for the 1993 release Mind Over Splatter, after which the band dissolved.
Louis Svitek later contributed to Chicago punk outfit Lost Cause, as well as Ministry, Mind Funk, Pigface, The Hollow Steps (which included Ken Black on select tracks), and Project 44. He currently operates Wu Li Records, a hip-hop label based in Chicago. Original drummer and vocalist Barry Stern toured with Cathedral and appeared on Debris Inc.'s debut album alongside former members of Saint Vitus and Trouble. Stern passed away on April 1, 2005, due to complications following hip-replacement surgery; at that time, he was performing with local group D-Connect. The band Trouble honored his memory by dedicating their 2007 album, Simple Mind Condition, to him.
Members
- Kevin Michael – Guitar/Vocals (1976–1993)
- Ken Black – Guitar (1976–1987)
- Barry Stern – Drums/Vocals (1976–1988)
- Calvin "Willis" Humphrey – Bass (1976–1990)
- Louis Svitek – Guitar (1987–1988)
- Pete Montswillo – Vocals (1988–1993)
- Michael Ray Garrett – Guitar (1988–1993)
- Drew Kristoff – Drums/Vocals (1988–1990)
- Sean Schipper – Drums (1990–1993)
- Erik "Tater" Armstrong – Bass (1990–1993)
Discography
- "The Right Way" b/w "Call 33" 7" (1980, self-released)
- The Metal Log Vol. 1 demo tape (1983, self-released)
- The Metal Log Vol. 2 demo tape (1985, self-released)
- Amnesty LP (1985, Combat Records, reissued on CD with demos by Century Media in Europe in 1999)
- A Life of Crime LP (1987, Combat Records, reissued on CD with liner notes by Kevin Michael on Century Media in Europe in 1998)
- Mind Over Splatter LP/CD (1993, Grind Core Records/Red Light)