D.D. Verni is an American bassist, best known as founding member and longtime bassist/songwriter of thrash metal

Thrash metal

Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...

 band Overkill

Overkill (band)

Overkill is an American thrash metal band, formed in 1980 in New Jersey. They have gone through many line-up changes, with singer Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth and bassist D.D. Verni remaining from the original lineup. Along with Anthrax , the band is one of the most successful East Coast thrash metal...

.

Early years

In 1976, Verni met Lee "Rat Skates" Kundrat

Rat Skates

Rat Skates is a filmmaker, writer and musician. He is most widely known as a pioneer of D.I.Y...

 in high school, who had been learning to play drums since age 15. They shared the same musical interests in hard rock bands like Kiss

KISS (band)

Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...

, Aerosmith

Aerosmith

Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...

, Ted Nugent

Ted Nugent

Theodore Anthony "Ted" Nugent is an American guitarist, musician, singer, author, reserve police officer, and activist. From Detroit, Michigan, he originally gained fame as the lead guitarist of The Amboy Dukes, before embarking on a lengthy solo career...

, Starz

Starz (band)

Starz was a 1970s heavy metal and power pop band from New Jersey, United States. Despite a lack of big commercial success, the band has a lasting cult following and has been cited as a major influence by bands such as Mötley Crüe, Poison and Twisted Sister....

, Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...

, Rainbow

Rainbow

A rainbow is an optical and meteorological phenomenon that causes a spectrum of light to appear in the sky when the Sun shines on to droplets of moisture in the Earth's atmosphere. It takes the form of a multicoloured arc...

 and were then introduced to punk music such as The Damned, The Ramones, The Vibrators

The Vibrators

- Early career:The Vibrators were founded by Ian 'Knox' Carnochan, bassist Pat Collier, guitarist John Ellis, and drummer John 'Eddie' Edwards. They first came to public notice at the 100 Club when they backed Chris Spedding in 1976. On Spedding's recommendation, Mickie Most signed them to his...

, Generation X

Generation X (band)

Generation X was a British punk rock band, formed on 21 November 1976 by Billy Idol, Tony James and John Towe.-History:...

, and through another classmate Fred Hensley (who became known as vocalist Billy Vector.) With Skates using drums that were borrowed from neighborhood friends, the three formed a punk group known as The Lubricunts in 1979 with another classmate Ken Sibley on guitar, who became known as Nick Fuse. The group disbanded in 1980, and Verni, along with fellow bandmate Skates, posted an advertisement for a vocalist and guitarist to join the band. Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth answered the ad, and brought guitarist Dan Spitz

Dan Spitz

Dan Spitz is a musician best known for his work as the lead guitarist of the heavy metal band Anthrax from 1983–1995 and from 2005 to 2007. He is the brother of former White Lion and Black Sabbath bassist Dave Spitz.-Personal life:...

 with him. Although a bassist, Blitz would focus on vocals in the new band.

Overkill

After rejecting several names, including "Virgin Killer", the band finally settled on "Overkill", after the Motörhead album of the same name

Overkill (album)

Overkill is the second album released by Motörhead, in 1979, and their first for Bronze Records. It peaked at number 24 on the UK charts.It had a big impact in the British punk culture of that time, paving the way for UK82. Kerrang! magazine listed the album at No...

. Early covers, especially those done under the "Virgin Killers" name, were punk songs by The Ramones, The Dead Boys

The Dead Boys

The Dead Boys were an American punk rock band from Cleveland, Ohio. Among the first wave of early punk bands, the Dead Boys were initially active from 1976 to 1979, briefly reuniting in 1987, 2004 and 2005.-Formation and 1970s punk rock era:...

 and others. By late 1980, the band had recruited dual guitarists, and the setlist was made up of songs by bands such as Motörhead ("Overkill", half of the Ace Of Spades

Ace of Spades (album)

Ace of Spades is the fourth album by the British band Motörhead. Released on 8 November 1980, it peaked at #4 on the UK album charts and reached Gold status by March 1981...

 album), Judas Priest

Judas Priest

Judas Priest are an English heavy metal band from Birmingham, England, formed in 1969. The current line-up consists of lead vocalist Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis. The band has gone through several drummers over the years,...

 ('Tyrant' was their closer), and Riot

Riot

A riot is a form of civil disorder characterized often by what is thought of as disorganized groups lashing out in a sudden and intense rash of violence against authority, property or people. While individuals may attempt to lead or control a riot, riots are thought to be typically chaotic and...

. Along with the new influx of heavy metal covers, the band still played a smattering of punk covers, with extra distortion, intensity, and speed, marking Overkill as one of the first thrash bands.

At this point, the band started writing original songs, including "Grave Robbers" (later renamed "Raise The Dead"), "Overkill", and "Unleash The Beast (Within)". More songs would follow, including "Death Rider" (1981) and "Rotten To The Core" (1982). In 1983 Rich left and Bobby Gustafson remained as the sole guitarist. The band became a staple at New York and New Jersey clubs, such as L'Amours, and D.D. gave Bobby the nickname "Blitz" due to his over-the-top lifestyle, a lifestyle that once earned Bobby an ejection from the band for a few days in 1983. Around this time, the classic green logo was adopted, which Rat Skates specifically designed to stand out on a poster loaded with red and black logos of other bands on the bill. Verni has been the sole songwriter for the music of Overkill

Overkill (band)

Overkill is an American thrash metal band, formed in 1980 in New Jersey. They have gone through many line-up changes, with singer Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth and bassist D.D. Verni remaining from the original lineup. Along with Anthrax , the band is one of the most successful East Coast thrash metal...

, since Horrorscope

Horrorscope (Overkill album)

Horrorscope is the fifth studio album by American thrash metal band Overkill. Released in 1991 on Atlantic Records, it was their first album to feature the guitar duo of Merritt Gant and Rob Cannavino.-Overview:...

.

Discography with Overkill

Title	Type	Label	Year
Power In Black Power in Black Power in Black is the first demo from American thrash metal band Overkill in 1983, although some songs had been recorded previously, such as The Beast Within.-Band members:* Rat Skates – Drums* Bobby Gustafson – Guitar* D.D. Verni – Bass...	Demo	Blood Metal Music	1983
Overkill Overkill (EP) Overkill is the first EP recorded by thrash metal band Overkill released in 1984 on Azra/Metal Storm records. The EP is included on the !!!Fuck You!!! And Then Some compilation.- Track listing :# "Rotten to the Core" — 5:14...	E.P.	Azra/ Metal Storm	1984
Feel The Fire Feel the Fire (Overkill album) Feel the Fire is the debut album by American thrash metal band Overkill, released by Megaforce Records in 1985.-Overview:The band spent the better part of 1985 and 1986 on the Feel the Fire tour, beginning as a support act for Megadeth's Peace Sells US tour and later in Europe with Anthrax and...	Studio album	Megaforce	1985
Taking Over	Studio album	Megaforce/ Atlantic	1987
!!!Fuck You!!! !!!Fuck You!!! !!!Fuck You!!! is an EP released by thrash metal band Overkill in 1987. Consisting of a cover version of the song "Fuck You" , the EP also featured 5 live tracks recorded at The Phantasy Theatre in Cleveland, Ohio...	EP	Megaforce/ Caroline	1987
Under the Influence	Studio album	Megaforce	1988
The Years of Decay The Years of Decay The Years of Decay is the fourth studio album by thrash metal band Overkill. It was released in 1989 on the Megaforce label, with distribution handled by Atlantic Records...	Studio album	Megaforce/ Atlantic	1989
Horrorscope Horrorscope (Overkill album) Horrorscope is the fifth studio album by American thrash metal band Overkill. Released in 1991 on Atlantic Records, it was their first album to feature the guitar duo of Merritt Gant and Rob Cannavino.-Overview:...	Studio Album	Megaforce/ Atlantic	1991
I Hear Black I Hear Black I Hear Black is the sixth studio album by thrash metal band Overkill in 1993 on Atlantic Records. It was the band's first to feature drummer Tim Mallare.-Overview:...	Studio album	Atlantic	1993
W.F.O. W.F.O. W.F.O. is the seventh full-length album by thrash metal band Overkill, released in September 1994 on Atlantic Records. The album contains a "hidden songs" on tracks 97 and 98, featuring the band warming up in the studio, playing "Heaven and Hell" by Black Sabbath, and "The Ripper" by Judas...	Studio album	Atlantic	1994
Wrecking Your Neck Wrecking Your Neck Wrecking Your Neck is a 2-disc live album released by the thrash metal band Overkill in 1995. A March 1995 show, once again in Cleveland, Ohio, was recorded for Overkill's first full-length live album, and was released in April 1995; with the first pressing featuring a bonus CD containing the...	Live album	CMC International	1995
The Killing Kind	Studio album	CMC International	1996
!!!Fuck You!!! and Then Some !!!Fuck You!!! And then Some !!!Fuck You!!! and Then Some is a 1996 reissue of the Overkill EPs Overkill and !!!Fuck You!!! , combined with bonus live tracks, including a cover of Black Sabbath's "Hole in the Sky."- Track listing :...	EP	Megaforce	1996
From the Underground and Below From The Underground And Below From the Underground and Below is the ninth studio album by the thrash metal band Overkill released in 1997 by CMC International. Two cover songs were recorded during these sessions; "No Feelings" by Sex Pistols and "Space Truckin'" by Deep Purple...	Studio album	CMC International	1997
Necroshine Necroshine Necroshine is the tenth full-length album released by the thrash metal band Overkill in early 1999, on CMC International records.It is the first Overkill album to feature a guest vocalist, with singer Blitz's sister Mary Ellsworth performing background vocals on "Let Us Prey" and a duet with Blitz...	Studio album	CMC International	1999
Coverkill Coverkill Coverkill is a cover album released by thrash metal band Overkill in 1999. The album consists of cover songs by artists that influenced the band, including Black Sabbath, Motörhead, Ramones, and Manowar.-Track listing:...	Covers album	CMC International	1999
Bloodletting Bloodletting Bloodletting is the withdrawal of often little quantities of blood from a patient to cure or prevent illness and disease. Bloodletting was based on an ancient system of medicine in which blood and other bodily fluid were considered to be "humors" the proper balance of which maintained health...	Studio album	Metal-Is	2000
Wrecking Everything Wrecking Everything Wrecking Everything is a 2002 live album by thrash metal band Overkill. Recorded at The Paramount, Asbury Park, New Jersey on March 23, 2002.-Track listing:#"Necroshine" Wrecking Everything is a 2002 live album by thrash metal band Overkill. Recorded at The Paramount, Asbury Park, New Jersey on...	Live album	Spitfire Records	2002
Killbox 13 Killbox 13 Killbox 13 is the twelfth full-length studio album by thrash metal band Overkill in 2003. The name stems from the fact that the band considers this to be their thirteenth release because they include the Overkill EP as their first. "Well, it is the thirteenth, but it’s only really the thirteenth...	Studio album	Spitfire Records	2003
ReliXIV ReliXIV ReliXIV is the thirteenth full-length studio album by American thrash metal band Overkill, released in spring 2005. The reason the roman numeral 14 is included in the title is because the band includes the Overkill EP in their lineup of studio albums, which would make this album the 14th by their...	Studio album	Spitfire Records	2005
Immortalis Immortalis (album) Immortalis is the fourteenth studio album by American thrash metal band Overkill.The title of this album follows a pattern that includes the album number in the album title, starting with Killbox 13 and continued with ReliXIV ; "Immortalis" can be read as "Immortal15".-Track listing:* All songs...	Studio album	Bodog Music	2007
Ironbound Ironbound (album) Ironbound is the fifteenth full length studio album by American thrash metal band Overkill, which was released on January 29, 2010 in Europe on Nuclear Blast Records and in the U.S. on February 9, 2010 on E1 Music...	Studio album	Nuclear Blast Records	2010