Doom (UK band)
Encyclopedia
Doom are an English crust punk
band
from Birmingham
, England, whose first, influential lineup were together from 1987 to 1990. Despite its short existence, the band is considered pivotal in the rise of crust punk
, a style within the punk rock
subgenre that fuses extreme metal
with anarcho-punk
. They recorded for Peaceville Records
and are cited as an early precursor to the grindcore
style of heavy metal music
. Doom were also a favorite of BBC Radio
DJ John Peel
.
, the band changed its name to Doom.
This lineup played one or two gigs, playing in a crossover metal style. Bri and Jon decided this wasn't the direction they wanted the band to move in. Consequently they left Harris and the metal style of music, and decided to go in a Discharge
influenced crossover thrash
-style that Doom became known for. Pickering dropped bass to concentrate on vocals and Pete Nash joined as bass player. Harris left so new drummer Stick, recently made bandless, joined after a drunken meeting at the infamous Mermaid Pub, this was when the 'real' Doom was formed. The band started rehearsing with this line-up in mid 1987.
was starting up. They heard about Doom through word of mouth and asked if they were interested in contributing songs to the first Peaceville compilation A Vile Peace. Doom went to into the studio to record their first demo on 28 August 1987. Nash unfortunately broke his wrist just before Doom's recording debut, so bass player Jim Whitley (of Napalm Death
and Ripcord fame) filled in on the recording. Three songs were recorded (two of which appeared on A Vile Peace).
On the strength of this first recording Peaceville asked Doom if they would record a full LP
for them, which they agreed to do. The War is Big Business demo was recorded on 27 November 1987, which the band sold as a cassette at gigs. In February 1988, Doom went into "Rich Bitch" studios and recorded 21 songs for their debut album War Crimes (Inhuman Beings). All this time the band gigged constantly in the UK building up a following on the way. Another demo Domesday was also produced.
At the end of 1988, due to personal commitments Bri announced that he would be leaving the band. He stayed long enough to record the split LP Bury the Debt - Not the Dead (with Swedish band No Security) on the Peaceville label. The Police Bastard EP
(on discarded records) was also recorded at the same session. Doom were also invited to record two sessions for Radio One's John Peel show around this point. Bri left the band in April 1989 after completing a lengthy European tour.
Doom continued with different guitarists, most notably with Dave Talbot who co-founded UK doom metal band Solstice
with Sore Throat
's vocalist Rich Walker, but did not settle with four members for long playing numerous gigs as a three piece, as Pickering turned to vocal and guitar duties. This line up continued until a final split in August 1990. Following the group's demise Pickering formed Cain, then Police Bastard, whilst drummer Stick and bassist Nash joined Extreme Noise Terror
. Stick then joined DIRT
and Nash joined Filthkick and Cain.
with Hiatus
. Mall left shortly afterwards (an amicable parting). He was replaced by bassist Scoot from Largactyl.
This line up recorded the split 7" EP Doomed to Extinction with Extinction of Mankind
, the Fuck Peaceville double LP, and the Hail to Sweden 7" EP. This is also the line up who appear on the Videodoom video on MCR recorded on a European tour in 1994
A tour of Scandinavia was organised for September 1995, however Scoot decided not to go due to problems at home, so he was replaced by & permanently by Chris Gascoigne (of Suffer) moving to second guitar after the tour. Tom Croft also left just before the tour and was replaced by Wayne Southworth (also of Blood Sucking Freaks). While on the Scandinavian tour Doom recorded the Monarchy Zoo 7" EP at Sunlight Studios.
The band, now composed of Stick, Bri, , Wayne and Chris, went into the studio in June 1996 and recorded a full LP for Flat Earth, Called Rush Hour of the Gods.
Bri would go on to join Khang, this band then evolving into Lazarus Blackstar. Stick is also part of the band RUIN. Pickering went on to form Police Bastard and Haxan and Nash later formed Corvus.
The band then played at the 1 in 12 club, Bradford, England one last time without Wayne Southworth in tribute of their friend.
The following have been members of, or have played for Doom at one point:
(Also note, many members have performed more than one musical role during their tenure with the band)
Crust punk
Crust punk is a form of music influenced by anarcho-punk, hardcore punk and extreme metal. The style, which evolved in the mid-1980s in England, often has songs with dark and pessimistic lyrics that linger on political and social ills...
band
Rock Band
Rock Band is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems, published by MTV Games and Electronic Arts. It is the first title in the Rock Band series. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were released in the United States on November 20, 2007, while the PlayStation 2 version was...
from Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, England, whose first, influential lineup were together from 1987 to 1990. Despite its short existence, the band is considered pivotal in the rise of crust punk
Crust punk
Crust punk is a form of music influenced by anarcho-punk, hardcore punk and extreme metal. The style, which evolved in the mid-1980s in England, often has songs with dark and pessimistic lyrics that linger on political and social ills...
, a style within the punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
subgenre that fuses extreme metal
Extreme metal
Extreme metal is a loosely defined umbrella term for a number of related heavy metal music subgenres that have developed since the early 1980s. The term usually refers to a more abrasive, harsher, underground, non-commercialized style or sound nearly always associated with genres like black metal,...
with anarcho-punk
Anarcho-punk
Anarcho-punk is punk rock that promotes anarchism. The term anarcho-punk is sometimes applied exclusively to bands that were part of the original anarcho-punk movement in the United Kingdom in the late 1970s and early 1980s...
. They recorded for Peaceville Records
Peaceville Records
Peaceville Records is a British independent metal-oriented record label. The label was founded by Paul "Hammy" Halmshaw in 1987, in Dewsbury, England...
and are cited as an early precursor to the grindcore
Grindcore
Grindcore is an extreme genre of music that started in the early- to mid-1980s. It draws inspiration from some of the most abrasive music genres – including death metal, industrial music, noise and the more extreme varieties of hardcore punk....
style of heavy metal music
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
. Doom were also a favorite of BBC Radio
BBC Radio
BBC Radio is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927. For a history of BBC radio prior to 1927 see British Broadcasting Company...
DJ John Peel
John Peel
John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE , known professionally as John Peel, was an English disc jockey, radio presenter, record producer and journalist. He was the longest-serving of the original BBC Radio 1 DJs, broadcasting regularly from 1967 until his death in 2004...
.
Early history
Doom began as The Subverters with Jon Pickering (bass/vocals), Bri Doom (guitar) and Jason Hodges (drums). After Jason was replaced by new drummer, Mick HarrisMick Harris
Mick Harris commonly known and credited both as Mick Harris or occasionally M.J. Harris, is an English musician....
, the band changed its name to Doom.
This lineup played one or two gigs, playing in a crossover metal style. Bri and Jon decided this wasn't the direction they wanted the band to move in. Consequently they left Harris and the metal style of music, and decided to go in a Discharge
Discharge (band)
Discharge is a British hardcore punk band formed in 1977 by Terry "Tezz" Roberts and Roy "Rainy" Wainwright. They are often considered among one of the very first bands to play hardcore punk, and to mix punk with metal...
influenced crossover thrash
Crossover thrash
__FORCETOC__Crossover thrash, often abbreviated to crossover, is a form of thrash metal that contains more hardcore punk elements than standard thrash. The genre lies on a continuum between heavy metal and punk rock...
-style that Doom became known for. Pickering dropped bass to concentrate on vocals and Pete Nash joined as bass player. Harris left so new drummer Stick, recently made bandless, joined after a drunken meeting at the infamous Mermaid Pub, this was when the 'real' Doom was formed. The band started rehearsing with this line-up in mid 1987.
1987-1990
About this time a small label called Peaceville RecordsPeaceville Records
Peaceville Records is a British independent metal-oriented record label. The label was founded by Paul "Hammy" Halmshaw in 1987, in Dewsbury, England...
was starting up. They heard about Doom through word of mouth and asked if they were interested in contributing songs to the first Peaceville compilation A Vile Peace. Doom went to into the studio to record their first demo on 28 August 1987. Nash unfortunately broke his wrist just before Doom's recording debut, so bass player Jim Whitley (of Napalm Death
Napalm Death
Napalm Death are a death metal band formed in Birmingham, England in 1981. While none of its original members remain in the group, the lineup of vocalist Mark "Barney" Greenway, bassist Shane Embury, guitarist Mitch Harris and drummer Danny Herrera has remained consistent for most of the band's ...
and Ripcord fame) filled in on the recording. Three songs were recorded (two of which appeared on A Vile Peace).
On the strength of this first recording Peaceville asked Doom if they would record a full LP
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
for them, which they agreed to do. The War is Big Business demo was recorded on 27 November 1987, which the band sold as a cassette at gigs. In February 1988, Doom went into "Rich Bitch" studios and recorded 21 songs for their debut album War Crimes (Inhuman Beings). All this time the band gigged constantly in the UK building up a following on the way. Another demo Domesday was also produced.
At the end of 1988, due to personal commitments Bri announced that he would be leaving the band. He stayed long enough to record the split LP Bury the Debt - Not the Dead (with Swedish band No Security) on the Peaceville label. The Police Bastard EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
(on discarded records) was also recorded at the same session. Doom were also invited to record two sessions for Radio One's John Peel show around this point. Bri left the band in April 1989 after completing a lengthy European tour.
Doom continued with different guitarists, most notably with Dave Talbot who co-founded UK doom metal band Solstice
Solstice (UK band)
Solstice is an epic doom metal band from England, founded by Rich Walker after the breaking up of his previous hardcore punk / grindcore bands Sore Throat and Warfear...
with Sore Throat
Sore Throat
Sore Throat were a British crust punk / grindcore band, formed in Yorkshire in 1987. They are known for being one of the earliest exponents of the grindcore subgenre known as "noisecore", as well launching the careers of several prominent members of the British metal community.-Biography:Sore...
's vocalist Rich Walker, but did not settle with four members for long playing numerous gigs as a three piece, as Pickering turned to vocal and guitar duties. This line up continued until a final split in August 1990. Following the group's demise Pickering formed Cain, then Police Bastard, whilst drummer Stick and bassist Nash joined Extreme Noise Terror
Extreme Noise Terror
Extreme Noise Terror are a British crust punk / grindcore band originally formed in Ipswich, England in 1985. The band are widely considered one of the earliest and most influential European grindcore bands, and particularly the forefathers of the crustgrind subgenre.Notable for one of the...
. Stick then joined DIRT
DIRT (band)
DIRT were an anarcho-punk band from the UK. Initially formed in 1980 , the band frequently played with fellow anarchists Crass, before releasing their first EP, Object, Refuse, Reject, Abuse on the Crass Records label...
and Nash joined Filthkick and Cain.
1990s
The band reformed in 1992 with the earlier line up of Bri, Jon, Pete and Stick. They toured Japan and recorded a 12" of new songs released on the label Vinyl Japan. This proved to be the last recording with this line up. About this point the band almost split up but Bri and Stick decided to continue with two new members. These being Tom Croft from Genital Deformities on vocals and Paul "Mall" Mallen on bass guitar. This line up recorded the split album with Selfish and a split 7" EPExtended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
with Hiatus
Hiatus (band)
Hiatus was a crust punk band from Liege, Belgium.- History :Hiatus formed in May 1989, at this time the line-up was Phill, Ben, Raf and Phil. They played in a Doom/Discharge/E.N.T. style and recorded a rehearsal demo called "The Frightening Men Story"...
. Mall left shortly afterwards (an amicable parting). He was replaced by bassist Scoot from Largactyl.
This line up recorded the split 7" EP Doomed to Extinction with Extinction of Mankind
Extinction of Mankind
Extinction of Mankind is an English crust punk band, formed in 1992.-Biography:The original line-up consisted of Ste , Mass , Fozzy and Foz . After several gigs the band recorded their first split EP with the band Warcollapse, it saw a release at the end of 1993. Next, the band headed out on a...
, the Fuck Peaceville double LP, and the Hail to Sweden 7" EP. This is also the line up who appear on the Videodoom video on MCR recorded on a European tour in 1994
A tour of Scandinavia was organised for September 1995, however Scoot decided not to go due to problems at home, so he was replaced by & permanently by Chris Gascoigne (of Suffer) moving to second guitar after the tour. Tom Croft also left just before the tour and was replaced by Wayne Southworth (also of Blood Sucking Freaks). While on the Scandinavian tour Doom recorded the Monarchy Zoo 7" EP at Sunlight Studios.
The band, now composed of Stick, Bri, , Wayne and Chris, went into the studio in June 1996 and recorded a full LP for Flat Earth, Called Rush Hour of the Gods.
Bri would go on to join Khang, this band then evolving into Lazarus Blackstar. Stick is also part of the band RUIN. Pickering went on to form Police Bastard and Haxan and Nash later formed Corvus.
2000s
On 18 March 2005 Wayne Southworth (lead singer) was found dead in his home by a friend. The cause of death was an epileptic seizure.The band then played at the 1 in 12 club, Bradford, England one last time without Wayne Southworth in tribute of their friend.
EPs/demos
- War is Big Business Demo Tape (1987 discarded tapes)
- Police Bastard 7" (1989 Profane ExistenceProfane ExistenceThe Profane Existence Collective is a Minneapolis-based anarcho-punk collective. Established in 1989, the collective publishes a nationally-known zine , as well as releasing and distributing anarcho-punk, crust, and grindcore music, and printing and publishing pamphlets and literature...
) (More than 20,000 copies sold. Second best selling crust 7", after Aus-RottenAus-RottenAus-Rotten was an American crust punk band, from 1991 to 2001 formed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Part of the DIY underground, its members practiced and promoted a philosophy of anarchism and far-left sociopolitics....
's "Fuck Nazi Sympathy") - Live in Japan 7" (1992 Ecocentric Records)
- Lost the Fight 7" (1993 Flat Earth/Nabate)
- Doomed to Extinction split 7" w/ Extinction of MankindExtinction of MankindExtinction of Mankind is an English crust punk band, formed in 1992.-Biography:The original line-up consisted of Ste , Mass , Fozzy and Foz . After several gigs the band recorded their first split EP with the band Warcollapse, it saw a release at the end of 1993. Next, the band headed out on a...
(1994 Ecocentric Records) - Hail to Sweden 7" (1995 Pandora's Box)
- Pissed Robbed & Twatted - Live in Slovenia 7" (1996 Nuclear Sun Punk)
- Monarchy Zoo 7" (1996 Vinyl Japan)
- split 10" w/ Cress (1998 Flat Earth)
Albums
- War Crimes (Inhuman Beings) LP (1988 Peaceville RecordsPeaceville RecordsPeaceville Records is a British independent metal-oriented record label. The label was founded by Paul "Hammy" Halmshaw in 1987, in Dewsbury, England...
) - Bury the Debt - Not the Dead split LP w/ No Security (1989 Peaceville Records)
- Total Doom CD (1989 Peaceville RecordsPeaceville RecordsPeaceville Records is a British independent metal-oriented record label. The label was founded by Paul "Hammy" Halmshaw in 1987, in Dewsbury, England...
)Jon Pickering (vocals); Bri (guitar); Peter Nash (bass guitar); Stick (drums). - Doomed from the Start LP/CD (1992 Vinyl Japan)
- The Greatest Invention LP/CD (1993 Vinyl Japan)
- Pro-Life Control split LP/CD w/ Selfish (1994 Ecocentric Records)
- Fuck Peaceville 2xLP/CD (1995 Profane ExistenceProfane ExistenceThe Profane Existence Collective is a Minneapolis-based anarcho-punk collective. Established in 1989, the collective publishes a nationally-known zine , as well as releasing and distributing anarcho-punk, crust, and grindcore music, and printing and publishing pamphlets and literature...
) - Monarchy Zoo CD (1996 Vinyl Japan)
- Rush Hour of the Gods LP/CD (1996 Flat Earth)
- World of Shit LP/CD (2001 Vinyl Japan)
Compilations/reissues/live
- Peel Sessions CD (1996 Vinyl Japan)
- Back & Gone Double Live CD & DVD Live video (2006 MCR)
Compilation appearances
- A Vile Peace LP (1987 Peaceville RecordsPeaceville RecordsPeaceville Records is a British independent metal-oriented record label. The label was founded by Paul "Hammy" Halmshaw in 1987, in Dewsbury, England...
) - Hardcore Holocaust (The 87-88 Peel Sessions) LP (1988 Strange Fruit RecordsStrange Fruit RecordsStrange Fruit Records was an independent record label in the United Kingdom.The label, established by Clive Selwood and John Peel in 1986, was the primary distributor of BBC recordings, including Peel Sessions....
) - Spleurk! LP (1988 Meantime Records)
- Volnitza: The Worst of the 1 in 12 Club Vol. 6/7 2xLP (1989 1 in 12 Records)
- Hardcore Holocaust II LP/tape (1990 Strange Fruit Records)
- Vile Vibes CD - (1990 Peaceville Records)
- Hardcore Resistance Tape - (1991 Heed the Ball!)
- Endless Struggle: The Worst of the 1 in 12 Club vol. 12/13 2xLP (1995 1 in 12 Records)
- Gay Pride 7" (1995 Rugger Bugger Records)
- Aftermath LP/CD (1999 Aftermath Records)
Line-up (2010-)
- Bri Doom - Guitar
- Stick – Drums
- Denis - Vocals
- Scoot – Bass
The following have been members of, or have played for Doom at one point:
(Also note, many members have performed more than one musical role during their tenure with the band)
Bass
- Jon Pickering
- Pete Nash
- Jim Whitley
- Paul "Mall" Mallen
- Chris Gascoigne
- Andy Irving
- Scoot