Jerk (band)
Encyclopedia
Jerk was an industrial metal
band from Sydney
, Australia
. They released a single album, and featured in the video games Need for Speed: Underground
and NHL 2004. Jerk has supported Marilyn Manson
, Insane Clown Posse
, Killing Joke
and Disturbed on their respective Sydney tours.
In 2001, Jerk released a self-titled six track EP and three accompanying video clips directed by Lowder. These releases led to an appearance at the long-running Metal for the Brain
festival in Canberra late in the year, and in April 2002 Jerk signed to Sony Records.
In 2003, Jerk released their full-length album When Pure Is Defiled, which was co-produced by Sean Beavan
and Lamar Lowder. It included their 2002 single "I Hate People Like That", which has peaked at #83 on the ARIA Singles Chart
in November 2002. Music videos were subsequently produced for "I Hate People Like That", "Just What You Need", and the Lowder directed "My Friends All Lie".
Jerk embarked on a national tour in 2003 to promote the album, and performances included support slots for Marilyn Manson, Insane Clown Posse, Killing Joke and Disturbed on the Sydney leg of their Australian tours.
Jerk received exposure in the North America
n market when their song, "Sucked In", featured in the soundtracks of the video games NHL 2004 and Need for Speed: Underground
.
Devoy stepped down, and was replaced by vocalist Mario Spate in 2004, but the band broke up soon after. Lowder has since returned to music production and songwriting. In January 2006, Dee and Cilia reunited with Devoy to form the band Ink. Ink subsequently released the EPs Lead… Or Follow (2007) and Black Water Reign (2008).
Industrial metal
Industrial metal is a musical genre that draws from industrial music and many different types of heavy metal, using repeating metal guitar riffs, sampling, synthesizer or sequencer lines, and distorted vocals. Founding industrial metal acts include Ministry, Godflesh, and KMFDM.Industrial metal's...
band from Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. They released a single album, and featured in the video games Need for Speed: Underground
Need for Speed: Underground
Need for Speed: Underground is the seventh racing game in the Need for Speed video game series developed by EA Black Box and published by Electronic Arts in 2003...
and NHL 2004. Jerk has supported Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson (band)
Marilyn Manson is an American metal band from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Formed in 1989 by Brian Warner and Scott Putesky, the group was originally named Marilyn Manson & the Spooky Kids with their uniquely theatrical performances gathering a local cult following in the early '90s. This attention...
, Insane Clown Posse
Insane Clown Posse
Insane Clown Posse is an American hip hop duo from Detroit, Michigan. The group is composed of Joseph Bruce and Joseph Utsler, who perform under the respective personas of the "wicked clowns" Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope. Insane Clown Posse performs a style of hardcore hip hop known as horrorcore...
, Killing Joke
Killing Joke
Killing Joke are an English post-punk band formed in October 1978 in Notting Hill, London, England; other sources report the band formed in early 1979.Related news articles: Founding members Jaz Coleman and Geordie Walker have been the only constant members.A key influence on industrial rock,...
and Disturbed on their respective Sydney tours.
History
Jerk was originally composed of vocalist Michael Matral, drummer Lamar Lowder, guitarist Johnathan Devoy and Tourettes bass player Ross Empson. In this guise Jerk contributed the song "Jesus Saves" to the Mushroom records soundtrack to the Australian horror film "Cut" in 2000. It was after this point that Jerk had a line-up change with Devoy on vocals joined by guitarist Charles Cilia and former Candy Harlots bassist Leeno Dee.In 2001, Jerk released a self-titled six track EP and three accompanying video clips directed by Lowder. These releases led to an appearance at the long-running Metal for the Brain
Metal for the Brain
Metal for the Brain was Australia's largest heavy metal music festival. The event was held in Canberra annually, usually towards the end of the year, and featured Australian bands almost exclusively...
festival in Canberra late in the year, and in April 2002 Jerk signed to Sony Records.
In 2003, Jerk released their full-length album When Pure Is Defiled, which was co-produced by Sean Beavan
Sean Beavan
Sean Beavan is a musician, record producer, and audio engineer best known for his work with Guns N Roses, Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails, God Lives Underwater, and Slayer...
and Lamar Lowder. It included their 2002 single "I Hate People Like That", which has peaked at #83 on the ARIA Singles Chart
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
in November 2002. Music videos were subsequently produced for "I Hate People Like That", "Just What You Need", and the Lowder directed "My Friends All Lie".
Jerk embarked on a national tour in 2003 to promote the album, and performances included support slots for Marilyn Manson, Insane Clown Posse, Killing Joke and Disturbed on the Sydney leg of their Australian tours.
Jerk received exposure in the North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n market when their song, "Sucked In", featured in the soundtracks of the video games NHL 2004 and Need for Speed: Underground
Need for Speed: Underground
Need for Speed: Underground is the seventh racing game in the Need for Speed video game series developed by EA Black Box and published by Electronic Arts in 2003...
.
Devoy stepped down, and was replaced by vocalist Mario Spate in 2004, but the band broke up soon after. Lowder has since returned to music production and songwriting. In January 2006, Dee and Cilia reunited with Devoy to form the band Ink. Ink subsequently released the EPs Lead… Or Follow (2007) and Black Water Reign (2008).