Strongarm (band)
Strongarm was a five-piece Christian and straight edge hardcore band, formed in Pompano Beach, Florida. They were one of the first "Spirit-Filled" hardcore bands, along with Unashamed, Overcome, Focused and Zao.
Strongarm | |
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Also known as | Ikthus (1991–1993) |
Origin | Pompano Beach, Florida, US |
Genres | Christian hardcore,[1] Christian metal[2] |
Years active | 1993–1998, 2000 |
Labels | Tooth & Nail, Solid State, Blood and Ink (affiliated) |
Past members | Nick Dominguez Joshua Colbert Chris Carbonell Chad Neptune Jason Berggren Bob Franquiz Steve Kleisath Matt Fox Matt Fletcher |
Biography
Local punk band Ikthus (vocalist Dave Bean, guitarist Jason Berggren, drummer Chris Carbonell and bassist Matt) disbands in 1991.[3] Carbonell and Berggren seek to form a new band formed from this seed.[3]
Guitarist and music writer Joshua Colbert, bassist Chad Neptune and later guitarist Nick Dominguez join and change the sound to hardcore. New line up decides on the name Strongarm. [3]
Strongarm releases a demo, “These Times That Try Men’s Souls.” The band originally planned on signing to Victory Records, but eventually settled on Tooth & Nail Records.[3] Then Strongarm recorded Atonement in 1995 before the departure of Carbonell and Dominguez.[3]
In the wake of that confusing time, Strong brings on guitarist Bob Franquiz and drummer Steve Kleisath.[3] About six months after the departure of Carbonell and Dominguez, Franquiz and Berggren left the band.[3] Both Carbonell and Domiguez rejoin,[3] while leaving Kleisath on drums and Carbonell taking over vocals, for the first time.[3]
Strongarm releases Advent of a Miracle in 1997 [3] and disbands in 1998. Most of the members move on to form Further Seems Forever.[3]
A post on Strongarm's website directs fans to Further Seems Forever,[4] the members' new band.[5]
In 2000, the band reunited for Furnace Fest. On the song "Trials", they had their friend and Shai Hulud guitarist Matt Fox on drums.[5]
In 2009, there was an unauthorized tribute show at Cornerstone Festival, which caused some controversy.[6]
In July 2010, Blood and Ink Records released Strongarm's, Atonement on vinyl.[7]
Original vocalist Jason Berggren was featured on a song, "The Call", by fellow Christian hardcore band, Venia.[8]
Members
Final line-up
- Chris Carbonell – drums (1993–1995), vocals (1996–1998, 2000) (formerly of Age of Awakening)[9]
- Nick Dominguez – rhythm guitar (1993–1995, 1996–1998, 2000) (formerly of Tension, formerly of Endure, Further Seems Forever)
- Joshua Colbert – lead guitar (1993–1998, 2000) (formerly of Endure, Further Seems Forever)
- Chad Neptune – bass (1993–1998, 2000) (Further Seems Forever)
- Steve Kleisath – drums (1995–1998, 2000) (formerly of Shai Hulud, formerly of PULL, Further Seems Forever)
Live
- Matt Fox – drums (1994, 2000) (Shai Hulud)
Former
- Jason Bergerren – vocals (1993–1996)
- Bob Franquiz – guitars (1995–1996)
Discography
Demos
- 1993: Strongarm (First Street Records)
- 1993: These Times That Try Men's Souls
EPs
- 1994: Division EP (Tooth & Nail Records)
- 1995: Trials EP (Tooth & Nail Records)
Studio albums
- 1995: Atonement (Tooth & Nail Records)
- 1997: The Advent of a Miracle (Tooth & Nail Records\Solid State Records)
References
- von Bader, David (April 16, 2013). "Top Ten Florida Hardcore Bands of All Time". New Times Broward-Palm Beach. p. 2. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
- Ramirez, Carlos. "Top 10 Christian Metal Bands". Noisecreep. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
- Carbonell, Chris (October 9, 2016). "Chris Carbonell of Strongarm". Interviewed by Trav Turner. As the Story Grows. Retrieved October 10, 2016.
- "Strongarm: Homepage". Archived from the original on December 7, 2002. Retrieved 2016-05-03.CS1 maint: BOT: original-url status unknown (link)
- "Strongarm Biography". Archived from the original on December 7, 2002. Retrieved 2002-12-07.
- "Strongarm "Tribute" Cornerstone 2009". Archived from the original on April 5, 2009. Retrieved December 19, 2016.
- Pelt, Doug Van. Strongarm's Atonement album to be re-released on Vinyl at the Wayback Machine (archive index). HM Magazine. Retrieved on July 2, 2010.
- J., Brandon (January 8, 2014). "Fast FWD: What They're Up 2 Now - Strongarm". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
- Jones, Brandon (November 26, 2014). IVM Presents: Age of Awakening at the Wayback Machine (archive index). Indie Vision Music. Retrieved on October 10, 2016.
External links
- Band profile at Tooth & Nail records website.
- Allmusic.com Strongarm profile
- Power, Billy (May 2, 2015). "Interview with Chad Neptune (Strongarm, Further Seems Forever) on the Urban Achiever Podcast (Part 1)". Urban Achiever.
- Power, Billy (May 9, 2015). "Interview with Chad Neptune (Strongarm, Further Seems Forever) on the Urban Achiever Podcast (Part 2)". Urban Achiever.
- Turner, Trav (June 7, 2015). "Steven Kleisath of Further Seems Forever, Strongarm, Shai Hulud". As The Story Grows.
- Powell, Mark Allan (2002). Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music. Hendrickson Publishers. pp. 891.