By combining an extremely dense wall of guitars, memorable hooks, and leader Henry Font's sometime screamed, sometimes whispered vocals, New York's Pist-On obtain a very unique sound on their 1996 debut, Number One. Bassist Val Ium also provides disturbing vocal harmonies to complement the band's midpaced chugging on such standouts as "Turbulent," "Grey Flap," and the dreary "Exit Wound." And perhaps most surprising is the band's excellent metalized cover of the Smiths' "Shoplifters of the World Unite." ~ Eduardo Rivadavia, All Music Guide
Rick Essig (Mastering), Michael Marciano (Engineer), Josh Silver (Producer), Pist-On (Main Performer), Peter Tsakiris (Art Direction), Peter Tsakiris (Design), Henry Font (Guitar (Rhythm)), Henry Font (Vocals), Henry Font (Vocals (Background)), Val Ium (Guitar (Bass)), Val Ium (Vocals (Background)), Danny Jam Kavadlo (Percussion), Danny Jam Kavadlo (Drums), Kevin Rose (Photography)
Number One is the debut album from the heavy metal band Pist.On. It was first released in 1996 by Fierce Recordings/Futurist Label Group, before being repackaged and rereleased by Atlantic Records the following year.
Val Ium - bass guitar, backing vocals, and sarcasm
Danny Jam Kavadlo - drums & percussion
All songs written by Henry Font for Cobra Music/BMI, except "Shoplifters of the World Unite" (Morrissey/Marr, c1987)
Recorded at Systems Two Recording, Brooklyn, NY
Engineered by Michael Marciano
Produced by Josh Silver
Mastered by Rick Essig at Frankford/Wayne, NYC
Atlantic Records version
The band signed with Atlantic Records in 1996 and the new label rereleased Number One in 1997. The Atlantic version of contained new artwork and a reworked lineup:
Henry Font - lead vocals & rhythm guitars
Burton Gans* - lead guitar
Val Ium - bass guitar, backing vocals & cerebral torture
Jeff McManus* - drums, percussion & gambling problems
However, the recording itself remained the same, so the liner notes included the following message:
Note: We are forced to mention (for legal purposes), that all lead guitars and backing vocals (on "I Am No One"), on this recording, were played by Paul Poulos and drums & percussion played by Danny "Jam" Kavadlo.
Name change
Another notable change between the original album and the Atlantic version is the spelling of the band's name, from Pist*On to simply Piston. The issue of the band having "sold out" to Atlantic became the focal point of their next album, the aptly-titled $ell.Out..
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