Skrew

Skrew is an influential industrial metal band. Formed in 1990 and disbanded in 1998, the group announced its return in 2009.

Biography

Skrew was formed in 1990 in Austin, Texas, by Adam Grossman (guitars/vocals/programming) and Danny Lohner (guitars/background vocals/programming). The band rose from the ashes of crossover thrash band Angkor Wat, of which Grossman and Lohner were members. Skrew recruited local Austin area musicians, as well as Al Jourgensen of Ministry, to record and produce its 1991 debut album Burning in Water, Drowning in Flame. Though the album fared well commercially (out-selling every debut on the Metal Blade catalog) and received high praise from critics, the band suffered numerous setbacks: conflicts with some of the members prevented the band from touring following the album's release, and Grossman and Lohner were forced to recruit a new line-up. Lohner departed the band during touring in support of Burning to begin a tenure with Nine Inch Nails. Many fans of the group have cited his departure as a major turning point in the band's career. Eventually things calmed down, and Skrew proceeded to work on its second release, Dusted, which was released in 1994. This album saw the addition of keyboardist Jim Vollentine, who would remain with the band for the remainder of its career. Like its predecessor, Dusted was highly praised by critics and fans, and is still considered a classic in field of industrial metal by many fans of the genre. Commercially, however, it was less successful than Burning.

The band's music underwent significant change with the departure of Lohner and guitarist Mike Robinson, the result of which was the 1996 album Shadow of Doubt. The album largely moved away from the band's previous sound, featuring less electronics and sampling and more of a slow, extreme thrash metal sound somewhat similar to other 1990s metal bands such as Machine Head. Unlike the band's previous works, Shadow of Doubt failed to generate any significant interest, despite having the experienced hand of former Overkill guitarist Bobby Gustafson in the line-up. The band went through several member changes in the next year, but by 1997, Grossman had a stable line-up and released the band's final album, Angel Seed XXIII, which was far different from anything the band had ever recorded, and featured a style somewhat reminiscent of the then-emerging nu metal genre. The album received even less attention than its predecessor and was heavily bashed by critics. Following the lack of success with its final two albums, Skrew announced its break-up in 1998.

In recent years following Skrew's disbandment, several of its previous members have become involved in other activities; Adam Grossman joined Ministry as a touring guitarist and can also be heard playing rhythm guitar on its 2003 album Animositisomina. Lohner continues to be a well-known musician and frequently collaborates with the band A Perfect Circle and movie soundtracks. Jim Vollentine has gone on to work as a sound engineer and producer, working with bands such as ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead and Sound Team.

In 2009, Fabryka conducted an interview with Grossman. Grossman revealed his intention to revive the group and about a new album with a completely new line-up of backing musicians.^[1]

Current Members

• Adam Grossman (Guitars, Vocals) (Angkor Wat)

Former Members

• Mike Robinson (Guitars)
• Danny Lohner (Guitars/Vocals) (Angkor Wat)
• Clay Campbell (Guitars)
• Bobby Gustafson (Guitars) (Cycle Sluts From Hell, Overkill, Response Negative)
• Mike Peoples (Bass)
• Brandon Workman (Bass)
• Robb Lampmann (Bass)
• Chris Ault (Keyboards)
• Mark Dufour (Drums)
• Chadwick Davis (Drums)
• Steve Green (Guitars) (Re:Ignition, Skinlab)
• Jason Lindgren (Guitars)
• Frap (Bass)
• Jim Vollentine (Keyboards)
• Chris Istas (Drums) (Pitbull Daycare, Torso, Vox Demonna, Moore)

Discography

Burning in Water, Drowning in Flame (1991)

1. Orifice
2. Burning in Water, Drowning in Flame
3. Cold Angel Press
4. Charlemagne
5. Gemini
6. Inderstructible
7. Feast
8. Once Alive
9. Symphathy for the Devil
10. Poisonous
11. Prey Flesh

Dusted (1994)

1. In Tongues
2. Seeded
3. Picasso Trigger
4. Albatross
5. Jesus Skrew Superstar
6. Skrew Saves
7. Season for Whither
8. Sour
9. Mouthful of Dust
10. Godsdog

Shadow of Doubt (1996)

1. She Said
2. Black Eye
3. Knotted Twig
4. Head
5. Swallow
6. Sam I Am
7. Going Down
8. Generator
9. Dark Ride
10. Crawl

Angel Seed XXIII (1997)

1. Open Up
2. Sea Man
3. Seventh Eye
4. King of the Hole
5. Porcelain
6. Kosmo's Seed
7. Sputnik
8. Angel Suck
9. Horsey (Man)
10. Slip
11. Helter Skelter (Bonus)

Cultural References

• Skrew is referenced in the Wesley Willis song "Skrew"

External links

• Critical blog entry about the history of Skrew
• AllMusic entry
• Interview with Adam Grossman (voc, guitar) at Fabryka Industrial Rock Magazine (2006)
• Interview with Adam Grossman (voc, guitar) at Fabryka Industrial Rock Magazine (2009)

1. ^ http://fabryka.darknation.eu/php-files_en/articles.php?article_id=289