The Accüsed
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The Accüsed is an American
crossover thrash Crossover thrash (often abbreviated to crossover) is a fusion genre of thrash metal and hardcore punk. The genre lies on a continuum between heavy metal and hardcore punk. Other genres on the same continuum, such as metalcore and grindcore, ma ...
band from
Seattle Seattle ( ) is a seaport city on the West Coast of the United States. It is the seat of King County, Washington. With a 2020 population of 737,015, it is the largest city in both the state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest regio ...
founded in 1981. The band was a progenitor of the crossover style that bridged the gap between
thrashcore Thrashcore (also known as fastcore) is a fast-tempo subgenre of hardcore punk that emerged in the early 1980s. Thrashcore is essentially sped-up hardcore, often using blast beats. Songs can be very brief, and thrashcore is in many ways a less d ...
and
thrash metal Thrash metal (or simply thrash) is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music characterized by its overall aggression and often fast tempo.Kahn-Harris, Keith, ''Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge'', pp. 2–3, 9. Oxford: Berg, 2007, . ...
, later influencing
grindcore Grindcore is an extreme fusion genre of heavy metal and hardcore punk that originated in the mid-1980s, drawing inspiration from abrasive-sounding musical styles, such as thrashcore, crust punk, hardcore punk, extreme metal, and industrial. G ...
and some
crust punk Crust punk (also known as crust or stenchcore) is a form of music influenced by English punk rock and extreme metal. The style, which evolved in the early 1980s in England, often has songs with dark and pessimistic lyrics that linger on politic ...
bands; as well as an influential band in the Seattle area alternative scene. The band calls their music "splattercore", and their
zombie A zombie (Haitian French: , ht, zonbi) is a mythological undead corporeal revenant created through the reanimation of a corpse. Zombies are most commonly found in horror and fantasy genre works. The term comes from Haitian folklore, in whic ...
mascot, Martha Splatterhead, appears on most of their albums. Common themes involve social issues and Martha Splatterhead coming back from the dead to slaughter rapists and child molesters.


History


Early years (1981–1992)

The Accüsed was created in 1981 in
Oak Harbor, Washington Oak Harbor is a city located on Whidbey Island in Island County, Washington, United States. The population was 22,075 at the 2010 United States Census, 2010 census. Oak Harbor was incorporated on May 14, 1915. History Oak Harbor - otherwise kn ...
, by bassist Chibon "Chewy" Batterman, drummer Dana Collins, and guitarist Tommy Niemeyer. John Dahlin was the vocalist from 1982 to 1984. The band's first two demo cassettes and their album, ''Please Pardon Our Noise, It Is the Sound of Freedom'', released in 1983 drew heavily from
hardcore punk Hardcore punk (also known as simply hardcore) is a punk rock music genre and subculture that originated in the late 1970s. It is generally faster, harder, and more aggressive than other forms of punk rock. Its roots can be traced to earlier punk ...
. In 1984,
the Fartz The Fartz were a Hardcore Punk band that was founded in 1981 and were one of the first well-known hardcore bands from Seattle, Washington. They were signed to Jello Biafra's Alternative Tentacles Record label. They were notable not only for play ...
vocalist
Blaine Cook Blaine "Zippy" Cook is the former lead singer of the early 1980s Seattle political punk band the Fartz. After they disbanded, he went on to front the thrash oriented the Accüsed The Accüsed is an American crossover thrash band from Seat ...
replaced Dahlin. In 1984, the band began adopting
metal A metal (from Greek μέταλλον ''métallon'', "mine, quarry, metal") is a material that, when freshly prepared, polished, or fractured, shows a lustrous appearance, and conducts electricity and heat relatively well. Metals are typicall ...
into their sound and dubbed their style "splatter rock", in 'homage' to their favorite genre of horror films. According to a review, "Their hybrid musical formula was distinguishable by Cook's unusual choking-sound vocals, Niemeyer's muted, choppy, buzz-saw guitars, dark metallic riffs, and Dana Collins rapid-fire, double-kick drumming." The band also created the zombie mascot, Martha Splatterhead, whose likeness (created by Niemeyer) adorns most of their albums and many of their promotional items. A recurring theme in the band's lyrics involve Martha Splatterhead coming back from the dead to eviscerate and slaughter rapists and child molesters. They released their first full EP, ''Martha Splatterhead'', in 1985 on their own Condar label. Their first full-length LP was ''The Return of Martha Splatterhead'', released on Subcore Records, and later re-released on Earache Records (the first
mosh Moshing (also known as slam dancing or simply slamming) is an extreme style of dance, dancing in which participants push or slam into each other, typically performed to "aggressive" live music such as heavy metal music, heavy metal and punk rock ...
album), in 1986. According to reviewer Jeb Branin, "I was writing for a zine in Canada called ''Northern Metal'' that reviewed the new LP ''The Return Of Martha Splatterhead'' giving it a 0.0 rating and absolutely crucifying it in the review. It is the only 0.0 review I remember ever seeing in ''Northern Metal''. They hated it so much I knew I had to buy it. As I suspected, the album was a masterpiece of hardcore hysteria." The LPs ''More Fun Than an Open Casket Funeral'' and ''Martha Splatterhead's Maddest Stories Ever Told'' quickly followed, as well a number of other annual releases. Starting with ''Hymns For the Deranged'', the band also began working with Seattle producer
Jack Endino Jack Endino (born Michael M. Giacondino; 1964) is an American producer and musician based in Seattle, Washington. Long associated with Seattle label Sub Pop and the grunge movement, Endino worked on seminal albums from bands including Mudhon ...
, and their next album, ''Grinning Like an Undertaker'', with Josh Sinder now on drums, was released on Nastymix Records followed by the EP "Straight Razor". The band maintained an active touring schedule, and according to a review, "...live, The Accüsed were untouchable ... the whole band was a frenzy of epileptic gyrations, although Blaine's high flying leaps and bouncing off the walls like a deranged gnome were definitely the highlight ... even in today's underground you aren't going to find a more devastating band than The Accüsed." The Accüsed took an 11-year hiatus in 1992, with members taking time to play in other Seattle bands, such as the Fartz and
Gruntruck Gruntruck is an American rock band formed in 1989 in Seattle, Washington, by vocalist Ben McMillan and drummer Norman Scott, both previously from early Seattle sound pioneers Skin Yard. While in Skin Yard, Norman also briefly joined Soundgarden, ...
.


Re-formation (2003–2010 and 2019)

The Accüsed re-formed in 2003, playing live shows in the Seattle area, and in 2005 released the album ''Oh, Martha!'' on the band's CONDAR label. This "comeback record" landed on ''Revolver'' magazine's Top Ten Albums of the Year and writer's lists from ''
Metal Maniacs ''Metal Maniacs'' was an American magazine that was based around heavy metal music. History Founded in 1989 by Mike 'G' Greenblatt and Katherine Ludwig of Metal Shop. Where its sister publication ''Metal Edge'' largely covered glam metal, ''Meta ...
'' magazine. ''Oh, Martha!'' followed the tradition of many earlier releases by The Accüsed in that it featured a track with a guest lead singer. In this case, guitarist Tommy Niemeyer sang lead vocals on the angry "13 Letters" (though no lead vocal credit was printed on the album). In 2006 a limited-edition, split 7-inch with
Whidbey Island Whidbey Island (historical spellings Whidby, Whitbey, or Whitby) is the largest of the islands composing Island County, Washington, in the United States, and the largest island in Washington State. (The other large island is Camano Island, ...
, Washington's punk icons Potbelly was released. The Accüsed 2003 reunion line-up was short-lived, however, as a newly reformed version of the band surfaced in 2006, and yet another incarnation in Summer 2019. In an interview with ''
Rock-A-Rolla ''Rock-A-Rolla'' was a music magazine covering experimental, avant-garde, noise and metal artists pushing the boundaries of music. Launched in late 2005, it was published bi-monthly in the UK by V-Squared Publishing Limited and distributed worl ...
'', Tom Niemeyer stated that, during one of the band's many line-up changes,
Mike Patton Michael Allan Patton (born January 27, 1968) is an American singer, producer, film composer and voice actor, best known as the lead vocalist of the alternative metal band Faith No More. Noted for his vocal proficiency, diverse singing techni ...
(of
Mr. Bungle Mr. Bungle is an American experimental rock band formed in Eureka, California in 1985. Having gone through many incarnations throughout their career, the band is best known for music created during their most experimental era. During this time, ...
) was approached for the role of vocalist, with Patton ultimately declining Niemeyer's offer due to being "totally booked up". Patton did suggest Brad Mowen (ASVA, Burning Witch, Mommy, Master Musicians of Bukkake, et al.) who joined The Accüsed in 2006. The 'new' line-up released two new songs, via free download, "Scotty Came Back" and "Fuck Sorry", January 26, 2007. In 2009, the band released their sixth full-length album, ''
The Curse of Martha Splatterhead ''The Curse of Martha Splatterhead'' is an LP by Oak Harbor, Washington crossover thrash band the Accüsed. It was released in 2009 with a reformed line-up on Southern Lord Records Southern Lord is an American heavy metal record label that w ...
'', via
Southern Lord Records Southern Lord is an American heavy metal record label that was founded in 1998 by Greg Anderson. It specialized in experimental metal: particularly doom metal, stoner rock, and drone metal. The label later expanded its line-up to include arti ...
. The album's first pressing sold-out quickly and received widespread critical praise, forcing Southern Lord Records into a hasty 2nd-pressing of the CD title only weeks after its release. In 2010, the band was included as a part of the soundtrack for
Namco Bandai Games is a Japanese multinational video game publisher headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo. Its international branches, Bandai Namco Entertainment America and Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe, are respectively headquartered in Irvine, California and ...
' 2010 remake of ''Splatterhouse''. As of April 28, 2019, the Accüsed are, according to founding member and guitarist, Niemeyer, "...once again active; with new material slated to be released Summer 2019, as well as a vintage 1983 Live gig from
Missoula Missoula ( ; fla, label=Salish language, Séliš, Nłʔay, lit=Place of the Small Bull Trout, script=Latn; kut, Tuhuⱡnana, script=Latn) is a city in the U.S. state of Montana; it is the county seat of Missoula County, Montana, Missoula Cou ...
, Montana coming out on P.I.G. Records in 2019..." Niemeyer stated The ACCUSED would also be performing live gigs in select markets accompanying both releases in the summer of 2019. After several line-up changes, the band "...have returned with new songs, and releases of older, vintage material–both due out Summer 2019; with select LIVE appearances to follow..." according to band founder and guitarist Tommy Niemeyer. Drummer, Josh Sinder, from the ''Grinning Like An Undertaker'' and ''Straight Razor'' releases, will team up with Niemeyer as the band prepared to move ahead in the years to come. In 2019, a lineup of former members Blaine Cook, Alex Sibbald, Steve Nelson, and Steve McVay joined forces as ''The Accüsed A.D.'' They released a music video for "Juego Terminado," a song from a forthcoming album.)


Impact

Despite being frequently cited as an influence by other
punk Punk or punks may refer to: Genres, subculture, and related aspects * Punk rock, a music genre originating in the 1970s associated with various subgenres * Punk subculture, a subculture associated with punk rock, or aspects of the subculture s ...
and
metal A metal (from Greek μέταλλον ''métallon'', "mine, quarry, metal") is a material that, when freshly prepared, polished, or fractured, shows a lustrous appearance, and conducts electricity and heat relatively well. Metals are typicall ...
bands, the Accüsed has largely remained in the
underground Underground most commonly refers to: * Subterranea (geography), the regions beneath the surface of the Earth Underground may also refer to: Places * The Underground (Boston), a music club in the Allston neighborhood of Boston * The Underground (S ...
. According to ''
Sputnik Music Sputnikmusic is an American music community website offering music criticism and music news alongside features commonly associated with wiki-style websites. The format of the website is unusual in that it includes both professional and amateur c ...
'', "It's a shame really
hat A hat is a head covering which is worn for various reasons, including protection against weather conditions, ceremonial reasons such as university graduation, religious reasons, safety, or as a fashion accessory. Hats which incorporate mecha ...
The Accüsed aren't recognized in the metal music industry as being one of the pioneering members of crossover thrash. These boys deserve more attention than they get."


Timeline


Discography


Albums

* 1981: ''Brain Damage 1'' (demo cassette) * 1982: ''Brain Damage 2'' (demo cassette) * 1983: ''Please Pardon Our Noise, It Is a Sound of Freedom'' aka ''Accüsed/Rejectors Split'' (Fatal Erection) * 1985: ''Martha Splatterhead'' (EP, Condar) * 1986: ''The Return of Martha Splatterhead'' (LP, Subcore and
Earache Records Earache Records is a British independent record label, music publisher and management company founded by Digby Pearson in 1985, based in Nottingham, England, with offices in London and New York. The label helped to pioneer extreme metal by rel ...
) * 1987: ''More Fun Than an Open Casket Funeral'' (LP,
Combat Records Combat Records was an American independent record label founded in 1983 and based in New York City. The label specifically was for heavy metal and punk rock acts, Notable artist include: Megadeth, Circle Jerks, Nuclear Assault, OZ, Death, ...
) * 1987: ''38 Song Archives Tapes 1981-86'' (200 cassettes self-released by The Accüsed) * 1988: ''Martha Splatterhead's Maddest Stories Ever Told'' (LP, re-released in 1991 on Combat.) * 1988: ''Hymns for the Deranged'' (LP, Empty Records) * 1990: ''Grinning Like an Undertaker'' (LP,
Sub Pop Sub Pop is a record label founded in 1986 by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman. Sub Pop achieved fame in the early 1990s for signing Seattle bands such as Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Mudhoney, central players in the grunge movement. They are often ...
, Nastymix) * 1991: ''Straight Razor'' (EP, Nastymix) * 1992: ''Splatter Rock'' (LP, Nastymix) * 2006: ''Oh Martha! + Baked Tapes'' (double LP,
Nuclear Blast Nuclear Blast is a record label and mail order record distributor with subsidiaries in Germany, the United States and Brazil. The label was founded in 1987 by Markus Staiger in Germany. Originally releasing hardcore punk records, the label mov ...
) – 666 pressed * 2006: ''34 Song Archives Tapes 1981-86'' (Condar; #Cond002) * 2007: ''Why Even Try?'' (EP, Condar 2007) * 2009: ''
The Curse of Martha Splatterhead ''The Curse of Martha Splatterhead'' is an LP by Oak Harbor, Washington crossover thrash band the Accüsed. It was released in 2009 with a reformed line-up on Southern Lord Records Southern Lord is an American heavy metal record label that w ...
'' (LP,
Southern Lord Southern Lord is an American heavy metal record label that was founded in 1998 by Greg Anderson. It specialized in experimental metal: particularly doom metal, stoner rock, and drone metal. The label later expanded its line-up to include arti ...
)


Singles

* 1989: ''Accüsed/Morphius Split'' (split 7-inch single, Empty) * 1992: ''Straight Razor'' (''Fantagraphix Comics'') * 2002: ''Paint It Red'' * 2005: ''Songs of Horror and Alcoholism'' (split 7-inch with Potbelly, PB Records)


Album track listings

;''Martha Splatterhead's Maddest Stories Ever Told'' # "Psychomania" # "Bag Lady Song" # "Inherit the Earth" # "Deception" # "Molly's X-Mas" # "I'd Love to Change the World" (
Ten Years After Ten Years After are a British rock group, most popular in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Between 1968 and 1973, the band had eight consecutive Top 40 albums on the UK Albums Chart. In addition, they had twelve albums enter the US ''Billboar ...
cover) # "You Only Die Once" # "Sick boy" # "Chicago" # "Starved to Death" # "War=Death" # "Maddest Story Ever Told" # "Intro" # "Scared of the Dark" # "Losing Your Mind" # "Smothered Her Trust" # "Lights Out" # "Hearse"


Catalog

The out-of-print back-catalog of The Accüsed's albums has been sporadically re-issued on various labels over recent years; a move prompted in part by the fact that many collectors of memorabilia by The Accüsed were seeing copies of the rare/out-of-print US-made CDs fetch hundreds of dollars each on the auction website
eBay eBay Inc. ( ) is an American multinational e-commerce company based in San Jose, California, that facilitates consumer-to-consumer and business-to-consumer sales through its website. eBay was founded by Pierre Omidyar in 1995 and became a ...
.


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Accused, The American thrash metal musical groups Musical quartets Musical groups established in 1981 Musical groups disestablished in 1993 Hardcore punk groups from Washington (state) Musical groups reestablished in 2003 Crossover thrash groups Heavy metal musical groups from Washington (state) Musical groups from Washington (state)