Spite (3)

SPITE was an alternative/groove metal/hardcore quartet formed in early 1993 in Charlotte, NC. The band was put together by vocalist Chris Boone and guitarist David Vause, who auditioned a few different drummers and bass players before settling down with Jay Bynum (bass) and Michael Pressley (drums). The band also had 2nd guitar player briefly in late 1993 and that line-up recorded 3 song demo. Their early sound was reminiscent of early Clutch and early Rollins Band, being booth groovy and aggressive. With the 2nd guitar out of the band, the quartet started recording Spite debut full length called "Crucial Moment of Insertion" sometime in 1994 at a studio in Charlotte. At the moment of recording the album, the band also recorded a live show at a club in Charlotte and decided to include 3 tracks from that show on the album. Around this time, Spite original drummer Michael decided to leave the band. Luckily, they met Byron McDonald through a mutual friend who had played with him in a band called Child of Rage. Byron was actually at the show Spite recorded live for the album — they had already asked him to join and it was Spite's original drummer's last show with the band. After Byron joined Spite, they immediately started writing new songs and went back to the studio to record 2 more tracks with Byron. He is featured on album's tracks "Closed" and "Give". Spite debut album "Crucial Moment of Insertion" was finally released in 1995 on independent record label HeadChairMusic. With debut album released and being well received by the audience, there were negotiations with labels in Europe about a record deal, but in the summer of 1996, due to different ideas about the musical direction of the band, founding member David Vause and Jay Bynum decided to part ways with Chris and Byron. The remaining members soon recruited Josh Pratt on bass and John Crumpton took over on guitar. That was the lineup that recorded Spite follow up album, "Heavy Whipping Cream", released in 1997 on Opulence! Records. After album release, Spite decided to promote the album, so they toured the East Coast relentlessly, eventually landing a recording contract with Prosthetic Records. The band was about to start working on their national debut album, "Bastard Complex", but not before another changes in line-up. John Crumpton left the band, and was quickly replaced by Dan Young, formerly of Catharsis. Being of punk hardcore background, Dan brought noisier element to Spite music, making it sound more frenetic and hardcore, that previous Spite outputs. Their national debut album (and by vast majority of audience considered as a Spite debut), "Bastard Complex", was released in 1999 both on Prosthetic Records and Metal Blade Records. It featured 12 tracks total, with 4 of them already appearing on previous album, and now being re-recorded with new line up. Dan Young was listed as LiveFastDanYoung in the album credits, a play on "Live Fast, Die Young" quote - which sadly was a foreshadowing of what was to come. Dan passed away from an overdose on 1st August, 1999. With album being released worldwide, and wanting to promote it, the band quickly find temporary replacement in Craig Baker from Buzzov•en before settling on Dave Campbell as a new guitar player. Spite played numerous shows in attempt to move things further, but eventually came to a halt not long after, somewhere in 2000. ... Last active line-up: Christopher Boone: Vocals (1992 - 2000) Dave Campbell: Guitars (1999 - 2000) Josh Pratt: Bass (1996 - 2000) Byron McDonald: Drums (1994 - 2000) Former/Past members: David Vause: Guitars (1992 - 1996) John Crumpton: Guitars (1996 - 1998) Dan Young: Guitars (1998 - 1999) Craig Baker: Guitars (1999 - 1999) Jay Bynum: Bass (1993 - 1996) Michael Pressley: Drums (1993 - 1994)