Spineshank

Spineshank is an alternative metal band from Los Angeles, United States, formed in February 1996. The group emerges from the earlier band Basic Enigma, which includes Jonny Santos on vocals, Mike Sarkisyan on guitars and Tom Decker on drums. When Basic Enigma splits up, it reforms under a new name and a revised sound, with Robert Garcia joining on bass.

Early rise and Roadrunner releases

The band gains early support from Fear Factory guitarist Dino Cazares, who hears its demo and offers it an opening slot for Fear Factory at the Whiskey A-Go-Go in Los Angeles. That leads to further support slots with acts including Coal Chamber, Snot, Soulfly, Sepultura and Danzig, and to label interest. Roadrunner signs the group.

Spineshank’s debut album, Strictly Diesel, appears in 1998. Burton C. Bell of Fear Factory contributes vocals to the track “Stain.” The follow-up, The Height of Callousness, arrives two years later and generates the singles “Synthetic” and “New Disease.” In 2001, the band plays the second stage at Ozzfest for much of the summer and tours with Disturbed, (Hed) P.E., Orgy and Mudvayne.

Line-up changes and later work

Self Destructive Pattern is released in 2003, along with the single “Smothered.” Jonny Santos leaves in 2004, and the remaining members search for a new singer. By late 2005, Brandon Espinoza joins on vocals and the band records five songs with him. Around this period, the group says its new material is heavier and darker, with melody still present, and that it is not using loops or electronics.

In 2008, the band says the problems behind its split are resolved and that it is working together more effectively. It completes five songs after reuniting and plans further writing before recording a new album. One of the new songs, “Born Conform Repent,” appears on the band’s Myspace page.

Anger Denial Acceptance and hiatus

Spineshank’s fourth studio album, Anger Denial Acceptance, is released through Century Media. After a period of silence, the band later states that it is broken up. Jonny Santos goes on to form Silent Civilian.

Recent activity

The band is active again and includes Jonny Santos, Tommy Decker, Robert Garcia, Mike Sarkisyan and Brandon Espinoza. It is associated with alternative metal, industrial, industrial metal, metal, metalcore and nu metal.