Iommi Stubbs

Formed in '92, based in Portland, OR, Iommi Stubbs has gone through a series of line ups in it twenty year existence. Similar to the band it references, in fact, bass/vocalist, David Hoopaugh is the sole constant, like Tony himself. Three original members, Dave, Dean Miles(drums), Don Schreiber(guitar) were joined by vocalist Sean Kearns, recording and releasing a split 7" w/Gern Blanston(Cravedog 002)and a six song cassette demo "this fall prosthetics are out" in '93. Read more on Last.fm …read full bio

Formed in '92, based in Portland, OR, Iommi Stubbs has gone through a series of line ups in it twenty year existence. Similar to the band it references, in fact, bass/vocalist, David Hoopaugh is the sole constant, like Tony himself. Three original members, Dave, Dean Miles(drums), Don Schreiber(guitar) were joined by vocalist Sean Kearns, recording and releasing a split 7" w/Gern Blanston(Cravedog 002)and a six song cassette demo "this fall prosthetics are out" in '93. Sean was out prior to the debut vinyl release. In '94, Stubbs had two more releases with Cravedog Records. The first, a two song 45, "Hard On/Candy Asshole"(a second pressing with alternate artwork changed a song title) has Dave and Don each taking a side vocally. A six song cassette release "Superhead" followed immediately. Prior to these releases, Don left the band, replaced the same day by Rob Westmoreland(Wrong). Performing as a trio near a year, Stubbs became a four piece in early '95 with the addition of Anthony Hubick(Big A) on piccolo bass. This formation recorded two songs for inclusion on a pair of Cravedog compilations. A four way split 7" entitled "4x4 Monster Truck Series Round One" contains a version of "Sleep Rules". Followed by a cassette comp. "Can't Stand the Smell" containing an instrumental version of "Thy Bowl Runneth Over". A self released cassette "Smell the Stubbs" followed, with more evolved recordings of these songs. Also in '95, Dean followed suit, leaving the band to join friends Gern Blanston. Replaced by Chris Cuthbert, this period saw Stubbs greatest evolution. Regarding the band namesake and influences, Stubbs started writing material in the vein of "Thy Bowl Runneth Over". A much more metal approach than the prior punk and 70's hard rock influences was embraced. Big A ditched the piccolo to join Dave on the low end. Two basses and Rob's lefty right handed inverted Strat Hendrix tattooed obsession, combined with C tuning and Chris's powerful swing and metronome rhythm elevated Stubbs presence and reputation. The bands affinity for getting fucked up only seemed to agree with and compliment the well rehearsed musical proficiency. This gave a kinda 'unfuckwithable' attitude to live performances, with a total disregard to fashion or trend. Stubbs was really the only band playing this style of heavy, aggressive sludge at a time in the NW, when the scene was still reeling from the overexposure of grunge. Of course, the elements that defined Stubbs also were a handicap, detrimental to necessary aspects of any successful band, business. Sometimes integrity has a price. Egos are a bitch too. At this point, the band departed as a trio without Dave. Dave had been the primary songwriter since inception. Rob and Anthony felt that they needed to escape Stubbs to write music continuing in the pursuit of contemporaries and influences. The trio wrote well crafted, challenging, HEAVY material with a variety of progressive angles, from excruciatingly painful slow doom dirge, to aggressive tempo changes and intricate time signatures. All the while maintaining a depth and power within the structure and chord progressions, both melodic and abrasive, hauntingly beautiful and brutal at the same time. Still, something was missing. The trio returned to Stubbs. Dave, inspired, brought many vocal ideas and lyrics to the new material as well as a bowel disrupting low end and tone. This revamped Iommi Stubbs absolutely destroyed, often literally. Dave and Rob sharing front man responsibilities, were very compatible and complimentary in the apocalyptic delivery of hatred toward society and religion. The music really catered to the exorcism of personal demons. The band entered the studio again in '96. Recorded entirely live with only minimum overdubbing(guitar and vocals), the album released the same year was a testament to unapologetic pure doom laden metallic heaviness. Dark and nightmare instilling, yet humorous and unpretentious also. Released on vinyl only by American Voter Records, "Rock and Roll Odor" is nothing less than classic. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.

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…shrink me down again