Biohazard (band)
Biohazard is an American hardcore band formed in Brooklyn, New York City, in 1987. They are one of the earliest bands to fuse hardcore punk and heavy metal with elements of hip hop.[1] The original lineup consisted of bassist/vocalist Evan Seinfeld, guitarist Bobby Hambel, and drummer Anthony Meo. Guitarist/vocalist Billy Graziadei joined soon after, and drummer Danny Schuler replaced Meo before the recording of their first album, thus solidifying the band's lineup from 1988 to 1995.
Biohazard
New York City, U.S.
- 1987–2006
- 2008–present
- Magnetic Air
- Roadrunner
- Warner Bros.
- Mercury
- King
- Sanctuary
- SPV America
- Nuclear Blast
- Billy Graziadei
- Bobby Hambel
- Danny Schuler
- Evan Seinfeld
- Anthony Meo
- Rob Echeverria
- Leo Curley
- Carmine Vincent
- Scott Roberts
After several lineup changes, a breakup, a 2008 reunion, and a seven-year period of inactivity, the classic lineup of Seinfeld, Graziadei, Hambel, and Schuler reunited in 2022 and announced upcoming performances in 2023.
History[edit]
Early years: 1987–1990[edit]
Biohazard formed in Brooklyn in 1987. Their first demo, released in 1988, caused a stir with journalists who felt that some of the band's lyrics displayed fascist and white supremacist views, overlooking the fact that both Seinfeld and Schuler were, themselves, Jewish. The accusations of racism in their music were denied by the group but in later interviews, Seinfeld and Graziadei explained that it had been a publicity stunt to win over the band Carnivore and their fans.[5] Additionally, Seinfeld has defended the lyrics of songs such as "Master Race" and "America" as metaphors meant to gain the attention of listeners, and he maintains that the band was never racist.[6] After the release of the first demo, Anthony Meo left the band and drummer Danny Schuler replaced him. A second demo tape followed in 1989.
Although Biohazard did not present themselves as a hardcore band, they shared stages with groups associated with the New York hardcore scene, such as the Cro-Mags and Agnostic Front. They also shared stages with the New Jersey band Mucky Pup, and a friendship between the two groups developed.
Biohazard's self-titled debut album was released in June 1990 through Magnetic Air Records, and in spite of being poorly promoted, it went on to sell 23,000 copies in the US by 1994[7] and approximately 40,000 copies by 2001.[8] The album's subject matter revolved around Brooklyn, gang wars, drugs, and violence.
One year after the release, Seinfeld and Graziadei contributed vocals to the song "Three Dead Gophers" from Mucky Pup's third album, Now. The record was released on Roadrunner Records, who would soon issue Biohazard's second album.