The Accüsed
Biography
The Accüsed is a hardcore punk and crossover band from Washington State. Formed in 1981 in Oak Harbor, Washington by bassist Chibon 'Chewy' Batterman, Dana Collins and guitarist Tom Niemeyer. John Dahlin was the vocalist from 1983-1984. The addition of Blaine Cook (frontman of Seattle hardcore punk group The Fartz) fit nicely into the group's migration towards a more heavy metal-based sound. In 1984, The band dubbed their style "splatter rock," in homage to their favorite genre of horror films....
The Accüsed is a hardcore punk and crossover band from Washington State. Formed in 1981 in Oak Harbor, Washington by bassist Chibon 'Chewy' Batterman, Dana Collins and guitarist Tom Niemeyer. John Dahlin was the vocalist from 1983-1984. The addition of Blaine Cook (frontman of Seattle hardcore punk group The Fartz) fit nicely into the group's migration towards a more heavy metal-based sound. In 1984, The band dubbed their style "splatter rock," in homage to their favorite genre of horror films. Their hybrid musical formula was distinguishable by Blaine's unusual choking-sound vocals, Niemeyer's muted, choppy, buzzsaw guitars, dark metallic riffs, and rapid-fire drumming. The band are also responsible for creating the wild, zombie mascot Martha Splatterhead, who's likeness (created by Niemeyer) adorns most of their albums and many of their promotional items. The Accused recorded five albums, three e.p.'s, and over 100 songs between their 1981 inception and 1990s hiatus.
The Accused regrouped in 2003, playing live shows in the Seattle area, then releasing the album "Oh, Martha!" on their own CONDAR Records label. This "comeback record" landed on Revolver magazine's Top Ten albums of the year and "Writer's Lists" from Metal Maniacs magazine. However, that line-up was short-lived. In 2005 3 members formed another band, Toe Tag and left The Accused. Guitarist and founding member, Tom Niemeyer continued on with The Accused recruiting 3 replacement members in the months following the walk-out by Cook, Alex Sibbald and Steve Nelson.
The next line-up consisted of Brad Mowen, Pete Hodous, Mike Peterson and Niemeyer. They perform and recorded as The Accused until 2008. That line-up released two new songs, 'Scotty Came Back' and 'Fuck Sorry', January 26, 2007 via the band's Official website, as free downloadable .MP3 files.
In 2009, The Accused released a full album of new materail, "The CURSE of Martha Splatterhead"
through Southern Lord Records. That same year, The Accused flew to Birmingham England for an appearance at SUPERSONIC Festival and London England debut gig the next night before flying back to the States to tour the West Coast USA in support of their Southern Lord release.
The out-of-print back-catalog of The Accused's albums released between 1985 and 1990 is currently available as re-releases on both Compact Disc and, scheduled for 2014, limited edition vinyl re-pressings of their popular Combat Records releases as well as vinyl offerings from their stint on NASTYMIX Records.
The Accused is considered to be an important progenitor of the 'crossover' style that bridged the gap between hardcore punk and thrash metal, which later influenced and inspired dozens of 'grindcore' and some 'crust punk' bands.
The Accused are currently, periodically performing live and are scheduled to release a selection of new materail in 2014.
The Accused Are:
Guitar: Tommy Niemeyer
Drums: Josh SInder
Vox: BRAD Mowen
Bass: Chris Napalitano
Incomplete List of Former-Members:
Chibon "Chewy" Batterman - bass
Dana Collins - drums
Blaine "Fart" Cook - vocals
John Dahlin - vocals
Mike "Nyge" Peterson
Alex "Maggot Brain" Sibbald
Steve "O Ring" Nelson
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