The Berzerkers have been around since the late 80's. First as a three piece band and then as a destructive 4 piece with the addition of vocalist/madman, Jaw. And in 1991 they released a powerful demo called "Designed and Built to kill people} recorded on a simple 4 track recorder. The demo was well received and is today considered legendary. Soon they played on the Crucial Chaos radio show and the recording made there became their second demo. This recording was very powerful and once again became a legend.
Not long after, Founding guitarist, Dr. Vortex and drummer, The Smarts left the band to pursue other musical interests. With two important members gone, the band seemed to be over. That is until Maul Malone, the guitarist for the band Nutjob and Z-unknown, the drummer from psycho war hammer offered to join the band. The band was back in full force and began playing shows. It was during this time the band released, "Annihilation Blues", A 7-inch ep put out on their own label, "dirtbag Productions". The band gained quite a reputation for having a very intense stage presence not matched by many bands. This time The Berzerkers stayed together for about two years gaining many fans, playing shows with everyone from Agnostic Front to The Nihilistics until the band called it quits in 1994.
Six Years later the band reformed for a reunion in the summer of the year 2000. Bald-X, Former drummer for nutjob was asked to play drums this time around. Three intense shows were played before Dirk Blade, the bands long time bassist left for Arizona.
The following year a long time fan of the band know as The professor, offered to play bass. The Berzerkers were once again back in the forefront playing several shows and released their most well received and well reviewed CD to date, "Cut Throat Words". The band was on a roll when Maul Malone left the band. The professor moved to guitar and George Murphy, bassist for Maul Malones former band, Nutjob took over on bass. The Berzerkers recorded a new CD called "The Owner" which was never released because the band broke up once again.
In 2005 the Berzerkers returned once again to reclaim their title as long islands hardest playing band. Maul Malone, Jaw, George Murphy and Bald-X were back at the forefront of NYHC. At thier first show since 2002, the Berzerkers gave away hundreds of CD's and T-shirts to all in attendance. They graced the stage at the Vision of Disorder reunion and played one more show with thier brother bands, Disciplinary action and Neglect. They were just about to release a new CD when George Murphy left the band. Other bass players tried to fill in but nothing really worked out. Jaw has gone on to concentrate on another music project with derek from Neglect called The Guilty Party, as well as a solo project called Project 872. The Guilty Party's Debut CD will be available soon.
The Berzerkers have undergone several lineup changes over the years and have gone through tough times. All of thier music has been self produced and self released with the exception of one song on a compilation. They are a hard working and uncompromising band who always play their hearts and their guts out everytime they hit the the stage. They have gained praise from old school and new school hardcore fans alike, and have left a path of destruction in their wake. They have influenced countless bands from the NY/LI area and have been a driving force to be reckoned with in the scene.
Releases:
Untitled Tape - Demo 1990
Designed and Built To Kill People - Demo 1991
Live on WNYU 1992 - Live Demo 1992
Anihilation Blues 7-inch EP 1993
On the Rise - 1994 (unreleased)
NY Cathater Comp - MotherBox Records
Cut Throat Words - CD 2002
The Owner - (unreleased CD 2004)
Million Dollar Man
I want to hurt you
On the Streets
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