KONTRAKLASSE started in 1998 in Long Beach, CA. The first line-up was Previn on vocals, Raygunn on guitar, Chrischarge on drums and Tony Restos on bass. After a few practices Tony could no longer do it, so Eddie Gomez from BEAT TO DEATH took up bass playing duties. After practicing for another few months, Mike Robarge replaced Eddie on bass. Steve was also added as a 2nd guitarist around the same time. Mike then quit the band right before the Elm St. show with STATE OF FEAR (?!??!!) and Todd stepped in with only only one practice to play the show.
A 4 track demo was recorded in Jan-Feb of 2001. This was meant to be a 7", but never happened, and was self released on tape. In Sept. of 2001, Yellow Dog Records released a European version of the tape. Played some great shows with some great bands: ICONS OF FILTH, WOLFPACK, ENGLISH DOGS, STATE OF FEAR, SHITLIST, DISCORDIA, BORN DEAD ICONS, CALLOUSED, CODE 13, SPAZM 151, SLAUGHTER AND THE DOGS, and too many others to remember. They were a local favorite that hasn't been matched since (since ALL the members actually lived in the LBC [well, except Previn who's from Pedro]). You would catch them live at most Elm St. house shows (with the footprints on the ceilng). One of the greatest had to be with STATE OF FEAR and SHITLIST. In the summer of 2001 KONTRAKLASSE toured the southwest and played with DISKONTO in Oklahoma City. The following year KONTRAKLASSE teamed up with BORN/DEAD and PHALANX to tour the west coast playing from Tijuana to Seattle. Good times.
Well, here's the only 4 songs to ever get recorded (even though there were more and better songs!). Enjoy. I'm sure we'll all remember more as time goes by. Let us know!
