It all started in 1990, when vocalist Billy C joined Condemned, one of the greatest thrash metal bands to break into the New Jersey metal scene. Billy played and toured with Condemned for four years, as well as recorded the 5 song E.P. "Crush The Weak", which sold very successfully in Europe. Condemned also had the pleasure of touring and playing with some of the world's most acclaimed metal/hard rock artists including: Stone Temple Pilots, Type O Negative, Biohazzard, Prong, Murphey's Law, Sick Of It All, and Leeway.
When Condemned finally came to an end in 1994, Billy C founded LockJaw with the hopes of continuing to produce a successful music career. Through several of Billy's connections, the LockJaw frontman eventually teamed up with M.O.D.'s Billy Milano, a true veteran of the heavy metal music scene. Milano, also the frontman of S.O.D. (Stormtroopers Of Death), recorded and engineered LockJaw's first 5 song E.P., which unfortunately was never released. Billy Milano states, "Billy C is a true professional and has a vocal style that is completely unique". LockJaw toured and played successfully until 1997, when Billy C decided to take a break from the music business.
Reformed with new members in 2002, LockJaw quickly got the ball rolling again and recorded their next E.P, "Welcome To America". LockJaw's next musical achievement came in 2007, when the band recorded with Earl Cohen, a grammy award winning engineer. Cohen took LockJaw's sound to new heights and went above and beyond with his production. Three of the 11 songs that LockJaw recorded with Cohen, ("Roll On", "Bullets", and "Move Around") can be heard on the myspace. In their rebirth, LockJaw found great success, but another lineup change was inevitable. Billy tried very hard to work with the four other musicians that were in LockJaw at the time (Tommy, Billy Mac, John, & Jay), but he eventually had no choice but to seek replacements. Billy C states, "Its so hard to find good musicians whom you can play and get along with".
Seeking yet another reformation, Billy C was looking through numerous musician listings and found a young guitarist by the name of Mike Hufnagel, also hailing from New Jersey. Mike Hufnagel, an advanced metal guitarist combining Thrash with Progressive and Melodic Metal, had played in previous New Jersey metal bands that unfortunately never found success. Eager to find a band that was at his level musically, Mike began working with Billy at a very fast pace. Along with finding Mike, Billy enlisted Danny Kenmore as the band's drummer, as well as Danny's son, D.J. on bass. Danny Kenmore is a true veteran of the music business and a highly trained professional drummer. Danny has a very impressive resume, after playing with numerous professional acts such as: Lynch Mob, Sebastain Bach, Jackyl, and Triumph. LockJaw Bassist D.J. Kenmore is no amateur either. At age 19, D.J. is an extremely advanced bassist with a great attitude. A more recent addition to the band was Jeff Bennett on Guitar. Jeff is another veteran of the business and a well-known regional guitarist.
LockJaw is currently working on new material, as well as recording in several top notch studios in Vernon, New Jersey. The combination of Mike's thrash riffs, Danny's double kick drumming, D.J.'s intricate bass playing, and Billy C's brutal vocal style has made LockJaw heavier, faster, and more technical than it ever was before. Keep your eyes open for LockJaw, because they will be touring in no time, kicking ass and taking names.
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