About Me
Virulent Strain began in the summer of 1999, out of the ashes of PUBLIC NUISANCE and THE DREGS and almost immediately gained recognition as one of the Lower East Side's hardest and fastest punk rock bands. The first line up was a female fronted configuration that lasted about 2 years and over 100 shows. The first album TORTURE TOOLS, released on Rodent Popsicle records features this line up. In 2002 the band parted ways with drummer Johnny Cakes, who went on to play with another great NYC punk band, Thought Crime. The original singer Mercedes also left the band to pursue her career as an actress. Unwilling to give up, the core members of the band joined forces with members of San Francisco's Noxious Prix, to create a much harsher and faster sound, with Jimmy switching to drums. Again after only a few rehearsals Virulent Strain was on stage at CBGB's, proving that they could not be held back. Unfortunately this line up would prove to be especially volatile and by the end of 2002, the band broke up. Still, the core members, Jimmy Foul, Mike Dreg, and Keith Scott, would not give up and decided to seek a worthy drummer. They found this in the form of their third drummer, Brandon, who filled the spot until his death late last year. Much to the bands regret, there is no recorded material with that line-up and his death was devistating to say the least. But, as the name suggests there is no killing a viurlent strain, it will only mutate and adapt to it's environment. The band once again found itself in need of a drummer to record the new record and that came in the form of Shayne from Atlanta's most intense and brutal hardcore band the Bloody Sods. As of now the band is only interested in recording material and touring. The new record is a testament to years of snubbing by the jaded and trendy punk scene in New York, whose members find it more important to stand by the keg or smoke outside than actually listen to the band. At the same time it is a tribute to the thriving and genuine underground punk rock movement that exists in NY and all over the world. Virulent Strain never gave in to playing poppy punk or metal, it is true hardcore and punk, the way it was done by the great bands of the 80's, but always concious of taking it to the next level.Update: Virulent Strain doesn't play anymore, we may again one day. Right now everyone lives in distant places and getting together to record or play live is impossible. We have a lot of recorded material that has never been released and slowly that is being worked on despite computer issues and time. This myspace will be used as a platform to get out whatever music we feel like putting up here, and when a recording is completed it will be released. Thanks to everyone who has supported us over the years, we really do appreciate it.To hear more songs go to www.despisedatlanta.com, we have some songs on there as well as BLOODY SODS and THE DESPISED of course...This profile was edited with Thomas' myspace editor™ V2.5
