Vitamin X
Vitamin X | |
---|---|
Marc Emmerik and Alex Koutsman performing live at Mainz concert, Germany in August 2007 | |
Background information | |
Origin | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
Genres | Hardcore punk, thrashcore, Bandana thrash |
Years active | 1997–present |
Labels | Havoc Records, Tankcrimes, Thrashbastard, AgiPunk |
Website | Official website |
Members |
Marko Korac Marc Emmerik Alex Koutsman Danny |
Past members |
Wolfi[1] Wimmy "Zero" Koster Johan X[2] Eric[3] |
Vitamin X[4] or VX is a hardcore punk and thrashcore band from Amsterdam, Netherlands that was formed in 1997. They are named as one of the best and most important hardcore punk bands going.[5] Their unique sound is characterized by furious hardcore punk mixed with turbo-charged thrash, 1970s rock riffage and wild guitar solos. The members are straight edge but this does not reflect their lyrics or music. Their current line-up consists of four members: Marko Korac (vocals), Alex Koutsman (bass guitar), Danny (drums), and Marc Emmerik (songwriter, guitar).
Known for their witty socio-political lyrical themes and energetic live performances, the band recorded several seminal full-length albums and singles on various international labels, including US label Havoc Records (Kylesa, Wolfbrigade, Fucked Up, From Ashes Rise, etc.). The band has completed multiple tours of North America, South America, Europe, Japan, Australia, Indonesia, Philippines, Mexico, and Russia. In 2001 and 2004 they played CBGB's, New York to a sold-out crowd.[6] At a 2006 MTV live studio performance in Brasil a riot broke out after the band smashed their instruments.[7]
Their 2008 album Full Scale Assault was recorded in Chicago by Steve Albini, famous for recording Nirvana, Iggy Pop and The Stooges, Led Zeppelins Page and Plant, Neurosis, etc. Featuring a guest appearance by Negative Approach singer John Brannon and artwork by John Baizley of Baroness. It received critical acclaim from publications such as Metal Maniacs, Maximumrocknroll, Profane Existence, Suburban Voice, Exclaim!,[8] and many more, several of them naming it as one of the best hardcore punk albums of 2008/2009.
In 2012 they released the album About to Crack, also recorded by Steve Albini and artwork by John Baizley.
Besides touring around the world the band plays for 10.000s of people on some of the biggest heavy music festivals. They headlined Czech Republic's Fluff Fest several times, as well as Obscene Extreme, Resist To Exist, and many more. In 2012 they play Europe's biggest 'extreme music festival' Hellfest featuring acts such as Ozzy Osbourne, Megadeth, Guns n Roses but also punk acts like GBH, Discharge, Tragedy and Refused. In 2013 they were among the headliners of the Baltimore Soundstage at Maryland Deathfest, the biggest fest of its kind in North America, playing together with Infest, The Melvins, Carcass, Venom, Pentagram. After playing at 2014's Temples Fest in Bristol they again played Hellfest in 2015 with Motörhead, Billy Idol, ZZ Top, Judas Priest, and Alice Cooper.
Discography
Studio Albums
- 2000 See Thru Their Lies
- 2002 Down The Drain
- 2004 Bad Trip
- 2008 Full Scale Assault
- 2012 About To Crack
EP's
- 1998 Straight Edge Crew
- 1999 Once Upon a Time...
- 2001 We Came Here For Fun
- 2001 People That Bleed
- 2003 split 7" with Blind Society (King Friday)
- 2003 Random Violence (Japanese tour CD, Good Luck)
- 2005 Rip It Out EP (Havoc)
They have also released multiple "best of" collections and discography tapes, mainly for overseas tours.
Members
- Marko Korac - vocals
- Marc Emmerik - guitar, songwriter
- Alex Koutsman - bass
- Danny - drums
Former members
- Wimmy "Zero" Koster - drums
- Paolo G. - drums
- Boka (Ratos De Porao) - drums
- Johan X - drums
- Wolfi - drums
- Eric 'Sunk' Ankersmit - guitar
References
- ↑ "Vitamin X Profile". Discogs. Retrieved 2008-11-24.
- ↑ Once Upon a Time... 7" EP Sleeve
- ↑ -II-
- ↑ Not to be confused with roots reggae band
- ↑ Profane Existence Magazine - review of Full Scale Assault
- ↑ CBGB Show Archive
- ↑ Profane Existence Magazine - Interview
- ↑ Exclaim! review
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vitamin X. |
- Vitamin X US tour at Punknews.org
- Vitamin X - Bad Trip at ScenePointBlank
- Vitamin X Interview in Podcast at Punk.by