Dropdead

ByLets Go Punk
Dropdead were a Rhode Island hardcore punk band formed in 1991

Dropdead are a hardcore punk band from Providence, Rhode Island. Formed in 1991, they became known for their short, fast, and aggressive songs, most rarely exceeding two minutes. With a strong DIY ethic, they have been part of the underground punk scene for decades, influencing and collaborating with bands across crust punk, grindcore, and hardcore. Their name comes from the 1984 demo tape Drop Dead by Siege.

Early Years

The group first came together in 1989 under the name Hellocaust. After a lineup shift and stylistic change toward faster, more intense hardcore, they officially became Dropdead in January 1991. Their first live show took place in April 1991 alongside Born Against and Rorschach.

Releases and Later Activity

Over the years, Dropdead issued multiple demos, splits, and full-length albums. Their debut self-titled album was released in 1993, followed by another untitled record in 1998. After working with Kurt Ballou at GodCity Studio, the band returned with Dropdead 2020, released on September 25, 2020.

Influences

The band draws from a wide range of acts, including Anti Cimex, Crass, Conflict, Confuse, Discharge, Gauze, Icons of Filth, Infest, Lärm, Merzbow, Mob 47, Pandemonium, S.O.B., Septic Death, Siege, SSD, and Swans.

Members

  • Current
    • Bob Otis – vocals (1991-present)
    • Ben Barnett – guitar (1991-present)
    • Brian Mastrobuono – drums (1991-present)
    • George Radford – bass (2010-present)
  • Former
    • Lee Mastrobuono – bass (1991-1996)
    • Devon Cahill – bass (1996-2010)

Discography

  • Studio Albums
    • Dropdead (1993, Selfless)
    • Untitled (1998, Armageddon)
    • Dropdead 2020 (2020, Armageddon)
  • EPs
    • Untitled 7″ (1992, Crust Records)
    • Hostile 7″ (1996, Spiral Objective/Insurgence)
    • Arms Race (2018, Armageddon)
  • Splits
    • Dropdead / Swirlies (1991)
    • Dropdead / Rupture (1992)
    • Dropdead / Crossed Out (1993)
    • Dropdead / Totalitär (2002)
    • Dropdead / Unholy Grave (2003)
    • Dropdead / Look Back and Laugh (2004)
    • Converge / Dropdead (2011)
    • Dropdead / Ruidosa Inmundicia (2013)
    • Dropdead / Systematic Death (2013)
    • Dropdead / Brainoil (2014)
  • Demos and Other Releases
    • Demo 1991 (1991)
    • What Could Be (2014, live recording)
    • Demo 2019 (2019, benefit release)
  • Compilations
    • Discography 1991-1993 (1994)
  • Live Albums
    • Untitled (1991, recorded live at 2nd show)
    • Untitled (1991, recorded live on WRIU Radio)
    • Live at The Jame Room (1996, HG Fact Co.)
    • Stack / Dropdead – Live In Udine (1997)
    • Drop On – The Bootleg (1997)
    • Dropdead / Mrtvá Budoucnost / Primitiv Bunko (1998)
    • Live In Železniki (1998)
    • Humanity Is Burying the Earth with Its Rotting Carcasses (1999)
    • Live AJZ Wermelskirchen (2003)

Associated Acts

  • Bob Otis – The Fuzz, Lolita Black, Extinction Machine, NRK and I, Destroyer
  • Ben Barnett – Armageddon Label and Record Shop, Snake Apartment, Generica
  • Brian Mastrobuono – Straight to Hell, Supperating Pustule, Battlesnake, Neon Bitches, Ratstab, currently in Wolfhex
  • George Radford – Edict, She Rides, Intent to Injure, Fucking Invincible, Sweet Jesus
  • Devon Cahill – Monster X, Exploding Corpse Action, Conniption, Hail Mary

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