Flotsam and Jetsam (band)

About 5 pages (1,430 words)

Questions on this topic? Just ask!

Flotsam and Jetsam
Origin	Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Genre(s)	Heavy metal Speed metal Thrash metal Power metal
Years active	1981 - present
Label(s)	Metal Blade Records Elektra Records MCA Crash Music
Website	flotsam-and-jetsam.com
Members
Eric A.K. Ed Carlson Jason Ward Mark Simpson Craig Nielsen
Former members
Michael Gilbert Kelly David-Smith Troy Gregory Jason Newsted Mike Spencer James Rivera (live)

Flotsam and Jetsam is a thrash metal band formed in Phoenix, Arizona in 1983. They are famous for being the band in which Jason Newsted played before joining Metallica.

1 Band history
2 Members
- 2.1 Current members
- 2.2 Former members
3 Discography
4 External links

Band history

1981-1986: the beginning

The band's original name was Paradox, until bassist Jason Newsted joined with Kelly Smith and 2 other guitarists. It was then changed too Dredlox. From there Mark Vasquez and LL Cool Kevin Horton joined the band and changed the name to Dogz. Bassist Jason Newsted joined in 1982. He came to Phoenix with his band Gangster from Detroit on their way to California they broke apart while in Phoenix. Kelly saw Ak sing at his high school talent show. Singing "The Goodbye Girl". One Summer they were in the same summer school class. Kelly asked if wanted to try out and it was on. We called him the "2 weeker" since it was his trial period. AK sang Judas Priest better than Rob on his best day back then. Erik A.K. arrival was in 1983. Ed Carlson was to follow in 83. Taken from a local rival band called "Exodus". No it's not that one. The band renamed itself Flotsam and Jetsam after writing a song inspired from a chapter of J. R. R. Tolkien's The Two Towers. Hense the unheard song "Flotsam and Jetsam". The band made its live debuts in local clubs which would allow them eventually to play with bands such as Megadeth, Armored Saint, Alcatraz, Malice, Exciter, Merciful Fate, Riot,Autograph. Flotsam and Jetsam released two demo tapes in 1985, Iron Tears and Metal Shock. We created our own video Hammerhead from the Metal Shock demo. We taped it in Jason and Ed's apartment living room. From there we made a live video from the infamous Bootlegger in Phoenix. Those combined with the demos enable us to get on Metal Massacre 7 the precursor for the acclaimed release of "Doomsday for the Deceiver". Debut on July 19th, 1986.

1986-1988: Doomsday for the Deceiver

After they contributed to the Speed Metal Hell II and Metal Massacre VII compilations, they got a deal with Metal Blade Records. Then they released their first album Doomsday for the Deceiver, which was produced by Brian Slagel. Many considered this album as a milestone in the history of thrash metal. Bassist Jason Newsted, who was also the band's main lyric writer on their first album, left the band soon after to join Metallica, replacing their late bassist Cliff Burton. Flotsam and Jetsam had asked another local bassist Phil Rind, "Sacred Reich", to fill in Jason's place for a short time. They then acquired Mike Spencer from Sacramento band "Sentinel Beast". The band signed with Metallica's label Elektra Records before touring Europe with Megadeth in 1987.

1988-1992: No Place for Disgrace and When the Storm Comes Down

Mike Spencer lost his position to Troy Gregory in 1988, and in the same year the band's second album No Place for Disgrace was released. It is considered as a strong metal effort by many metal fans. It includes a cover of Elton John's hit Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting. The band opened for King Diamond in America. Also toured with Megadeth, Testament and Sanctuary in Europe on the "So Far, So Good. So What" tour. Fifteen months later, they got a deal with MCA and began to work on their third album When the Storm Comes Down, which was released in 1990. The band expected to gain recognition with this album, but it suffered from a poor production a weaker songwriting compared to their first two albums. Many fans lost interest in the band at that time.

1992-1995: Cuatro

Troy Gregory left the band shortly after for Prong and the band had to find a new bassist once again, eventually hiring Jason Ward to fill the role. Cuatro saw the band change their style mixing thrash metal with grunge sound. The album was rather successful, nevertheless. Flotsam and Jetsam made some efforts concerning the promotion: four singles were released and a video was shot for the songs Swatting at Flies and "Wading Through the Darkness".

1995-1999: Drift and High

Their fifth album Drift was released in 1995, with three singles released off of the record. A long break followed the release of the album. They returned to their former label Metal Blade Records as they had been dropped again due to the failure of support from MCA and the interest in Metal at that level was weakened by Seattle grunge. Their 1997 album High Featured (Fork Boy) Which was a dedication to Jeff Ward, Jason's brother who he lost at the beginning of the Cuatro Tour. Former drummer of such bands as NIN, Ministry, Revolting Cocks and of course "Lard" The originator of Fork Boy. High, made a good impression on fans but did not match their early work. Mike Gilbert and Kelly Smith left the band after High and were replaced by guitarist Mark Simpson and drummer Craig Nielsen.

1999-2004: Unnatural Selection and My God

Unnatural Selection was released in 1999 and Mark T. Simpson left the band soon after. He joined the band again in 2000 to record a new album, My God, considered as their most aggressive work. At that time Erik A.K. had founded a country band, the A.K. Corral. He then left the band, demotivated after spending fifteen years waiting for success. Though Flotsam and Jetsam did not disband, there was a long break at that time. They found a new singer in James Rivera who took over vocal duties live. Later the band felt anyone other than Erik A.K. could be their singer and Rivera left the band soon after.

2004-present: Live In Phoenix and Dreams of Death

The live DVD Live in Phoenix was released in 2004, containing thirteen songs with Eric A.K.. Not long after, he joined the band again officially and they planned a come-back album. The lyrics for the album were moslty inspired by Eric A.K.'s nightmares. This resulted into a concept album entitled Dreams of Death like track 2 of No Place for Disgrace. The album was released on the Crash Music label. The live DVD Live in Japan was released in February 2006. Doomsday for the Deceiver was re-released in November 2006, including their two demos, to celebrate the album's twentieth anniversary.