BIOGRAPHY
The Accused™ - Historical Biography (2012)
The Accused formed in 1981 on Whidbey Island, Washington USA. The group that started out as little
more than an outlet for three angry punk rock adolescents full of youthful rebellion and creative energy,
went on to become one of the most influental bands ever in the world of heavy underground rock
music.
As pioneers of what later became known as "crossover" music, The Accused were fusing hardcore punk's
hyper-nihilism with the teeth and claws of heavy metal as far back as the early 1980's. Dually inspired
by an infatuation with 'splatter flicks'--(a sub-genre of low-budget, ultra-bloody horror films), The
Accused labeled their music 'Splatter Rock' in 1984.
Likewise, in a none-too-subtle ode to Iron Maiden's "Eddie", The Accused created a band mascot named
"Martha Splatterhead"--a female zombie vigiallante--who's ghoulish image was created by The Accused
guitarist and founder, Tommy Niemeyer. Martha Splatterhead's character has been graphically portayed
by many well-known artists over the years, commissioned by the band for album covers, gig flyers and
tour merchandise. A comic book with 14 artists contributing to its creation was published in the late
1990's and is a very sought-after collectible by the hardcore legions.
Throughout the late 1980's and '90's The Accused toured much of Europe and North America with their
powerful live performances and a steady flow of album releases. Occasional rock history got carved in
stone when The Accused shared a bill with bands such as D.R.I, C.O.C. Bad Brains, GBH or The
Melvins, always bringing to the stage an energy and authentic passion audiences had never seen or
heard before. Their studio recordings--many out-of-print and highly collectible--are each an unholy
creation not of this earth. Buzzsaw guitars ripping through speed-of-light, stop-and-go beats, while
metallic hardcore blasts of noise no more than 2 minutes in duration are narrated by vocal outbursts
akin to the aural result of torturing a small animal via paper shredder.
During their 3-decade career, The Accused affected thousands of fans; inspiring some to start bands of
their own. Like Lamb of God vocalist Randall Blythe, who grew up listening to The Accused. Along
with Blythe, bands such as Cannibal Corpse, Municipal Waste and Converge have sighted The Accused
as a group that inspired them to create something amazing of their own.
Over thirty years later, there is still an occasional blip on the radar from The Accused; a new song here;
a music video there; a surprise live appearance in some dark alley somewhere. Like a zombie that gets
plugged with bullet after bullet but still doesn't drop; could it be that The Accused just CANNOT be
killed?
-- Written by:
(2012 David Mogen; Splatter Rock Know-It-All)
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