16 (band)

16
-(16)- performing at Mini-Murder Fest, April 2016
Background information
Origin	Los Angeles, California, United States
Genres	Sludge metal
Years active	1992–2004, 2007–present
Labels	Relapse, At A Loss, Bastardizer Recordings, Bacteria Sour, Pessimiser/Theologian, Pushead Fanclub, Last Hurrah Records, Standard, MP3.com
Website	-(16)- on Facebook
Members	Bobby Ferry, Cris Jerue, Dion Thurman, and Barney Firks

16 (stylized as -(16)-) is an American sludge metal band from Los Angeles, California. The band is currently signed to Relapse Records. -(16)- has been cited, along with fellow pioneering acts such as Eyehategod, Crowbar and Acid Bath, as one of the subgenre's seminal outfits. In July 2016, the band released their seventh full-length album, The Lifespan of a Moth.

-(16)- was formed in Santa Ana, California by Bobby Ferry (guitar), Cris Jerue (vocals), and Jason Corley (drums) in 1992. According to Ferry, he and Jerue bonded as part of the Southern California skate scene. Ferry has stated band was originally called 15, but changed their name when they were made aware of a previously existing group called Fifteen, who had been signed to Lookout Records. Ferry also named some of the band's early influences, including 7 Seconds, Bad Brains, and Metallica, as well as the "wave of [Amphetamine Reptile] bands, Helmet, Jesus Lizard, Unsane and Tar." The band's first full-length album, Curves That Kick, was released in 1993 on Bacteria Sour, an independent label owned by renowned artist, Pushead. Following the album's release, -(16)- toured Japan in 1994.

The band's next record, Drop Out, was released by Pessimiser/Theologian records in 1996 (after being shelved for nearly two years). In spite of Drop Out's critical acclaim, -(16)- did not tour heavily, opting instead to focus on performing locally. Jason Corley was ejected from the band at the end of 1994, and replaced by Andy Hassler. Phil Vera was also added as a 2nd guitarist. The band released Blaze of Incompetence in 1997 (again on Pessimiser/Theologian), and did a US tour with Grief in 1998. Andy Hassler was fired shortly after the tour. R.D. Davies replaced Andy, and then he was replaced by Mark Sanger 6 months later.