Biohazard (band)

Biohazard
Biohazard at the Dour Festival, 2003.
Background information
Origin	Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Genres	Heavy metal, hardcore punk, crossover thrash, rapcore,rap metal
Years active	1987–2006, 2008–present
Labels	Mercury, Nuclear Blast, Roadrunner, Sanctuary, Warner Bros.
Associated acts	Damnocracy, Suicide City, A Pale Horse Named Death, Onyx, Blood For Blood
Website	www.biohazard.com
Members	Billy Graziadei Bobby Hambel Danny Schuler
Past members	Evan Seinfeld Anthony Meo Rob Echeverria Leo Curley Carmine Vincent Scott Roberts

Biohazard is an American band formed in Brooklyn, New York in 1987. They are acknowledged as one of the earliest bands to fuse hardcore punk and heavy metal with elements of hip hop. The earliest lineup consisted of bassist/vocalist Evan Seinfeld, guitarist Bobby Hambel, and drummer Anthony Meo. Guitarist/vocalist Billy Graziadei would join the band soon after, changing the band to a four-piece. Since February 2016, the lineup has consisted of Billy Graziadei, Bobby Hambel and Danny Schuler.

The band formed in Brooklyn in 1987. Their first demo, released in 1988, caused a stir with journalists who felt that some of the band's lyrics displayed fascist and white supremacist views, overlooking the fact that both Seinfeld and Schuler were, themselves, Jewish. The accusations of racism in their music were something strenuously denied by the band but in later interviews, Seinfeld and Graziadei explained that it had been a publicity stunt to win over the band Carnivore and their fans. Additionally, Seinfeld has defended the lyrics of songs such as "Master Race" and "America" as metaphors meant to shock and get the listener's attention and maintains that the band was never racist. The band has long since preached a message of tolerance and anti-racism. After the release of the first demo, Anthony Meo left the band and drummer Danny Schuler replaced him. A second demo tape followed in 1989.

Although Biohazard never truly considered themselves a hardcore band, Biohazard often found themselves sharing stages with bands associated with the New York hardcore scene, such as the Cro-Mags and Agnostic Front. They also shared stages with the New Jersey band Mucky Pup and a friendship between the two bands developed.

In 1990, Biohazard signed a recording contract with Maze Records. The band's self-titled debut album was poorly promoted by the label and sold approximately 40,000 copies. The album's subject matter revolved around Brooklyn, gang-wars, drugs, and violence.