Dr. Know (band)
| Dr. Know | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Oxnard, CA |
| Genres | Nardcore, crossover thrash, punk |
| Years active | 1981–1991, 1998–2010, 2012-present |
| Labels |
Mystic (1981-1986) Death (1986-1988) Unrest (2008-present) |
| Associated acts | Stigmata, Dead Kennedys, The Exploited, Reagan Youth, KNOW |
| Members | Dr. Know is dead. Long live Dr. Know. |
| Past members | Ismael Hernandez Robin Cartwright Brandon Cruz Kyle Toucher Steve Contreras Rick Contreras Rik Heller Ron Baird Dave Cassilas Tony Black Mike Vallejo Jody Hill N!k Liberty Allen Eric Vasquez Craig Cano Larz White David Smash Gizz Lazlo Mike Purdy Mike Vega |
Dr. Know is a punk band which began as a Nardcore band from Oxnard, California. They are regarded as founding fathers of the so-called "Nardcore" punk movement.
The band was started by Kyle Toucher, Ismael Hernandez, and Robin Cartwright in early 1981, and after auditioning a few singers, local Silverstrand Beach surfer/skater and punker Brandon Cruz was chosen. Silverstrand Beach in Oxnard, California was the birthplace of Nardcore. The band recorded studio versions of several early songs with Cruz, which led to television appearances and gigs on the Los Angeles circuit.
However the early momentum was somewhat derailed by escalating inner turmoil which culminated in Cruz leaving the group in 1983, leaving Toucher to take over vocals just as the band was starting recording of Plug In Jesus for Mystic Records. Several more albums followed, including the Burn EP, This Island Earth, and Wreckage in Flesh, which were subsequently released on Death Records/Metal Blade, signaling a shift to a crossover direction in their sound. For This Island Earth, the lineup was founding member Kyle Toucher on vocals and guitars, drummer Rik Heller and bassist Ismael Hernandez.
Before an American tour for This Island Earth with Scottish street punks The Exploited, Ismael Hernandez quit the band and was replaced by ex-Stäläg 13 members, bassist Tony Black and second guitarist Tim Harkins.
After another short U.S. tour and attempt at writing a new album, Rick Heller quit the band before moving to Scotland, where he joined The Exploited and drummer Larry White was brought in to finish writing and begin recording of what would become Wreckage in Flesh. During this period Tony Black was replaced by Mike Purdy and the album was finished April 1988. Two subsequent tours followed in support of the album with bands such as The Circle Jerks, D.R.I., Murphy's Law, 7 Seconds as well as shows with up and coming thrash metal bands Forbidden, Vio-lence, Holy Terror, and Metal Church.
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