The Virus (band)
| The Virus | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Philadelphia, US |
| Genres | Punk rock, street punk |
| Years active | 1998–2004, 2013-present |
| Labels | Charged Records, Punkcore Records |
| Associated acts |
Cheap Sex Nighttime Dealers No Authority Bomb Squadron The Oi! Scouts |
| Members | Paul Sorrels Fat Dave Josh Howard Zach Kolodziejski Tyler Capone |
| Past members | Mike Virus Mike Authority Chris Expulsion Jarrod Geoff Tim Mark Liberty Drew Jasper Jon Emmanuel |
The Virus is a street punk band from Philadelphia, United States. Reformed in 2013, the current lineup includes Paul on vocals, Zach on lead guitar, Fat Dave on rhythm guitar, Josh on bass, and Tyler on drums. The Virus is actively playing shows and booking tours.
The Virus formed in February 1998, with Mike Virus on vocals, Chris on lead guitar, Fat Dave on guitar, Jarrod on drums, and Geoff on bass. The band played their first show a month later. During the band's first six months, they performed several concerts, including one in Philadelphia with the band Special Duties, and another at the now-closed Coney Island High in New York City.
In July 1998, they recorded two songs for a split CD with New York band The Manix (with members of The Devotchkas and The Casualties). Only 130 copies of the CD were made, and they sold out quickly. Shortly thereafter, original bass player Geoff was asked to leave the band. After trying out several bass players, it was decided that Fat Dave’s longtime friend Paul would join.
In February 1999, the band recorded five songs for their first 7", called Global Crisis, and for the Punx Unite 2 compilation on Charged Records. The 7" sold out fairly quickly, and they started getting a lot more gig offers. In May, lead guitar player Chris and the band had a falling out, with Chris leaving the band. The band continued to perform regularly all over the east coast United States as a quartet.
In September, the band added a new member, Mike Authority of local Philadelphia band, No Authority. In March 2000, the band recorded 12 songs for their first full-length CD/LP, Still Fighting For A Future, on Charged Records. After the album was recorded, singer Mike Virus left the band and Paul took over vocals. The band then recruited Tim from the Jersey band The Oi! Scouts.
In June, the band left for a six-week US tour with The Casualties, Endless Struggle, Antidote and Funeral Dress. After returning from the tour, Tim informed the band that the road life wasn’t for him, but he agreed to help out until the band replaced him. In December the band brought in Josh, who played in Central PA punk bands The Scarred and TMI Generation. In March 2001, the band recorded four new songs for a limited picture disc 7" to be released on Charged Records. Punk Core Records bought the rights to release the picture disc from Charged Records, and released the 7" in October 2001, along with a Singles & Rarities CD .
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