Saint Vitus are a highly influential American doom metal band from Los Angeles. They have been regarded as one of the first bands of the genre, starting out as early as the late 1970s, along with Pentagram and Trouble. For most of their career, the band comprised vocalist Scott Weinrich, bassist Mark Adams, guitarist Dave Chandler and drummer Armando Acosta. After breaking up in 1996, Saint Vitus briefly reunited for a tour in 2003, and are back together again as of 2008.
Biography
Formation
The band was formed in 1979 under the name Tyrant, with Scott Reagers (vocals), Dave Chandler (guitar), Mark Adams (bass), and Armando Acosta (drums), but soon changed their name to Saint Vitus after the song "St. Vitus' Dance" by Black Sabbath. Their main influences were Sabbath and Black Flag, the latter of which Saint Vitus toured with during the 1980s.
Under this line-up, Saint Vitus recorded 2 albums (Saint Vitus & Hallow's Victim) and an EP (The Walking Dead). After The Walking Dead Reagers left the band and was replaced by The Obsessed frontman Scott "Wino" Weinrich (at this time, The Obsessed had only released one 7").
Weinrich-era
Wino recorded three studio albums (Born Too Late, Mournful Cries & V), a live album (Live), and an EP (Thirsty and Miserable, featuring the Black Flag cover of the same name) with Vitus. Weinrich left Saint Vitus in 1991 to reform The Obsessed after Vitus's label, Hellhound Records, released an album of older Obsessed recordings.
Post-Weinrich period and breakup
Following Weinrich's departure, Saint Vitus went on hiatus. The band finally found former Count Raven singer Christian Lindersson as Weinrich's replacement. He would record only one album, C.O.D. before being replaced by original Vitus vocalist, Scott Reagers. Reagers recorded vocals for the band's final album Die Healing, regarded in underground doom circles to be their finest work. Saint Vitus played dates in America and Europe following the album's release. After the completion of the tour, Saint Vitus decided to call it a day in 1996.
Reunion(s)
On July 1, 2003, the classic Born Too Late line-up (Weinrich, Chandler, Adams, Acosta) played a gig at Double Door in Chicago. The performance was recorded and released on a DVD that is distributed through Chandler's current band, Debris, Inc..
As of 2008, Saint Vitus have reformed again. The band headlined Friday's April 24 date at the 2009 Roadburn Festival. At the 013 venue in Tilburg, Netherlands and then went on to play three gigs in Germany. The lineup for this reunion was the same as the 2003 reunion. Drummer Armando Acosta, who had been with the band since its inception over thirty years ago, left the band before the European tour of 2009 had been completed. Actual Quote...."Dave fired me."
In reference to the description of the, in-fact involuntary, exit of drummer, Armando Acosta, the origin of the demise of the original member line-up is shrouded in misleading, as well as, misinformation of the facts. Drummer Armando Acosta, was dropped from the band, in an un-unanimous decision by the lead guitar player. The percussionist was, unfortunately, not allowed to finish the European tour.
In further updates, it is hoped, honesty will prevail and the facts, surrounding the final band alteration will come to light.
Lineups
(1979-1986)
Scott Reagers – vocals
Dave Chandler – guitar
Mark Adams – bass
Armando Acosta – drums
(1986-1991)
Wino Weinrich – vocals
Dave Chandler – guitar
Mark Adams – bass
Armando Acosta – drums
(1991-1992)
(Saint Vitus on hiatus)
(1992-1994)
Christian Lindersson – vocals
Dave Chandler – guitar
Mark Adams – bass
Armando Acosta – drums
(1994-1996)
Scott Reagers – vocals
Dave Chandler – guitar
Mark Adams – bass
Armando Acosta – drums
(1996-2003)
SPLIT
(2003)
Wino Weinrich – vocals
Dave Chandler – guitar
Mark Adams – bass
Armando Acosta – drums
(2003-2008)
(Saint Vitus on hiatus)
(2008-2009)
Wino Weinrich – vocals
Dave Chandler – guitar
Mark Adams – bass
Armando Acosta – drums
(2009-present)
Wino Weinrich – vocals
Dave Chandler – guitar
Mark Adams – bass
Henry Vasquez – drums
Discography
Albums
Saint Vitus CD/LP (SST Records 1984)
Hallow's Victim LP (SST Records 1985)
Born Too Late LP (SST Records 1987)
Mournful Cries CD/LP (SST Records 1988)
V CD/LP (Hellhound Records 1989)
Live CD/LP (Hellhound Records 1990)
C.O.D. CD/LP (Hellhound Records 1993)
Die Healing CD (Hellhound Records 1995)
Singles/EPs
"War Is Our Destiny" 7"/12" promo (SST Records 1985)
The Walking Dead 12" EP (SST Records 1985)
Thirsty and Miserable 12" EP (SST Records 1987)
Compilations/Reissues
Born Too Late/Thirsty And Miserable CD (SST Records 1990)
Heavier Than Thou CD (Compilation) (SST Records 1991)
V CD/LP (Southern Lord Records 2004)
Live CD/LP (Southern Lord Records 2005)
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