Pledging to never play a venue with a stage, singer/guitarist John Reis formed San Diego's Rocket from the Crypt in the summer of 1990 after becoming disillusioned with the hardcore punk band he was in called Pitchfork. Joining with then-current Rocketeers bassist Petey X and guitarist N.D, in addition to departed drummer Sean and backing vocalist Elaina, Reis and company released Paint As A Fragrance in 1991.
NOTE: not to be confused with The Ghouls. Massimiliano Franceschini started Ghouls back in 1996 with Fabrizio Franceschini on bass, Marco Meister on guitars and Andrea Cassina on drums. Their self titled first demo, in 1996, included four tracks (Evil & Hate; Fear; Antichrist; Absolute Dominion). Few months after the recording session Meister and Cassina left the band. In 1998 Massimiliano knew Antonio Poletti (former Novembre) and Emilio Trillò (from Carnal Rapture) and they talked about record a new demo.
Formed in the summer of 1985, the 'Nails started out with Gra on bass, Toby on drums, Tony on vocals and Humungus on vocals and guitar. The band quickly went from strength to strength and played about 10 shows before being offered a gig at the notorious Klubfoot, and then by releasing two tracks on the infamous Stompin' at the Klubfoot series of albums. This resulted in Toby joining the Meteors on drums. His replacement in the Coffin Nails was Dave Ward, one of the bands loyal followers from the beginning.
Arch Stanton in all their many masterful rock adventures of the recent past have taken a step back to brew their craft into a perfect gravity and flavor.
What started in one form as a highschool garage... or in their case a "living room" band, finds itself now in a steady, and some might say obsessive, pursuit of musical expression. In 2000 Arch's sophmore self-titled album launched them into the Minneapolis scene as a pack of kids sporting suits and shaggy heads, strumming and screaming manic powerpop anthems.