Crossbreed (band)
American industrial metal band from Clearwater, Florida.
Crossbreed is an American industrial metal band that started in Clearwater, Florida, in 1996. They were on Artemis Records until the label dropped them in 2003. The group put out two EPs and three full-length albums before splitting up in 2010. They got back together in 2021 and played two “rebirth” shows that year. In December 2022, they released a new single and music video called “N.F.G.”, and followed it with “The Killer Inside” on April 20, 2023.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Clearwater, Florida, U.S.
- Genre
- Industrial metal / nu metal / industrial rock / alternative metal / electro-industrial
- Years Active
- 1996–2010 / 2021–present
- Label
- Driven Music Group / Artemis
- Past Members
- Chris Nemzek / Corey Floyd / Kem Secksdiin / Jay Diesel / Travis Simpkins / Charlie Parker
- Current Members
- James Rietz / Ian Hall / JakoB SiN / Keith Heisler / Julius Caesar Mendoza / Tamara Kemp
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Crossbreed was formed in 1996 as a four-man band consisting of James Rietz, Chris Nemzek, Charlie Parker, and Travis Simpkins. A year later they added keyboardist Jason Troph, who left in 1998 to front the Orlando-based band Irrational. He was replaced by Phil 'Flip' Marquardt. Their self-produced album .01 was released in 1998 with only 1,000 copies made; the album featured a cover version of 'Wicked Game' by Chris Isaak. In 1999, Dan 'DJ' Izzo joined the band as their Turntablist/2nd Keyboardist, and he began developing their stage show using black lights and glow paint, which helped bring the band to the attention of the music industry.
On April 29, 2000, Crossbreed played Tampa's 98Rock's radio festival, Livestock, where they met the girls from the band Kittie. They gave them a copy of their Babydoll EP, which found its way to the A&R Rep for Kittie's former label Artemis. Crossbreed was signed to Artemis by the end of the year and their debut album, Synthetic Division, was released nationally on May 8, 2001. Their first single, 'Underlined', debuted on MTV2 & MTVX. The video for that song was nominated for a Billboard Music Award. In the summer of 2001 they toured the U.S. and Canada with the German band Rammstein and did a short run with Static-X. Synthetic Division has sold to date a total of over 100,000 copies.
After parting ways with their label in 2003 and several lineup changes, Crossbreed continued with new members and manager Bill Aucoin. They released the EP New Slave Nation in 2005 and the album KE 101 in 2009. The band went on hiatus in 2010, with frontman James Rietz stating that members would be moving on to other projects. Crossbreed reunited in 2021, featuring the return of James Rietz and Ian Hall, for a live performance on July 3, 2021. They partnered with Rick Thomas and Dan Fox to revive the band in an event dubbed the 'rebirth show'.
Reader's Guide
Crossbreed's significance lies in their role as a Florida-based industrial metal band that achieved national attention in the early 2000s. Their signing to Artemis Records after a chance meeting with the band Kittie at a radio festival highlights the serendipitous nature of their rise. The single 'Underlined' earned a Billboard Music Award nomination, and their debut album Synthetic Division sold over 100,000 copies. The band's use of black lights and glow paint in their stage show, developed by Dan Izzo, helped distinguish them visually. Despite lineup instability and being dropped by their label in 2003, they persisted, releasing the EP New Slave Nation and the album KE 101. Their 2021 reunion, featuring original vocalist James Rietz and longtime member Ian Hall, along with new singles 'N.F.G.' and 'The Killer Inside', demonstrates their enduring appeal. The band's legacy includes influencing the industrial metal scene and maintaining a dedicated fanbase through multiple incarnations.
Did You Know?
- Their first single 'Underlined' was nominated for a Billboard Music Award.
- The band toured the U.S. and Canada with Rammstein in the summer of 2001.
- Crossbreed reunited in 2021 for a 'rebirth show'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Crossbreed (band)?
Crossbreed is an industrial metal group that formed in Clearwater, Florida, in 1996. They are recognized for blending aggressive electronic production with heavy guitar-driven riffs in the style of the late-'90s industrial scene.
What albums did Crossbreed release before they split up?
During their initial run from 1996 to 2010, the band put out two EPs and three full-length records, with their self-produced debut .01 standing out as a notable early release. Much of that catalog was distributed through Artemis Records until the label let them go in 2003.
Why did Crossbreed break up and when did they get back together?
The group went inactive in 2010 after nearly a decade of activity, but they reunited in 2021 and performed two 'rebirth' shows that year. They have since returned to releasing new material, including the single 'N.F.G.' in late 2022 and 'The Killer Inside' in April 2023.
What is Crossbreed (band) most known for?
Fans and industry observers point to their self-produced debut album .01 and the single 'Underlined,' which earned a Billboard Music Award nomination, as their standout achievements. Their 2021 reunion further cemented their legacy within the industrial metal community.
What record labels has Crossbreed been signed to?
The band was originally on Artemis Records, though that partnership ended when the label dropped them in 2003. They have also worked with Driven Music Group and Crash Music at various points throughout their career.
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