RAGING SLAB
TOO PROUD TO BEND…
TOO BENT TO BREAK!!!

1985-
Raging Slab is formed in NYC’s lower east side by vocalist/guitarist Greg Strzempka and slide guitarist Elyse Steinman-This first incarnation also includes Guitarist Dimitri Brill ( DJ Dimitri from Deelite) and drummer Kory Clarke (Warrior Soul and Atomic Playboys) They play their debut gig at legendary lower east side venue 8-BC.

1986-
After several personnel chages the Slab solidifies it’s lineup with the addition of Alec Morton on Bass and Drummer #2 Tim Finefrock (although the group would endure another 21 drummers before settling on current pounder-Rob Cournoyer) The band gigs locally and slowly begins to build a small following-playing shows In New York City and New Jersey with the Butthole Surfers and next-door neighbors; White Zombie.

1987-
The Slab releases their first Album “ASSMASTER” on New Jersey punk label Buy Our Records- It contains a comic book done by Marvel Comics artist Pat Redding and Album Cover artist Pete Ciccone. The band crisscrosses the US in their van playing mostly for beer.

1988-
The Slab releases their 2nd record “TRUE DEATH” on Buy Our Records and continues touring-The Slab adds 3rd guitarist Mark Middleton.

1989-
Raging Slab signs their first Major Label deal with RCA -and records the album “RAGING SLAB” with producer Daniel Rey (Iggy Pop,The Ramones,Masters of Reality). Their first video “Don’t Dog Me” features the band being dragged around the Mohave Desert by a Monster Truck. The video reaches #2 on the MTV countdown

1990-
Raging Slab spends the year touring- opening for such diverse acts as The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Molly Hatchet, Ramones, Warrant.-Opening acts for Raging Slab include an Atlanta-based REM-sound-alike band called “Mr. Crowes Garden”-
The New York Post calls Raging Slab “LYNYRD SKYNYRD meets METALLICA”.The tag sticks.(and sticks and sticks…). The band buys a farm in Pennsylvania and builds a small recording studio.

1991-
The band begins recording its second RCA record “From A Southern Space” with Producer Alex Perialis (Anthrax, MOD, SOD.etc.) RCA dosent like what it hears and halfway through recording pulls the plug. Raging Slab is asked to open for Guns and Roses on a “top secret club tour”. and does so.

The band reenters the studio to record their third RCA record “FreeBurden”-this time with Producer Michael Beinhorn (Soundgarden, Ozzy, Chili Peppers,etc.) also in the lineup is drummer Jack Irons (Chilli Peppers, Eleven and Pearl Jam)-The record is rejected by RCA and is never released. Rick Rubin begins calling during the mix sessions inviting the group to “come make records for me!”

1992-
Def Jam buys Raging Slab’s contract with RCA- the band begins recording their 5th record with producer Brendan O'Brien (Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Jackyl, STP, etc.) The band asks Rick Rubin to have John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin do some string arrangements- He goes for it.

1993-
“DYNAMITE MONSTER BOOGIE CONCERT” the bands' 5th album and their Def Jam (now Def American) Debut is released. The video for the first single “Anywhere But Here” features pint-sized pop-icon Gary
Coleman- It debuts on MTV’s Beavis and Butthead-where Beavis says “ They’re like Skynyrd -BUT COOL!”

1994-
Raging Slab tours the world in support of D.M.B.C.- Playing with Lenny Kravitz ,Monster Magnet ,and others-During a tour of England -drummer Paul Sheehans knees explode-The band returns to the states to begin work on a second record for Def American.

1995-
Raging Slab Delivers their 6th album “Black Belt in Boogie” to Def American (now just American) -Rick Rubin rejects the record saying “I don’t hear any songs”…(although their are clearly twelve of them on the tape.) The album is not released and the band is told to “Try Again”. Guitarist Mark Middleton leaves the band because of personal problems.

1996-
The Slab delivers their 7th record “SING MONKEY SING”- a very bitter, noisy (although some refer to it as noisy and bitter!) record which American chooses to release very quietly. So quietly ,in fact, that many fans are totally unaware of it’s existence.

1997-
American Recordings folds up operations at Warner Bros.- neglecting to release the Slab from it’s contract. “SING MONKEY SING” is sold to Columbia Record and Tape club.The band begins legal proceedings against American-and is told by Record Company Attorneys to “Get in Line.”.

1998-
Out of lawyer money -the bands only alternative is to wait out their contract-which bars them from releasing any music until 2000–the group invests in canned goods, ammunition and blank tape.

1999-
The band begins work on “THE DEALER” at their home studio; Slabbey Road-with drummer Phil Ondich- who subsequently leaves the band to join Zakk Wyldes Black Label Society-Raging Slab continues with Melvins' Drummer; Dale Crover-who also plays some live shows -including opening slots for Leslie West. Finally finishing up with current Slab drummer; Rob Cournoyer-who is referred to the band by Gov’t. Mule/Allman Bros.alumnus Warren Haynes.

2000-
With contractual restrictions lifted- the band begins churning out compilation contibutions -“ Mississippi Queen” for “In The Groove” -“Bone To Bone” for “Right In The Nuts” and “Pole Cat Woman” for Underdogma’s “Judge Not..” comp.

2001-
Raging Slab releases “THE DEALER” on NYC indierock label TeePee Records in March – and tours the US and Canada on their “Roolin' The Roost Tour”

(Source: Slabbage, Raging Slab’s Own Boog-E-Zine at Ragingslab.com, 2001)