Skinlab
Skinlab is an American groove metal band formed in 1994 in San Francisco, California, by vocalist and bassist Steev Esquivel and guitarist Mike Roberts.[1] The group emerged from the Bay Area's heavy metal scene, blending aggressive riffs, downtuned guitars, and themes of inner turmoil, anger, love, and hate into a sound that evolved from early groove metal influences to incorporate nu metal elements in later works.[2] Initially signed to Century Media Records, Skinlab gained recognition in the late 1990s alternative metal landscape through high-energy live performances and tours alongside acts like Machine Head, whose frontman Robb Flynn helped secure their early record deal and European opportunities.[2] The band's lineup has seen changes over the years, with core member Steev Esquivel remaining a constant presence on vocals and bass since inception, joined at various points by guitarists such as Gary Wendt, Glen Telford, and Marco Medina Rivera, and drummers including Paul Hopkins and Fabian Vestod.[1][2] After an initial active period from 1994 to 2003 marked by lineup shifts and the departure of key members like guitarist Scott Sargeant, Skinlab disbanded temporarily before reforming in 2007 under the Art Is War Records label.[2][3] Skinlab's discography spans studio albums, live recordings, and compilations, highlighting their enduring presence in the metal underground. Key releases include their debut Bound, Gagged and Blindfolded (1997), the critically noted Disembody: The New Flesh (1999), ReVoltingRoom (2002), the live album SkinnedAlive! (2008), The Scars Between Us (2009), Venomous (2019), and the single Flesh Wounds (2025).[1][4][5] Despite lineup flux and hiatuses, the band continues to tour and release music as of 2025, maintaining a dedicated following for their raw, beatdown-style groove metal.[2]History
Formation and early career (1994–1997)
Skinlab was formed in 1994 in San Francisco, California, by vocalist and bassist Steev Esquivel—previously a member of the Bay Area thrash metal band Defiance—and guitarist Mike Roberts.[2][6] The band emerged from the vibrant local metal scene, drawing inspiration from the thrash metal legacy of Bay Area acts such as Exodus, whose aggressive style and high-energy performances influenced Esquivel's early musical path.[6][2] The initial lineup was completed with the addition of drummer Paul Hopkins and guitarist Gary Wendt, establishing a solid rhythm section and dual-guitar attack suited to the emerging groove metal sound.[2] In their formative years, Skinlab focused on honing their material through independent efforts, releasing the cassette demo Suffer in 1996 as a self-produced effort to showcase their raw, heavy riffs and intense vocals.[1] This period also saw the band building a grassroots following via frequent club performances across the San Francisco Bay Area, where they shared stages with local metal acts and refined their live presence amid the competitive regional scene.[2] These early activities culminated in a signing with Century Media Records, leading to the release of a 1997 demo EP that caught attention in the underground metal circuit.[1] The band's momentum carried into the recording of their debut full-length album, Bound, Gagged and Blindfolded, tracked at Hyde Street Studios in San Francisco during 1996 and 1997 under producer Andy Sneap.[7] The sessions captured Skinlab's blend of thrash-infused aggression and groove-oriented heaviness, setting the stage for their entry into the broader metal landscape.[2]Rise to prominence and label deals (1998–2002)
Following the release of their debut album Bound, Gagged and Blindfolded in 1997 through Century Media Records, Skinlab began to build momentum in the groove metal scene during 1998, primarily through aggressive touring schedules that exposed the band to larger audiences. With assistance from Machine Head's Robb Flynn—who had previously helped secure their initial label deal—the band joined Machine Head for a European tour that year, alongside acts like Napalm Death and Coal Chamber, helping to establish their presence beyond the San Francisco Bay Area.[2] The San Francisco metal scene, known for its raw, aggressive sound influenced by thrash and industrial elements, continued to shape the band's high-energy performances during these early road dates.[8] The band's rise accelerated with the February 23, 1999, release of their second album, Disembody: The New Flesh, also via Century Media Records. Recorded at The Village Studios in El Paso, Texas, the album was produced by Andy Sneap, who emphasized the band's heavy, repetitive riffs and Steev Esquivel's intense vocal delivery to create a darker, more atmospheric groove metal sound.[9][10] Standout tracks like "Scapegoat" and "No Sympathy (For the Devil)" highlighted the album's blend of crushing grooves and melodic tension, drawing comparisons to contemporaries like Machine Head while solidifying Skinlab's reputation for visceral live energy. In support of the record, Skinlab toured extensively across North America and Europe, including high-profile slots opening for Fear Factory, Static-X, and Spineshank on a 1999 package tour that showcased their compatibility with the era's industrial and nu-metal crossover acts.[11] By 2000–2001, Skinlab's touring commitments intensified, with additional U.S. dates supporting bands like Stuck Mojo and appearances at major festivals, further cementing their status in the underground metal circuit amid the booming late-1990s heavy music landscape. The band maintained their partnership with Century Media Records throughout this period, forgoing major-label transitions in favor of creative control within the independent metal ecosystem.[12] This stability allowed them to focus on refining their sound, as evidenced by the May 28, 2002, release of ReVoltingRoom, produced by Steve Evetts and mixed by Andy Sneap.[13] The album introduced more experimental elements, such as layered atmospheres and dynamic shifts in tempo, reflecting the band's evolving influences from the Bay Area's diverse metal community while grappling with internal lineup strains that would soon impact their trajectory.[14]Hiatus, reformation, and later releases (2003–2015)
Following the release of their third studio album, Revolting Room, in 2002, Skinlab entered a period of hiatus in 2003 after the departure of core members guitarist Scott Sargeant and drummer Paul Hopkins at the end of a late-year tour, leading to the band's temporary disbandment.[3] During this inactive phase, the band issued the compilation album Nerve Damage on April 20, 2004, via Century Media Records, which collected rare tracks, B-sides, and unreleased material from their early career spanning 1995 to 2002.[15] The band reformed in 2006 with vocalist/bassist Steev Esquivel, guitarist Snake (Steve Green), returning guitarist Glen Telford, and drummer Paul Hopkins, who had rejoined after his earlier exit.[4] Esquivel pursued side projects during the hiatus, including guest vocals on Exodus's 2004 album Tempo of the Damned and later joining Death Angel as bassist in 2009.[16] This reunion culminated in the recording of their fourth studio album, The Scars Between Us, produced and mixed by Juan Urteaga at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland, California, and released on September 15, 2009, through Stand and Deliver Records.[17] The album explored deeply personal themes of life struggles, addiction recovery, and emotional turmoil, drawing from the members' experiences during the band's time apart, with Esquivel noting that every song addressed real hardships they had endured.[18] Post-release, Skinlab conducted limited touring from 2010 to 2015, including select U.S. shows and appearances at a couple of European summer festivals, amid ongoing internal challenges such as lineup instability.[19] Guitarist Glen Telford departed the band again shortly after the album's promotion, citing personal reasons, which contributed to sporadic activity and a return to dormancy by 2011.[20] Despite these setbacks, the period marked a brief resurgence, though the group remained largely inactive through the mid-2010s, focusing on occasional rehearsals rather than full-scale tours or new material.Recent activity and comeback (2016–present)
Following their reformation in 2016, Skinlab resumed activity under the leadership of vocalist and bassist Steev Esquivel, initially as a core trio alongside drummer Paul Hopkins and guitarist Mike Roberts, with plans to perform material from their debut album in full during late-year shows. The band maintained momentum through sporadic releases, including the singles "Dead Tomorrow" and "End of Silence" in 2018, produced by 36 Crazyfists drummer Carl Severson, followed by the single "Overcoming" and full-length album Venomous in 2019 via Art Is War Records.[21][2] In 2024, Skinlab signed with WURMgroup, the imprint of producer Ulrich Wild (Static-X, Deftones), marking a significant step in their revival.[22] This partnership led to the release of the single "Flesh Wounds" on November 15, 2024, with Wild handling production and mixing; the track harkens back to the band's aggressive groove metal foundations through its driving rhythms and intense vocals. A music video for the single was released in April 2025.[23][24] The band entered the studio in March 2025 with Wild to record their next album, aiming to capture a raw, roots-oriented sound while building on the single's energy; as of November 2025, the album remains unreleased.[5] To support their resurgence, Skinlab embarked on the Blizzard Bash Tour in early 2025, a short East Coast run with Dead By Wednesday from January 7 to 12, hitting venues in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts.[25] Additional U.S. dates followed throughout the year, including performances in California and Colorado, culminating in shows like their April set at The HQ in Denver during the Snot Reunion Tour.[26] Amid lineup adjustments, the band added guitarist Angelo Miles in early 2025, rounding out their roster with Esquivel, returning guitarist Scott Sargeant, rhythm guitarist Marcos Medina Rivera, and drummer Fabian Vestod.[27]Band members
Current lineup
As of 2025, Skinlab's current lineup consists of vocalist and bassist Steev Esquivel, who has been the band's founder and primary songwriter since its formation in 1994.[28][2] On guitars, the band features Marcos Medina, who joined in 2018 and contributes to the group's signature groove metal riffs, alongside Angelo Miles, a recent addition announced in April 2025 that brings fresh energy to their live performances and recordings.[28][2][5] Fabian Vestod has handled drums since 2018, providing the aggressive, thrash-influenced backbone that defines the band's sound.[2][29] Esquivel's leadership is evident in recent output, such as co-writing the 2024 single "Flesh Wounds," which showcases the revamped lineup's chemistry.[27]Former members and timeline
Skinlab's lineup has evolved considerably since its formation, marked by departures of founding members during the late 1990s, a hiatus in 2003, and multiple reformations that saw some original players return for limited periods. The band has relied on new additions to fill roles, particularly on guitar and drums, as touring and recording demands fluctuated. Key former members include founding guitarists who shaped the early sound and later recruits who supported the band's post-hiatus efforts.| Member | Instrument | Tenure | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Roberts | Guitar | 1994–1998, 2004, 2010, 2016 | Founding member; multiple brief rejoinings during reformations; later joined RAZE the STRAY.[30][19][31][32] |
| Gary Wendt | Guitar | 1994–1996, 2016 | Co-founder; contributed to early demos and debut album; brief return for 2016 reunion.[2][31] |
| Paul Hopkins | Drums | 1994–2003, 2004, 2007–2011, 2016–2018 | Original drummer; multiple returns including post-hiatus and 2016 reformation; departed in 2018.[33][2][30] |
| Scott Sargeant | Guitar | 1998–2003, 2007–2010 | Joined during rise to prominence; key for 2000s albums; departed amid 2003 hiatus and 2010 lineup shifts.[2][3] |
| Glen Telford | Guitar | 2003–2018 | Joined pre-hiatus; reformed with band in 2007; parted ways multiple times; passed away in August 2018.[34][20][35] |
| Brian Jackson | Guitar | 2009–2010 | Added during late-2000s activity; departed as band realigned with returning members.[36][19] |
| Julian Peach | Guitar | 2010–2011 | Brief replacement for Glen Telford during lineup instability.[2][36] |
| Steve "Snake" Green | Guitar | 1998–2011, 2018–2021 | Longtime guitarist; key on Disembody and ReVoltingRoom; rejoined for Venomous era; departed in 2021.[2][37][38] |
| Provo | Guitar | 2011–2018 | Supported mid-2010s releases and tours.[2] |