Toxik

Infobox musical artist
Name = Toxik
Landscape =
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Peekskill, New York
Genre = Thrash metal Progressive metal
Years_active = 1985–1992, 2007–present
Label = Roadrunner Displeased Metal Mind
Associated_acts = Twisted Sister King Diamond Lucertola
URL = http://www.toxikmusic.com/
Current_members = Mike Sanders Josh Christian Lou Calderola
Past_members = Charles Sabin John Donnelly Brian Bonini Lee Erwin Sal Dadabo Tad Leger

Toxik is an American thrash metal band from Peekskill, New York. The band was formed in 1985 by Joshua Christian and Lee Erwin, using a style of heavy metal comprised of thrash metal and elements of progressive metal, which would later be named, "Progressive thrash metal". [http://www.bnrmetal.com/groups/toxi.htm] Genres cited for Toxik on BNR Metal Pages] [http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7336699&cart=585317148&BAB=Z] Toxik "Progressive thrash metal" terminology on CD Universe] [http://www.bestprices.com/cgi-bin/vlink/cd_person?id=nsession&p_id=P----14534] Toxik formation biography on BestPrices ] [http://www.last.fm/music/Toxik/+wiki] Biography, additional formation details on Last.FM ]

History

Initial formation (1985–1987)

Toxik was primarily named "Tokyo" in 1985 by the founding members of the band, Joshua Christian and Lee Erwin, before being forced to change its name due to the threat of legal action from a band who had already registered the name. The band's original four-piece lineup which, because it occurred before the name change, was known as the "Tokyo" line up, consisted of Michael Sanders (vocals), Josh Christian (guitar), Lee Erwin (bass) and Sal Dadabo (drums). However, the line up did not remain stable, plaguing the band with line-up changes into the following year. During the same year, the band's original bassist, Lee Erwin, left Toxik citing personal reasons, to be replaced by Brian Bonini. Additionally, Sal Dadabo, the band's original drummer, was offered a touring contract with Twisted Sister and left Toxik to be replaced by Tad Leger. These new changes would become the band's new line-up.

"World Circus" (1988)

In 1988, Toxik signed onto Roadrunner Records (previously titled "Roadracer Productions" at the time of signing), debuting their first full-length album, "World Circus". The release of the album saw one of the first introductions to the, "Progressive thrash metal" genre, charting on College Music Journal's "Best New Metal Album of the Year" for 1988 and were offered a number nine slot on the Metal Blade Records "Metal Massacre" series with the song, "Wasteland". After touring, "World Circus", vocalist Mike Sanders left Toxik for unknown reasons, to be replaced by Charles Sabin.

"Think This" (1989–1992)

Following the received attention for the release of their debut album, Toxik released their second full-length album the following year with Roadrunner Records entitled, "Think This". After the album's release, Toxik hired guitarist John Donnelly to perform with them while touring. The success that resulted from "Think This" led Toxik to tour the album throughout the United States and Europe with Roadrunner Records and partnering band, King Diamond. After years of touring, Toxik disbanded in 1992.

Reunited (2007–present)

The project remained silent for the next fourteen years with no live performances or album releases. During the autumn of 2006, Displeased Records re-released Toxik's "World Circus" (1988) and "Think This" (1989) along with releases of previous releases from Gorguts, Sadus and Disincarnate. The "World Circus" re-release included twelve bonus tracks and the "Think This" re-release included five bonus tracks. In January 2007, Metal Mind Productions re-released limited edition versions of Toxik's "World Circus" (1988) and "Think This" (1989). The re-releases are digitally remastered, featuring digipak editions of the albums. [http://www.metalunderground.com/bands/details.cfm?bandid=3665] Metal Underground news for Toxik, reassembly, Displeased Records and Metal Mind Records re-releases ] [http://www.displeasedrecords.com/] Displeased Records announcement for Toxik, performance dates, re-releases ]

During February 2007, Toxik announced their reformation as a band. The announcement consisted of the largely original line up of Mike Sanders (vocals), Josh Christian (guitar), Brian Bonini (bass) and Lou Caldarola (drums). Tad Leger, one of the band's original drummers, will not be performing with the band and will instead be working on his new project, Lucertola, as a guitarist. During August 2007, the band's bassist, Brian Bonini, left the new Toxik line-up, leaving Toxik with only three members. Toxik is currently in search of a new bassist to replace Brian Bonini.

Toxik announced a European tour in November, 2007. The two-week tour was to have included performances at the Keep It True festival and the Ragers Elite festival in Germany. The band was scheduled to perform at the Keep It True Festival on November 3, 2007, when the band canceled the tour due to reasons disclosed by the event organizer, "The reason is that their Polish management booked a three-week tour around the festival with eight day-offs in a row, which was [not] financially feasible for the band. Also, bassist Brian Bonini quit the band some weeks ago and they [Toxik] couldn't find a replacement for him until now." Since the November tour cancellation, the band has not made any public appearances. According to the Toxik MySpace page, the band is in the process of writing new material and will not tour until a new bassist is hired.

During December 2007, Displeased Records released Toxik's first live album set,"Dynamo Open Air 1988", which includes two live performances from 1988 and a limited CD and DVD package.

Band members

Current members

* Mike Sanders – vocals _{(1985–1988, 2007–present)}
* Josh Christian – guitar _{(1985–1992, 2007–present)}
* Lou Calderola – drums _{(2007–present)}

Former members

* Charles Sabin – vocals _{(1988–1992)}
* John Donnelly – guitar _{(1989–1992)}
* Brian Bonini – bass guitar _{(1986–1992, 2007)}
* Lee Erwin – bass guitar _{(1985–1986)}
* Sal Dadabo – drums _{(1985–1986)}
* Tad Leger – drums _{(1986–1992)}

Discography

External links

* [http://www.toxikmusic.com/ Official Toxik website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/toxikmetal Official Toxik MySpace page]

References