Virulence

Virulence
Background information
Origin	San Clemente, California, USA
Genres	Hardcore Punk, Post-Hardcore, Math Rock
Years active	1985 - 1990
Labels	Alchemy Records, Southern Lord Records
Associated acts	Fu Manchu, Nebula
Website	Virulence Official via Wayback Machine

Virulence was a hardcore punk band originating from San Clemente, California. Active between 1985 and 1990, this punk rock quartet would eventually evolve into Fu Manchu some five years after forming. Initially just playing punk, the band's sound would evolve into elements of post-hardcore and math-rock with longer and more intricate songs, some of which were instrumental.

Virulence's influences were drawn from the likes of Black Flag, BL'AST! Void, Minor threat, Circle Jerks, Negative Approach, Poison Idea, Swans, Melvins and many others. The band largely played in California with punk bands throughout their run. Along with releasing a demo in 1986, the band would release a single album in If This Isn't A Dream circa 1987 via Alchemy Records (A label run by Melvins producer and later bassist Mark Deutrom.). By 1990 Ken Pucci would leave the band and upon establishing a new singer, would change their name to Fu Manchu, eventually drifting away from the hardcore sound completely.

Southern Lord Records would notably release a compilation of all of the band's recorded material as If This Isn't A Dream... 1985-1989 on 19 January 2010. This compilation would see positive reception from the likes of PunkNews, The Line of Best Fit and The Obelisk.

Discography

• Promise Is Shot (Demo) (1986, Self-Released)
• If This Isn't A Dream (Studio Album) (1989, Alchemy Records)
• If This Isn't A Dream... 1985-1989 (Compilation) (2010, Southern Lord Records)

Members

• Ken Pucci - Vocals (1985 - 1990)
• Scott Hill - Guitar (1985 - 1990)
• Ruben Romano - Drums (1985 - 1990)
• Mark Abshire - Bass (1985 - 1987)
• Greg McCaughey - Bass (1987 - 1990)

External Links

• Archived MySpace page