A Band Called Pain
A Band Called Pain (abbreviated ABCP) were an American heavy metal band from Oakland, California.
A Band Called Pain | |
---|---|
Also known as | ABCP |
Origin | Oakland, California, USA |
Genres | Heavy metal |
Years active | 2001 — 2010 (hiatus since 2010)
(Reunion: 2019) |
Labels | Hieroglyphics Imperium Recordings |
Associated acts |
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Website | A Band Called Pain.com |
Past members | Allen Richardson Shaun Bivens Bryan "Dark Kent" Dean Tony Providence Akili "Killz Atwillz" Peyton |
The band was formed by cousins Allen Richardson (also known as Allen Anthony formerly of the Roc-A-Fella Records R&B group Christion)and Shaun Bivens who both hail from the San Francisco Bay Area. The band's debut studio album Broken Dreams was released in 2006, and was dubbed one of the ten best (#6) California albums of the year by Zero Magazine.[1] The first single from the album is the song "The Pieces". The song has a music video as well. The band's song "Holy" appeared on the Saw II soundtrack.[2]
A Band Called Pain is also notable for being a rare heavy metal band consisting of four African American members. Guitarist Bivens alluded to this saying:
We could have easily gone down the hip-hop or R&B route and each of us at one time or another given it a shot. We could be making raps about growing up in the hood and gang violence, but that's just not who we are. We're four guys who grew up loving heavy metal, so that's what we play. For us, it is the song that matters most.[3]
The band is also the only heavy metal act released on the independent, alternative hip hop label, Hieroglyphics Imperium Recordings.
ABCP has performed at the South By Southwest festival in Austin, Texas.
In October 2008, Tony Providence left the band and was replaced by Akili Peyton the following year.
In January 2019, A Band Called Pain announced a one-off reunion show at The Uptown Nightclub in Oakland, California with the original line up on March 30, 2019.
Members
Final lineup
Former members
- Akili Peyton (aka Killz Atwillz) — Drum kit|drums (2009–2010)
Discography
- Broken Dreams (2005)
- Beautiful Gun (2010)
References
- Pirtle, David (2007-01-01). "NorCal Metal Report". Zero Magazine. Zero Magazine. Archived from the original on May 19, 2007. Retrieved 2007-08-07.
- "Official Saw II Soundtrack: Artists' Addiction Records". SawSoundtrack.com. 2005. Archived from the original on 8 August 2007. Retrieved 7 August 2007.
- "A BAND CALLED PAIN To Release Debut Album In July". BlabberMouth.net. 2007-03-09. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-08-07.