bioflotsamandjetsam

 

For the longest time Flotsam and Jetsam was most referred to as the band where Jason Newsted started his career. But lately the band has getting some attention for the right reasons. Flotsam and Jetsam was formed in 1981 in Phoenix, Arizona by drummer Kelly David-Smith. After a few name changes the band decided on Flotsam and Jetsam. The band signed a deal with Metal Blade Records and their debut album Doomsday for the Deceiver was released in 1986.

The album scored great reviews everywhere and things looked bright for the band. But then Cliff Burton died in 1986 and Metallica recruited main song-writer Jason Newsted from the band. The band regrouped and recorded No Place For Disgrace in 1988. The following two records When the Storm Comes Down (1990) and Cuatro (1992) entered the Billboard list but they were also the start of the transformation Flotsam did in the 90's. They slowed down and adopted a more melodic sound and also incorporating more acoustic guitars. The transformation divided the bands fans but in later years Flotsam and Jetsam is once again a force to be reckoned with. This is the Flotsam and Jetsam biography. 

THE BEGINNING (1981-1985)

The group was founded in 1981 under the name Paradox by drummer Kelly David-Smith and guitarists Pete Mello and Dave Goulder, who were later joined by bassist Jason Newsted. Jason had answered an ad in a newspaper that Kelly had placed in the local newspaper. Jason came to Phoenix with his band Gangster from Michigan on their way to California, but Gangster broke up while in Phoenix. Kelly got a call from a couple of his high school friends, Mark Vasquez and Kevin Horton, looking for some people to jam with playing covers of bands such as Iron Maiden, UFO, Judas Priest and MSG. The band then changed their name to "Dredlox" together with the new recruits, Jason Newsted was now the main vocalist.

Then Kelly David-Smith spotted "A.K." (Eric A. Knutson) singing "The Goodbye Girl" at his high school talent show. In 1982 they were in the same summer school class and Kelly asked Knutson if he was interested in a audition. Ed Carlson joined the band in 1983 after Kevin Horton's departure from the band. The name of the band changed into The Dogz, but it didn't last long. Eventually the band renamed itself Flotsam and Jetsam. Flotsam and Jetsam made their live debut in a local club and not after some time they got opening spots for bands like Megadeth, Armored Saint, Malice, Riot, Alcatrazz, Exciter, Mercyful Fate and Autograph. In 1985 Mark Vasquez stepped out and 17-year-old talent called Michael Gilbert joined the band. Flotsam and Jetsam released two demo tapes Iron Tears and Metal Shock in 1985.

DOOMSDAY FOR THE DECEIVER (1986)

They created their first video "Hammerhead" from the Metal Shock demo. These video and the band's demos made a good impression on record labels. After the band contributed to the Speed Metal Hell II compilation. Metal Blade contacted the band and asked them to be a part of the Metal Massacre VII compilation. Which led to a recording contract with the same label. The band went into the studio with Brian Slagel and Bill Metoyer. The album was titled Doomsday For the Deceiver in 1986. The album was brilliant and Kerrang gave it a 6K rating, which was the first time the Magazine had given an album a 6K rating.

But then Metallica's Cliff Burton died in a bus crash in Sweden, so Metallica started looking for a new bassist, they had many people trying out for them before they decided to go with Flotsam and Jetsam's Jason Newsted.

Flotsam recruited Phil Rind of Sacred Reich to fill in. Flotsam and Jetsam continued looking for a bassist and in 1987 Flotsam acquired Michael Spencer from Sacramento thrashers Sentinel Beast.

NO PLACE FOR DISGRACE (1987-1991)

In 1987 Flotsam and Jetsam signed a deal with the major label Elektra where the band became label mates with Metallica. Then Flotsam and Jetsam started writing songs for their second album, but some time into the writing process newcomer Michael Spencer left the band, even if he had contributed to a few of the songs on their upcoming album. Flotsam and Jetsam then recruited bassist Troy Gregory, whom had recently auditioned for Metallica. 

In May of 1988 Flotsam and Jetsam released No Place For Disgrace, an album that was produced by Bill Metoyer. The album furthered Flotsam and Jetsam's status and the Elton John cover Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting was made into a video. The album did well and it peaked at #143 on the Billboard list.

To support the album, Flotsam and Jetsam went on tour with King Diamond in America and later with Testament, Sanctuary and Megadeth in Europe. For the So Far, So Good... So What! Tour.

Flotsam and Jetsam then signed with Major label MCA Records / Universal and began to work on their third album When the Storm Comes Down, which was released in May 1990. The album showed a small departure from their melodic thrash sound and the review's were mixed. But the single "Suffer the Masses" did well and the band entered the Billboard top 200 list for the second time, peaking at #174

CHANGING THE SOUND (1992-1996)

Shortly after returning home, bassist Troy Gregory departed to join Prong. Holding auditions in Phoenix, the band hired Jason Ward to fill the role. In 1992 the band released Cuatro, an album that marked an evolution in style and songwriting. The band released four singles this time, two of which ("Swatting at Flies" and "Wading Through the Darkness") were shot as music videos. Wading Through the Darkness received regular rotation on MTV during their tours that year.

In 1995 Flotsam and Jetsam released Drift, which was even further steps away from their original thrash sound, by now Flotsam and Jetsam had a sound similar to Alice in Chains. Flotsam recorded a video for the song Smoked Out. To promote the album they toured with Megadeth and Korn. But the commercial success never came  for Flotsam that desperately wanted their big break. MCA Records and Flotsam and Jetsam parted ways and the band returned to Metal Blade. In 1997 Flotsam and Jetsam released the album High, which was a more up-tempo album but still far from their thrashy roots.

Kelly David-Smith and Michael Gilbert left the band after the release and were replaced by guitarist Mark Simpson and drummer Craig Nielsen. With the new line-up Flotsam and Jetsam toured in Europe together with Canadian metal legends Anvil and Exciter.

COUNTRY AND SPORADIC GIGS (1998-2004)

In 1999 Flotsam and Jetsam released Unnatural Selection, an album filled with groovy metal riffs, one could say it was the bands heaviest album since 1990's When The Storm Comes Down. In 2001 Flotsam released the album My God. At the time Eric A.K. were really into country music so he left Flotsam and Jetsam for a while to pursue his country project A.K. Corral. The band took a small break before regrouping with new vocalist James Rivera. But the band changed their minds and decided that the band couldn't go on without Eric A.K.

During 2002 and 2003  the band made some sporadic gigs with Eric A.K. In 2004 the band decided to stop messing around and the band signed a deal with Crash Music label. The band then hit the road with Overkill and Death Angel. In 2004 the band released their first DVD called Live in Phoenix.

DREAMS OF DEATH AND THE COLD (2005-2010)

In the summer of 2005 Flotsam and Jetsam released the album Dreams of Death, It was inspired by Eric's nightmares. In 2006 Flotsam re-released Doomsday For the Deceiver to celebrate the bands twentieth anniversary.

In 2008 the band signed a new record deal, this time with Driven Music. In 2010 Ed Carlson decided to leave Flotsam and Jetsam and former guitarist Michael Gilbert rejoined the band. In 2010 the band released the album The Cold. The band had started accumulating better and better reviews and the fans were starting to become hopeful about the bands future again. In 2010 Mark Simpson decided to leave the band and he was replaced by returning guitarist Ed Carlson.

IN RECENT YEARS (2010-2017)

In 2011 drummer Craig Nielsen left and in came original member Kelly David-Smith after 14 years of absence. In 2012 Flotsam released Ugly Noise. After the album Flotsam reunited again with Metal Blade Records for a distribution deal. Then Flotsam and Jetsam were invited to follow Testament on their Dark Roots of Thrash tour. Then Jason Ward decided to leave and in stepped Michael Spencer who was a member of the band back in 1987.

The band then decided to re-record their classic No Place For Disgrace album from 1988. The finished album was titled No Place For Disgrace 2014. Then they went on a European tour with Sepultura. The band seems to like Europe because in the following year the band tours Europe four times. But in 2014 original drummer Kelly David-Smith had to leave Flotsam and Jetsam due to unexpected family matters. Flotsam recruited Shadows Fall's drummer Jason Bittner.

In 2016 the band released their self-titled album through AFM Records. A tour with Destruction, Nervosa and Enforcer followed.