Bio

Backyard Burial was formed in Lower Hutt in early 1998 by drummer Mike and high school friend Dave on guitar, soon adding vocalist Matt and Ryan on bass. By the end of '98 Dave had left for Australia and Ryan shifted to guitar, and the trio went into C Moore Sounds recording studio to record a six song demo Deviance In Society, of which only a few copies were made.

In mid 1999 they were joined by Nathan on bass for their first gig at the Wellington Punkfest. Soon a new bass player Aiden was added, allowing Nathan to switch to his main instrument guitar and the band to finally develop the enormous low tuned chug that has become their trademark.

In April 2001 after several successful shows in Auckland and Wellington, Backyard Burial travelled to Rockbottom Studios in Auckland to record some newer songs. Produced by Nich Cunningham, the infamous $2 PE-EP is a good representation of the Backyard sound, and has had frequent airplay on Metal radio shows throughout New Zealand. By now the band were regularly playing larger gigs with touring bands and in late 2001 supported Misery from Melbourne, Australia. The release of the EP shortly after this also coincided with the bands first tour, playing three dates in North Island cities Auckland, Hamilton and New Plymouth.

In early 2002 Aiden left, and now locked into the two guitar sound the band were forced to find a new bass player. They recruited Greg formerly of Lower Hutt band Discenter, who quickly picked up the reins and the band returned to Auckland to record nine new songs, again with Nich Cunningham at Rockbottom. But back in Wellington, Greg revealed his plans to go overseas, so once more faced with the prospect of finding a bass player, and with the new recording still incomplete, Nathan became frustrated and moved to Auckland.

Determined to continue at least long enough to release the new CD, Ryan began teaching songs to guitarist Mark from Lower Hutt band Abra Cadaver and bassist Jason from Wellington Tech Death band Falciform, who had toured with Backyard Burial. After a few practices the new band was ready, and triumphantly returned to perform very successful shows in Auckland and Wellington with a brand new CD Repeat Offender.

After extensive gigging throughout New Zealand, including support for Pungent Stench from Austria and Deeds of Flesh from the USA, the band released the CD Hedonistic Cravings in February 2005, and headlined An Audience With The Devil 2005 in Auckland.

In mid 2005 guitarist Mark was replaced by Alex, as the band continued to headline shows around New Zealand, including Satanfest in Christchurch and Auckland Undergound Fest, and a North Island tour with Australian grind legends Blood Duster.

2007 saw the recording of A Promising Young Law Student EP. by the band, a tribute to local law student Gavin Dash who was brutally murdered by schizophrenic David Gates. After this, Jason (Ahkmedicated) departed and the recruitment of George (Spraying Mantis) was completed for bass.

2008 The split CD with Aucklanders Malevolence was completed called Grinding Aotearoa and a number of gigs with international bands were achieved.

2009 saw the release of the album Symptoms of Psychopathology which had 10 tracks of grind/brutal death/slam infused with guttural vocals, pig squeals, screams and snorting. Lyrical themes were mental illness, psychiatry and hallucinogenic experiences as well as some anti-police sentiments. Prior to this album a promo was released with the tracks Catharsis through Savagery and Lunatic Ruling Asylum on it.

Not long after this album was released guitarist Alex (Gurney Sprayer) departed for Australia and the recruitment of Joe (Joseph Thompson aka the Parnell Panther) for the second guitar was completed. Joe passed the secret and often brutal initiation procedures admireably.

Another membership change saw Spraying Mantis leave the band and serial jacker Boyd (Taffy) take up the bass playing duties. A number of gigs later and Backyard are in the process of writing new material for a split CD with Christchurch sickos Vixen Execution.

2009 also saw long-standing guitarist Gurney Sprayer leave the band and depart for Australia, to play bass in Akaname and Odiusembowel, both of which he's now left. A new guitarist was recruited to appear in the guise of one of New Zealand's worst offenders: Joseph Thompson (ex- Pariah, Scoria), who has since played a number of gigs to complete the initiation. Long-time drummer Mike also left in 2010 and was replaced by J Rodeo (ex- Aethea, Slave Cadaver, Gary Churr).

15th February 2011 - Matt 'Blaps Chomper' Warmonger (vocals) - R.I.P.

Band Members:
Matt 'Blaps Chomper' Warmonger' (vocals)
J Rodeo (drums)
Ryan 'Bobby Hellford' (guitar)
Joseph Thompson (guitar)
Boyd 'Taffy' (bass)

Links

• Facebook Page
• Bandcamp Page