How often is it four teenage kids grow up within a half a mile radius of each other, go to the same school, and listen to the exact same music? This is a rarity, but it was the formula for the band called ACROPHET.
Begin by blending one drummer, a bass player/singer and two guitarists - each of them bleeding, pissing, shitting, eating and breathing music!!! Then mix ANTHRAX, old METALLICA, SLAYER & MEGADETH, add the HARDCORE influence of MINOR THREAT, CIRCLE JERKS, G.B.H. and the CRUMBSUCKERS... They took their passion for these bands and matched what those guys were doing in their thirties at sixteen years old!
Drummer & lyricist Jason Mooney formed the band in 1986. At the time all members were enrolled in high school. After much persistence and perseverance their 3 song demo ‘THE ANSWER WITHIN’ was signed to Triple X / Road Runner Records. The band dominated the local Milwaukee scene drawing 400 to 1000 people at shows and festivals.
Word of the band soon took off like California wildfire and they soon were playing festivals and touring the US & Mexico… all before the ripe old age of 18!!! The guys were headlining arenas in Mexico and opening for such acts in the US as Sepultura, Flotsam and Jetsom, King Diamond, Death, Exodus, Testament, Over Kill, Death Angel, Nuclear Assault, Realm, Helix & Drivin-N-Crying.
While Dominating Metal Fest and Summerfest they quickly became hometown Metal heroes. Bands were not exactly known to get breaks coming out of a place like Milwaukee, Wisconsin... with the exceptions of bands like the BoDeans and The Violent Femmes. Acrophet became the FIRST and YOUNGEST act in history to go national and get signed to a major label from Milwaukee. And that’s a long time folks!
Their first CD, ‘Corrupt Minds’ went on to sell amazingly well and was considered the band's trademark album. There was also a limited edition neon blue album that went on to sell tremendously worldwide. In the first week of sales, the album peaked the charts at number three just behind U2. The music on that CD leaned more towards the hardcore influences of their past.
Acrophet was playing for the angry violent youth gone mad!!! The band felt society held no regard for youth opinion and they were going to brand the world with their youthful outlook of anarchy, rebellion & resistance.
Corrupt Minds was followed up with more tours in Mexico and the US. ‘Faded Glory’ was the 2nd release and leaned more towards the Metal genre. This album also sold very well.
At the turn of the decade and with the addition of new guitarist Rob Anthony, the band toured furiously breaking in the new decade with it’s nothing to be short of ‘Nail Gun To The Forehead’ performances to a new generation of youth gone mad!
Tighter and sounding better than ever came the ground work for what would be Acrophet’s 3rd album release. This crowning achievement would be celebrated with the release of several new songs written and recorded with Anthony such as Miss Subject, The Past, She’s Got Me Acting Strange, Carry Me Up, Stone Pillow and No Escape From Fate. This album is still to be spoken for with it's infamous lost recordings being re-surfaced including live video footage and live recordings.
So, where are they now as they say on VH1 Behind the Music? Lets start with the Guitar Players and then we’ll move to Vocals/Bass and finally last but definitely not least, the Drummer.
DAVE PELINO: Dr. Dave Pelino is happily married and a Board Certified Neuro Radiologist practicing in South Carolina (USA). He enjoys traveling, hiking in the Appalachians with his wife and two dogs and following the Packers. He's still currently kicking back with Johnny Cash and goin' old school with SNFU.
TODD SAIKIE: Dr. Todd Saikie is a board certified OB/GYN practicing in Milwaukee, has three kids 7, 5, 3, and a wonderful wife of 11 years. He loves running, camping, Green Bay Packer football. He's currently listening to the 'Grateful Dead' and head bangin' to 'Rage Against The Machine'.
ROB ANTHONY: Rob Anthony continues on with a highly praised solo career including 3 album releases and numerous awards & recognition. (www.robanthonymusic.com) He enjoys riding his harley, traveling, golfing and of course recording new music. He's listening to 'Vast' and still head bangin' to 'Pantera'.
Rob's Noteable Credits: While Anthony has certainly enjoyed his success as a singer/songwriter, one thing is certain he hasn’t forgotten where he’s come from and is happy to give back to his loyal fans. His constant touring and pure love of music has won them over and in 2005 and 2006 they voted him People's Choice Artist in Northeast Wisconsin where he resides.
Visit Rob's official website: www.RobAnthonyMusic.com
DAVE BAUMANN: Dave Baumann went on to play Bass with Rob Anthony contributing his awesome talented vocals backing Rob up on 2 award winning album releases 'Where I Belong' and 'Inside You And Inside' me, welcomed his 1st son 'Jacob Killian Baumann' and resides in Central Wisconsin keeping a close eye on the Packers. He's currently listening to 'Motorhead' and headbangin' to 'Black Label Society'.
JASON MOONEY: Jason Mooney went on to be a (LPN), has married and recently welcomed his 1st son "Phoenix Skye Mooney". Mooney currently lives in the back wood swamps of central Florida near the vast wildlife and fresh water rivers he so loves. He continues to fly the Metal Flag like he did at 17 years old and gives drum lessons in his spare time to the metal drumming youth of America when time permits.
Jason's Noteable Credits: 2 time finalist for Heavy Metal legends (SLAYER) in 1996 and 2002. Assisted promotions for Ted Nugent’s org. - promoting hunters, fishermen and trappers. He's currently a studio drummer for Bon-Giovi Entertainment. In addition, Mooney was runner up on VH1's “Metal God” Contest for the Movie “Rock Star“ with Mark WahlBerg and host Lars Ulrich from Metallica and played drums with fellow 'Phet' compadre Rob Anthony on his first solo CD 'Hard To Believe'.
Visit Jason's official website: www.DrumDisciples.com
Today, all members of Acrophet remain the best of friends and will never forget the times shared together on and off stage and with their loyal fans.
Thanks for the add! Speaking for Joe and Doug, we had a good time hangin' with you guys - thanks again for coming out to see us at Quarters in '92! Skip
