Grip Inc.
Grip Inc. is a band, and side project of Slayer's drummer Dave Lombardo. The band was formed in 1993, and they are currently signed to SPV Records.
Grip Inc is another one of the MOST UNDERRATED bands in metal. For how great they are as musicians and as a band, it is a shame Grip Inc never got as far as they deserved to.
The band has been on and off since it formed. Its future now seems uncertain due to drummer Dave Lombardo now returning as a full-time member of Slayer and the death of Gus Chambers.
Bio
In 1993, Lombardo formed Grip Inc. with Voodoocult guitarist Waldemar Sorychta. The pair recruited bassist Jason Viebrooks and vocalist Gus Chambers to complete the line-up, releasing their debut record in 1995. Entitled Power of Inner Strength, the album was distributed via California-based label Metal Blade Records. Prior to the album's release Lombardo described leaving Slayer as a career low, because he did not know what type of music to play.
The band released Nemesis in 1997; Jeffries praised Lombardo's "crushing drum work" which takes center stage on the album. Bassist Viebrooks left the band and was replaced by Stuart Caruthers in 1999. With a new bassist, the band released Solidify that same year, which was described as a step towards "progressive and exotic rhythms, structures, and instrumentation, while never compromising intensity" by Jeffries.
Current Line-up ?
- Waldemar Sorychta – Guitar,Bass
- Dave Lombardo – Drums, Percussion
Past Members
Former members and short biographies for each.
- Gus Chambers
Gus Chambers (1958 – 13 October 2008) took over vocals in Coventry Punk band Squad (formed late 1977) from Terry Hall (who left to form The Specials). They released their first single Red Alert in 1978. Terry Hall had helped pen several of the tracks on the first single before he left.
Chambers later went on to form Grip Inc. in 1993 as well as Squad 21 and Squealer A.D. He died on 13 October 2008 of an apparent suicide.
- Chaz Grimaldi
Chaz Grimaldi played bass for the band, he is currently with The Steve Grimmett Band & Isolation in the U.K. He was with Baltimore band Unbroken from October 2004 to January 2008.
- Bobby Gustafson
Bobby Gustafson played guitar for the group before it really got going. There was a demo sample offered in 1993 for free that included Gustafson.
- Jason Viebrooks
Jason Viebrooks played bass before his departure. He is currently with Cincinnati outfit Lorenzo.
- Stuart Carruthers
Stuart Carruthers is a former bass player for the band and is currently playing bass with Vancouver, Canada's Golers.
