The origin of Black Summer Suicide can be traced as far back as 1988 and the relationship between founding members Mike Zalewski and Vic Ptasnick. It was Mike that first taught Vic how to play the guitar and they’ve maintained a friendship ever since.
In 2002, at a Headstones concert in upstate NY, Mike and Vic ran into each other again. Vic had some songs written and both him and Mike were looking to form a new music project. It was at that show the concept that would become Black Summer Suicide was born.

Within weeks Vic and Mike got together and began collaborating ideas, they added Paul Hamilton to play drums and found a bass player from the local musician’s classifieds. However, this bass player’s time with the band was short lived as he strangely dropped out of sight within a few months. In order to fill the gap, Paul switched to playing the bass and John Gendron, a former bandmate of Vic's, filled the space on Drums.
As time progressed it became apparent that Paul’s playing style wasn’t melding well with the rest of the band. In early 2007 Paul was replaced by Pete Ingram who had worked on several projects with Mike throughout the 90’s. This creative fit was a good one and the band decided to track a 4 song EP in the fall of the same year. The EP is currently in the post production phase with 2 more songs recorded live in concert to be added in early 2008.

Band Members

NAME: "The Reverend Sick" Vic Ptasnick

D.O.B: 7/5/73

INSTRUMENT: Vocals/ Guitar

INFLUENCES: Johnny Cash, Lou Reed, Huge Dillon, Jim Morrison, Elvis, Madonna, 70’s Punk

FAVORITE BANDS: Sonic Youth, Static X, Metallica (Pre-Black Album), The Headstones, The Tea Party, Belly, Velvet Underground


NAME: Mikey Z

D.O.B: 7/5/73

INSTRUMENT: Lead Guitar

INFLUENCES: "Dimebag" Darrell, Tony Iommi, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Zakk Wylde, Ace Frehley, Robert Lewis, Mick Box, Scott Ian, Angus Young

FAVORITE BANDS: Black Sabbath, Kiss, Uriah Heep, Anthrax,, Double Trouble, Black Label Society, AC/ DC


NAME: Pete Ingram

D.O.B: 12/18/73

INSTRUMENT: Bass Guitar

INFLUENCES: Tony Franklin, Jaco Pastorius

FAVORITE BANDS: The Firm, Pantera, Fear Factory, Kill Switch Engage, Avenge Sevenfold


NAME: "Big" John Gendron

D.O.B: 12/18/73

INSTRUMENT: Drums


INFLUENCES: Dave Lombardo, Lars Ulirch, Igor Calavera, Vinny Paul

FAVORITE BANDS: Slayer, Metallica (Pre-Black Album), Alice In Chains, Black Sabbath, Sepultura