| Dr. Know | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Oxnard, CA |
| Genres | Nardcore Crossover thrash Punk |
| Years active | 1981-1991 1998-present |
| Labels | Mystic
(1981-until Doug is done breathing) Death (1986-1988) Unrest (2008-present) |
| Associated acts | Stigmata Dead Kennedys The Exploited |
| Website | www.myspace.com/thisisdrknow |
| Members | |
| Ismael Hernandez Brandon Cruz Steve Contreras Rick Contreras |
|
| Former members | |
| Kyle Toucher Robin Cartwright Tim Harkins Rik Heller Joey Pena Ron Baird Dave Cassilas Mike Purdy Tony Black Mike Vallejo Jody Hill N!k Liberty Allen Eric Vasquez Craig Cano Larz White Fred Mattequin |
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Dr. Know is a punk band which began as a Nardcore band and now has roots in Los Angeles, CA.
They are one of the founding figures of the "Nardcore" punk movement from Oxnard, CA. The band was started by Kyle Toucher, Ismael Hernandez, and Robin Cartwright in early 1981, and after auditioning a few singers, former child actor Brandon Cruz was chosen. Silverstrand Beach in Oxnard, Ca. was the birthplace of Nardcore. The band recorded studio versions of several early songs with Cruz, which led to television appearances and gigs on the Los Angeles circuit.
However the early momentum was somewhat derailed by escalating inner turmoil which culminated in Cruz leaving the group in 1983, leaving Toucher to take over vocals just as the band was starting recording of Plug In Jesus for Mystic Records. Several more albums followed, including the Burn e.p. This Island Earth and Wreckage in Flesh were subsequently released on Death Records/Metal Blade, signaling a shift to a crossover direction in their sound. For This Island Earth the lineup was founding member Kyle Toucher on vocals and guitars, drummer Rik Heller and bassist Ismael Hernandez.
Before an American tour for "This Island Earth" with Scottish street-punks The Exploited, Ismael Hernandez quit the band and was replaced by ex-Stäläg 13 members, bassist Tony Black and 2nd guitarist Tim Harkins.
After another short U.S.tour and attempt at writing a new album, Rick Heller quit the band before moving to Scotland, where he joined The Exploited and drummer Larry White was brought in to finish writing and begin recording of what would become "Wreckage in Flesh". During this period Tony Black was replaced by Mike Purdy and the album was finished April '88. Two subsequent tours followed in support of the album with bands such as The Circle Jerks, D.R.I., Murphy's Law, 7 Seconds as well as shows with up and coming Thrash-Metal bands Forbidden, VIO-lence, Holly Terror, and Metal Church.
Dr. Know disbanded to pursue other projects in 1991. Since that time Slayer covered the Toucher penned "Mr. Freeze" on their "Undisputed Attitude" album.
Dr. Know also had a song, "Piece of Meat" written by Toucher and Cruz, appear on a South Park episode entitled "Clubhouse," from the 1998 season two.
In 1998, Cruz called Hernandez and together they approached Toucher to get the band back together. Toucher said no, but Hernandez and Cruz recruited others and embarked on a North American tour with big-name punk acts of the time.
In September 2001, Cruz was asked to sing with old friends, the reunited Dead Kennedys, leading to a gig that lasted until April 2003. Dr. Know still managed another record, entitled Father, Son, and Holy Shit! and toured the West Coast with Stäläg 13 and Ill Repute
In September 2005, Dr. Know played a benefit for CGBG's, and donated their share of the money to The Red Cross for Katrina victims. They also played a free concert in Manhattan's Tompkins Square Park with Test Specimen, Rabia, Team Spider, Choking Victim and M.D.C.on 9/11, 2005.
Dr. Know continues to play live gigs, touring the country several times. Since the release of Killing For God, Dr. Know have many plans for 2009 and beyond. They have begun work on a split with Capitalist Casualties, begun booking a European tour, and are currently writing material for their next record, due in 2011.
While the band with Kyle broke up in 1991, Cruz and Hernandez have been reunited since 1998, playing gigs all over the world. Dr. Know has finished their new record, entitled "Killing For God" and are currently going on tour to support it. It is being released on Unrest Records.
Former lead singer/songwriter Kyle Toucher now works as a visual effects/digital artist in Los Angeles, CA. He has done work on TV series such as Battlestar Galactica and Star Trek Voyager as well as in movies such as Serenity and Van Helsing. Toucher has won an Emmy for his work. The band is very proud of him.
The band has had many other members, and they all deserve an equal amount of thanks from the current band.
   | Sound Scene Revolution: Interview with Dr. Know (Podcast) - Sound Scene Revolution » Blog Archive » Interview with Dr. Know - Podcast 34 |
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