D.R.I.

Genres:	Heavy Metal • Pop / Rock
Descriptive "tags":	crossover • thrash metal • hardcore • hardcore punk • punk • crossover thrash • thrash
Decades Active:	1980s • 1990s • 2000s

Biography

This thrash metal band was formed in Houston, Texas, USA, in 1982. The band’s original line-up comprised Kurt Brecht (vocals), Spike Cassidy (guitar), Dennis Johnson (bass) and Kurt’s brother Eric Brecht (drums). Originally calling themselves Dirty Rotten Imbeciles, they shortened the name to D.R.I. Their debut album, Dirty Rotten LP, was initially released in limited edition EP form in 1982, and preceded the band’s relocation to San Francisco. It quickly established D.R.I. at the forefront of their genre, with its vicious mixture of punk, hardcore and thrash metal (Slayer’s Dave Lombardo later cited them as a major influence). Before the next album, Dealing With It!, Eric Brecht and Johnson left the band to be replaced by Felix Griffin and Mikey Offender.

D.R.I. continued to bridge punk and metal audiences, even going as far as to call their third album Crossover. Their debut for the Metal Blade label, the album featured...

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