The Austin, TX, post-hardcore noise group
Scratch Acid laid the groundwork for much of the distorted, grinding alternative punk rockers of the '90s. Formed in 1982, the band originally featured
Steve Anderson (vocals),
David Wm. Sims (guitar),
Brett Bradford (guitar),
David Yow (bass), and
Rey Washam (drums).
Anderson was soon kicked out of the group and the band performed as an instrumental outfit for a short while.
Yow moved to vocals,
Sims switched to bass, and the band released a self-titled EP in 1984. Two years later, they released the full-length
Just Keep Eating and the scathing
Berserker EP. Following a long tour that took them through America and Europe,
Scratch Acid split in May of 1987.
Sims and Washam joined with
Steve Albini to form the consciously caustic
Rapeman. After
Rapeman split,
Sims reunited with
David Yow to form
the Jesus Lizard in 1989, which picked up where
Scratch Acid left off.
–
Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi