STEMM

'STEMM' are an American metal band hailing from Niagara Falls, New York. They are currently signed to I Scream Records.

Contents

Background

The early years

UFC and The Fight Network

Transition

A new beginning

Finally signed

Band members

Current line-Up

Former members

Session members

Discography

Miscellanea

External links

References

Background

The early years

STEMM was formed in the June of 1998 by Joe Cafarella, Russ Martin and Jimi and Louis Penque.^[1] All the members had come from various other local acts. By December the band recorded a two song "promo" disc. Within four months time, the album had sold well over 600 copies.^[2] Initially STEMM incorporated a hybrid of hardcore with rapcore. These sounds were very prominent on their first EP, entitled Further Efforts and also on their first independently released debut, entitled "Dead to Me" which was released in 2002.^[3][4] In July of 2000, STEMM would announce the addition of second guitarist, Rich Spalla.

UFC and The Fight Network

In 2002, STEMM also signed a licensing deal with the UFC.^[5] STEMM's music has been incorporated in UFC television and live events since August of 2002. Songs to date used by the UFC include, "Holding On," "Face the Pain" and "Fallen," which have been used on every UFC pay-per-view since 2002 and even the show, The Ultimate Fighter.^[6] "Face the Pain" was also featured on the UFC compilation CD alongside such bands as Fear Factory, Slayer and Shadows Fall.^[7] STEMM more recently also signed a licensing deal to feature their music on Canadian television station The Fight Network.

Transition

In late 2003 and through most of 2004, the bands line-up would change. The Penque brothers left STEMM, citing creative and musical differences. Although many fans believed they were fired. This provided the bridge for the merging of local Buffalo metal act, 5 Years Gone and STEMM. 5 Years Gone drummer Dan Nelligan and vocalist T.J. Frost of 5 Years Gone began filling in, while STEMM guitarists returned the favor by replacing the two guitarists that had recently departed 5 Years Gone. After bassist Russ Martin quit the band, STEMM and 5 Years Gone would combined as one. The combination saw the band take a different direction musically. Because of this, the band as a whole do not recognize the previous incarnation of the band and even contemplated changing the name of the band, but decided to keep on as STEMM due in large part to the money the UFC had already spent on promoting the band.^[8][9]

A new beginning

After reconfiguring the line-up, STEMM signed to Chimaira guitarist Rob Arnold's management label, Triple M Management. With Arnold's help, the band recorded a 5 song EP entitled "5" in early 2004. On the song "13 Years", Chimaira vocalist Mark Hunter did a guest appearance.^[10] The EP went on to sell over 1,000 copies in only a couple of months times. The band did local shows in support of the demo, opening for acts such as Sevendust and touring nationwide with Chimaira and Trivium.^[11][12] STEMM would be the openers for Damageplan's "final" concert, as the next day, Darrell "Dimebag" Abbott would be murdered while onstage.^[13] They also opened for Nuclear Blast artist Bleed The Sky at the legendary Whiskey A Go Go.^[14] T.J. Frost along with Joe Cafarella would provide guest vocals on the Bleed the Sky track "Division" as well. The band then participated in the 2005 installment of the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival with other notable acts such as Soilwork, Danzig, Dark Tranquillity and Mnemic.^[15] In November 2005, the band released their second full length album, entitled "Songs for the Incurable Heart" independently. The album included four tracks from the previous demo, plus all new material, including a song that is a tribute to the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks , which vocalist T.J. Frost survived entitled "The Day the Earth Stood Still" which clocks in at 9:11, in homage.^[16]

Finally signed

In August of 2006, the band announced on their MySpace page that they had officially signed a record deal with I Scream Records to re-release their second album "Songs for the Incurable Heart."^[17] Though the contract was only to re-release "Songs for the Incurable Heart." STEMM continued for the next year opening for bands such as Godsmack and Stone Sour. On July 30th, 2007, STEMM announced that vocalist T.J. Frost had departed the band due to "personal issues." With his departure, back up vocalist and guitarist Joe Cafarella changed to full time vocal duty, while guitarist Alex Scouten formerly of 3 Minutes of Hate will fill in until a suitable replacement can be found. Alex had previously worked with STEMM, when then vocalist T.J. Frost was injured in 2006.^[18]
Currently the band are working on new material for their forthcoming third album.

Band members

Current line-Up

Joe Cafarella - vocals

Rich Spalla - guitar

Steve Crowl - bass

Dan Nelligan - drums

Former members

Louis Penque - vocals

Russ Martin - bass

Jimi Penque - drums

T.J. Frost - vocals

Session members

Alex Scouten - guitar

Discography

Title	Release date	Label
''Further Efforts EP ''	1999	None
''Dead to Me''	2000	None
''5''	2004	None
''Songs for the Incurable Heart''	November 15 2005 October 10 2006 (re-release)	I Scream Records

Miscellanea

STEMM's first concert was opening for major label recording artist Sevendust.^[19]

STEMM is endorsed by ESP Guitars, Jagermeister and Mesa Boogie.^[20][21]

They have won the Buffalo Music Award for Best Hardcore/Metal act in WNY for 3 consecutive years. (2001, 2002, & 2003)

Former vocalist T.J. Frost used to be a guitar tech for Chimaira.

External links

★ Official Website - www.stemm.net

★ MySpace - www.myspace.com/stemm

★ Monster video - http://youtube.com/v/SmbBHJ0Ni68

References

1. STEMM AIMS AT FLOWERING MUSIC SCENE
2. STEMM early bio
3. STEMM - Dead To Me review
4. STEMM music
5. For Stemm, it’s family, friends and fun
6. STEMM: FALLEN (played at all ufc events)
7. SLAYER, DAMAGEPLAN, SEPULTURA Featured On 'Ultimate Fighting Championship' CD
8. East Coast Romper Interivew with STEMM Stephanie Stevens
9. Hollow Dream Records' 13 Questions With STEMM Peter Failla
10. STEMM Interviewed by Undizcovered Magizine
11. CHIMAIRA: Hometown Release Party And Columbus In-Store Signing Announced
12. Chimaira Tour Dates Chimaira.com
13. Buffalo DAMAGEPLAN Fans Stunned By DIMEBAG's Murder A Day After Local Show
14. Bleed the Sky CD Release Party Nuclear Blast
15. NEW ENGLAND METAL AND HARDCORE FESTIVAL: More Than 40 Bands Confirmed
16. STEMM Biography on iSOUND
17. Stemm Sign with I Scream Records Stemm.net
18. STEMM Vocalist Leaves band Myspace
19. French review of STEMM's 5 EP
20. Artists endorsed by ESP
21. STEMM Biography on I Scream Records