Music Style Alternative/Hard Rock/Metal

Similar Artists Powerman 5000, Korn, Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie, Godsmack, Nirvana, Soundgarden, R.H.C.P., Smashing Pumpkins, Silverchair, Sublime, Deftones, Weezer, Dashboard Confessionals, Hayden, Pearl Jam

Artist History Formed in '98 as Habib, the band consisted of 4 individuals; David Morris, Andrew Tanentzap, Jerry Chen, and Shiv Sharma. The band's first gig was their school's talent show audition in April '98, they failed to qualify for the show. After refocusing all their energy over the summer, Habib decided that they would try again at a school Battle of the Bands. They acquired a new drummer, Augustine Lim and shifted Jerry to keyboard bass; Shiv was no longer performing with them. The two rehearsals for the show would be critical in reestablishing their shattered confidence. The first rehearsal went off with a bit of trouble, David's singing could barely be heard and Andrew's guitar was way too loud. Habib decided to stick with it and persevere the next day. Upon waiting for their call on stage Habib's drummer ran off, thus the band had to withdraw. Following the show, David's confidence and passion had dwindled and Augustine was never on talking terms with Andrew again. The whole band fell apart. Andrew and Jerry decided to take some time off to ponder their next move. Augustine hooked the guys up with another drummer, Kevin "Ulrich Pork" Park. What a find he would be! The complete opposite of any drummer stereotype Kevin would immediately bond with the two other guys and become an integral part of Habib. Habib? Well like the others it also vanished. The band changed their name to Velvet Hammer in the spring of 1999. Hammer now needed a bass player, they turned to Billy Chan. The found Stephanie Kwan who agreed to make a fool of herself with Velvet Hammer at their school's talent night playing Don't Speak by No Doubt. The first rehearsal was interesting to say the least, Andrew's solo was torturous and Kevin's dropping of the drums sticks in the middle of the chorus did not help. After tying Kevin to the stage to ensure that another drummer would not run off, Velvet Hammer decided to give it another shot. The second rehearsal was better, yet still not up to par. Kevin's nerves were getting the best of him. Jerry and Andrew decided that they had to go through with the performance. The evening of the show there was much anticipation. What would their first performance be like? You don't want to know... Stephanie herself was the only one who saved the guys from complete and utter embarrassment. Kevin's nerves got the best of him; as one music teacher puts it. After getting off the stage Billy and Stephanie quietly vanished like the past members, never to join the band on stage again. The 3 then brought Vincent Poon in to play Bass. Shiv also returned on turntables, and as an overall utility man. Practicing the whole summer Velvet Hammer nailed a gig at the Kathedral in downtown Toronto in November where they played under the name of Schadenfreude. The set was great except for some minor technical difficulties. The band went into the studio in April of 2001 to record their debut demo. In 2001, founding member Jerry Chen decided to leave the band behind to persue other interests. He joined Element 121 on stage at their school's Talent Night in April and later on the two songs of the first demo at the band's first gig at the El Mocambo in September 2001. Best of luck Jerry in all your future endeavors! Jerry has been replaced by singer/songwriter Daniel Kostka who's exceptional composition skills have taken Element 121 into a new direction towards finally finding their "own" sound. Daniel and E121 have played several shows together already, Talent Fever at their school in November 2001 and Talent Night at their school in April, 2002. All of these performances featured original material, in preperation for what is too be an onslaught of tour dates this summer an fall hopefully with a much anticipated studio return in the fall.

Group Members Daniel Kostka - vocals, guitar; Andrew Tanentzap - guitar, vocals; Kevin Park - drums; Vincent Poon - bass, vocals; Shiv Sharma, AKA DJ Vincent Vega - turntables

Location Toronto, Ontario - Canada

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