Vocalist Jonny Santos of the reunited SPINESHANK recently appeared on the “Talk Toomey” podcast to discuss the band’s upcoming shows to celebrate the 25th anniversary of SPINESHANK‘s sophomore studio album, “The Height Of Callousness”, and the resurgence of “nu metal.” Jonny shared insights on reuniting with original SPINESHANK members, the band’s upcoming festival appearances and revealed the first details of a new SPINESHANK single, tentatively due later this spring.
Regarding the possibility of SPINESHANK releasing new music to coincide with the upcoming tour, Jonny said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): ”We never got a chance to really go out on a high note. And so when we first started getting ready to do all this, doing another record wasn’t really even talked about. It was more of just, like, ‘Hey, let’s just go out and do [‘The Height Of Callousness’] in its entirety’ and give the band its warrior’s death, if you will — going out on a strong note instead of just falling into obscurity.
“Now it’s gotten to the point… So right now I’m in the studio finishing up some edits and mixing the first SPINESHANK song since 2012,” Santos explained. “So we have one new song coming out. Because I think the way that we feel that we’ll know is, let’s see how this SPINESHANK song does. If it’s accepted well and people are excited about it, if it does well, then maybe there could be another album in the works. Or if anything, maybe even an EP. Who knows?”
Referencing the resurgence of “nu metal” in recent years, Jonny continued: “It’s kind of weird how — it’s uncharted territory. It’s, like, is this here to stay? Is this gonna be a staple in heavy music or is this just a fashion fad for kids today? So I think once we release this new song and tour for the better part of this year, then I think we’ll know if we’re gonna put a new record out next year or not. I would like to, but I only wanna put a record out if it’s gonna matter. I don’t wanna put a record out if nobody’s gonna give a shit.”
Elaborating on his reluctance to release a full-length collection of new material, Jonny said: “Not comparing us to the size of THE ROLLING STONES or anything, but if I was gonna go see THE ROLLING STONES, I’m not too concerned with anything that they’ve done post 1979. You know what I’m saying?
“I think you hit a certain point in your career as a band when you have a legitimate and constant following that people just wanna go hear the hits.
“I’ve noticed, I’ll put music out or whatever, and people are, like, ‘Oh, man, it doesn’t sound like ‘The Height Of Callousness’.’ It’s just, like, dude, me putting out the same record twice is not gonna make you young again,” he said. “Because that’s how it is.
“Very few bands can get away with putting the same record out. AC/DC‘s done it. SLAYER‘s done it. But it works — that works for them, and it’s fucking awesome. But for me, it doesn’t.
“The thought of putting a new SPINESHANK record out there, it’s exciting. But at the same time, we’re gonna see how this goes.
“We’re going into this with no expectations. This is really fun for us to do, and I think it’s a chance for a lot of people that have become SPINESHANK fans in the last decade or so that have never seen us to get to see us. And being that ‘The Height Of Callousness’ was by far our best-received album, I can’t think of a better record to do in its entirety out of our catalog.”
As for a possible release date for the new SPINESHANK single, Jonny said: “Well, here’s the thing. What I can tell you is we will have rough mixes to listen to amongst ourselves here this week. So we’re hoping to have the song completely mixed, mastered and ready to go in the next two weeks. So that I can say. If I was a betting man, the fact that we’re going out in July, I think I could see this song coming out sometime late May or early June. I mean, don’t quote me on that.”
He added: “There’s this thing called the SPINESHANK curse, and trust me, it’s still around. [Laughs]”
Joining Santos, drummer Tommy Decker and bassist/vocalist Robert Garcia in SPINESHANK‘s 2025 lineup are new recruits Tommy Decker, Jr. (Tommy Decker‘s son) and Jason Hager (ex-CHIMAIRA) on guitar.
As previously reported, SPINESHANK will team up with THE UNION UNDERGROUND for the “25 Years Of Rebellion & Callousness” tour this summer.
This commemorative, co-headline trek, with special guests ADEMA and SICKSENSE, will celebrate the 25th anniversaries of “The Height Of Callousness” and THE UNION UNDERGROUND sole studio LP, “…An Education In Rebellion”.
The first leg of the tour will launch on July 10 in Austin and will see the two bands perform their respective album in full, with a few extra surprises.
When SPINESHANK‘s return was first announced, Decker said in a statement: “We are beyond excited to be able to celebrate 25 years of ‘The Height Of Callousness’. This is the record that defined us as a band and changed our lives. We can’t wait to play all of these songs and share the memories with all of you who lived it with us.”
Santos stated: “We are extremely excited to celebrate the return of SPINESHANK for the 25th anniversary of ‘The Height Of Callousness’ tour and get to share this milestone with the people who were there back then, and the new fans that never got the chance to see us play. Truly an honor!!!”
Garcia said: “It’s amazing that 25 years later people still react to ‘The Height Of Callousness’ the way they do. We’re excited to get out and play these songs again, see old friends, and threw down for all the new fans who never got to see SPINESHANK the first time around!”
Decker, Jr. said: “I’ve been on tour with these guys since I was a little kid, watching them perform every night from the side of the stage. I can’t believe it’s come full circle and I get to share the stage with my dad and the rest of the guys who I consider my family. I was 4 years old when this album came out and seeing all the fans still show love to this album is crazy!”
Hager stated: “I am beyond excited and honored to be a part of the return of SPINESHANK, for the 25th anniversary of ‘The Height Of Callousness’ tour. They’re not just one of my favorite bands, but have been great friends, ever since they generously, and selflessly helped us (CHIMAIRA) out, during our early days. I’m looking forward to seeing you all, out on the road, and excited about what the future may hold.”
After releasing three successful albums (“Strictly Diesel”, “The Height Of Callousness” and “Self-Destructive Pattern”),performing on countless world tours (including appearances on Ozzfest and the Download festival) and a Grammy nomination in 2004, the band went on a hiatus.
SPINESHANK‘s fourth album, “Anger Denial Acceptance”, was released in June 2012 via Century Media Records. The CD was produced by SPINESHANK guitarist Mike Sarkisyan and drummer Tommy Decker and mixed by Mike Plotnikoff (PAPA ROACH, BUCKCHERRY).
SPINESHANK‘s third LP, “Self-Destructive Pattern”, was released in September 2003. The album’s lead single, “Smothered”, was nominated for a Grammy in the category of “Best Metal Performance”.
Source: blabbermouth.net
