D.R.I.
1982–present
D.R.I. (Dirty Rotten Imbeciles) formed in Houston in May 1982 from the ashes of hardcore punk band Suburbanites. The original lineup of vocalist Kurt Brecht, guitarist Spike Cassidy, drummer Eric Brecht, and bassist Dennis Johnson played their first show on July 2, 1982 at Joe Star's OMNI in Houston. The band's name came from Kurt and Eric's father, who called them "a bunch of dirty rotten imbeciles" after complaining about the noise from their rehearsals. Drummer Eric Brecht designed the band's iconic "Skanker Man" logo as part of an art college assignment.
Their self-released debut Dirty Rotten LP (1983) was a 26-song, 18-minute blast of hardcore punk that became one of the genre's defining documents. After signing to Metal Blade Records, they released Dealing with It! (1985) and Crossover (1987), the latter giving its name to the entire crossover thrash genre they helped pioneer — integrating hardcore punk roots with thrash metal influences. 4 of a Kind (1988) became their first album to chart on the Billboard 200 at No. 116, followed by Thrash Zone (1989) at No. 140.
The band later relocated to San Francisco but remained closely associated with the Houston scene that produced them. Alongside Suicidal Tendencies, Corrosion of Conformity, and the Cro-Mags, D.R.I. are considered one of the major pioneers of crossover thrash. They continued releasing albums through Definition (1992) and Full Speed Ahead (1995), and have remained active as a touring act. The 2016 EP But Wait... There's More! was their first new material in over two decades.
Members
Discography
Dirty Rotten LP (1983)
Self-released debut. 26 songs in 18 minutes of blistering hardcore punk.
Violent Pacification (1984)
EP.
Dealing with It! (1985)
Crossover (1987)
The album that named the crossover thrash genre.
4 of a Kind (1988)
First album to chart on the Billboard 200, reaching No. 116.
Thrash Zone (1989)
Peaked at No. 140 on the Billboard 200.
Definition (1992)
Full Speed Ahead (1995)
Last full-length studio album to date.
But Wait... There's More! (2016)
EP. First new material in over two decades.