Only Living Witness

Only Living Witness was an American metal band from Boston, formed in 1989 by members of dissolved thrash metal band Formicide. Across two studio albums, they developed a modern hardcore punk-influenced heavy metal sound.[1] Following the band's dissolution in 1995, vocalist Jonah Jenkins went on to form Miltown. Guitarist Craig Silverman went on to play in bands Blood For Blood, Ramallah, Slapshot, and Agnostic Front.

Only Living Witness
OriginBoston, Massachusetts, United States
GenresAlternative metal, stoner metal, grunge
Years active1989–1995
LabelsLook Again, Slipped Disc, Reflections, Chainsaw Safety, Century Media
Associated actsFormicide, Miltown, Milligram, Raw Radar War Slapshot, Blood For Blood, Ramallah, Agnostic Front
Websitewww.myspace.com/olw
MembersJonah Jenkins
Eric Stevenson
Craig Silverman
Roy Costa
Past membersKevin Stevenson
Chris Crowley

Career

The band was formed in 1989 in Boston, Massachusetts, by Jonah Jenkins (vocals) and Eric Stevenson (drums, ex-Formicide). Eric's brother Kevin Stevenson (guitar) and former Formicide bandmate Roy Costa (bass) completed the line-up. In 1991, Kevin Stevenson and Costa were replaced by Craig Silverman and Chris Crowley.[1] Kevin Stevenson and Costa went on to form The Shods.

Only Living Witness released a few demos before being signed by Century Media Records. Their debut album, Prone Mortal Form was released in 1993.[1] The band performed concerts in fourteen countries including Sweden, England, France, Canada, Italy, Switzerland and the Czech Republic. In 1996 their follow-up CD Innocents was released, but the band had already split up.[1]

Only Living Witness briefly reformed in 2008 for four reunion shows: 14 June and 21 June at The Middle East in Cambridge, Massachusetts, 22 August in Clinton, Massachusetts, and the final show on 30 August in Eindhoven, Netherlands. Jenkins went on to perform the vocal duties in Miltown, Milligram and Raw Radar War.

Eric Stevenson, main composer and drummer, died on August 9, 2011, at the age of 43.[2][3]

In 2014, Shadows Fall's cover of the Only Living Witness song "December" was used in the soundtrack of the film Let's Be Cops.

Members
  • Jonah Jenkins - vocals (1989-1995)
  • Eric Stevenson - drums (1989-1995)
  • Kevin Stevenson - guitar (1989-1991)
  • Roy Costa - bass guitar (1989-1991)
  • Craig Silverman - guitar (1991-1995)
  • Chris Crowley - bass guitar (1991-1995)
US Reunion, Clinton, MA and Netherlands show 2008
  • Bob Maloney - bass guitar
Clinton, MA and Netherlands show 2008
  • Benny Grotto - drums

Discography
Year Album
1993 Prone Mortal Form
1996 Innocents
2006 Prone Mortal Form/Innocents (re-released)

Demos
1990
Self-titled demo (audio cassette)
No.TitleLength
1."Complex Man"3:55
2."Dying System"4:31
3."Corruption Of Power"2:57
4."Bad Blood"2:32
Total length:13:57
1992
Prone Mortal Form demo (audio cassette)
No.TitleLength
1."Prone Mortal Form"5:12
2."Twitching Tongues"3:03
3."Window 4:45"4:45
4."Nineveh"5:29
5."Slug"4:30
Total length:22:59

Singles
1991
  • Complex Man 7" limited press of 1000 copies (Look Again Records)
Side A
No.TitleLength
1."Complex Man"3:58
Side B
No.TitleLength
1."Dying System"4:35
2."Bad Blood"2:34
Total length:11:07
1995
Side A
No.TitleLength
1."Freaklaw"2:48
Side B
No.TitleLength
1."Some Will Never Know"4:04
Total length:6:52

Compilation appearances
1991

Have contributed with the track Bad Blood

1993
  • East Coast Assault compilation (Too Damn Hype Records)

Have contributed with the track Twitching Tongues

1994
  • Case Closed?: An International Compilation of Husker Du Cover Songs (Snoop Records)

Have contributed with the track Too Far Down

1995

Have contributed with the track Deed's Pride

Have contributed with the track Bad Blood

References
  1. "Biography by Eduardo Rivadavia". Allmusic.com. Retrieved August 18, 2011.
  2. Eagletribune.com
  3. Thedeadrockstarsclub.com - accessed August 2011


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