Weedeater (band)

1997-2003: Formation, ... And Justice for Y'all and Sixteen Tons

The band formed in 1998 and was initially planned to be the side-project of Dave "Dixie" Collins, the band's vocalist and bassist who was occupied with his primary project Buzzov*en, however the band disbanded the same year so decided to concentrate his efforts on Weedeater and made it his new primary project, recruiting members Dave "Shep" Shepherd on guitar and Keith "Keko" Kirkum on drums.

The band released their debut album titled ... And Justice for Y'all in 2001 and released their second album Sixteen Tons in 2003, both albums where released via their first record label Berserker Records.

2004-2011: God Luck and Good Speed and Jason... The Dragon

After the release of Sixteen Tons in 2003, the band decided to leave Berserker Records and joined American metal record label Southern Lord Records and released their third album and label debut God Luck and Good Speed. In 2009 a deluxe double LP version on the album was also released. The band was also announced as a support act for the American heavy metal supergroup Down. The band was later announced as one of the acts to play at 2010's Hellfest among the likes of Arch Enemy, Architects and Gwar.

The band entered the studio for their fourth album with producer Steve Albini in early January 2010 who also produced their last album God Luck and Good Speed, and also Arik Roper will be designing the album cover as he did previously for the band's previous albums. Not long after they entered the studio Dave "Dixie" Collins accidentally shot himself in the foot whilst he was cleaning his favourite Shotgun and was reported that he is to be bedridden for the next few weeks during his recovery, this ultimately lead to the band postponing their recording session with Steve Albini until after their tour in March and April.

Despite the setback caused by the accident the band announced that their next album will be titled Jason...The Dragon and was set for a release later that year, they also announced that their March/April tour will now be called the "Nine Toe" tour after Collins lost one of his big toes. The band headlined again in September the same year after it was reported that Keko had torn his meniscus after returning from their previous headlining tour and also that Dave Shepherd had also broken his pinkie finger while supporting Black Cobra in Europe in July, however didn't prevent the group from returning to Albini to record the album unlike the previous two accident which did.

The album was finally released on March 15, 2011 after all the setbacks caused by the bands injuries throughout 2010. The band went on tour in the US to support the release of the album however had to cancel the last few shows due to Dave Shepherd breaking his hand which disallowed him to play guitar.

2011-present: Record deal and Goliathan

In November 2013 it was announced by French record label Season of Mist had officially listed Weedeater as part of their roster, and along with the announcement the label re-released all of the band's previous albums digitally on December 10 the same year, the band also commented that they will hopefully be entering the studio soon with either producer Steve Albini or Billy Anderson, who have helped produce the band's previous albums. Travis Owen joined the band as drummer and they are scheduled to record their newest album in September 2014 with Steve Albini in Chicago, IL.

Musical style

Based on reviews from their previous albums the band has often been labelled as stoner, doom and sludge metal as well as being dubbed "Weed metal" due to their lyrical style and also referring to Dave Collins' previous band of similar musical style Buzzov*en, also labelled as a stoner and sludge metal band which may have influenced this band's sound. While the band focuses on metal they also have acoustic elements in songs such as "Woe's Me" and "Kira May" from their second album Sixteen Tons.

Band members

Discography