
Genre(s):
Speed/Thrash Metal
Lyrical Theme(s):
Crime, Life, Politics
Origin:
USA (Chicago, Illinois)
Formed In:
1977
Status:
Split-up
Last Known Line-Up:
Pete Montswillo - Vocals
Michael Ray Garrett - Guitar
Kevin Michael - Guitar
Eric Armstrong - Bass (Mortar, Loknut)
Sean Schipper - Drums (Emmy Strut, Loknut)
Former/Past Member(s):
Vocals:
Barry Stern (and Drums) (Debris Inc., Trouble (USA)) (R.I.P. April 1, 2005)
Guitar:
Louie Svitek (M.O.D., Mindfunk, Ministry, Mayhem Inc., Lost Cause, The Infamous)
Ken Black (Sharon Tate's Baby)
Bass:
Calvin Humphrey (M.O.S.H.)
Additional Notes
Zoetrope is pronounced e-trope.The band was influenced by the likes of 7 Seconds, Articles of Faith, Rights of the Accused, Life Sentence, Out of Order, Die Kruezen and created their own form of hardcore thrash, which they dubbed "street metal." After the band broke up and former member went on to other things, Kevin Michael reformed the band with new members. Barry Stern went on to play in the metal band, Trouble Ken Black went on to play in Sharon Tate's Baby. Calvin Humphrey went on to play with M.O.S.H. (Mean Obnoxious 'Shroom Heads). Sadly, Barry Stern passed away on April 2, 2005, due to complications from recent hip-replacement surgery. He was only 45 years old.
Amnesty and A Life of Crime were reissued in Europe on CD by Century Media in the late '90's when that label remastered and reissued the entire Combat Records catalog in Europe. The Amnesty reissue contains the Metal Log demos as bonus tracks.
Kenny Black and Barry Stern produced the first Life Sentence record. Louis Svitek was credited as the guitarist on A Life Of Crime, but according to Kevin Michael's notes on the CD reissue, Kevin and Kenny Black played all the guitar parts. Louis joined the band after Kenny left Los Angeles (where the band was recording) and returned home to sort out substance abuse issues.
Amnesty and A Life of Crime were reissued in Europe on CD by Century Media in the late '90's when that label remastered and reissued the entire Combat Records catalog in Europe. The Amnesty reissue contains the Metal Log demos as bonus tracks.
Kenny Black and Barry Stern produced the first Life Sentence record. Louis Svitek was credited as the guitarist on A Life Of Crime, but according to Kevin Michael's notes on the CD reissue, Kevin and Kenny Black played all the guitar parts. Louis joined the band after Kenny left Los Angeles (where the band was recording) and returned home to sort out substance abuse issues.

Discography:
Zoetrope - The Right Way [single] - 1980
Zoetrope - Metal Log Vol. 1 [demo] - 1983
Zoetrope - Amnesty [full-length] - 1985
Zoetrope - Metal Log Vol. 2 [demo] - 1985
Zoetrope - A Life Of Crime [full-length] - 1987
Zoetrope - Mind Over Splatter [full-length] - 1993
*****
Official Site:
http://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Zoetrope/1831