User:T.o.t.s./Things Outside the Skin

THINGS OUTSIDE THE SKIN (or t.o.t.s.)is an industrial / punk inspired band founded by Chvad SB in 1991, characterized by a mix of eclectic music, video production and somewhat politically oriented lyrics. Originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia. They are currently located in Brooklyn, New York. t.o.t.s. was known as Recherche' from 1991 to 1997.

History

1991-1997, Norfolk, VA., formation and Recherche'

In 1991 Chad Bernhard (a.k.a. Chvad SB, Thing #1, THE Thing), while DJ'ing at Old Dominion University, came across the recently released Ministry single "Jesus Built My Hotrod". Immediately after this he sold most of his possessions at a local pawn shop for a Casio SK100 and a Boss DR.220e drum machine. This was the start of Recherche'. In 1994 a live band was established with Raphael Hickman playing guitars and Vince Tur-Rojas on drums. In the same year Hickman and Bernhard recorded the album length release "The Raped Soul" which was praised by local press as having had "validity as being a rare sound in Hampton Roads"-Flash Magazine. The line up stayed consistent until Tur-Rojas left the band in 1996 to pursue other endeavors. In the same Bernhard and Hickman now joined by Tiphaine Czahor, re-branded themselves Blood in Vain and released a self-titled EP. In late 1996 Hickman relocates to Chicago, IL. Bernhard continued on with Recherche' as a solo act and released the EP's "If I'm the Evil, Find the Evil in Me" in 1996, "Mettle" in 1997 and a feature length ambient recording entitled "THINGS OUTSIDE THE SKIN".

1997-2003, Chicago years

In 1997 Chvad SB and Tiphaine Czahor packed up and went to Chicago IL. to meet up with Recherche' and Blood in Vain collaborator Raphael Hickman. For a myriad of reasons collaboration wasn't working well between the three and in 1999 THINGS OUTSIDE THE SKIN God in a Box was released on Facility Records to mixed reviews. The record was largely a solo endeavor with Hickman completely absent from the recordings and only a couple of tracks featuring Czahor (Wormface and Failsafe). Strained relationships saw Czahor head back to Virginia and Hickman went on to create his own project Sealed in Silence effectively making THINGS OUTSIDE THE SKIN a solo project. , solo performances, Invisible Records compilations, Czahor leaves band, Double Door

2003-2006, Brooklyn years

2006-2011, Invisible years

Members

Current members

Chvad SB − vocals, guitar, synthesizers, drums, video (1991–present)
Blight the Clown - bass (2003-present), synths (1995-1997)
Lars Casteen - guitar (2007-present)
Ericah Hagle (of Unto Ashes) - vocals (2007-present)

Former members

Tim Durland - drums, guitars (2005-2007)
Tifaine Czahor - vocals (1997-2001)
Raphael Hickman (Tod Engel of Sealed in Silence) - guitars, vocals (1994-1997)
Vince Tur-Rojas - drums (1994-1997)

Collaborators

Elias Ganster - vocals, video (1999-current)
Tom Haban (of Wilderness Road (band)) - engineer (1999-2002)
Rich Casella - guitar (2004)
Chloe Steinberg - vocals (1996-1997)
Patrick Maurer - bass (1995)
James Devin Johnson - lighting, synths (1995-1997)
Andy Schoger - synths, performance (1995-1997)
Tim Harold - bass (1995)

Labels

Invisible Records

THINGS OUTSIDE THE SKIN signed a multi-album deal in 2006 with Martin Atkin's record label in Chicago Il., Invisible Records. Invisible Records not only signed Things Outside the Skin, but they also acquired the entire Facility Records back catalog.

Facility Records

Started by Things Outside the Skin founder, Chvad SB in 1999 to release the first t.o.t.s. CD "God in a Box". Chvad went on to produce and release four more albums on Facility Records. FESTER: A Tribute To The Residents (2000), SpudSuckers! A Tribute To DEVO (2001), You Knew It All Along (limited tour release, 2003) and You Knew It All Along (Full Length, 2005). In late 2006 Invisible Records acquired the Facility Records catalog.

Discography

Albums

The Return of the Wetlands (Full Length) (unreleased)
You Knew It All Along (Full Length) (2005)
You Knew It All Along (limited tour release, full CD, dif. artwork) (2003)
The Age Of Pretension: Recherche (2000)
God in a Box (full length) (1999)
Pied Piper (EP) (1998)
Things Outside the Skin (full length)(self titled) (1997)
Mettle (demo) (1997)
If I'm The Evil... Find The Evil In Me (demo) (1996)
Blood in Vain (demo) (1996)
In The Black Hole (demo, unreleased) (1995)
The Raped Soul (full length)(1994)
Thoughts from a raped soul... (demo) (1993)
Untitled 5 track demo (1992)

Compilations

Negative Impact Vol.4 (2011)
DarkSonus Vol.2 (2008)
Negative Impact Vol.3 (2008)
Negative Impact Vol.2 (2007)
Big Apple Underground: Winter Wasteland Vol.1 (2006)
Negative Impact Vol.1 (2006)
Insomnia Magazine Comp (2005)
hEADaCHE Remixes (2004)
Interbreeding Breeding II (2004)
Travel Tu Earth (2004)
Girlfiends and She-Devils (2004)
The War Against The Teeny-Boppers (multi-media) (2003, Invin-Kor Artistic Alliance)
The War Against The Teeny-Boppers (2003, Invin-Kor Artistic Alliance)
Notes From Thee Real Underground Vol.#3 (2002)
Teen Feeding Frenzy! (2002)
Delicate Furies (2001)
SpudSuckers! A Tribute To DEVO (2001)
FESTER: A Tribute To The Residents (2000)

Remixes

SMP "Metropolis - War Cry Mix" (2007)
UV "Dementia - Territorial Mix" (2003)
HYPOID "Deprogramming Deposits of Fat - Pissing Grounds Mix" (2003)
CEOXiME "Dirty 'N Used - t.o.t.s.m.i.x." (2003)
Sealed in Silence "Todeswunsch - t.o.t.s. vs. s!s Remix Wars Part 2" (2003)
Infinity Interrupt "SEP - Kibbles 'n Bits Mix" (2003)
Flood Damage "Mr. Blind..."other side of the line mix" (2003)
Diverje "2:40 AM" (t.o.t.s. remix of "Reject") (2002)

Soundtracks

Graphic Sexual Horror (2008)
A Clown Carol (2007)
Marathon (2007)
The Pod (2006)
LoveCracked: The Movie (2006)
Sylvia's Baklava (2005)
Doggie Tails (2003)
Toxic Avenger IV: Citizen Toxie (2001)

Side projects

Building: OSOS (Full Length. Chvad SB on synths, 2004) (2004)
Unto Ashes "Empty Into White" (drums on track #14) (2003)
Mutant Yamulkas (current)