Vatican Commandos were an American hardcore punk band formed in Darien, Connecticut.[1]

Vatican Commandos
OriginDarien, Connecticut
GenresHardcore punk
Years active1982–1985, 2010–2011
MembersJames Spadaccini
John Farnsworth
Lindsey Anderson
Chip Moody
Richard "Moby" Hall
Chuck Weaver
Dave Hower
Mike Pollock

The band features members James Spadaccini, John Farnsworth, Lindsey Anderson, Chip Moody, Chuck "Wheat" Weaver, and Richard Hall (who went on to success under the name Moby after the VC disbanded).[2] The band was formed in 1982 and released its first 7-inch EP entitled Hit Squad for God in 1983.[3] Richard Hall (Moby) is credited as "M.H." on the back cover of the release. Later members included Dave Hower, Mike Pollock, and Matt Craig.[citation needed] The band went on to release the Just a Frisbee 7-inch EP later in 1983 and Point Me to the End 12-inch EP in 1984. The lineup for Just a Frisbee,[4] "Point me to the End,"[5] and the tour in between those two EPs[6] was Chuck Wheat (vocals), Dave Hower (drums), Jim Spadaccini (bass), and Mike Pollock, who replaced M.H. as guitarist. The Just a Frisbee 7-inch cover artwork was drawn by Rob Zombie, founder and lead singer of White Zombie.[7] The Vatican Commandos disbanded in 1985.

After 25 years, the band has reformed and played a reunion show July 17, 2010, at the Mercury Lounge in New York City with Up Front, Our Gang, Ed Gein's Car, and Loud Youth.[1] The VCs played a West Coast reunion show on February 5, 2011, at The Dragonfly in Hollywood, California, with D.I.

Discography

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  • First Strike Compilation tape, BCT(1983)
  • Hit Squad for God 7-inch EP (1983)
  • Just a Frisbee 7-inch EP (1983)
  • Point Me to the End 12-inch EP (1984)
  • Connecticut Fun Compilation LP (1985)
  • Make It Work Compilation 7-inch (1985)
  • Big City's One Big Crowd Compilation LP (1985)
  • Hit Squad for God 7-inch EP Reissue Radiation Records(2022)
  • Just a Frisbee 7-inch EP Reissue Radiation Records(2022)
  • Point Me to the End 12-inch EP Reissue Radiation Records(2023)
  • Full Discography 1983-2015 CD Radiation Records(2023)

References

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  1. ^ a b "Moby reuniting w/ Vatican Commandos for a CT NYC hardcore show + D.I. dates, boat shows, 45 Grave, Jello & more". Brooklyn Vegan. May 12, 2010. Retrieved July 7, 2018.
  2. ^ Moby (May 29, 2003). "Journal / The Vatican Commandos". Moby. Retrieved January 23, 2022.
  3. ^ Blush, Steven; Petros, George (2010). American Hardcore (Second Edition): A Tribal History p. 50. Feral House. ISBN 978-1-932595-98-7.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ "Vatican Commandos - Just a Frisbee". Discogs. January 10, 2023. Archived from the original on May 5, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  5. ^ "Vatican Commandos - Point Me To the End". Discogs. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  6. ^ "Entrevista Vatican Commandos". Desorden Social (1). 1984 – via Internet Archive.
  7. ^ "VATICAN COMMANDOS (MOBY) Release Three New Songs". Rest Assured. July 27, 2016. Retrieved July 7, 2018.

External Sources

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