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Skapegoat

Skapegoat

In 1996 in the small town of Alamosa, Colorado, SKAPEGOAT was born. Michelangelo Lobato and Dustin Hollmer shared the same style in music and the same vision of playing in front of thousands of people. A local talent show wasn’t going to bring that kind of crowd, however, these two ambitious guitar players began to assemble a group of musicians. With only 3 days to prepare, this band comprised of two singers, two drummers, one bass player, and two guitarists started working on a set list. SKAPEGOAT hammered out thirteen cover songs and one original track to a crowd of 250 college students and a standing ovation.

Over the next few months Michelangelo began selecting musicians who might share the same “vision” as he did. With a strong lineup and a makeshift P.A. system, SKAPEGOAT started playing the local music scene on a regular basis. Armed with a strong lineup and a powerful new sound SKAPEGOAT dominated the Southern Colorado scene for almost two years. Though the band had recorded a successful demo and had label interest, some of the members lost their drive and began falling out. Michelangelo continued on with the name SKAPEGOAT, but was unable to find reliable musicians.

Two years later, Michelangelo was at OZZFEST and noticed a familiar face working in the backstage area. Dustin was loading trucks for the bands and had relocated to Colorado Springs. After getting together a few times to play, Michelangelo and Dustin decided to work together for a second time. SKAPEGOAT fired up full force and began recruiting musicians once again!

Four drummers and one bass player later, Michelangelo and Dustin found themselves wondering if they would ever be able to put the band together. As a last ditch effort, Michelangelo’s wife put an ad on Musicmates.com looking for a drummer. Briscoe answered it and walked into the audition at Michelangelo’s Denver home not expecting much. He had been burned out by years of trying to make something happen in Denver and was nearly ready to call it quits. He was going to return to his home in Ohio or seek out a serious band in Los Angeles. After playing for only 15 minutes, Briscoe knew he had found the band that he had waited nearly 10 years to find. On his way home that night he asked his friend, “What the hell just happened?”

The band hired Damon Roberts shortly thereafter, and Damon remained with Skapegoat until 2005. During that time, SKAPEGOAT opened for many national acts as well as headlined many of the major clubs in the South West. TC joined Skapegoat in October 2005 after an extensive search for the right bass player. TC not only is an accomplished bass player, but an amazing guitarist as well. During this time, Dustin decided that he wanted to do other projects, so he left the band in early 2006. TC stepped into Dustin’s shoes and began playing guitar. A new stronger sound was developed thanks to TC’s amazing tone and his incredible lead playing. Michelangelo and TC began working on dual lead solo’s and dual harmonies, which brought a new quality to SKAPEGOAT’S already distinct sound.

A search for a bass player was conducted, and over 30 individuals tried out, but were unable to match the progressive playing of Damon or TC. Gabe Passarelli auditioned in September of 2006 and blew the guys away with his remarkable playing, and his ability to stay in strong sync with the bass drum.

SKAPEGOAT is currently recording their third CD, to be released in the Spring of 2007. The band plans to expose the world to their unique brand of aggressive, authentic, progressive music and in so doing, reinvigorate rock music and the entire industry.

SKAPEGOAT would like to welcome Bass Extraordinarie Brent Wagner (Eternal Internment, Cymetre), and Drumming Madman Anthony Lopez (Torrid Flesh, Eternal Internment, Cymetre), into the ranks. Welcome brothers!!!