8 Foot Sativa
Background information
Origin	Auckland, New Zealand
Genre(s)	Death Metal Thrash Metal Melodic Death Metal
Years active	1998 - Present
Label(s)	Intergalactic Records Roadrunner Records Black Mark Records
Associated acts	Sinate Ulcerate
Website	www.8footsativa.com
Members
Ben Read Gary Smith William Cleverdon Jamie Saint Merat
Former members
Brent Fox Justin Niessen Sam Sheppard Matt Sheppard Peter Young Corey Friedlander

8 Foot Sativa is a New Zealand-based metal band formed in 1998. They are often known by their fans as "8 Foot". Their most famous single is their self titled song, "8 Foot Sativa", which was number one on M2's top 12 list for 12 weeks, and stayed on the chart for 7 months.^[1]. (M2 was a New Zealand late night Music Show.) The band has toured and released albums internationally, and have played alongside artists such as Soulfly, KoЯn, Slipknot, System of a Down, Children of Bodom, Disturbed, Motörhead, Pungent Stench, Shihad and Corrosion of Conformity ^[2]. Image File history File links 8footsativa. ... The Auckland Metropolitan Area, or Greater Auckland, in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest urban area in New Zealand. ... A music genre is a category (or genre) of pieces of music that share a certain style or basic musical language (van der Merwe 1989, p. ... Death metal is a sub-genre of heavy metal that evolved out of thrash metal during the early 1980s. ... Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music, one of the extreme metal subgenres, that is characterised by its high speed and aggression. ... It has been suggested that Scandinavian death metal be merged into this article or section. ... See also: 1997 in music, other events of 1998, 1999 in music, 1990s in music and the list of years in music // Events February 15 - Sir Edward Elgars unfinished third symphony, completed by Anthony Payne is performed for the first time at the Royal Festival Hall. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Roadrunner Records is a major record label that concentrates heavily on nu-metal and post-hardcore bands (with exceptions). ... Black Mark Productions is an independent record label specializing in extreme metal releases founded by Quorthon, best known as the leader of Bathory until his untimely death in 2004. ... Sinate is a New Zealand metal band. ... Hot metal work from a blacksmith In chemistry, a metal (Greek: Metallon) is an element that readily forms positive ions (cations) and has metallic bonds. ... See also: 1997 in music, other events of 1998, 1999 in music, 1990s in music and the list of years in music // Events February 15 - Sir Edward Elgars unfinished third symphony, completed by Anthony Payne is performed for the first time at the Royal Festival Hall. ... Soulfly is a heavy metal band started by Max Cavalera in 1997 after his decision to leave Sepultura. ... Korn (sometimes typeset as KoЯn to fit their logo) is a Grammy Award-winning nu metal band from Bakersfield, California. ... Slipknot is a nine-piece nu-metal band from Des Moines, Iowa, formed in 1995 and currently signed to Roadrunner Records. ... System of a Down (also referred to as S.O.A.D. or System) is a four-piece American alternative metal band, formed in 1995 in Los Angeles, California. ... Children of Bodom is an extreme metal band from Espoo, Finland. ... Disturbed is a band from Chicago, Illinois. ... Motörhead are a British heavy metal band formed in 1975 by bassist, singer and songwriter Lemmy Kilmister (real name Ian Kilmister) after his ejection from the iconic space-rock band Hawkwind. ... Pungent Stench are a darkly humorous death metal band from Vienna, Austria who formed in 1988. ... Shihad is an alternative rock and post heavy metal band originally from Wellington, New Zealand, where they formed in 1988. ... Corrosion of Conformity is an American heavy metal band. ...

8 Foot Sativa have had many line-up changes (totalling four so far in 2006), claiming they've had "the line-up changes from hell"^[3].

Their most recent album Poison of Ages has been postponed from its May 8, 2006 release date due to contractual issues. Poison of Ages is an unreleased album by New Zealand metal band 8 Foot Sativa. ... May 8 is the 128th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (129th in leap years). ... // January – James Nicholl, drummer of Pay*Ola became ill and was admitted to hospital. ...

History

Early Days (1998-2002)

8 Foot Sativa started when Brent Fox and Gary Smith meet at Massey High School in Auckland, New Zealand^[4]. They both enjoyed metal music and started jamming together. Peter 'Speed' Young from Kelston Boys' High School joined the band as the drummer. 'Fat' Dave was on the bass guitar. In this lineup they were a cover band who would play covers by Pantera, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Sepultura, Metallica and Slayer. In music a singer or vocalist is a type of musician who sings, i. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Martin EB18 Bass Guitar in flight case. ... For other kinds of drums, see drum (disambiguation). ... Hate Made Me is the first album by New Zealand metal band 8 Foot Sativa. ... Season For Assault is the second album by New Zealand metal band 8 Foot Sativa. ... Breed The Pain is the third album by New Zealand metal band 8 Foot Sativa. ... Poison of Ages is an unreleased album by New Zealand metal band 8 Foot Sativa. ... Massey High School is a progressive co-educational state school in Waitakere City, Auckland, New Zealand which educates students years 9 – 13. ... The Auckland Metropolitan Area, or Greater Auckland, in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest urban area in New Zealand. ... Please wikify (format) this article or section as suggested in the Guide to layout and the Manual of Style. ... Pantera was a popular heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas, that formed in 1981. ... Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from East London. ... Judas Priest are a Metal Swing band formed in 1968 in the northwest midlands of England, near Birmingham. ... Sepultura is a Brazilian heavy metal band that began as a thrash metal group in 1984. ... Metallica is an American heavy metal band, formed on October 28, 1981. ... Slayer is an American thrash metal band, formed in 1982 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King in Huntington Park, California. ...

'Fat' Dave would often not turn up to practices, so Brent Fox moved from guitar to bass guitar. The band would meet their next vocalist Ari, at a music school they taught at where he was doing drums. Ari was the first vocalist to do original songs. He wrote the lyrics to the songs 'Fuel Set' , 'Kick it all Away' and 'Engine' . All of which would later end up on the Hate Made Me album.

During this time the band meet Justin 'Jackhammer' Niessen at a mall. According to Gary Smith: "He used to sneak into the gigs and we'd sneak him beers"^[5]. Ari disappeared, not to be seen from by the band for a few years. Niessen then became the new vocalist.

Niessen is famed by many 8 Foot Sativa fans, for occasionally performing his vocals to the point of collapsing. This happened once on NZ music show SPACE while performing 'Destined to be Dead'. NZMusician.com claims that these collapses were due to, "shortage of breath attributed to a lack of vocal training" ^[6].

Hate Made Me (2002)

In 2002, 8 Foot Sativa released their debut album Hate Made Me, and the album has since received gold status within New Zealand ^[7] (To receive gold status in New Zealand the band must sell more than 7,500 copies). Shortly after the release of Hate Made Me, Young left the band reportedly citing 'musical differences'. He was replaced with Sinate drummer, Sam Sheppard. Hate Made Me is the first album by New Zealand metal band 8 Foot Sativa. ... Sinate is a New Zealand metal band. ...

Season For Assault (2003)

In 2003, 8 Foot Sativa released their second album Season For Assault. It is nearing gold status within New Zealand. Season For Assault is the second album by New Zealand metal band 8 Foot Sativa. ...

Niessen resigned from the band two weeks before they were set to fly to Sweden to record their third album (Breed The Pain). The band was only singer-less for two days. Sam Sheppards brother, and fellow Sinate member, Matt Sheppard became 8 Foot Sativa's new vocalist.

Breed The Pain (2005)

With a new vocalist, 8 Foot Sativa released their third album Breed The Pain in 2005. It was recorded at Studio Underground in Sweden. New vocalist Matt Sheppard wrote or co-wrote six of the songs on the album, and his girlfriend did the art-work. Breed The Pain is the third album by New Zealand metal band 8 Foot Sativa. ...

Matt Sheppard & Sam Sheppard left 8 Foot Sativa after the Breed the Pain tour. They reformed their previous band, Sinate. They joined forces with 8 Foot Sativa's guitar technician Sean Parkinson and Antony "Colonel" Folwell from the band Reprobate.

Justin 'Jackhammer' Niessen toured with the band temporarily from September 9 until September 17 playing a four concert tour around New Zealand. This tour also saw new-comers William Cleverdon, and Corey Friedlander join the band. Justin 'Jackhammer' Niessen and the band pulled out songs mainly from Hate Made Me and Season for Assault, the albums which Niessen was in the band for. September 9 is the 252nd day of the year (253rd in leap years). ... September 17 is the 260th day of the year (261st in leap years). ...

Poison Of Ages (2006)

Ben Read, from New Zealand Death Metal band Ulcerate, joined the band as the new vocalist. 8 Foot Sativa, went over to Studio Underground in Sweden again to record their new album titled Poison Of Ages. However Corey Friedlander had injured himself so could not do the drum work on the album. Steven Westerberg, the drummer from Carnal Forge, did the session work for this album. William Cleverdon left the band shortly after this album was recorded. Poison of Ages is an unreleased album by New Zealand metal band 8 Foot Sativa. ... Carnal Forge is a band formed in 1997 by Steven Westerberg and Jari Kuusisto from the band: In Thy Dreams. ...

Recently William Cleverdon rejoined the band on second guitar. Corey Friedlander left due to certain personal reasons, and decided to primarily focus on his other band "Final Eve". Jamie Saint Merat from Ben Read's other band, Ulcerate joined to replace Corey.

On their official forum, Ben Read, the lead vocalist, stated that due to a breached contract, Poision Of Ages would not be able to be released until the band put together $20,000 NZD. However, he promised that the album would be released at some stage. A New Zealand $100 polymer banknote, replacement of the old paper notes. ...

Ben later stated that the album hadn't been mastered due to the recorder not being paid because of the breached contract.

In October 2006 Brent Fox, an 8 Foot Sativa original, decided to leave the band because he wasn't enjoying it anymore. This leaves 8 Foot Sativa with only one original member in the lineup in Gary Smith. No replacement has been announced.

Discography

Albums

Season For Assault Lineup: (from left) Sam Sheppard, Gary Smith, Brent Fox and Justin "Jackhammer" Niessen

Breed The Pain Lineup: (from left) Matt Sheppard, Brent Fox, Gary Smith and Sam Sheppard.

2006 Current Lineup: (from left) William Cleverdon, Gary Smith, Ben Read, Jamie St. Merat.

Cover	Date	Title	Label	Charted	Country
	March 3, 2002	Hate Made Me	Intergalactic Records	#43	New Zealand
	July 14, 2003	Season for Assault	Intergalactic Records	#6	New Zealand
	April 12, 2004	Season for Assault	Roadrunner Records		Australia
	September 13, 2004	Season for Assault	Black Mark Records		Worldwide
	October 18, 2004	Hate Made Me	Black Mark Records		Worldwide
	January 11, 2005	Breed the Pain	Intergalactic Records		New Zealand
	March 7, 2005	Breed the Pain	Black Mark Records		Worldwide
	April 18, 2005	Breed the Pain	Roadrunner Records		Australia
	TBA	Poison of Ages	Black Mark Records		Worldwide

Image File history File linksMetadata Season_For_Assault_Lineup. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Season_For_Assault_Lineup. ... Season For Assault is the second album by New Zealand metal band 8 Foot Sativa. ... Image File history File linksMetadata 050110_sativa_tree_2. ... Image File history File linksMetadata 050110_sativa_tree_2. ... Breed The Pain is the third album by New Zealand metal band 8 Foot Sativa. ... Image File history File links 8Foot2006. ... Image File history File links 8Foot2006. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Hate_Made_Me. ... March 3 is the 62nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (63rd in leap years). ... See also: 2002 in music (UK) other events of 2002 list of years in music 2000s in music // 2002 was marked by significant trends in Rock Music. ... Hate Made Me is the first album by New Zealand metal band 8 Foot Sativa. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Season_For_Assault_NZ.jpg‎ The New Zealand release cover, downloaded from the official site HTTP://www. ... July 14 is the 195th day (196th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 170 days remaining. ... See also: 2003 in music (UK) other events of 2003 list of years in music 2000s in music // January - following an investigation by The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and London detectives, police raids in England and the Netherlands recover nearly 500 original Beatles studio tapes, recorded during the... Season For Assault is the second album by New Zealand metal band 8 Foot Sativa. ... Image File history File links Season_For_Assault. ... April 12 is the 102nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (103rd in leap years). ... See also: 2004 in music (UK) other events of 2004 list of years in music 2000s in music // January 1 Vienna New Years Concert by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in Vienna, conducted by Riccardo Muti Kurt Nilsen wins World Idol January 3 - Britney Spears marries Jason Allen Alexander, a... Roadrunner Records is a major record label that concentrates heavily on nu-metal and post-hardcore bands (with exceptions). ... Image File history File links Season_For_Assault. ... September 13 is the 256th day of the year (257th in leap years). ... Black Mark Productions is an independent record label specializing in extreme metal releases founded by Quorthon, best known as the leader of Bathory until his untimely death in 2004. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Hate_Made_Me_Aus. ... October 18 is the 291st day of the year (292nd in leap years). ... Image File history File linksMetadata Breed_The_Pain. ... January 11 is the 11th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... See also: 2005 in music (UK) 2005 in music (Switzerland) Other events of 2005 List of years in music 2000s in music January 1 - In most of Europe, copyright expired on a number of classic pop and rock and roll songs recorded in 1954 and earlier, including Bill Haleys... Breed The Pain is the third album by New Zealand metal band 8 Foot Sativa. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Breed_The_Pain. ... March 7 is the 66th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (67th in leap years). ... Image File history File linksMetadata Breed_The_Pain. ... April 18 is the 108th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (109th in leap years). ... Image File history File links Poison_Of_Ages. ... Poison of Ages is an unreleased album by New Zealand metal band 8 Foot Sativa. ...

Tracks on various Compilations

See also: 2003 in music (UK) other events of 2003 list of years in music 2000s in music // January - following an investigation by The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and London detectives, police raids in England and the Netherlands recover nearly 500 original Beatles studio tapes, recorded during the... October 9 is the 282nd day of the year (283rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... See also: 2003 in music (UK) other events of 2003 list of years in music 2000s in music // January - following an investigation by The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and London detectives, police raids in England and the Netherlands recover nearly 500 original Beatles studio tapes, recorded during the... February 3 is the 34th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... See also: 2005 in music (UK) 2005 in music (Switzerland) Other events of 2005 List of years in music 2000s in music January 1 - In most of Europe, copyright expired on a number of classic pop and rock and roll songs recorded in 1954 and earlier, including Bill Haleys... May 2 is the 122nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (123rd in leap years). ... See also: 2005 in music (UK) 2005 in music (Switzerland) Other events of 2005 List of years in music 2000s in music January 1 - In most of Europe, copyright expired on a number of classic pop and rock and roll songs recorded in 1954 and earlier, including Bill Haleys...

See Also

• Sinate - The band Sam Shepphard & Matt Shepphard recreated, when they left 8 Foot Sativa.
• Ulcerate - Vocalist Ben Read & Drummer Jamie St. Merat's other band.

Sinate is a New Zealand metal band. ...

References

1. ^ "8 Foot Sativa Biography" Muzic.Net.Nz. URL Accessed July 23, 2006.
2. ^ "Artist Biography: 8 Foot Sativa" Muzic.net.nz. URL Accessed November 28th, 2006.
3. ^ "Legalised Metal: 8 Foot Sativa" NZMusician.com. URL Accessed July 16, 2006.
4. ^ "Artist Biography: 8 Foot Sativa" Amplifier.co.nz. URL Accessed November 28th, 2006.
5. ^ "SoundsNZ talks to 8 Foot Sativa" soundsnz.com. URL Accessed November 23rd, 2006.
6. ^ "8 Foot Sativa: Switched on to Heavy Metal" NZMusician.com. URL Accessed July 16, 2006.
7. ^ "Artist Biography: 8 Foot Sativa" Muzic.net.nz. URL Accessed November 28th, 2006.

External links

• 8 Foot Sativa's Official Website
• 8 Foot Sativa's Official Forums
• 8 Foot Sativa's myspace.com Profile