Spineshank was an Los Angeles, CA, USA Grammy-nominated alternative metal b… Read Full Bio ↴Spineshank was an Los Angeles, CA, USA Grammy-nominated alternative metal band.

Began in February of 1996, rising from the ashes of a previous band, Basic Enigma (which included future Spineshank members Jonny Santos on vocals, Mike Sarkisyan on guitars, and Tom Decker on drums). Basic Enigma broke up but soon reformed with a different sound and moniker, and a new bassist (Robert Garcia).

The band soon befriended Fear Factory guitarist Dino Cazares, who upon hearing their demo, offered the new band to open a show for F.F. at the Whiskey A-Go-Go in Los Angeles. This led to other coveted opening slots (with such popular acts as Coal Chamber, Snot, Soulfly, Sepultura and Danzig, among others), and label interest, with Roadrunner eventually signing the band. Their debut, Strictly Diesel, was released in September of 1998, and featured yet another tie-in with their favorite band, Fear Factory vocalist Burton C. Bell sings on the track Stain. The Height of Callousness followed two years later. Two singles were released off of this album (as well as became available in video form); Synthetic & New Disease. The band would hold a second stage slot on Ozzfest 2001 for the majority of that summer as well as touring with the likes of Disturbed, (Hed) P.E., Orgy& Mudvayne.

2003 saw the release of the much anticipated Self Destructive Pattern, as well as the single Smothered.

After the departure of Jonny Santos in 2004, the remaining members searched for a new vocalist and stated earlier in 2005 they have been working with a new vocalist. No name was given and no other news has been reported since then. Jonny Santos has since re-emerged in a new band dubbed Silent Civilian.

After a very long wait, Spineshank updated their official website (11/7/2005) with news that the band had found a new vocalist in Brandon Espinoza and that they had been working together for a month and had recorded 5 songs during this time. The band goes on to say that their new music is: "still heavy and dynamic with melody, but its a little darker and more raw. Our sound is a little different from what a lot of bands are doing these days and we wont be jumping on any bandwagons to fit in, we're just writing what feels right to us. So far there are no loops or electronics, and no plan to use them any time soon." It also went on to say that the future of the band was very much in doubt, unless they found the ideal replacement for Jonny Santos.

Almost 3 years later, on September 18, 2008, the band issued a press release from their myspace page, stating that the issues that led to the break up have been put behind them and they are working together better than they have before. The band has completed 5 songs since reuniting and plan to write 15 more before recording their new album. One of the new songs, "Born Conform Repent" can be heard at the band's myspace page.

Spineshank's long-awaited fourth studio album "Anger Denial Acceptance" is set to be released June 19, 2012 through Century Media.

After years of silence, The band's Facebook page responded to a post on July 26, 2017 when a fan had asked about Spineshank's status, simply stating "Sorry, Spineshank is broken up. Thanks for the support over the years."

Strictly Diesel
Spineshank Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Conceiving nothing
A precious life with bad intentions
At first it had to breathe
Evolved to gasoline
A strictly diesel-minded soul proves to

Grow and steal
When you try to make us fall, you're starting the machine

Grow and steal
Starting the machine with my scars

You try to direct my sight

Involving something
A greedy world with biased minds
A past repeats itself
We vent until it swells
A strictly diesel-minded soul proves to

Grow and steal
When you try to make us fall, you're starting the machine
Grow and steal
Starting the machine with my scars

You try to direct my sight

Grow and steal
When you try to make us fall, you're starting the machine
Grow and steal
Starting the machine with my scars

You try to direct my sight

Overall Meaning

The song Strictly Diesel by Spineshank is a powerful commentary on the destructive nature of greed and corruption in society. The lyrics speak to the concept of a "strictly diesel-minded soul" that has evolved from a "precious life with bad intentions" to a "greedy world with biased minds." This soul is represented as a machine that can be activated and controlled by those who seek to exploit and subjugate others.

The chorus of the song, which repeats the phrase "Grow and steal," speaks to the idea that this machine is fueled by the oppression and suffering of others. Those who seek to make the machine fall are seen as its enemies, and their efforts only serve to fuel its power.

The final line, "You try to direct my sight," suggests that the song is a call to action for listeners to resist the influences of the "greedy world" and instead seek to live with integrity and compassion.

Line by Line Meaning

Conceiving nothing
Starting with no plan or purpose

A precious life with bad intentions
A life that is treasured but has negative motives

At first it had to breathe
Initially needed to simply exist

Evolved to gasoline
Developed into a powerful fuel source

A strictly diesel-minded soul proves to
A person who is set only on their own goals shows that they can

Grow and steal
They will continue to flourish and take what they want

When you try to make us fall, you're starting the machine
Attempts to bring them down only fuels their drive

Starting the machine with my scars
Their past wounds are what propels them forward

You try to direct my sight
Others attempt to control their perspective

Involving something
Being included or a part of something bigger

A greedy world with biased minds
Living in a world where people are selfish and close-minded

A past repeats itself
History often repeats and cycles through time

We vent until it swells
People express their frustrations and emotions until it builds up and becomes explosive