Black President (band)

Infobox musical artist 2
Name = Black President


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Background = group_or_band
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Origin = Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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Genre = Punk rock Hardcore punk
Years_active = 2005–present
Label = Cobra Music
Associated_acts = Bad Religion Circle Jerks Goldfinger Guttermouth Dee Dee Ramone Bullets and Octane Soulfly Nausea Stone Sour The Chelsea Smiles
URL =
Current_members = Christian Martucci Charlie Paulson Jason Christopher Roy Mayorga
Past_members = Greg Hetson Wade Youman Ty Smith Pat "PK" Kim

Black President is an American punk rock supergroup. It was formed in 2005 by Circle Jerks/Bad Religion guitarist Greg Hetson and Goldfinger guitarist Charlie Paulson.

History

The band was originally formed in late 2005 by Hetson and Paulson, who were joined by Jason Christopher (New Dead Radio on bass and vocals, Wade Youman (Unwritten Law) on drums, and Christian Martucci (Dee Dee Ramone) on vocals. [ [http://www.punknews.org/article/20720 "Greg Hetson, Charlie Paulson form Black President."] Punknews.org. November 6, 2006.] The band came up with the name before Barack Obama had announced his 2008 run for the United States presidency. The band addressed the name in a March 2008 Myspace blog post titled "our name & barack obama"sic:

Excerpts from the blog post were quoted in an article on Barack Obama in the Washington Post in which the band was mentioned. [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/03/AR2008060304454_pf.html "Two Words With a Ring Of Possibility."] "Washington Post". June 4, 2008. Retrieved August 22, 2008.]

Since forming, the band has toured with Bad Brains, Guttermouth, the Germs, and Suicidal Tendencies, and performed stints on the 2008-2009 Vans Warped Tour.

On February 25, 2008, the band announced they'd signed a deal with Cobra Music. [ [http://www.punknews.org/article/27848 "Black President signs to Cobra Music."] Punknews.org. February 25, 2008.] At the time of the announcement, Hetson and Youman had left the band and been replaced by Ty Smith (Guttermouth) on drums and Pat "PK" Kim (Unwritten Law) on bass. The band cited Hetson's conflicting commitments with Bad Religion and Circle Jerks as the reason for his departure; no reason was given for Youman's departure. Smith and Kim left the band sometime in 2008, with Smith replaced by Roy Mayorga (Soulfly) and guitar duties picked up by Martucci, reducing the quintet to a 4-piece with Jason Christopher returning on bass.

Their self-titled debut album was released September 16, 2008. The band also filmed a video for the song "Suspects." [ [http://www.punknews.org/article/30138 "Black President post video, new tracks, release date."] Punknews.org. August 20, 2008.] According to a Myspace blog post titled "in the war room," the band recorded 14 songs total: "12 originals, an alice cooper cover & a surprise track to be released early next year."

Current lineup

* Christian Martucci - Vocals, Guitar (2006-present) (see also Dee Dee Ramone, The Chelsea Smiles)
* Charlie Paulson - Guitar (2006-present) (see also Goldfinger)
* Jason Christopher - Bass, Vocals (2006-present) (see also New Dead Radio)
* Roy Mayorga - Drums (2008-present) (see also Soulfly, Nausea, Stone Sour, Amebix)

Former members

* Greg Hetson - Guitar (2006-2008) (see also Bad Religion, Circle Jerks)
* Wade Youman - Drums (2006) (see also Unwritten Law)
* Ty Smith - Drums (2007) (see also Guttermouth, Bullets and Octane)
* Pat "PK" Kim - Bass (2007) (see also Unwritten Law)

Discography

* "Black President" (September 16, 2008, Cobra Music)

References

External links

* [http://www.myspace.com/blackpresident Black President] at Myspace.com