Verbal Abuse (band)
Verbal Abuse is an American hardcore punk/crossover thrash band formed in Houston in 1981. They were one of the early bands of hardcore punk. In 1983, they relocated to San Francisco where they recorded a solid hardcore album which remains a classic. By 1985, along with multiple band member changes, they had transitioned to a crossover thrash sound, becoming a significant part of the nascent California crossover thrash scene. Eventually they settled in Oakland, California. Early years (1981-1983) Verbal Abuse was established in 1981 by 17-year-old singer and songwriter Nicki Sicki, former member of the bands Sick Pleasure and Legionnaire's Disease. Radi Kilowatt handled the bass duties, his brother General Electric (aka G.E.) was the original guitarist, and John Glenn played drums. The band members lived together in a church, where Radi was working. G.E. left the band after claiming to have found religion and declaring that Nicki Sicki was evil. He was replaced by guitarist Joie Mastrokalos. During this early period, drummer Jason Riquelmy from the band Skate Death occasionally assumed drum duties when John Glenn was not available. In February 1983, Glenn was advised by a native American spiritual adviser named Rolling Thunder not to travel with the