Poison Idea was formed in 1980 by vocalist Jerry A. (aka Jerry Lang). The initial lineup consisted of Jerry A., Chris Tense (bass), and Henry Bogdan (later of Helmet) on drums. Jerry described this early version of the band, in which he sang and played sax, as a "kind of PIL thing" and only lasted a few shows.[3] Jerry and Tense (now on guitar) then hooked up with Glen Estes (bass), and Dean Johnson (drums).[4] Inspired by Black Flag and other early Southern California hardcore acts, they were further influenced by Discharge and Los Angeles's Germs. Germs singer Darby Crash's influence on singer Jerry A., vocally, lyrically, and philosophically, was considerable, and Poison Idea followed the Germs' extremist punk ethic. Tense was replaced within a year by Tom "Pig Champion" Roberts (guitar), formerly of the Imperialist Pigs but he would soon return to the band, this time on bass, replacing Glen Estes (later of Portland, Oregon punk/metal band Final Warning).
Poison Idea's debut, 1983's Pick Your King EP, was a short, lo-fi blast of hardcore fury. The jacket featured a "choice" of two kings, Jesus (front cover) and Elvis Presley (back cover).[4]
In 1984, the group released the Record Collectors Are Pretentious Assholes 12-inch (the cover features Pig Champion's substantial vinyl collection). The record found the band incorporating subtle rock elements into their music, which was further honed on their contributions to two 1985 compilations, "Laughing Boy" on the Drinking is Great EP (on which appeared other Oregon punk bands Final Warning, Lockjaw and E-13), and "Typical" and "Die on Your Knees" on the Cleanse the Bacteria LP (compiled by Pushead for his own Pusmort label).
With the release of 1986's Kings of Punk LP,[4] Poison Idea had fully moved beyond the breakneck hardcore of their early records to a potent, driving and ultimately more intricate and sophisticated hardcore/hard rock fusion that incorporated the accessibility of hard rock without sacrificing the power of hardcore.
Following the release of Kings of Punk, the lineup changed again and the band added lead guitarist Eric "Vegetable" Olsen and drummer Steve "Thee Slayer Hippy" Hanford from local thrash metal band Mayhem. The band then released War All the Time[4] (named for the Charles Bukowski book) in 1987. After the release of War All The Time, Chris Tense departed and was replaced by Craig "Mondo" Lower, also formerly of Mayhem. War All the Time and the EPs that followed (the Getting the Fear 12-inch and the Filthkick 7-inch) found them further developing the rock/hardcore sound first established on Kings of Punk, which they would hone in 1990 with Feel the Darkness.
Membership in Poison Idea continued to fluctuate. Mondo and Vegetable departed. Charley "Myrtle Tickner" Nims joined on bass and on second guitar there was, briefly, Kevin "Kid Cocksman" Sanders and then Aldine Strichnine. They also established their own record label in 1989, American Leather (named for the Germs song), and released two records the same year: a reissue of their 1982 demo Darby Crash Rides Again and the Discontent 7-inch.
In 1990, the band released Feel the Darkness.[4] After the album's release, Aldine Strycnine was thrown out of the band, and Mondo returned, this time on guitar, for the 1991 tour. Poison Idea then released Blank Blackout Vacant in 1992, and We Must Burn in 1993.[4] By this time, their drinking habits and hard living were beginning to catch up with them: the band weighed in at about 1,300 lb. collectively, and Pig Champion in particular was very fat, often having to play sitting down.[5] After the release of We Must Burn, Pig Champion announced he was no longer willing to tour. The band's final hometown show with Pig Champion was recorded and released as the Pig's Last Stand CD by Sub Pop in 1996. The group continued on briefly as a 4-piece (as documented on the 1995 Your Choice Live release) before calling it quits. Jerry and Thee Slayer Hippy would soon form a short-lived band with Jerry's wife, May May Del Castro, called The Gift. A few years later, Jerry resurrected Poison Idea with Dean Johnson, Chris Tense and new guitarist Ian Miller. This lineup appeared on 1998's Learning To Scream 7-inch but the band dissolved shortly afterwards.
Reformation and recent events
Jerry and Pig Champion resurrected Poison Idea again with new members in 2000 to record new material. This material was released in 2006 as The Latest Will and Testament LP. Prior to the album's release, on January 31, 2006, Tom "Pig Champion" Roberts was found dead in his home.[6]
On October 6, 2008, Portland police arrested Steve "Thee Slayer Hippy" Hanford, 39, in connection with a string of pharmacy robberies in late summer.[7][8]
In 2015, Poison Idea released the LP Confuse & Conquer on Southern Lord Records. The album featured the return of former guitarist Eric "Vegetable" Olsen and is, as of 2022, their last studio LP.
After a 19 month absence, the band returned for one show on July 21, 2018, at the Bossanova Ballroom in Portland, Oregon. It was in celebration of the release of Feel the Darkness 28 years prior. A remixed and remastered album including B-sides, outtakes, alternate mixes, plus Live in London, has been re-issued by American Leather / TKO Records.
In December 2018, Metallica performed a cover of Poison Idea's "Taken By Surprise," a track from Feel the Darkness.[9]
It was stated that in Portland, at the Northwest Hesh Fest, September 19–21, 2019, the band would, "reportedly play their last-ever hometown show."[10]
Steven "Thee Slayer Hippy" Hanford, the band's former drummer, died of heart attack at age 50 on May 22, 2020.[11][12]
In 2022, Jerry A. Lang released a three-part autobiography entitled Black Heart Fades Blue through Rare Bird Books.[13]
^The Oregonian – Portland
Man, 39, is arrested in pharmacy robberies Tips to Crime Stoppers helped Portland police arrest Steven Judd Hanford, 39, in connection with a string of pharmacy robberies in late summer.
Hanford was arraigned Tuesday in Multnomah County Circuit Court. His next court date is October 15.
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