page_title: Overkill (band)
section_title: Early years (1980–1983)
hierarchical_section_title: Overkill (band) / History / Early years (1980–1983)
caption_attribution_description: Deutsch: Die US-amerikanische Thrash-Metal-Band Overkill bei ihrem Auftritt am Jalometalli 2008 in Oulu. Im Vordergrund Bobby „Blitz“ Ellsworth, dahinter Bassist D. D. Verni English: American thrash metal band Overkill live at Jalometalli 2008 in Oulu.
context_page_description: Overkill is an American thrash metal band, formed in 1980 in New Jersey. They have gone through many line-up changes, leaving bassist D. D. Verni and lead vocalist Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth as the only constant members. In addition to Verni and Ellsworth, Overkill's current lineup includes Dave Linsk on lead guitar, Derek Tailer on rhythm guitar and Jason Bittner on drums. Along with Nuclear Assault and Anthrax, whose one-time lead guitarist Dan Spitz was also an early member of Overkill, the band is one of the most successful East Coast thrash metal bands, and they are often called "the Motörhead of thrash metal", based on their unique playing style, which was influenced by punk rock and the new wave of British heavy metal. The band has a notable mascot named "Chaly", a skeletal bat with a skull-like face, horns, bony wings and green eyes, who has appeared on most of their album covers.
  To date, Overkill has released nineteen studio albums, an album of cover songs, two EPs, one demo tape and three live albums.
context_section_description: Overkill was formed in 1980 from the ashes of the punk band "the Lubricunts", featuring bassist D. D. Verni and drummer Rat Skates. Verni and Skates placed an ad looking for a guitarist and lead singer which was answered by guitarist Robert Pisarek and singer Bobby Ellsworth and the first incarnation of Overkill was formed. After rejecting several names, including "Virgin Killer," the band finally settled on "Overkill," named after Motörhead's famed album.
  Early covers, especially those done under the "Virgin Killer" name, were punk songs by the Ramones, Dead Boys and others. By late 1980, the band's setlist was made up of songs by bands such as Motörhead (Overkill, half of the Ace of Spades album), Judas Priest ("Tyrant" was their closer), and Riot. Along with the new influx of heavy metal covers, the band still played a smattering of punk covers, with extra distortion, intensity, and speed. In 1981, the band went through a succession of guitarists after Robert Pisarek left, first being replaced by Dan Spitz and Anthony Ammendola, then Rich Conte and Mike Sherry, before settling with Bobby Gustafson in late 1982/early 1983. It was around this time that the band started writing original songs, including "Grave Robbers" (later renamed "Raise the Dead"), "Overkill", and "Unleash the Beast (Within)". More songs would follow, such as "Death Rider" (1981) and "Rotten to the Core" (1982). As the band continued to write songs, they became a staple at New York and New Jersey clubs, such as L'Amours.
caption: Verni (right) gave Ellsworth (left) the nickname "Blitz" due to his over the top lifestyle.
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