Mercy Killers

Mercy Killers
Origin	Los Angeles, CA, USA
Genres	Punk rock Gothic punk
Years active	2005–2006, 2009–present
Labels	Hellcat Records
Members
Craig Fairbaugh Shane Gallagher Sam Soto Colin Barill

Mercy Killers is a goth/punk band from Los Angeles. It was formed in 2005 by future members of electro pop/punk band (+44). These were guitarists Craig Fairbank and Shane Gallagher, who continued with the project after the reformation of Blink 182 in 2009

Members

• Craig Fairbaugh - lead guitar and vocals. Fairbaugh is also guitarist in the band +44, and former member of several other bands including Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards, Transplants, Juliette and The Licks,and The Forgotten.
• Sam Soto aka. Sampire - bass and vocals. Co-founder of the band Original Sinners and former member of Sluts for Hire.
• Colin Barill - drums. Former member of Irish band The Gurriers.
• Shane Gallagher - guitar. also the guitarist of +44, and of The Nervous Return.

Biography

Craig Fairbaugh

It didn't take young Fairbaugh long to figure out what his calling in life would be. At a young age, picking up a guitar would set a course that has taken him to almost every corner of the globe, as well as into the company of Barrill and Soto. While on tour playing guitar with Transplants, friend and band-mate Tim Armstrong would tell Fairbaugh of the mysterious Mr. Soto. He described him as someone Fairbaugh should get in contact with. While on tour playing guitar with Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards, he would meet Barrill in a smokey rock club in Dublin

Sam Soto

Better known to friends (and enemies/victims) as Sampire, this young man would prove to be the sort of company a Mercy Killer would be wise in keeping. Soto was a member of Sluts For Hire, as well as co-founder of the group Original Sinners with Exene Cervenka of X.

Colin Berrill

It took our fearless Mercy Killers to the far reaches of Ireland to find their rhythmic foundation. Berrill, a long-time member of punk group 'The Gurriers', was the final piece in forming this trio. Bringing great skill and death-defying stamina from his hometown of Dundalk, this young Irishman would become Fairbaugh and Soto's backbone. The demos that Fairbaugh and Soto recorded to a drum machine would be brought to life in a major way. Also a founder member of the legendary Dundalk punk band 'The Gakk'.

Shane Gallagher

A self taught guitarist, Shane decided fairly early the music was his one and only calling. Fairbaugh brought him in from their other band +44 after the release of Bloodlove.

Release

The debut release of the Mercy Killers self-titled EP on Rancid Records and a subsequent recording deal with Hellcat Records.

As products of the original "punk" movement, the members of Mercy Killers carry the torch with the strength of 10 men. Growing up on bands like The Damned, T.S.O.L., Generation X and The Clash has provided Fairbaugh and Co. with the inspiration needed to create something new and refreshing, all the while keeping in mind the threatening poise and noise of their punk-rock forefathers. It is evident on their debut release that there is true chemistry between the members of this clandestine musical society...

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Discography

• Mercy Killers (EP) (2005)
• Bloodlove (2006)

References

• Mercy Killers on allmusic
• Epitaph Records - Artist Info
• Hell cat records
• Mercy Killers on myspace