White Trash (metal band)

White Trash were a heavy metal from Queens, New York. They separated themselves from other bands in their genre with their horn section, called the Badass Brass, which gave them a very funky musical sound. They enjoyed some success in the early 90s before disbanding.

Friends Dave Alvin (vocals) and brothers Ethan (guitar) & Aaron Collins (Bass) formed the band in 1985 and first played together at Aaron's bar mitsvah, doing covers of popular heavy metal bands of the time. They didn't add a drummer until three years later, when Aaron's high school buddy Mike Caldarella joined. They signed to Elektra Records in 1991 and released their self-titled debut album that same year.

The album was fairly successful, fueled by the video for "Apple Pie" which was in heavy rotation on MTV's Buzz Bin. However, they decided to split up because the Collins brothers and Caldarella were not happy with the musical direction the band was headed. While the band was on hiatus, another cut from their album, "The Crawl", was used as the theme song for MTV's The John Stewart Show in 1993.

Alvin reformed White Trash with an entirely new lineup in 1994. Craig LeBlang took over guitar duties, Eric Brodin handled the bass, & Dave Barckow sat behind the drum kit. They released Si O Si, Que?, which did not feature brass as prevalent that same year, but it flopped and White Trash disbanded for good.

Line-Ups

Main Line-Up

*Dave Alvin (vocals)
*Ethan Collins (guitar -- 1985-1991)
*Aaron Collins (bass -- 1985-1991)
*Mike Caldarella (drums -- 1988-1991)
*Craig LeBlang (Guitar -- 1994)
*Eric Brodin (Bass -- 1994)
*Dave Barckow (Drums -- 1994)

Badass Brass

*Brendan Stiles (Trumpet -- both albums)
*Chris Arbisi (Alto Saxophone -- debut album only)
*Terry Thomas (Tenor & Baritone Saxophone -- debut album only)
*Ed (Trobbone -- second album only)
*Bernie Worrell (Clavinet -- second album only)

Discography

Studio albums

* "White Trash", 1991
* "Si O Si, Que?", 1994

External links

* [http://wc06.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&searchlink=WHITE|TRASH&sql=11:gpfyxqt5ld6e~T0 White Trash on the All Music Guide]
* [http://www.metalsludge.tv/home/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=257&Itemid=52 Metal Sludge: 20 Questions with Ethan Collins]