Musician
Podcast guestBill Lindsey
Lead screamer and founder of Impaler, the Twin Cities shock rock band that started in 1983 and signed with Combat Records.
Bill Lindsey is the lead screamer of Impaler, a Twin Cities shock rock band Bill started in early 1983. Hearing Slade's Mama Weer All Crazee Now and Alice Cooper's School's Out around 1973 hooked Bill on rock, and the Alice Cooper group became Bill's band. Bill began writing lyrics around 13 and joined a first band, Blind Luck, at about 14; it later became Fear No Evil. Inspired by Minneapolis punk bands like the Replacements and Husker Du that did everything themselves, Bill steered Impaler toward all-original hard rock and metal instead of playing radio covers for booking agents. Demo tapes, fanzine reviews and help from Richard Lewis of Twin City Imports led to a deal with Combat Records after only about a dozen shows. Impaler's horror-movie record art landed it in the middle of the 1980s PMRC fight, and talk shows held up its album as an example, which only brought more attention. The band has played Europe, including the Headbangers Open Air and Hell's Pleasure festivals, and still builds its own props and stage show today.
On the Minnesota Music Note
The Minnesota Music Note - Ep 69 - 45 Years of Shock Rock with Bill Lindsey (Impaler)
3w ago
Open episode pageFun facts from the interview
- Started Impaler in early spring 1983 with bassist Court, who is back in the band today.
- First band was Blind Luck, which later became Fear No Evil.
- Alice Cooper's School's Out and Slade's Mama Weer All Crazee Now made Bill want to rock.
- Saw local bands like Dare Force, Paradox, Obsession, Brainiac and Fragile as a teen.
- Impaler signed with Combat Records after about 12 shows and was licensed to Music for Nations in Europe.
- Impaler's first record sleeve was held up on talk shows during the PMRC hearings era.
- In 1996 Best Buy made Impaler sticker over a CD cover, and local press took the band's side.
- The gut-pulling stage bit comes from the original Night of the Living Dead.
- Played the Headbangers Open Air and Hell's Pleasure festivals and clubs in Germany and Switzerland.
- Had a release on the Danish label Horror Records.
- Dr. Corpse sings with Bill and handles much of the stage theatrics.
- Also sings in The World's Forgotten Boys, a Stooges tribute with Wayne Zerr on bass.
- Makes full-size Halloween figures and props, some of which end up in the show.
- Recommended guests: Nate Toll of Extermination Day, Joe Anderson of Rad Enhancer, Roland of Dumpster Juice and Dave of Wolf Mask.
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