Take The Blame

Similar in style and approach to such industrial metal outfits as Ministry and KMFDM, Gravity Kills followed in their predecessor's path but ultimately failed to cause as big a splash. Guitarist Matt Dudenhoffer, keyboard player Douglas Firley, and bassist/drummer Kurt Kerns had been kicking around in various St. Louis, MO, bands since the mid-'80s, but the chance to land a song on a compilation by KPNT-FM got them together to record. The prospective hit makers had no vocalist, however, so Kerns called his cousin, Jeff Scheel, in Dallas in 1994. The industrial-techno group recorded an original composition, called "Guilty," in three days, called themselves Gravity Kills, and made the compilation. Soon after, "Guilty" became the station's most-requested song and gathered airplay around the U.S. and Canada, leading to the group signing a recording contract with Wax Trax!/TVT. Gravity Kills' appeal was widened by appearances on the soundtracks for Mortal Kombat and Seven (Se7en) and in March of 1996, the quartet released their self-titled debut album, promoting the release by supporting the Sex Pistols on their reunion tour of America.