Editing Front Line Assembly (section)

===Formation (1985–1986)===
Between 1985 and 1986, Bill Leeb performed with [[Skinny Puppy]] under the name Wilhelm Schroeder, a combination of his first name and the name of the [[Schroeder (Peanuts)|Peanuts character]] and was meant as a joke.<ref name="eklectiqueinterview">{{cite web | url=http://www.darkwaver.com/eklectique/two/frontline.html | title=Front Line Assembly | publisher=Eklectique Magazine | last=Porter | first=Alicia | date=November 8, 1998 | access-date=July 13, 2014}}</ref> Leeb had no musical training, and learned to play synthesizer while contributing [[bass synth]] and backing vocals for the band.<ref name="barcodeinterviewkey">{{cite web |url=http://www.barcodezine.com/Cevin%20Key%20Interview.htm |title=cEvin Key interview |date=2003 |publisher=Barcode |access-date=August 7, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407055306/http://www.barcodezine.com/Cevin%20Key%20Interview.htm |archive-date=April 7, 2014 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="phoenixnewtimesinterview">{{cite web |url=http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2011-06-02/music/front-line-assembly-leads-cyborg-armies-through-post-apocalyptic-soundscapes/full/ |title=Front Line Assembly Leads Cyborg Armies Through Post-Apocalyptic Soundscapes |last=Raven |first=Daniel |date=June 2, 2011 |website=Phoenix New Times | access-date=August 7, 2014}}</ref> He also supported their 1985 tour.<ref name="joeradiointerview1988">{{cite web | url=http://www.darkdb.com/eklein/intervw/fla1.html | title=Interview: Front Line Assembly | last=Radio | first=Joe | date=April 24, 1988 | access-date=March 31, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416174519/http://www.darkdb.com/eklein/intervw/fla1.html | archive-date=April 16, 2014 | url-status=dead }}</ref> Not prepared for another tour, Leeb left Skinny Puppy in early 1986.<ref name="barcodeinterviewkey" />

Having developed some instrumental skills and music industry experience,<ref name="mphistory">{{cite web | url=http://www.mindphaser.com/archive/history/ | title=History | publisher=Mindphaser.com | access-date=March 31, 2014 | archive-date=February 4, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140204084113/http://www.mindphaser.com/archive/history/ | url-status=dead }}</ref> and wanting to do more vocal work,<ref name="mplivelyartsinterview" /> Leeb decided to take the risk of starting his own project.<ref name="phoenixnewtimesinterview" /><ref name="chaoscontrolinterview93">{{cite web | url=http://www.chaoscontrol.com/front-line-assembly-3/ | title=Front Line Assembly | publisher=Chaos Control Magazine | date=1993 | access-date=July 21, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120411143127/http://www.chaoscontrol.com/front-line-assembly-3/ | archive-date=April 11, 2012 | url-status=dead }}</ref>  Leeb decided to call the project Front Line Assembly to reflect his belief that strength lies in working together.<ref name="mplivelyartsinterview" />

Leeb started by producing a demo tape, ''[[Nerve War]]'', which was distributed on a limited basis. Contacts in the music scene he had gathered while with Skinny Puppy led to contract offers from the first two labels that Leeb later approached with cassettes.<ref name="chaoscontrolinterview93" />

Around this time, Leeb and Rhys Fulber became friends when they discovered they both had a similar interest in underground music. As an unofficial member at this time, Fulber partnered with Leeb during the production of ''[[Total Terror]]'' and was credited for the song "Black Fluid" on the demo. Both demo releases were limited to 100 and mostly distributed amongst friends.<ref name="joeradiointerview1988" />