Editing Flotsam and Jetsam (band)

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Short description|American thrash metal band}}
{{Original research|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = Flotsam and Jetsam
| image             = Brutal Assault 2014.jpg
| caption           = Flotsam and Jetsam at the [[Brutal Assault|Brutal Assault Festival]] in 2014
| image_upright     = 1.2
| alias             = Paradox (1981–1982)<br />Dredlox (1982–1983)<br />Dogz (1983–1984)
| origin            = [[Phoenix, Arizona]], U.S.
| genre             = {{hlist|[[Thrash metal]]|[[power metal]]|[[speed metal]]|[[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]]}}
| years_active      = 1981–present
| label             = {{flatlist|
* [[Driven Music Group]]
* [[Metal Blade Records|Metal Blade]]
* [[Elektra Records|Elektra]]
* [[MCA Records|MCA]]
* Crash Music
* [[AFM Records|AFM]]}}
| website           = {{URL|https://www.flotstildeath.com}}
| current_members   = Eric "A.K." Knutson<br />Michael Gilbert<br />Steve Conley<br />[[Ken Mary]]<br />Bill Bodily
| past_members      = Mark Vazquez<br />Kevin Horton<br />[[Jason Newsted]]<br />Phil Rind<br />[[Troy Gregory]]<br />Jason Ward<br />Craig Nielsen<br />Mark Simpson<br />Edward Carlson<br />Kelly David-Smith<br />[[Jason Bittner]]<br />Michael Spencer
}}

'''Flotsam and Jetsam''' is an American [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]] band that was formed in [[Phoenix, Arizona]], in 1981. Before settling on its current name in 1984, the band was known as '''Paradox''', '''Dredlox''' and '''Dogz'''. Their current lineup includes vocalist Eric "A.K" Knutson, guitarists Michael Gilbert and Steve Conley, bassist Bill Bodily, and drummer [[Ken Mary]]. Flotsam and Jetsam went through several lineup changes over the years, leaving Knutson as the only constant member. They are also notable for featuring a then-unknown [[Jason Newsted]], who was Flotsam and Jetsam's bassist from 1981 to 1986, when he left the band shortly after the release of their [[Doomsday for the Deceiver|debut album]] to join [[Metallica]].

Flotsam and Jetsam has released fifteen studio albums in their career, with the latest being 2024's ''[[I Am the Weapon (album)|I Am the Weapon]]''. The band emerged as part of the second wave of thrash metal during the mid-to-late 1980s (along with [[Sepultura]], [[Testament (band)|Testament]] and [[Death Angel]]),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rockencadena.home.blog/2019/06/05/programa-no8|title=Programa Nº8 – Rock en Cadena|website=rockencadena.home.blog|date=June 5, 2019 |access-date=September 3, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.stubhub.com/flotsam-and-jetsam-tickets/performer/100277712/|title=Flotsam and Jetsam Tickets – Flotsam and Jetsam Concert Tickets and Tour Dates|website=Stubhub.com|access-date=March 21, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://ramentertainment.com/flotsam-and-jetsam|title=Flotsam And Jetsam – RAM Entertainment|website=Ramentertainment.com|access-date=March 21, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://metalnation.com/artist-of-the-month-january-2020-annihilator/|title=Artist of the Month- January 2020: ANNIHILATOR|website=Metalnation.com|access-date=March 21, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://metalmegalomania.com/2019/02/15/a-look-back-at-flotsam-and-jetsams-1986-debut-doomsday-for-the-deceiver/|title=A Look Back at Flotsam and Jetsam's 1986 Debut: "Doomsday for the Deceiver"|website=Metalmegalomania.com|access-date=March 21, 2020|archive-date=July 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731194440/https://metalmegalomania.com/2019/02/15/a-look-back-at-flotsam-and-jetsams-1986-debut-doomsday-for-the-deceiver/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/flotsam_and_jetsam_writing_new_album.html|title=Flotsam and Jetsam Writing New Album|publisher=[[Ultimate Guitar]]|access-date=June 23, 2022|date=June 23, 2022}}</ref> and achieved moderate success with the albums ''[[No Place for Disgrace]]'' (1988), ''[[When the Storm Comes Down]]'' (1990) and ''[[Cuatro (Flotsam and Jetsam album)|Cuatro]]'' (1992), with the first two entering the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart and the latter cracking the top 30 on the [[Top Heatseekers|Heatseekers]] chart.<ref>{{cite web|title=Flotsam and Jetsam – Billboard|url=http://www.billboard.com/music/flotsam-and-jetsam|website=Billboard.com|access-date=November 17, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Flotsam and Jetsam Chart History|url=http://www.billboard.com/music/flotsam-and-jetsam/chart-history/heatseekers-albums|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180507045219/https://www.billboard.com/music/flotsam-and-jetsam/chart-history/heatseekers-albums|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 7, 2018|website=Billboard.com|access-date=November 17, 2017}}</ref>

== Band history ==
=== 1981–1986: Early days ===
The group was founded in 1981 under the name Paradox by drummer Kelly David-Smith and guitarists Pete Mello and Dave Goulder, who were later joined by bassist [[Jason Newsted]].<ref name="LarkinHR">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=1999|edition=First|isbn=0-7535-0257-7|page=167}}</ref> Newsted had answered an advertisement that David-Smith had placed in the local newspaper, looking for a bass player. Newsted came to Phoenix with his band Gangster, from Michigan, on their way to California, but Gangster broke up while in Phoenix. David-Smith got a call from a couple of his high school friends, Mark Vasquez and Kevin Horton, looking for some people to jam with playing covers of bands such as [[Iron Maiden]], [[Judas Priest]], [[Michael Schenker Group|MSG]], and [[UFO (band)|UFO]]. The band then morphed into Dredlox together with the new recruits, and Newsted was now the main vocalist.

David-Smith saw "A.K." (Eric A. Knutson) singing "The Goodbye Girl" at his high school talent show. In 1982, they were in the same summer school class and David-Smith asked Knutson if he wanted to audition. They put him on two-week probation and he later joined the band. Due to the provisional nature of his membership, the band referred to Knutson as "the 2 weeker". Ed Carlson, from another local rival band called Exodus (not to be confused with the San Francisco [[Bay Area thrash metal]] band of [[Exodus (band)|the same name]]), also joined in 1983, after Horton's departure from the band. The name of the band changed into The Dogz, but it did not last long. Eventually the band renamed itself "Flotsam and Jetsam", after writing a song inspired by a chapter (Book III, chapter 9) from [[J. R. R. Tolkien]]'s ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', which bore the same name.{{cn|date=December 2020}}

The band made its live debut in local clubs and in California and had the opportunity to play with bands such as [[Megadeth]], [[Armored Saint]], [[Alcatrazz]], [[Malice (US band)|Malice]], [[Exciter (band)|Exciter]], [[Mercyful Fate]], [[Riot V|Riot]], [[Autograph (American band)|Autograph]] and [[Icon (band)|Icon]].<ref name="metallipromo">{{cite web|url=http://metallipromo.com/flotsam.html|title=Flotsam And Jetsam|website=Metallipromo.com|access-date=June 12, 2017}}</ref> In 1985, Mark Vasquez stepped out and then-17-year-old Michael Gilbert joined the band. Flotsam and Jetsam released two demo tapes ''Iron Tears'' and ''Metal Shock'' that same year.

They created their first video "Hammerhead" from the ''Metal Shock'' demo: "We taped it in Jason and Ed's apartment living room. We also made a live video at the infamous Bootlegger in Phoenix" (owned by Gloria Cavalera, currently married to [[Max Cavalera]]). These videos and the band's demos made a good impression on record labels. After the band contributed to the ''Speed Metal Hell II'' and ''[[Metal Massacre VII]]'' compilations, they then signed a deal with [[Metal Blade Records]].<ref name="LarkinHR" />

=== 1986–1989: ''Doomsday for the Deceiver'' and ''No Place for Disgrace'' ===
Flotsam and Jetsam recorded their debut album ''[[Doomsday for the Deceiver]]''<ref name="LarkinHR" /> in Los Angeles, with producer [[Brian Slagel]] and engineer Bill Metoyer. The album was released on July 4, 1986, and was the first in ''[[Kerrang!]]''{{'}}s history to achieve the 6K rating.{{cn|date=May 2025}}

Newsted, who was also the band's main lyric writer, departed soon after to join [[Metallica]],<ref name="LarkinHR" /> replacing their bassist [[Cliff Burton]], who died in a bus accident. On Halloween night 1986, he played his last gig with Flotsam and Jetsam.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Baltin|first1=Steve|title=Q&A: Jason Newsted On New Album and Reconnecting With Metallica|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/q-a-jason-newsted-on-new-album-and-reconnecting-with-metallica-20130502|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=May 2, 2013}}</ref> The band had asked another local bassist Phil Rind of [[Sacred Reich]] to fill in for a short time. They then hired Michael Spencer from the Sacramento band Sentinel Beast. Flotsam and Jetsam signed a deal with Metallica's then-label [[Elektra Records]] before opening for [[Megadeth]] in 1987 on the ''[[Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?|Peace Sells]]'' [[Wake Up Dead Tour|tour]] in Europe and North America. After touring with Megadeth, the band played selected shows in America with [[Slayer]], [[Dark Angel (band)|Dark Angel]], [[Possessed (band)|Possessed]], [[Celtic Frost]], [[Sacred Reich]] and [[Excel (band)|Excel]].<ref name=metallipromo />

Michael Spencer left Flotsam and Jetsam shortly after a U.S. tour in the fall of 1987; his replacement was [[Troy Gregory]].<ref name="LarkinHR" /> Their second studio album, ''[[No Place for Disgrace]]'', was released in May 1988, and includes a cover of [[Elton John]]'s hit "[[Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting]]",<ref name="LarkinHR" /> for which a music video was shot. The band toured heavily behind ''No Place for Disgrace'' throughout 1988 and 1989. They opened for [[King Diamond]] in North America, and supported [[Megadeth]], [[Testament (band)|Testament]] and [[Sanctuary (band)|Sanctuary]] in Europe on the ''[[So Far, So Good... So What!]]'' [[So Far, So Good...So What! Tour|tour]]. The band also toured or played shows with [[Testament (band)|Testament]], [[Crumbsuckers|The Crumbsuckers]], [[Fates Warning]], [[Destruction (band)|Destruction]], [[Metal Church]], [[Death Angel]], [[Dirty Rotten Imbeciles|D.R.I.]], [[Acid Reign]] and [[Kreator]], and landed a billing for festivals, such as Milwaukee Metalfest, and played at Aardschokdag twice (in May 1988 and April 1989).<ref name=metallipromo /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.songkick.com/festivals/1188978-aardschokdag/id/22260873-aardschokdag-1989|title=Aardschokdag 1989 Arnhem Line-up, Photos & Videos Apr 1989|website=Songkick.com|access-date=June 12, 2017}}</ref>

=== 1989–1995: MCA era ===
In 1989, Flotsam and Jetsam were signed to [[MCA Records]] and began work on their third album ''[[When the Storm Comes Down]]'', which was released in May 1990.<ref name="LarkinHR" /> The band expected to gain recognition with this album, but it suffered from a variety of mixed reviews. A video made for "Suffer the Masses" did however receive heavy rotation on [[MTV]]'s ''[[Headbangers Ball]]''.<ref name="hbb">{{cite web|url=https://www.headbangersballunofficialtributesite.com/episode-database|title=Headbangers Ball- The Unofficial Tribute Site – Episode Database|website=Headbangersballunofficialtributesite.com|access-date=April 25, 2021|archive-date=May 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170529021919/https://www.headbangersballunofficialtributesite.com/episode-database|url-status=dead}}</ref> Musically and lyrically, ''When the Storm Comes Down'' marked the beginning of at least two changes for Flotsam and Jetsam: it mirrored much of the occult and dark themes evidenced in the lyrical content of their previous two albums, instead focusing on politics and society in general, and saw the band expanding their thrash roots and using elements of the [[progressive metal|progressive and technical]] style of their later albums. The band toured for about a year and a half in support of ''When the Storm Comes Down''; they co-headlined a U.S. tour with [[Prong (band)|Prong]], and subsequently toured or played selected shows with bands such as [[Testament (band)|Testament]], [[Savatage]], [[Exodus (band)|Exodus]], [[Vio-lence|Vio-Lence]], [[Sacred Reich]], [[Wrathchild America]] and then-unknown [[Pantera]].<ref name=metallipromo /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://metallipromo.com/pantera.html|title=Pantera|website=Metallipromo.com|access-date=July 2, 2017}}</ref>

Shortly after the ''When the Storm Comes Down'' tour ended, bassist Troy Gregory departed to join [[Prong (band)|Prong]]. Holding auditions in Phoenix, the band hired Jason Ward to fill the role. With Ward as their new bassist, Flotsam and Jetsam released their fourth album ''[[Cuatro (Flotsam and Jetsam album)|Cuatro]]'' in October 1992.<ref name="LarkinHR" /> It marked an evolution in style and songwriting, moving from thrash to a slower, slightly more, melodic sound, while also continuing the progressive and technical song structures used on ''When the Storm Comes Down''. The band released four singles this time, two of which ("Swatting at Flies" and "Wading Through the Darkness") were shot as music videos and both received regular rotation on ''Headbangers Ball''.<ref name="hbb" /> Flotsam and Jetsam promoted ''Cuatro'' with a year-long tour, playing with bands like [[Body Count (band)|Body Count]], [[Sepultura]], [[Testament (band)|Testament]], [[White Zombie (band)|White Zombie]], [[Nudeswirl]] and [[Damn the Machine]], as well as doing a US tour with [[Mercyful Fate]], [[Cathedral (band)|Cathedral]] and [[Anacrusis]].<ref name=metallipromo />

Slowing down after the moderate success of their previous albums, it took nearly three years until Flotsam and Jetsam released their fifth album ''[[Drift (Flotsam and Jetsam album)|Drift]]'' in April 1995, which was dedicated to Jason's older brother [[Jeff Ward (musician)|Jeff Ward]], former drummer of such bands as [[Nine Inch Nails]], [[Ministry (band)|Ministry]], Revolting Cocks and [[Lard (band)|Lard]], who died in 1993. Three singles were released off of the record, and one of them ("Smoked Out") had a music video. However, with ''Headbangers Ball'' already off the air in the U.S., and many heavy metal radio stations changing formats, ''Drift'' did not sell as well as the band's previous albums, and about the same time they toured the U.S. with [[Megadeth]] and [[Korn]] during the summer of 1995, MCA's six-year relationship with Flotsam and Jetsam had ended.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.flotsam-and-jetsam.com/|title=History|website=Flotsam-and-jetsam.com|access-date=July 17, 2021}}</ref>

=== 1996–2001: Return to Metal Blade ===
After taking a break in most of 1996 and resigning from MCA to [[Metal Blade Records|Metal Blade]], Flotsam and Jetsam resurfaced in 1997 with their sixth album ''[[High (Flotsam and Jetsam album)|High]]''.<ref name="LarkinHR" /> The album's song titles were designed with the font types/logos of famous bands like [[Iron Maiden]], [[Metallica]], [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]], [[Van Halen]], [[AC/DC]], [[Judas Priest]], [[Misfits (band)|Misfits]], etc. to pay homage to those whom came before and inspired the band while it was coming up the ranks. The music was more experimental than before, and the album also featured the [[Lard (band)|Lard]] cover song ''Fork Boy''. Music video was released, ''Monster'' to follow-up.

Michael Gilbert and Kelly Smith left the band after the release and were replaced by guitarist Mark Simpson and drummer Craig Nielsen (at the suggestion of then-[[Megadeth]] drummer [[Nick Menza]]). With the new line-up Flotsam and Jetsam toured in Europe together with [[Anvil (band)|Anvil]] and [[Exciter (band)|Exciter]].

''[[Unnatural Selection (Flotsam and Jetsam album)|Unnatural Selection]]'' was released in 1999 and Mark Simpson took a short break. He joined the band again in 2000 to record a new album, ''[[My God (album)|My God]]'' released in May 2001. At that time Eric A.K. had founded a country band, the A.K. Corral. He left the band for a short time to take a break from Metal and pursue his side project. (AK) "I had given Metal my life for a solid 15 years, I took some time to explore other musical flavors". Though Flotsam and Jetsam did not disband, there was a long break at that time. They found a new singer, [[James Rivera]], who took over vocal duties live. Later the band felt that no one other than Eric A.K. could be their singer and Rivera left the band soon after.

=== 2002–2010: ''Live in Phoenix'', ''Dreams of Death'' and ''The Cold'' ===
[[File:Metalmania 2008 Flotsam&Jetsam 01.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|Flotsam and Jetsam at Metalmania 2008]]
During 2002 and 2003, the band were active only sporadically, but Eric A.K. rejoined for live dates in the Phoenix and Los Angeles areas in 2003. Tory Edwards was a guest for this tour. A live recording of these shows was released in 2004 as a live concert DVD under the title ''Live in Phoenix''. Signed to the Crash Music label in May 2004<ref>{{cite web|title=Crash Music Inks Deal With FLOTSAM AND JETSAM|url=http://www.bravewords.com/news/14033|website=Bravewords.com}}</ref> and with Eric A.K. joining the band again officially, they hit the road with [[Overkill (band)|Overkill]] and [[Death Angel]] for a series of sold-out concerts in Japan.

Spring 2005 Flotsam and Jetsam returned to the studio to work on their new album. The lyrics were mostly inspired by Eric's nightmares. This resulted into a concept album entitled ''[[Dreams of Death]]'' – like track 2 of ''No Place for Disgrace''. The album was released July 2005.

The live DVD ''Live in Japan'' was released in February 2006 and shows their concert in front of hundreds of screaming Japanese fans at the Citta Club in Tokyo 2004.

''[[Doomsday for the Deceiver]]'' was re-released in November 2006 by Metal Blade Records to celebrate the album's twentieth anniversary.<ref>{{cite web|title=FLOTSAM AND JETSAM Doomsday For The Deceiver 20th Anniversary|url=http://www.bravewords.com/news/50666|website=Bravewords.com}}</ref> This set (two CDs and one DVD) includes the original recording of Doomsday and a re-mixed and re-mastered(Digitized)version and also the two Flotsam and Jetsam demos. The bonus DVD includes rare live material, an interview filmed at David-Smith's High School and a photo slide-show.

In March 2008, Flotsam and Jetsam toured in Europe and played at the [[Metalmania]] Festival in Poland. This show was filmed and released as DVD ''Once in a Deathtime'' in July. In mid-2008 the band were signed to [[Driven Music Group]], founded by former [[KORN]] guitarist [[Brian Welch|Brian "Head" Welch]].

After a tour in Europe with support act Neurasthenia in April 2010 Flotsam and Jetsam finished their album ''The Cold''. It was released on September 14,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flotsam-and-jetsam.com |title=Flotsam and Jetsam |website=Flotsam-and-jetsam.com |access-date=July 18, 2011}}</ref> 2010. It was the last album with Mark Simpson on guitar. He left the band in friendship<ref>{{cite web|title=FLOTSAM AND JETSAM Parts Ways With Guitarist MARK SIMPSON|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=150775|website=Blabbermouth.net}}</ref> and was replaced by returning guitarist Ed Carlson, who had quit the band in March 2010, to be replaced by Michael Gilbert.

=== 2011–2013: ''Ugly Noise'' ===
On September 19, 2011, Flotsam and Jetsam announced they had parted ways with Craig Nielson and reunited with founding drummer David-Smith. The band also announced a crowdfunding campaign on [[PledgeMusic]] to fund the recording of their next studio album.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/flotsam-and-jetsam-rejoined-by-drummer-kelly-david-smith/|title=FLOTSAM AND JETSAM Rejoined By Drummer KELLY DAVID SMITH|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=September 19, 2011 |access-date=December 26, 2019}}</ref>

On June 13, 2012, the band announced ''[[Ugly Noise]]'' as the title of the next album. In July, guitarist Michael Gilbert said the album would feature songwriting contributions from former bassist [[Jason Newsted]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=176602 |title=New Flotsam And Jetsam Album To Feature Songwriting Contributions From Jason Newsted |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=July 11, 2012 |access-date=December 26, 2019}}</ref> The album was released on December 21, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/flotsam-and-jetsam-completes-mixing-ugly-noise/ |title=Flotsam And Jetsam Completes Mixing "Ugly Noise" |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=July 11, 2012 |access-date=December 26, 2019}}</ref>

After tracking, Jason Ward was no longer able to commit to touring with the band any further due to his current personal commitments. He was replaced by Michael Spencer, who had previously replaced Newsted in 1986.

During the tour, Edward Carlson started to have extreme physical pain in his lower back and numbness in his right arm. After the tour, an MRI revealed that he had bulging disks in his upper and lower back causing the dysfunction to occur. Flotsam and Jetsam then recruited guitarist Steve Conley of F5 to step in while they finished out their live commitments.

=== 2013–2014: ''No Place For Disgrace 2014'' ===
''No Place For Disgrace 2014'' featured guest musicians Mark Simpson, [[Chris Poland]] and Tory Edwards.{{citation needed|date=September 2017}} In June 2013, the band headlined at the Warriors of Metal Festival in Columbus Ohio.

Flotsam and Jetsam embarked on a 29-date European tour with [[Sepultura]], [[Legion of the Damned (band)|Legion of the Damned]] and Mortillery. The tour kicked off on February 7, 2014, in Bochum, Germany.

Flotsam toured Europe 4 times in 2014 with a total of 40 shows in all. Returning home from Europe on August 11, the band planned to start writing for a new release in 2015. Michael Spencer and Steve Conley would be involved this time in the process. Spencer had written some material previously in 1987 that he took with him after his departure. Flotsam used at some of the archive material from Spencer.{{citation needed|date=September 2017}}

=== 2014–2021: ''Flotsam and Jetsam'', ''The End of Chaos'' and ''Blood in the Water'' ===
In December 2014, drummer and founding member, David-Smith decided to leave the band due to unexpected family matters that required him to be home with his family. Handpicked by Smith to replace him on drums, was longtime friend and [[Shadows Fall]] drummer [[Jason Bittner]]. Bittner was present on Flotsam and Jetsam's [[Flotsam and Jetsam (Flotsam and Jetsam album)|self-titled twelfth studio album]], which was released on May 20, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/flotsam-and-jetsam-reveals-details-of-new-self-titled-album/|title=FLOTSAM AND JETSAM Reveals Details Of New, Self-Titled Album|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=February 13, 2019|date=March 8, 2016}}</ref> The band did a world tour to support this album, including Europe with [[Destruction (band)|Destruction]], [[Enforcer (band)|Enforcer]] and Nervosa,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/destruction-to-tour-europe-with-flotsam-and-jetsam-enforcer-nervosa/|title=DESTRUCTION To Tour Europe With FLOTSAM AND JETSAM, ENFORCER, NERVOSA|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=February 13, 2019|date=April 29, 2016}}</ref> North America with [[Helstar]] and [[Hatchet (band)|Hatchet]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/flotsam-and-jetsam-announces-fall-2016-u-s-headlining-tour/|title=FLOTSAM AND JETSAM Announces Fall 2016 U.S. Headlining Tour|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=February 13, 2019|date=October 10, 2016}}</ref> and then back to Europe with [[Dew-Scented]] and [[Izegrim]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/flotsam-and-jetsam-announces-forbidden-territories-of-the-world-european-tour/|title=FLOTSAM AND JETSAM Announces 'Forbidden Territories Of The World' European Tour|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=February 13, 2019|date=October 21, 2016}}</ref> They also opened for [[HammerFall]] on their spring/summer 2018 North American tour.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/hammerfall-to-tour-north-america-with-flotsam-and-jetsam/|title=HAMMERFALL To Tour North America With FLOTSAM AND JETSAM|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=February 13, 2019|date=August 23, 2017}}</ref>

On July 6, 2017, it was announced that Flotsam and Jetsam were replacing Bittner (who had just joined [[Overkill (band)|Overkill]]) with [[Ken Mary]] ([[Fifth Angel]], [[Alice Cooper]], [[House of Lords (band)|House of Lords]], [[TKO (band)|TKO]], [[Chastain (band)|Chastain]], [[Impellitteri]]),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/flotsam-and-jetsam-recruits-drummer-ken-mary-for-upcoming-shows/|title=FLOTSAM AND JETSAM Recruits Drummer KEN MARY For Upcoming Shows|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=July 6, 2017|access-date=July 8, 2017}}</ref> and that they had begun working on their thirteenth studio album ''[[The End of Chaos]]'', which was initially reported to be released in November 2018;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=135842|title=Summer Tour Dates Announced By Flotsam And Jetsam|website=metalunderground.com|date=July 6, 2017|access-date=July 8, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/flotsam-and-jetsam-to-release-the-end-of-chaos-album-in-november/|title=FLOTSAM AND JETSAM To Release 'The End Of Chaos' Album In November|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=May 23, 2018|date=May 23, 2018}}</ref> however, the album's release date was pushed back to January 18, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|title=Listen To New FLOTSAM AND JETSAM Song 'Recover'|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/listen-to-new-flotsam-and-jetsam-song-recover/|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=November 2, 2018|date=November 2, 2018}}</ref> In support of ''The End of Chaos'', Flotsam and Jetsam (along with [[Destruction (band)|Destruction]] and Meshiaak) opened for [[Overkill (band)|Overkill]] on the European Killfest Tour in March 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/overkill-destruction-and-flotsam-and-jetsam-to-join-forces-for-killfest-european-tour/|title=OVERKILL, DESTRUCTION And FLOTSAM AND JETSAM To Join Forces For 'Killfest' European Tour|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=June 30, 2018|date=June 30, 2018}}</ref> A headlining US tour, titled Demolition of North America, was scheduled to take place in the spring of 2020, but it was postponed and then cancelled, due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://metaladdicts.com/site/flotsam-and-jetsam-announce-next-years-demolition-of-north-america/|title=FLOTSAM AND JETSAM Announce Next Year's 'Demolition Of North America'|website=metaladdicts.com|access-date=April 25, 2020|date=April 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/flotsam-and-jetsam-announces-spring-2021-demolition-of-north-america-tour/|title=FLOTSAM AND JETSAM Announces Spring 2021 'Demolition Of North America' Tour|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=April 25, 2020|date=April 24, 2020}}</ref>

Less than a month after the release of ''The End of Chaos'', frontman Eric "A.K." Knutson stated in an interview with Jesse Capps of Loudist that Flotsam and Jetsam would "probably start writing and recording" a follow-up album in November 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/flotsam-and-jetsam-will-probably-start-writing-and-recording-next-album-in-november/|title=FLOTSAM AND JETSAM Will 'Probably Start Writing And Recording' Next Album In November|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=February 13, 2019|date=February 12, 2019}}</ref>

On November 13, 2020, the band announced Bill Bodily had replaced Michael Spencer as their new bassist, and that the final mixes for their upcoming album were almost finished.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/flotsam-and-jetsam-announces-new-bassist-puts-finishing-touches-on-next-studio-album/|title=FLOTSAM AND JETSAM Announces New Bassist, Puts Finishing Touches On Next Studio Album|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=November 13, 2020|date=November 13, 2020}}</ref>

On April 1, 2021, Flotsam and Jetsam announced ''[[Blood in the Water (album)|Blood in the Water]]'' as the title of their fourteenth studio album and June 4 as its release date.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/flotsam-and-jetsam-to-release-blood-in-the-water-album-in-june/|title=FLOTSAM AND JETSAM To Release 'Blood In The Water' Album In June|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=April 1, 2021|date=April 1, 2021}}</ref> A week later, the band released a music video for the album's first single, "Burn the Sky".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/listen-to-new-flotsam-and-jetsam-song-burn-the-sky/|title=FLOTSAM AND JETSAM Releases Music Video For New Single 'Burn The Sky'|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=April 9, 2021|date=April 9, 2021}}</ref> Flotsam and Jetsam promoted ''Blood in the Water'' with a headlining US tour, and they were slated to open for [[Accept (band)|Accept]] on the European trek of their ''[[Too Mean to Die]]'' tour in January and February 2022 (along with [[Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons]]), but "many factors" prompted the band to withdraw from the tour.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/accept-announces-european-tour-with-phil-campbell-and-the-bastard-sons-and-flotsam-and-jetsam/|title=ACCEPT Announces European Tour With PHIL CAMPBELL AND THE BASTARD SONS And FLOTSAM AND JETSAM|website=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=April 6, 2021|date=April 6, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/accept-announces-european-tour-with-phil-campbell-and-the-bastard-sons-and-flotsam-and-jetsam/|title=FLOTSAM AND JETSAM Pulls Out Of European Tour With ACCEPT: 'Many Factors Have Weighed Into This Decision'|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=October 13, 2021|date=October 13, 2021}}</ref> Flotsam and Jetsam did, however, tour Europe in June 2022 as a headlining act.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://metalstorm.net/events/news_comments.php?news_id=45779|title=Flotsam And Jetsam – Announce June European Tour Dates|publisher=[[Metal Storm (webzine)|Metal Storm]]|access-date=April 19, 2022|date=April 19, 2022}}</ref>

=== 2021–present: ''I Am the Weapon'' ===
In an interview with [[The Arizona Republic|AZ Central]] on June 5, 2021, the day after the release of ''Blood in the Water'', frontman Eric "A.K." Knutson mentioned a follow-up album, revealing that he "probably [has] enough songs that didn't make it on the last two records to do two more records".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/music/2021/06/05/phoenix-rock-band-flotsam-and-jetsam-new-album-blood-in-the-water/7524826002/?fb|title=With new album, Phoenix metal legends Flotsam and Jetsam's time is now|website=[[The Arizona Republic|azcentral.com]]|access-date=June 7, 2021|date=June 5, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://metalstorm.net/events/news_comments.php?news_id=42264|title=Flotsam And Jetsam – Next Album Already In The Works|website=[[Metal Storm (webzine)|Metal Storm]]|access-date=June 7, 2021|date=June 7, 2021}}</ref>

On April 26, 2024, Flotsam and Jetsam released "I Am the Weapon" as the first single from their upcoming fifteenth studio album of the same name.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bravewords.com/news/flotsam-and-jetsam-release-new-single-i-am-the-weapon-lyric-video-streaming|title=FLOTSAM AND JETSAM Release New Single 'I Am The Weapon'; Lyric Video Streaming|magazine=[[Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles]]|access-date=April 26, 2024|date=April 26, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bravewords.com/news/flotsam-and-jetsam-announce-new-studio-album-we-put-a-great-amount-of-effort-and-thought-into-the-music|title=FLOTSAM AND JETSAM Announce New Studio Album - 'We Put A Great Amount Of Effort And Thought Into The Music'|magazine=[[Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles]]|access-date=April 26, 2024|date=April 26, 2024}}</ref> On May 31, 2024, a music video for the album's second single "Primal" was released, and on the same day, the band announced that ''[[I Am the Weapon (album)|I Am the Weapon]]'' would be released on September 13.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/flotsam-and-jetsam-releases-music-video-for-primal-single-from-upcoming-i-am-the-weapon-album|title=FLOTSAM AND JETSAM Releases Music Video For 'Primal' Single From Upcoming 'I Am The Weapon' Album|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|access-date=May 31, 2024|date=May 31, 2024}}</ref>

== Members ==

{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
'''Current members'''
* Eric "A.K." Knutson – vocals <small>(1983–2001, 2003–present)</small>
* Michael Gilbert – guitars <small>(1985–1997, 2010–present)</small>
* Steve Conley – guitars <small>(2013–present)</small>
* [[Ken Mary]] – drums <small>(2017–present)</small>
* Bill Bodily – bass <small>(2020–present, touring 2016, 2019)</small>

'''Touring musicians'''
* [[James Rivera]] – vocals <small>(2001–2003)</small>
* Jeff Barbaree – bass <small> (2013)</small>

'''Session musicians'''
* Tory Edwards – violin <small>(2001, 2014)</small>, mandolin <small>(2014)</small>

{{col-2}}
'''Former members'''
* Kelly David-Smith – drums <small>(1981–1997, 2011–2014)</small>
* [[Jason Newsted]] – bass <small>(1981–1986)</small>
* Mark Vazquez – guitars <small>(1981–1985)</small>
* Kevin Horton – guitars <small>(1981–1984)</small>
* Edward Carlson – guitars <small>(1984–2013)</small>
* [[Sacred Reich|Phil Rind]] – bass <small>(1986)</small>
* Michael Spencer – bass <small>(1987–1988, 2013–2020)</small>
* [[Troy Gregory]] – bass <small>(1988–1991)</small>
* Jason Ward – bass <small>(1991–2013)</small>
* Craig Nielsen – drums <small>(1997–2011)</small>
* Mark Simpson – guitars <small>(1997–1999, 2000–2010)</small>
* [[Jason Bittner]] – drums <small>(2015–2017)</small>
{{col-end}}

=== Timeline ===
{{#tag:timeline|
ImageSize  = width:1000 height:auto barincrement:20
PlotArea   = left:110 bottom:60 top:10 right:20
Alignbars  = justify
DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy
Period     = from:01/01/1981 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}}
TimeAxis   = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
Legend     = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:1
ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1981
ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1981

Colors =
 id:Band    value:gray(0.3)        legend:Band_name
 id:Vocals  value:red              legend:Vocals
 id:BVocals value:pink             legend:Backing_vocals
 id:Guitar  value:green            legend:Guitars
 id:Bass    value:blue             legend:Bass
 id:Drums   value:orange           legend:Drums
 id:Session value:yellow           legend:Session_musician
 id:Studio  value:black            legend:Studio_album
 id:Live    value:gray(0.75)       legend:Live_album
 id:bars    value:gray(0.95)
 
BackgroundColors = bars:bars

LineData=
 color:Studio layer:back
 at:07/04/1986
 at:05/20/1988
 at:05/01/1990
 at:10/13/1992
 at:05/25/1995
 at:06/03/1997
 at:01/26/1999
 at:05/22/2001
 at:07/28/2005
 at:09/14/2010
 at:12/21/2012
 at:05/20/2016
 at:01/18/2019
 at:06/04/2021
 at:09/13/2024
 color:Live layer:back
 at:12/15/2005
 at:06/16/2008

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 bar:Dredlox text:"Dredlox"
 bar:Dogz text:"Dogz"
 bar:F&J text:"Flotsam and Jetsam"

 bar:Eric text:Eric "A.K." Knutson
 bar:James text:James Rivera

 bar:Vazquez text:Mark Vazquez
 bar:MichaelG text:Michael Gilbert
 bar:Mark text:Mark Simpson
 bar:Horton text:Kevin Horton
 bar:Ed text:Edward Carlson
 bar:Steve text:Steve Conley

 bar:JasonN text:Jason Newsted
 bar:Phil text:Phil Rind
 bar:MichaelS text:Michael Spencer
 bar:Troy text:Troy Gregory
 bar:JasonW text:Jason Ward
 bar:Bill: text:Bill Bodily

 bar:Kelly text:Kelly David-Smith
 bar:Craig text:Craig Nielsen
 bar:JasonB text:Jason Bittner
 bar:Ken text:Ken Mary

 bar:Tory text:Tory Edwards

PlotData=

 width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(11,-4)

 color:Band
 bar:Paradox             from:start       till:02/10/1982
 bar:Dredlox             from:02/10/1982  till:06/01/1982
 bar:Dogz                from:06/01/1982  till:01/01/1984
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 color:Vocals
 bar:JasonN              from:start       till:01/01/1983 width:3
 bar:Eric                from:01/01/1983  till:07/01/2001
 bar:James               from:07/01/2001  till:01/01/2003 
 bar:Eric                from:01/01/2003  till:end

 color:BVocals
 bar:Ed                  from:01/01/1986  till:12/31/1986 width:3
 bar:MichaelG            from:01/01/1986  till:12/31/1986 width:3
 bar:JasonN              from:01/01/1986  till:10/31/1986 width:3
 bar:Kelly               from:01/01/1986  till:12/31/1986 width:3
 bar:Eric                from:01/01/1992  till:12/31/1992 width:3
 bar:Ed                  from:01/01/1992  till:12/31/1992 width:3
 bar:MichaelG            from:01/01/1992  till:12/31/1992 width:3
 bar:JasonW              from:01/01/1992  till:12/31/1992 width:3
 bar:Kelly               from:01/01/1992  till:12/31/1992 width:3

 color:Guitar
 bar:Vazquez             from:start       till:01/01/1985
 bar:Horton              from:01/01/1981  till:01/01/1984
 bar:Ed                  from:01/01/1984  till:03/01/2013
 bar:MichaelG            from:01/01/1985  till:09/05/1997
 bar:Mark                from:09/05/1997  till:01/26/1999
 bar:Mark                from:01/01/2000  till:12/15/2010
 bar:MichaelG            from:12/15/2010  till:end
 bar:Steve               from:03/01/2013  till:end

 color:Bass
 bar:JasonN              from:start       till:10/31/1986
 bar:Phil                from:10/31/1986  till:12/31/1986
 bar:MichaelS            from:01/01/1987  till:01/31/1988
 bar:Troy                from:02/01/1988  till:05/08/1991
 bar:JasonW              from:05/08/1991  till:01/11/2013
 bar:MichaelS            from:03/01/2013  till:11/03/2020
 bar:Bill                from:11/03/2020  till:end

 color:Drums
 bar:Kelly               from:start       till:09/05/1997
 bar:Craig               from:09/05/1997  till:05/25/2011
 bar:Kelly               from:05/25/2011  till:11/26/2014
 bar:JasonB              from:11/26/2014  till:05/08/2017
 bar:Ken                 from:07/06/2017  till:end

 color:Session
 bar:Tory                from:01/01/2001  till:12/31/2001 width:3
 bar:Tory                from:01/01/2014  till:12/31/2014 width:3
}}

== Discography ==

{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

=== Studio albums ===
* ''[[Doomsday for the Deceiver]]'' (1986)
* ''[[No Place for Disgrace]]'' (1988)
* ''[[When the Storm Comes Down]]'' (1990)
* ''[[Cuatro (Flotsam and Jetsam album)|Cuatro]]'' (1992)
* ''[[Drift (Flotsam and Jetsam album)|Drift]]'' (1995)
* ''[[High (Flotsam and Jetsam album)|High]]'' (1997)
* ''[[Unnatural Selection (Flotsam and Jetsam album)|Unnatural Selection]]'' (1999)
* ''[[My God (album)|My God]]'' (2001)
* ''[[Dreams of Death]]'' (2005)
* ''[[The Cold (album)|The Cold]]'' (2010)
* ''[[Ugly Noise]]'' (2012)
* ''[[Flotsam and Jetsam (Flotsam and Jetsam album)|Flotsam and Jetsam]]'' (2016)
* ''[[The End of Chaos]]'' (2019)
* ''[[Blood in the Water (album)|Blood in the Water]]'' (2021)
* ''[[I Am the Weapon (album)|I Am the Weapon]]'' (2024)

=== Live albums ===
* ''Live in Phoenix'' (2005)
* ''Once in a Deathtime'' (2008)

{{col-2}}

=== Singles/EPs ===
* "Flotzilla" (1987)
* "[[Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting]]" (1988)
* "Suffer the Masses" (1990)
* "The Master Sleeps" (1990)
* "Selections from Cuatro"/"Never to Reveal" (1992)
* "Swatting at Flies" (1992)
* "Wading Through the Darkness" (1992)
* "Cradle Me Now" (1992)
* "Smoked Out" (1995)
* "Blindside" (1995)
* "Destructive Signs" (1995)
* "Life, Love, Death" (2019)

=== DVDs ===
* ''Live in Phoenix'' (2004)
* ''Live in Japan'' (2006)
* ''Once in a Deathtime'' (2008)
{{col-end}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.flotsam-and-jetsam.com/ Official website]
*{{allmusic}}

{{Flotsam and Jetsam |state=expanded}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Flotsam And Jetsam}}
[[Category:1981 establishments in Arizona]]
[[Category:American thrash metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Articles which contain graphical timelines]]
[[Category:Heavy metal musical groups from Arizona]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1981]]
[[Category:American musical quintets]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Phoenix, Arizona]]
[[Category:Metal Blade Records artists]]
[[Category:American speed metal musical groups]]