Editing Poison Idea

{{Short description|American punk rock band}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{More citations needed|date=August 2014}}

{{Infobox musical artist
| name             = Poison Idea
| image            = Poison Idea @ Fusion 2012 (7644255410).jpg
| image_upright    = 1.2
| caption          = Poison Idea performing in Germany, 2012
| origin           = [[Portland, Oregon]], U.S.
| genre            = [[Punk rock]], [[hardcore punk]]
| years_active     = 1980–1993, 1998–2017, 2018–2019
| label            = {{flatlist|
* Fatal Erection<ref name=FB-about />
* Pusmort Records<ref name=pusfan>{{Citation|url=http://www.pusfan.com/ps.htm|title=Pusmort Records Discography|access-date=May 11, 2020|work=pusfan.com}}</ref>
* Your Choice
* Alchemy
* American Leather<ref name=FB-about />
* TKO<ref name=FB-about />
* Southern Lord<ref name=FB-about />
 }}
| website          = {{facebook}}
| current_members  = {{plainlist|
* Jerry A (vocals)
* Jeff Walter (guitar)
* Brandon Bentley (guitar)
* Chris "Spider" Carey (bass)
* Mickey Widmer (drums)<ref name=FB-about>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/pg/aedinosiopofficial/about/ |title=Poison Idea – About|website=[[Facebook]]|access-date=May 22, 2020}}</ref>
 }}
| past_members     = [[#Former|See below]]
}}

'''Poison Idea''' was an American [[punk rock]] band formed in [[Portland, Oregon]], in 1980.

== History ==
[[File:Logo poison idea.svg|thumb|The group's logo]]
=== Formation, 1980s, and 1990s ===
Poison Idea was formed in 1980 by vocalist Jerry A. (aka Jerry Lang). The initial lineup consisted of Jerry A., Chris Tense (bass), and Henry Bogdan (later of [[Helmet (band)|Helmet]]) on drums.  Jerry described this early version of the band, in which he sang and played sax, as a "kind of [[Public Image Ltd|PIL]] thing" and only lasted a few shows.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.noecho.net/interviews/poison-idea-jerry-a-interview |title=Poison Idea's Jerry A. on His Forthcoming Autobiography, the Germs, New Projects + More |first=Michael |last=Thorn |website= NoEcho.net}}</ref>  Jerry and Tense (now on guitar) then hooked up with Glen Estes (bass), and Dean Johnson (drums).<ref name="LarkinHM">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Guinness Who's Who of Heavy Metal]]|date=1995|publisher=[[Guinness Publishing]]|isbn=0-85112-656-1|editor=Colin Larkin|editor-link=Colin Larkin (writer)|edition=Second|pages=279/80}}</ref> Inspired by [[Black Flag (band)|Black Flag]] and other early Southern California hardcore acts, they were further influenced by [[Discharge (band)|Discharge]] and [[Los Angeles]]'s [[Germs (band)|Germs]]. Germs singer [[Darby Crash]]'s influence on singer Jerry A., vocally, lyrically, and philosophically, was considerable, and Poison Idea followed the Germs' extremist punk ethic. Tense was replaced within a year by Tom "Pig Champion" Roberts (guitar), formerly of the Imperialist Pigs but he would soon return to the band, this time on bass, replacing Glen Estes (later of Portland, Oregon punk/metal band [[Final Warning]]).

Poison Idea's debut, 1983's ''[[Pick Your King]]'' EP, was a short, lo-fi blast of hardcore fury. The jacket featured a "choice" of two kings, [[Jesus]] (front cover) and [[Elvis Presley]] (back cover).<ref name="LarkinHM" />

In 1984, the group released the ''[[Record Collectors Are Pretentious Assholes]]'' 12-inch (the cover features Pig Champion's substantial vinyl collection). The record found the band incorporating subtle rock elements into their music, which was further honed on their contributions to two 1985 compilations, "Laughing Boy" on the ''Drinking is Great'' EP (on which appeared other Oregon punk bands Final Warning, Lockjaw and E-13), and "Typical" and "Die on Your Knees" on the ''Cleanse the Bacteria'' LP (compiled by [[Pushead]] for his own Pusmort label).

With the release of 1986's ''[[Kings of Punk]]'' LP,<ref name="LarkinHM" /> Poison Idea had fully moved beyond the breakneck hardcore of their early records to a potent, driving and ultimately more intricate and sophisticated hardcore/hard rock fusion that incorporated the accessibility of hard rock without sacrificing the power of hardcore.

Following the release of ''Kings of Punk'', the lineup changed again and the band added lead guitarist Eric "Vegetable" Olson and drummer Steve "Thee Slayer Hippy" Hanford from local thrash metal band Mayhem. The band then released ''[[War All the Time (Poison Idea album)|War All the Time]]''<ref name="LarkinHM" /> (named for the [[Charles Bukowski]] book) in 1987. After the release of ''War All The Time'', Chris Tense departed and was replaced by Craig "Mondo" Lower, also formerly of Mayhem.  ''War All the Time'' and the EPs that followed (the ''Getting the Fear'' 12-inch and the ''Filthkick'' 7-inch) found them further developing the rock/hardcore sound first established on ''Kings of Punk'', which they would hone in 1990 with ''Feel the Darkness''.

Membership in Poison Idea continued to fluctuate.  Mondo and Vegetable departed.  Charley "Myrtle Tickner" Nims joined on bass and on second guitar there was, briefly, Kevin "Kid Cocksman" Sanders and then Aldine Strichnine. They also established their own record label in 1989, American Leather (named for the Germs song), and released two records the same year: a reissue of their 1982 demo ''Darby Crash Rides Again'' and the ''Discontent'' 7-inch.

In 1990, the band released ''[[Feel the Darkness]]''.<ref name="LarkinHM" /> After the album's release, Aldine Strycnine was thrown out of the band, and Mondo returned, this time on guitar, for the 1991 tour. Poison Idea then released ''Blank Blackout Vacant'' in 1992, and ''We Must Burn'' in 1993.<ref name="LarkinHM" />  By this time, their drinking habits and hard living were beginning to catch up with them: the band weighed in at about 1,300&nbsp;lb. collectively, and Pig Champion in particular was very fat, often having to play sitting down.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/09/arts/music/requiem-for-a-hero-of-punk.html |title=Requiem for a Hero of Punk |author=Kelefa Sanneh |newspaper=The New York Times Company |date=February 9, 2006 |access-date=May 6, 2020 }}</ref> After the release of ''We Must Burn'', Pig Champion announced he was no longer willing to tour.  The band's final hometown show with Pig Champion was recorded and released as the ''Pig's Last Stand'' CD by [[Sub Pop]] in 1996.  The group continued on briefly as a 4-piece (as documented on the 1995 ''Your Choice Live'' release) before calling it quits.  Jerry and Thee Slayer Hippy would soon form a short-lived band with Jerry's wife, May May Del Castro, called The Gift.  A few years later, Jerry resurrected Poison Idea with Dean Johnson, Chris Tense and new guitarist Ian Miller.  This lineup appeared on 1998's ''Learning To Scream'' 7-inch but the band dissolved shortly afterwards.

=== Reformation and recent events ===

Jerry and Pig Champion resurrected Poison Idea again with new members in 2000 to record new material.  This material was released in 2006 as ''The Latest Will and Testament'' LP. Prior to the album's release, on the night of January 30, 2006, guitarist Tom "Pig Champion" Roberts died in his home in [[Portland, Oregon]], at age 47.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 1, 2006 |title=Former POISON IDEA Guitarist PIG CHAMPION Found Dead |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/former-poison-idea-guitarist-pig-champion-found-dead/ <!-- was also https://production.blabbermouth.net/news/former-poison-idea-guitarist-pig-champion-found-dead/ --> |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130150514/https://blabbermouth.net/news/former-poison-idea-guitarist-pig-champion-found-dead |archive-date=2024-11-30 |work=BLABBERMOUTH.NET}}</ref>

On October 6, 2008, Portland police arrested Steve "Thee Slayer Hippy" Hanford, 39, in connection with a string of pharmacy robberies in late summer.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bernstein |first=Maxine |date=October 8, 2008 |title=[NEWS IN BRIEF] : Portland: Man, 39, is arrested in pharmacy robberies |work=[[The Oregonian]] |department=Metro |page=D2 |volume=158 |issue=53195 |id={{NewsBank text|123CC7EEEECAA340|subdomain=oregonlive}}, {{small|v2:11A73E5827618330@NGPA-ORO-1794FB8408E16A68@2454748-1793A7C...}}: <span style="display: inline-block; font-size: xx-small;">[https://oregonlive.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2%3A11A73E5827618330%40NGPA-ORO-1794FB8408E16A68%402454748-1793A7C30DE7BC9C%4062-1793A7C30DE7BC9C%40?search_terms=%22is%2Barrested%2Bin%2Bpharmacy%2Brobberies%22&text=%22is%20arrested%20in%20pharmacy%20robberies%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%255B0%255D=11A73E5827618330&pdate=2008-10-08 ...30DE7BC9C@62-1793A7C30DE7BC9C@], [https://oregonlive.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2%3A11A73E5827618330%40NGPA-ORO-1794FB8408E16A68%402454748-1793A7C293222E1A%4038-1793A7C293222E1A%40?search_terms=%22is%2Barrested%2Bin%2Bpharmacy%2Brobberies%22&text=%22is%20arrested%20in%20pharmacy%20robberies%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%255B0%255D=11A73E5827618330&pdate=2008-10-08 ...293222E1A@38-1793A7C293222E1A@], [https://oregonlive.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2%3A11A73E5827618330%40NGPA-ORO-1794FB8408E16A68%402454748-1793A7C3091873D5%4050-1793A7C3091873D5%40?search_terms=%22is%2Barrested%2Bin%2Bpharmacy%2Brobberies%22&text=%22is%20arrested%20in%20pharmacy%20robberies%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%255B0%255D=11A73E5827618330&pdate=2008-10-08 ...3091873D5@50-1793A7C3091873D5@], [https://oregonlive.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2%3A11A73E5827618330%40NGPA-ORO-1794FB8408E16A68%402454748-1793A7C3EC1D04FC%4086-1793A7C3EC1D04FC%40?search_terms=%22is%2Barrested%2Bin%2Bpharmacy%2Brobberies%22&text=%22is%20arrested%20in%20pharmacy%20robberies%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%255B0%255D=11A73E5827618330&pdate=2008-10-08 ...3EC1D04FC@86-1793A7C3EC1D04FC@], [https://oregonlive.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2%3A11A73E5827618330%40NGPA-ORO-1794FB8408E16A68%402454748-1793A7C28C093D96%4026-1793A7C28C093D96%40?search_terms=%22is%2Barrested%2Bin%2Bpharmacy%2Brobberies%22&text=%22is%20arrested%20in%20pharmacy%20robberies%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%255B0%255D=11A73E5827618330&pdate=2008-10-08 ...28C093D96@26-1793A7C28C093D96@], [https://oregonlive.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2%3A11A73E5827618330%40NGPA-ORO-1794FB8408E16A68%402454748-1793A7C3F21D76EA%4098-1793A7C3F21D76EA%40?search_terms=%22is%2Barrested%2Bin%2Bpharmacy%2Brobberies%22&text=%22is%20arrested%20in%20pharmacy%20robberies%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%255B0%255D=11A73E5827618330&pdate=2008-10-08 ...3F21D76EA@98-1793A7C3F21D76EA@], [https://oregonlive.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2%3A11A73E5827618330%40NGPA-ORO-1794FB8408E16A68%402454748-1793A7C3805CCD3F%4074-1793A7C3805CCD3F%40?search_terms=%22is%2Barrested%2Bin%2Bpharmacy%2Brobberies%22&text=%22is%20arrested%20in%20pharmacy%20robberies%22&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%255B0%255D=11A73E5827618330&pdate=2008-10-08 ...3805CCD3F@74-1793A7C3805CCD3F@]</span>. [[Newspapers.com]] [https://www.newspapers.com/image/1089825797/?match=1&terms=%22is%20arrested%20in%20pharmacy%20robberies%22 1089825797], [https://www.newspapers.com/image/1089824855/?match=1&terms=%22is%20arrested%20in%20pharmacy%20robberies%22 1089824855], [https://www.newspapers.com/image/1089824558/?match=1&terms=%22is%20arrested%20in%20pharmacy%20robberies%22 1089824558].}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.portlandmercury.com/BlogtownPDX/archives/2008/10/09/former_poison_idea_drummer_ste |title= Former Poison Idea Drummer Steve Hanford Arrested for Robbery |author=Ezra Ace Caraeff |date=October 9, 2008|access-date=May 21, 2020}}</ref>

In 2015, Poison Idea released the LP ''Confuse & Conquer'' on [[Southern Lord Records]].  The album featured the return of former guitarist Eric "Vegetable" Olsen and is, as of 2022, their last studio LP.

After a 19 month absence, the band returned for one show on July 21, 2018, at the [[Bossanova Ballroom]] in Portland, Oregon. It was in celebration of the release of ''Feel the Darkness'' 28 years prior. A remixed and remastered album including [[A-side and B-side|B-sides]], outtakes, alternate mixes, plus ''Live in London'', has been re-issued by American Leather / TKO Records.

In December 2018, [[Metallica]] performed a cover of Poison Idea's "Taken By Surprise," a track from ''Feel the Darkness.''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wweek.com/music/2018/12/07/metallicas-portland-show-was-a-reminder-of-why-theyre-still-the-biggest-ticket-metal-band-in-the-world/|title=Metallica's Portland Show Was a Reminder of Why They're Still the Biggest-Ticket Metal Band in the World|website=Wweek.com|access-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref>

It was stated that in Portland, at the Northwest Hesh Fest, September 19–21, 2019, the band would, "reportedly play their last-ever hometown show."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vrtxmag.com/festivals/nw-hesh-fest-2019/ |title=Festival Northwest Hesh Fest at Bossanova Ballroom, Dante's, and Star Theater |publisher=Vortex Music Magazine |access-date=May 6, 2020}}</ref>

Steven "Thee Slayer Hippy" Hanford, the band's former drummer, died of heart attack at age 50 on May 22, 2020.<ref name=pitchfork>{{cite news|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/former-poison-idea-drummer-steven-thee-slayer-hippy-hanford-dead-at-50 |title=Former Poison Idea drummer Steven "Three slayer hippy" Hanford dead at 50 |author=Noah Yoo |date=May 22, 2020 |access-date=May 22, 2020}}</ref><ref name=WW>{{cite news|url=https://www.wweek.com/music/2020/05/21/poison-idea-drummer-steven-hanford-has-died/ |title=Poison Idea Drummer Steven Hanford Has Died |author= Nathan Carson |date=May 21, 2020 |access-date=May 22, 2020 }}</ref>

In 2022, Jerry A. Lang released a three-part autobiography entitled ''Black Heart Fades Blue'' through [[Rare Bird Books]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://rarebirdlit.com/copy-of-black-heart-fades-blue-three-volume-w-t-shirt-signed-by-jerry-a-lang/ | title=Black Heart Fades Blue Three-Volume Bundle w/ T-Shirt &#91;signed&#93; by Jerry A. Lang }}</ref>

== Members ==
=== Last lineup ===
* Jerry A – vocals
* Jeff Walter – guitar
* Andrew "The King Slayer" Stromstad – guitar
* Chris "Spider" Carey – bass (died 2022)
* Chris Cuthbert – drums

=== Former ===
* Tom "Pig Champion" Roberts – guitar (died 2006)
* Chris Tense – bass
* Glen Estes – bass
* Dean Johnson – drums
* [[Henry Bogdan]] – drums
* Jim Taylor – guitar
* Charley "Myrtle Tickner" Nims – bass
* Steve "Thee Slayer Hippy" Hanford – drums (died 2020)<ref name=pitchfork /><ref name=WW />
* Craig "Mondo" Lower – guitar, bass
* Kevin "Kid Cocksman" Sanders – guitar
* Aldine Strycnine – guitar
* Matt Brainard – guitar
* Ian Miller – guitar
* Andy Kessler (a.k.a. Joe Spleen) – guitar
* Rob "Rawbo Nox" Hume – bass (died 2021)
* Natalie Lucio – bass<ref name="NatalieLucio">{{Cite news|author=Simms|first=Jason|date=October 23, 2013|title=Poison Idea: the Portland punk act sobers up, introduces new lineup for Halloween show|work=The Oregonian|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/music/2013/10/poison_idea_the_portland.html|access-date=May 22, 2020}}</ref>
* Gordon Scholl – drums
* Nathan "Skinny" Richardson – drums
* Alexa "Barbie" Grey – drums, live (2016) 
* Eric "Vegetable" Olson – guitar
* Brandon Bentley – guitar
* Mickey Widner – drums
* Eric Roll – guitar

== Discography ==
{{more citations needed|date=September 2021}}

=== Studio albums ===
* 1986 ''[[Kings of Punk]]'' LP (originally released on [[Pushead|Pusmort Records]])
* 1987 ''[[War All the Time (Poison Idea album)|War All the Time]]'' LP (originally released on Alchemy Records (U.S.))
* 1990 ''[[Feel the Darkness]]'' LP (originally released on [[Vinyl Solution]] and American Leather)
* 1992 ''[[Blank Blackout Vacant]]'' LP (originally released on [[Taang Records]] and [[Vinyl Solution]])
* 1993 ''We Must Burn'' LP (originally released on [[Vinyl Solution]] and [[Tim/Kerr]])
* 2006 ''Latest Will and Testament'' CD/LP (originally released on Farewell Records / Network of Friends)
* 2015 ''[[Confuse & Conquer]]'' CD/LP (released on [[Southern Lord Records]])

=== Singles and EPs ===
* 1983 ''[[Pick Your King]]'' [[7-inch]] EP (Fatal Erection, American Leather, [[TKO Records]])
* 1984 ''[[Record Collectors Are Pretentious Assholes]]'' 12-inch EP (Fatal Erection)
* 1988 ''Filthkick'' 7-inch EP (Shitfool, [[TKO Records]])
* 1988 ''Getting the Fear'' 12-inch, 7-inch EP (Rockport, [[TKO Records]])
* 1989 ''Just to Get Away'' 7-inch Picture Disc Single (American Leather)
* 1989 ''Darby Crash Rides Again'' 7-inch EP (American Leather, [[TKO Records]])
* 1989  ''Plastic Bomb'' Cassette Single (self-released)
* 1990 ''Taken By Surprise'' 7-inch ([[Sub Pop]])
* 1990 ''Discontent'' 7-inch (American Leather)
* 1991 ''Punish Me'' 7-inch, 12-inch & CD EP ([[Vinyl Solution]], American Leather)
* 1991 ''Dead Boy – A Tribute to Stiv'' w/ [[Jeff Dahl]], 7-inch Single ([[Triple X Records]])
* 1991 ''Official Bootleg'' 2×7″ EP ([[Vinyl Solution]], American Leather)
* 1992 ''Return of the Rat/Up Front'' w/ Nirvana 7-inch ([[Tim/Kerr]])
* 1993 ''Religion & Politics Part 1 & 2'' 2×7″, 10-inch & CD EP (Insipid Vinyl, [[Tim/Kerr]])
* 1993 ''Single at X-mas'' w/ Ray & Grover 7-inch Single  ([[Tim/Kerr]])
* 1993 ''Split Single'' w/ [[Babes in Toyland (band)|Babes In Toyland]] 7-inch Single (Insipid Vinyl)
* 1993 ''Feel the Darkness (Remix)''  7-inch Single (Dirter Promotions)
* 1998 ''Learning to Scream'' 7-inch EP ([[Taang! Records]])
* 2007 ''Bipolar Hardcore Split'' 7-inch Picture Disc Single w/ [[Kill Your Idols]] ([[TKO Records]])
* 2013 ''2013 Black Friday X-mas Split'' w/Angry Snowmans 7-inch Single ([[TKO Records]])
* 2014 ''Triple Chocolate Penetration'' 7-inch Single RECORD STORE DAY 2014 ([[Voodoo Donut]])
* 2014 ''The Badge'' w/ [[Pantera]] Split 7-inch Single RECORD STORE DAY 2014 ([[Rhino Records]])
* 2015 ''Rövsvett'' 7-inch (Just 4 Fun)
* 2016 ''Calling All Ghosts'' 12-inch (American Leather)
* 2016 ''Something Better'' Single (self-released)

=== Collections ===
* 1988 ''[[Get Loaded and Fuck]]'' Cassette (self-released) - reissued as "Ian MacKaye" in 1989
* 1992 ''Pajama Party'' Covers Album Picture Disc & LP ([[Vinyl Solution]], [[Tim/Kerr]])
* 1993 ''Dysfunctional Songs for Codependent Addicts'' CD ([[Tim/Kerr]])
* 1994 ''The Early Years'' CD (Bitzcore)
* 2000 ''Best of Poison Idea'' CD ([[Taang! Records]])
* 2002 ''Kings of Punk / Record Collectors Are Pretentious Assholes'' CD (Rhythm Vicar)
* 2005 ''Pick Your King / Learning to Scream'' LP (Reflex/Wolfpack)
* 2017 ''Legacy of Dysfunction'' LP (American Leather Records)

=== ''Kings of Punk'' reissue series ===
* 2011 ''Darby Crash Rides Again: The Early Years'' demos and rarities collection CD/LP ([[TKO Records]] & [[Southern Lord Records]])
* 2012 ''The Fatal Erection Years'' collection of rarities and early releases CD/LP ([[TKO Records]] & [[Southern Lord Records]])
* 2013  ''[[Kings of Punk]]'' expanded reissue  2×CD/2×LP ([[TKO Records]] & [[Southern Lord Records]])
* 2016 ''Latest Will And Testament" 10th Anniversary reissue CD/LP (TKO Records & American Leather Records)
* 2016 ''War All The Time'' reissue CD/LP (TKO Records & American Leather Records)
* 2018 ''Feel The Darkness'' expanded reissue 2×LP (TKO Records & American Leather Records)
* 2019 ''Pig's Last Stand'' reissue 2×LP & DVD (TKO Records & American Leather Records)
* 2020 ''Blank Blackout Vacant'' expanded reissue 2×LP (TKO Records & American Leather Records)

=== Live recordings ===
* 1991 ''Live in Vienna'' 7-inch EP (American Leather)
* 1991 ''Dutch Courage'' LP & CD (Bitzcore)
* 1992 ''Keep Warm, Burn the Rich'' 7-inch EP (Bootleg)
* 1993 ''Record Bootleggers Are Potential Millionaires'' LP (Bootleg)
* 1995 ''Your Choice Live Series'' LP & CD (Your Choice Records)
* 1996 ''Pig's Last Stand'' LP & CD ([[Sub Pop]])

== See also ==
*[[Venomous Concept]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*{{allmusic}}
* [http://www.paperbackjukebox.com/PoisonIdea Poison Idea: Still the Kings of Punk] (cover story for the July 1992 issue of Portland's ''[http://www.paperbackjukebox.com/ Paperback Jukebox]'')
* [https://poisonidea.bigcartel.com/ Official merchandise website]

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Hardcore punk groups from Oregon]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Portland, Oregon]]
[[Category:1980 establishments in Oregon]]
[[Category:1993 disestablishments in Oregon]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1980]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1993]]