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Dope

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Band Timeline

1997

Formation and Early Days of Dope

Dope is an American industrial metal band founded in 1997 in New York City by Edsel Dope, who served as the lead vocalist and primary songwriter. The original lineup also included Edsel's brother Simon Dope on keyboards, guitarist Sloane Jentry, drummer Preston Nash, and bassist Tripp Eisen. Their sound drew inspiration from heavy metal and industrial rock acts like Ministry and Skinny Puppy. During their early days, the band struggled financially, even resorting to selling heroin around NYC to fund their music and instruments—a reality reflected in their controversial band name and early imagery. They forged connections with notable acts such as Marilyn Manson, sharing personnel and friendships that influenced their rise.
1999

Release of Debut Album 'Felons and Revolutionaries' and Rise to National Attention

After gaining traction on the New York City club circuit, Dope signed with Epic Records and released their debut album Felons and Revolutionaries. The album featured 14 tracks, including a cover of Dead or Alive’s 'You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)' which was used in the film American Psycho, and 'Debonaire' which appeared on the Scream 3 soundtrack and The Fast and the Furious film. The lineup shifted with Tripp Eisen moving to guitar and Acey Slade joining on bass. Through extensive touring, including tours supporting Alice Cooper and Kid Rock, the band sold over 250,000 units. Their cover single 'You Spin Me Round' reached No. 37 on the US Mainstream Rock chart, boosting their profile significantly.
2001

Second Album 'Life' and Lineup Changes

Building on their debut’s moderate success, Dope released their second album Life in 2001. The band underwent lineup changes as guitarist Tripp Eisen left and was replaced by Virus, a multi-instrumentalist initially hired for bass. Acey Slade switched from bass to guitar, and Sloane Jentry returned on bass. Racci "Sket" was introduced as drummer, replacing Preston Nash. The album continued to develop the band’s industrial metal sound but did not achieve the same commercial success as their debut. Nevertheless, it helped solidify Dope’s position in the industrial metal scene and expanded their fanbase.
2003-2005

Subsequent Albums and Continued Activity

In the early to mid-2000s, Dope released additional albums including American Apathy and No Regrets, maintaining their industrial metal style. Their songs were featured in various media, including several video games like MTX Mototrax and Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock. During this period, the band saw continued lineup adjustments but kept touring extensively, further growing their international following. They also recorded Vince McMahon’s WWE theme song 'No Chance in Hell,' which connected them culturally to wrestling entertainment fans. Edsel Dope’s involvement with industrial supergroup Pigface also highlighted their integration into the industrial music community.
2023

Release of Latest Album 'Blood Money Part Zer0'

Dope released their seventh studio album, Blood Money Part Zer0, in February 2023, continuing their legacy more than two decades after their formation. The band lineup for this release included founding member Edsel Dope, lead guitarist Virus, bassist Acey Slade, and drummer Daniel Fox. The album arrival marked a continuation of their industrial metal sound and demonstrated the band’s staying power in an often-changing music landscape. By this time, Dope had sold over one million albums worldwide, underscoring their lasting influence and dedicated fanbase in the metal community.

Albums

dope_1st_album
Felons and Revolutionaries
13 tracks
1999
dope_2nd_album
Life
14 tracks
2001
dope_3rd_album
Group Therapy
13 tracks
2003
dope_4th_album
American Apathy
13 tracks
2005
dope_5th_album
No Regrets
20 tracks
2009
dope_6th_album
Blood Money - Part 1
15 tracks
2016
dope_7th_album
Blood Money Part Zer0
12 tracks
2023
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Members

Current

Name
Begin
Occupation

Virus

2018

Background vocals

Edsel Dope

1997

Lead vocals

Sampler

Keyboard

Guitar

Daniel Fox

2019

Drums (drum set)

Acey Slade

2018

Bass guitar

Virus

2018

Guitar

History

Name
Begin
End
Occupation

Nikk Dibbs

2017
2018

Guitar

Tripp Eisen

1997
1998

Bass guitar

Racci Shay

2001
2004

Drums (drum set)

Nikk Dibbs

2013
2015

Guitar

Background vocals

Derrick Tribbett

2007
2013

Background vocals

Daniel Fox

2017
2017

Drums (drum set)

Derrick Tribbett

2007
2013

Electric bass guitar

Angel Bartolotta

2006
2013

Drums (drum set)

Acey Slade

1998
1999

Bass guitar

Nikk Dibbs

2017
2017

Bass guitar

Background vocals

Nikk Dibbs

2017
2018

Background vocals

Virus

2000
2013

Background vocals

Guitar

Tripp Eisen

1998
2000

Guitar

Simon Dope

1997
2002

Keyboard

Daniel Fox

2004
2005

Drums (drum set)

Racci Shay

2004
2006

Bass guitar

Acey Slade

2015
2017

Bass guitar

Virus

2015
2017

Guitar

Nikk Dibbs

2017
2017

Keyboard

Virus

2015
2017

Background vocals

Ben Graves

2005
2006

Drums (drum set)

Preston Nash

1997
2000

Drums (drum set)

Daniel Fox

2013
2015

Drums (drum set)

Racci Shay

2015
2017

Drums (drum set)

Story of Dope

Dope: A Heavy Metal Juggernaut From the Streets of NYC

Dope, the American industrial metal band hailing from New York City, exploded onto the scene in 1997. Their sound, a potent cocktail of heavy metal grit and the raw aggression of industrial rock pioneers like Ministry and Skinny Puppy, set them apart from the typical 90s rock bands.

Frontman Edsel Dope, a true auteur, forged the band's identity. His songwriting and powerful vocals, combined with the rhythmic fury of drummer Chris Warner, guitarist Acey Slade, bassist Daniel Fox, and the hypnotic guitar riffs of Virus, have created a sonic experience that's both brutal and captivating.

Dope's journey is as gritty as their music. The band's early days were a struggle for survival, fueled by hustle and raw ambition. Edsel, a survivor of a broken home, reunited with his brother Simon, who joined the band as keyboardist, sampler, and percussionist. They grinded, pushing their way through the underground music scene, even resorting to dealing drugs to finance their music.

This resilience paid off. Dope went on to release seven full-length albums, their latest being the hard-hitting "Blood Money Part Zer0" in February 2023. Their music has resonated with millions, selling over one million albums worldwide, solidifying their place as a force in the heavy metal landscape. Dope's story, one of raw talent, perseverance, and an unwavering dedication to their art, continues to inspire a new generation of metalheads.

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