Biography (2011)
Flying under the radar for almost 17 years, 800 Octane is one of Portland’s longest running punk rock bands. The band originated in Boone, North Carolina in the summer of 1994 and later relocated to Portland, Oregon in the winter of 1996. Since then 800 Octane has evolved from a couple of friends in a garage trying to find their sound to a Northwest punk rock institution. At the core of it all is a long running friendship between the founding members and a common interest in writing aggressive, energetic songs with what could be described as a mix of early 80’s skate punk combined with a horror movie sensibility. Although the albums and shows aren’t nearly as frequent as they once were, 800 Octane has remained fiercely independent and mostly uncaring about the trends that have come in and out of style since their inception.
Probably best known for their live shows, 800 Octane has been consistently delivering energetic and solid performance everywhere from tiny basements to some of the best venues on the West coast. The goal is to play like it's your last show and try not to break anything. Playing for whomever and traveling wherever has always been the name of the game and to date they've played hundreds and hundreds of self booked, self promoted shows. The payoff has been the chance to play with many of their influences and idols including The Misfits, Tiger Army, Guttermouth, UK Subs, H2O, Strike Anywhere, New Found Glory, All, Strung Out, TSOL, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Face To Face, Bigwig, Sum 41, The Living End, Saves The Day, Poison Idea, GWAR to name a few. Not bad for a band that prefers singing about zombies to politics.
If you seen 800 Octane’s often sped up and abrasive live sound you may be surprised to find that their studio albums are typically somewhat polished and hook filled. Their fifth studio album entitled 'Requiem' (2008) completes a trilogy of CD's recorded with Conrad Uno of Seattle's legendary Egg Studios, which has spawned the likes of Mudhoney, Zeke, Nashville Pussy and the Presidents of the United States of America. With 18 tracks in just under 44 minutes the songs and hooks come at you fast and furious. Topics range from movies, to monsters, to getting older and then back again before you realize it.
800 Octane isn’t here to change the world. Their goal is just to give anyone with a pulse (or without one) a chance to get their blood flowing a little bit faster.
Downloads:
Dave
Bass, Vocals
Eric
Guitar
Justin
Guitar, Vocals
Dustin
Drums