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Jeff Janiak
Janiak in 2018
Janiak in 2018
Background information
Birth nameJeffrey Richard Janiak
Born (1976-11-04) November 4, 1976 (age 48)
Livingston, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres
OccupationSinger
Years active
  • 1989–1994
  • 2002–present
Labels
Member of
Formerly ofBroken Bones
  • Wasted Life
  • Dead Heros
  • Chaotic Discharge

Jeff "JJ" Janiak (born November 4, 1976) is an American singer and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist of hardcore punk band Discharge and darkwave band False Fed.[1][2][3][4] He was also the vocalist for Broken Bones, Dead Heros and Wasted Life.[5] Janiak has contributed to various other musical projects and has toured internationally.[6] His vocal style has been described as shouting, harsh and guttural.[7][8]

Life and career

[edit]

Jeff Janiak was born in Livingston, New Jersey on November 4, 1976, and spent the first years of his life in Irvington, New Jersey until moving to Toms River, New Jersey in the late 1970s.[9] Janiak is a relative of the actor William Campbell.[10] Janiak had a major interest in horror films and occult books during his youth.[11] Janiak described himself to Metal Transistor as "a strange kid that felt like he couldn't fit in anywhere".[12]

Janiak started skateboarding at a young age, and eventually would start skating competitively winning numerous competitions which would land him a sponsorship. Janiak was then recruited by local pro skateboarder Jeff Jones to ride for his demo team, which would see Janiak doing skate demos around the tri-state area.[9]

His introduction to music started when he began listening to his parents records and his mother gave him her copy of The Monster Mash.[10] By the age of ten, Janiak was introduced to punk rock music through skateboarding, then later hearing the Dead Kennedys Plastic Surgery Disasters album which ultimately gained his attention to the genre.[5] At the age of 13, Janiak attended his first punk rock gig watching Ramones at City Gardens in Trenton, New Jersey.[13]

Janiak's introduction to playing music began at the age of 12 when he taught himself how to play the drums, then at the age of 14, he started his first band Chaotic Discharge.[5] Janiak attended Toms River High School East, then at age 17 he dropped out of high school and went missing. Janiak went to Philadelphia for a short period, and was staying in a squat. He briefly returned to New Jersey, only to play his final gig with Chaotic Discharge at The Stone Pony. After the gig, Janiak hitched a ride to the Lower East Side of Manhattan where he had got involved in the anarcho punk scene and ended up squatting in an abandoned community building until it was shut down by the NYPD.[9] After the squat was shut, Janiak spent the remainder of his time in New York City living in and around Tompkins Square Park. During this time, he developed a drug addiction which would last from his late teens to his mid twenties. His whereabouts were discovered when he was seen on a news report about the anniversary of the 1988 Tompkins Square Park riot.[9] Multiple photos of Janiak began to emerge in various publications about punk rock, anarchy and fashion from during his time living in New York.[14][15][16]

At age 21, Janiak was arrested and charged with drug possession. He served time at the Garden State Youth Correctional Facility.[9] Upon his release, Janiak cleaned himself up and started a career in the automotive industry spray painting cars.[17] After an eight year hiatus, Janiak returned to writing and playing music. Janiak made his come back not as a drummer, but as a vocalist. He had joined the band Dead Heros in 2002.[18] In 2003, Janiak recorded his first release with the band at Twain Studios with recording engineer Bob Both and producer Marty Munsch who would teach Janiak the basics of recording production.[10] In 2008, Janiak left Dead Heros. He then left the US and moved to Stoke-on-Trent, England.[5]

Janiak (center) with Discharge in 2017

In 2009, he attended a local gig and met members of the punk band Wasted Life and soon joined their ranks as vocalist until 2013.[9] In 2012, Janiak joined the punk / crossover thrash band Broken Bones,[19] and in 2014, Janiak was recruited by punk band Discharge.[20] In 2016, Janiak made his vocal debut with Discharge on the End of Days album which was released by Nuclear Blast Records.[21] The album reached number 10 in the Official UK rock charts and number 23 in The Indie Charts.[22][23] In October 2016, Discharge did a North American tour in support of the album.[24] Upon the bands arrival in Canada, Janiak was detained at customs due to his previous criminal charges and was initially denied entry into the country. It was then decided in Janiak's favor to grant him a temporary visa which would allow him to play their gig in Vancouver, but he had to leave the country the following day.[25]

During the corona virus pandemic in 2020, Janiak formed the Darkwave / Post-punk band False Fed and was joined by members of Amebix and Ministry. The band recorded their debut album "Let Them Eat Fake" on Neurot Recordings and it was released in October 2023. [26]

Influence

[edit]

Janiak has stated that Jim Morrison of The Doors was the biggest influence on his vocal style.[27]

Discography

[edit]

False Fed

[edit]

Studio albums

  • Let Them Eat Fake (2023)

Discharge

[edit]

Studio albums

Singles

  • New World Order (2016)

Live albums

  • Live 2014 (2015)

Music videos

  • New World Order (2015)[29]
  • Hatebomb (2016)[30]
  • The Broken Law (2017)[31]

DVD

  • Discharge – Legends of Punk Vol. 1 (2019)[32]

Broken Bones

[edit]

EPs

  • Vigilante (2013)
  • Dead & Gone (2013)

Music videos

  • Tread on Me (2014)[33]

Wasted Life

[edit]

Studio albums

  • Weapons of Self Destruction (2013)
  • It Means Nuthin' When You're Dead (2011)[34]

EPs

  • Wasted Life (2009)
  • The Zombie Sessions (2018)

Music videos

  • Bad Habits (2014)[35]
  • Why Me ? (2013)[36]

Dead Heros

[edit]

Singles

  • Schizophrenic (2008)[37]
  • Dead Heros (2003)[38]

Live albums

  • Live at CBGB's (2004)

Compilation

  • Nothing to Lose

Demos

  • 2008 Demo
  • 2002 Demo "Same Story, Different Page"

Chaotic Discharge

[edit]
  • Demo 94 (1994) – Cassette

Collaborations

[edit]
Jeff Janiak studio collaborations
Year Song Artist
2017 "Let's Hang" Suspect
2019 "Alphabetty Spaghetti" Paranoid Visions
2019 "Conspiracy" Blitzkrieg
2020 "Free Speech for the Dumb" Deafbrick[39]
2020 "Deflated" Star Control[40]
2020 "Pharamaceutikill" Unholy Alliance

Live

  • with Cavalera Conspiracy on "Protest & Survive" and "Hear Nothing See Nothing Say Nothing" at O2 Academy 2, Birmingham, England (2019)[41]
  • with Conflict on "The Serenade Is Dead" at Rebellion Festival (2019), at The Underground, Stoke-on-Trent (2018 & 2019)
  • with Blitzkrieg on "Conspiracy" at Rebellion Festival (2019)
  • with The Take on "It's My Life" at Temple of Boom, Leeds (2019)
  • with Vice Squad on "Last Rockers" at The Box, Crewe (2010)

Film and TV appearances

[edit]
  • Discharge – Legends of Punk Vol. 1 (as himself) (2019)
  • Rock and Roll (episode 8 "Anger"; Sky Arts documentary) (2017)
  • Rascal - Punk in Belfast. As it WAS, as it IS (documentary) (2017)
  • Waxx (TV mini-series as himself; guest appearance on Ace of Spades) (2016)[42]
  • Oatcakes ! (documentary; as himself) (2014)
  • Wasted Land (short film; as thug) (2012)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Discharge: Interview with singer Jeff Janiak of the D-Beat Legend". magazine.awayfromlife.com. March 8, 2016. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  2. ^ "INTERVIEW WITH J.J. JANIAK OF DISCHARGE". www.metal-rules.com. February 12, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  3. ^ "DISCHARGE Vocalist JEFF 'JJ JANIAK Discusses Joining Band, Signing To NUCLEAR BLAST, 'End Of Days' Album". www.blabbermouth.net. May 27, 2016. Archived from the original on June 2, 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  4. ^ "DISCHARGE Frontman JEFF JANIAK Talks New Album End Of Days – "It Stands Up To A Lot Of The Earlier Stuff"". bravewords.com. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d "Interview: Discharge". invictamagazine.com. February 6, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  6. ^ Mark Freebase. "New World Order". Down For Life Magazine. p. 72. Spring 2020, Big Cheese Publishing
  7. ^ "Iggy Pop, Fidlar, Discharge highlight Punk Rock Bowling". reviewjournal.com. May 31, 2017. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  8. ^ "Discharge – End of Days (Album Review)". wallofsoundau.com. April 8, 2016. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  9. ^ a b c d e f The NYHC Chronicles LIVE! Ep. #58 Jeff "JJ" Janiak (Discharge / Broken Bones / Dead Heros). stonefilmsnyc. September 9, 2020. Archived from the original on April 24, 2022. Retrieved July 5, 2022 – via YouTube.
  10. ^ a b c "Talking Heads: Discharge". Record Collector Magazine. Diamond Publishing Ltd. 2016. Retrieved March 26, 2021.[date missing][page needed]
  11. ^ "The 11 best Misfits songs according to Discharge's JJ". loudersound.com. May 2, 2016. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  12. ^ "Discharge – "Absolute freedom, non-conformity"". www.metaltransistor.com. January 11, 2020. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  13. ^ "Interview: Discharge". February 6, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  14. ^ Wojcik, Daniel Dean (1995). Punk And Neo-Tribal Body Art (1st ed.). University Press Of Mississippi. p. 43. ISBN 0-87805-736-6.
  15. ^ Cubana, Gloria. Days Of War Nights Of Love (2nd ed.). Crimethink Inc. p. 68.
  16. ^ Swid, Jill. "Hair Club". Spin Magazine. p.113. September 1994 Published by Bob Guccione Jr.
  17. ^ Ebersole, Stewart Dean (October 2012). Barred For Life: How Black Flag's Iconic Logo Became Punk Rocks Secret Handshake (1st ed.). PM Press. p. 292. ISBN 978-1-60486-394-9.
  18. ^ Helge Schreiber (2015). "Discharge". Artcore fanzine. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  19. ^ Miles Hackett. "Bones Brigade". Vive Le Rock (magazine). p. 28. Issue 22, 2014, Big Cheese Publishing
  20. ^ Eugene Butcher. "Sonic Violence". Vive Le Rock (magazine). p. 38. 2016, Big Cheese Publishing
  21. ^ "DISCHARGE Signs With NUCLEAR BLAST". blabbermouth.net. November 4, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  22. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". officialcharts.com. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  23. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". officialcharts.com. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  24. ^ "DISCHARGE's North American Tour With EYEHATEGOD And TOXIC HOLOCAUST Is Back On". metalinjection.net. July 8, 2016. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  25. ^ "DISCHARGE Banned from Canada; plays final Canadian show!". allabouttherock.co.uk. October 6, 2016. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  26. ^ "Full Album Stream: False Fed – "Let Them Eat Fake"". decibelmagazine.com. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  27. ^ "Soundtracks of My Youth Part 3". metalcrypt.com. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  28. ^ "DISCHARGE To Release 'End Of Days' Album In April". blabbermouth.net. February 10, 2016. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  29. ^ "DISCHARGE – "New World Order" video". idioteq.com. June 7, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  30. ^ "Discharge stream new track 'Hatebomb'". distortedsoundmag.com. March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  31. ^ "DISCHARGE Releases Official Music Video For 'The Broken Law'". blabbermouth.net. November 24, 2017. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  32. ^ "New documentary on the iconic punk band Discharge set for release". therockpit.net. October 7, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  33. ^ BROKEN BONES - TREAD ON ME - HARDCORE WORLDWIDE (OFFICIAL HD VERSION HCWW). HARDCORE WORLDWIDE. September 8, 2014. Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2022 – via YouTube.
  34. ^ "Wasted Life – It Means Nuthin' When You're Dead". punknews.org. March 20, 2012. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  35. ^ Wasted Life - "Bad Habits" STP Records. BlankTV. January 7, 2014. Archived from the original on April 10, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2022 – via YouTube.
  36. ^ Wasted Life - Why Me (2011). FALSE FLAG. February 22, 2011. Archived from the original on April 30, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2022 – via YouTube.
  37. ^ Paradise, Thomas Dean. Wax & Violence Discography: U.S. Streetpunk, Oi ! & Bootboy Rock 'n' Roll (1st ed.). p. 99.
  38. ^ Paradise, Thomas Dean. Wax & Violence Discography: U.S. Streetpunk, Oi ! & Bootboy Rock 'n' Roll (1st ed.). p. 98.
  39. ^ "DEAFBRICK is the Language of the Acid-Gods". cvltnation.com. September 2, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  40. ^ "New band ! Desks: New music from Evil Blizzard Mark & Friends". louderthanwar.com. March 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  41. ^ "LIVE REVIEW: Max & Iggor Cavalera @ O2 Academy 2, Birmingham". distortedsoundmag.com. December 30, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  42. ^ "Listen/Watch: Members of Megadeth, Amon Amarth, Dragonforce, Discharge, and More Cover Motörhead's "Ace of Spades"". metalsucks.net. July 21, 2016. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
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