Los Angeles heavies Spineshank began in February of 1996,
rising from the ashes of a previous band, Basic Enigma (which
included future Spineshankers Johnny Santos on vocals, Mike
Sarkisyan on guitars, and Tom Decker on drums). Basic
Enigma broke up upon hearing Demanufacture, the 1996
release by electro-metallists Fear Factory, but soon reformed
with a different sound and moniker, and a new bassist (Robert
Garcia). The band soon befriended Fear Factory guitarist Dino
Cazares, who upon hearing their demo, offered the new band
to open a show for F.F. at the Whiskey A-Go-Go in Los Angeles.
This led to other coveted opening slots (with such popular acts
as Coal Chamber, Snot, Soulfly, Sepultura, and Danzig, among
others), and label interest, with Roadrunner eventually signing the
band. Their debut, Strictly Diesel, was released in September of
1998, and featured yet another tie-in with their favorite band,
Fear Factory vocalist Burton C. Bell sings on the track "Stain."
Height of Callousness followed two years later.