Who: Miami's Black Tide, a foursome of headbanging, Iron Maiden-loving underagers led by 15-year-old metal prodigy Gabriel Garcia.
Sounds Like: Everything you love about Eighties metal gods like Judas Priest and Guns n' Roses without all the irony. In a town dominated by rap and reggaeton, Black Tide began making their mark with blistering all-ages shows, eventually grabbing the attention of major labels like Interscope, who released the band's debut Light From Above.
Vital Stats:
• For the band, school's out. "Fuck school. I was a really bad student, dude," says Garcia. Drummer Steven Spence adds, "Well, it's hard to keep your motivation when you're in seventh grade and you have a record deal." However, Garcia credits his poor grades to a love of marijuana.
• Obviously, releasing an album on a major label will boost your fanbase. "The day the record came out in March, we were playing to 30 kids," says guitarist Lexx Nunez. "The next day, we played to 300." Their MySpace page can look forward to a lot more friends as the band will join Disturbed, Mastodon and Slipknot on this year's traveling Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival.
• Despite being under legal age, the band has developed a love of booze and strip clubs. "We see the world, and people give us free alcohol sometimes," says bassist Zakk Sandler. "We're not on the fuckin' Disney Channel," adds Nunez.
Hear It Now: Light From Above is in stores now, and first single "Shockwave" is thundering its way onto the radio (but not Radio Disney, obviously.) Click above to see a special behind-the-scenes video on the making of the clip for "Shockwave."
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Old guy in Oz | March 31, 2009 12:46 AM
Yes, these kids are fucking amazing. I'm an old metal head, and I fucking know it. These guys HAVE IT!! Balls, talent, attitude and cool.
Fucking awesome!!
Going to see them and Trivium! Yee-FUCKING-Ha!!
Laura | February 26, 2009 4:03 PM
I've drank with Zakk, oh yes! :D
Mercy | October 12, 2008 7:18 PM
yo, Sicilian Rebel: no one gives a shit, dude.
At the moment, you're the one who sounds like an egotistical prick. It's like all people like you can do is talk shit. It gets old.
Sicilian Rebel | August 3, 2008 11:52 PM
Come on...
Shockwave is "good" release. Its NOT original whatsoever. 15yo drinkin, getting high, and strip clubs? Has not the past 20years of the "metal lifestyle" taught these punks anything? What kind of record co. and what kind of parents would allow this shit go on? OHHHH thats right. The almighty $. Ohh...and I say punks because I know them. They are egotistical pricks that can give 2 shits about their fans. Invest your $ now. This "mainstream, popular" bullshit is NOT METAL!
Giih | August 2, 2008 3:44 PM
omg, they are so hot !
Anonymous | July 29, 2008 12:49 PM
Recently became a big fan!!
Yeah them on tour with Disturbed, Slipknot and such on the Mayhem Tour will definitely get them even more fans..
Thats how I found out about them, so :D
In years time, I can bet you they have the potential to become as big as Iron Maiden, woooh!
HeavyMetalManiac | July 18, 2008 1:42 AM
Just heard this band for the first time today.This is the shit man!!! A bands first album always seems to be the best one. Don't ever change your sound and keep it hard and heavy boys. Love it and can't wait to see Black Tide *FUCKING* live. See you all there.
na-pa_to_veTH&BT | July 4, 2008 12:35 PM
they awsome!!!! the first time that i herd tehm!!!!!!!!
Iron Flower™ | June 5, 2008 1:13 PM
omg...i love Black tide one of the 1st best metal bands out...geeze they be rockin my mundo since the first time i've herd them...KEEP on Rockin mi Mundo!!1 =} love u guyz
shaggy | June 4, 2008 10:55 AM
oh yeah u fucking rule, theres no other band like u guys. warriors of time and shockwave man that shit is the best.
shaggy | June 4, 2008 10:53 AM
dude, im 17 years old and i stopped playing guitar cause i just didnt have the focus or time to do it. u guys inspired me to be what i want to be. u guys fucking rule thank u!!!
May | June 3, 2008 11:11 AM
Black Tide F*c*in kick A*S
i cant wait to see them over the summer
BLACK TIDE KICKS ASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
sotman91 | May 15, 2008 1:41 AM
I got the pleasure of seeing the debut video of shockwave on headbangers ball on 11/17/07 and went to see the band live in Lubbock TX on 12/4/07 as the opening band for A7X...............f'ing awesome then and I got to see them live in Dallas on 2/28/08 at The Door as a lead in band for All That Remains...I am looking forward to seeing them on a side stage as part of the Mayhemfest tour coming to Dallas 7/25/08....the cd rocks!!!!!!
~*~Britt~*~ | May 14, 2008 11:08 AM
o my God! I absolutely LUV black tide...My friend (thanks Beeka!!!) told me about them & now im hooked on them! YayU guys! Keep rockin!!!!!!!!!!& head-bangin!!!
beeka.. | May 14, 2008 11:05 AM
this band is absolutely amazing and i f*ckin love gabriel! rock on dudes...
BEEKA BRIT & KERI!!! | May 14, 2008 10:31 AM
WE HEART GABRIEL!!!!! YAY...YOU ROCK OUR F*CKIN SOCKS AND I WILL SEE YOU AT OZZFEST!!!! WOOT, WOOT!!!!!!
Yo | May 12, 2008 9:44 PM
I would get drunk with Gabriel anytime
~swoon~
fan | May 12, 2008 8:52 PM
this kid cant be 15 some one check his birth certificate.
i dont care what you are drinking or smoking keep doing your thing your a bad ass.
zach | May 12, 2008 2:22 AM
not the best band out there. but there something new,fresh and at least heavy/good in comparison to a lot of the crap out there today. haha yeah gettin drunk and high that young,mmmm ill give there little run a few more years. until then keep makin good musicc. you guys have talent dont throw it all away
Cilvya Crow | May 11, 2008 11:35 PM
i love them sooo much!!!
alex is my babys daddy
sorry steven
kriz | May 10, 2008 6:24 PM
BLACK TIDE IS DEFINITELY OFF TO A GREAT START. LAY OFF THE BOOZE AND DRUGS THOUGH OR IT WILL BE A SHORT RIDE. BETTER BANDS THAN YOU HAVE HAD TO LEARN THEIR LESSON THE HARD WAY,SO GOOD LUCK.
baker skater | May 9, 2008 11:09 PM
black tide is fucking insane
Anonymous | May 9, 2008 11:07 PM
this band is fucking awesome.fucking awesome
Breaking | May 9, 2008 7:04 PM
Amusing coincidence. Uninspiring music. Mindless, meaningless but at least they are honest about it.
jojo | May 9, 2008 11:45 AM
I bought cd yesturday amazing!!!!!!!!!
carldub | May 7, 2008 10:49 PM
Keep the stereotype going, and going...
Mike | May 7, 2008 7:40 PM
Having grown up in the 80s loving Iron Maiden, GnR, Metallica (pre-haircuts-and-rehab), etc. I love that these kids are kicking out some damn fine party metal! Sure sure there are harder metal bands and my metal head friends say that it isn't hard core enough for them, but I love it even more that they're all underage! Rock on gentlemen, rock on!
emma | May 7, 2008 12:55 PM
well I think that they are doing a kick ass job even at their age its fucking awesome keep on rocking
Break Me | May 7, 2008 11:57 AM
P.U.!!!!! Why are you trying to make a big deal out of this little toy band? There is absolutely NOTHING original about their so-called music. Plus they don't even come close to being as good as all those bands they WANNA BE like!!!!! Sux!!!!! I hope they get drafted when they are 18, when they are all stupid, broke, never-has-beens!
Tiffany 719 | May 6, 2008 6:33 PM
BLACK TIDE IS THE SHIT !
Their the best metal band i have heard in a long ass time no matter what and its good to love that marijuana i do so keep on rockin .
Dr. J | May 6, 2008 3:21 PM
Yoo...Dr. J...let's roll a mighty 1. HAHA. Just pwning, bitches. This is a phat disk though, everything in Moderation, Garcia. I love a good blunt too, but don't get so baked that your talent drops faster than a cannonball in the ocean. They're not the best metal band..but it's nice to hear some guys felt the lack of metal had to stop.
boo | May 6, 2008 8:48 AM
love the album- maybe their age but why do this bands think they have to act a certain way to be cool - we need true metal stars back not rock and roll drunks/junkies(i am saying they are by the way)
Kixx | May 6, 2008 2:59 AM
Well, I'll enjoy Black Tide before they go down. It is a great record, and "Shockwave" has really hit potential. But love for marijuana in the age of 15, alcohol and strip clubs – it wont last. Sorry. Black Tide’s got talent, no doubt, but boys, don’t destroy your chances. The life of rock’n’roll is funny – buy deadly...
Georgie | May 5, 2008 5:03 PM
HAHA love for marijuana and disney channels, it keeps getting better
black widow | May 5, 2008 4:58 PM
selll ouutttsss
G.A. mom | May 5, 2008 4:21 PM
you guys are the "shit"!!!
and then some!!!
Arielle | May 1, 2008 2:06 AM
Black Tide is the shit!!!!! There is no better metal band out there today!!!
Roberto | April 30, 2008 9:47 PM
Im from mexico and heard about this band about 2 months ago...i couldnt believe the vocalist has 15 years damn his good...Hope they make something big...
Grant Ruby | April 30, 2008 7:34 PM
Wow, way to be late to the party, Rolling Stone!