Tension (hardcore band)


Tension was a Christian straight-edge hardcore punk band that formed in 1993.

History

In 1993, Vocalist Mikey Hurley formed Tension, as a side project of his band Endure. Hurley hired Joe Keit of the Murrychesstoes on guitars and Chris Michaelis on drums. Soon thereafter, Nick Dominguez of Endure joined the band on bass guitar, which completed the first official lineup. Shortly after the band's first phone call together, the band demoed out six songs and recorded them two weeks later in studio. The songs became Tension's first release, In Our Time, which came out shortly after being recorded.
In 1993, Dominguez left the band to join Strongarm and was replaced by Ray Rodriguez. After Rodriguez joined, the band released The Sickness of our Age EP in 1994, which is considered to be their best release. Michaelis left the band shortly thereafter, being replaced by Eric Leon, which was when the band reached its peak. In 1995, the band went on tour with Uplipht and Strongarm, and played around 25-30 shows.
Leon was soon thereafter asked to leave for reason unmentionable, and was replaced by Mike McDermit. He performed on the band's debut album, Agent of the People. Tension signed to Uprising Records and released Agent of the People and re-released Sickness of our Age.
Tension is looked at as classic or legendary in the Florida hardcore scene. The band also had various connections with several other well-known Florida bands, such as New Found Glory, Endure, Strongarm, Shai Hulud, and Further Seems Forever.
The band had several short term members, which included Matt Fox, Chad Gilbert, Ray Souza, Kenny Fontaine, and John Wylie. The band played shows with Earth Crisis, Hatebreed, Strife, Shelter, and Marilyn Manson.
In 2017, Mikey Hurley, the band's original member, died on July 18 at the age of 45. It was reported that he committed suicide. His death was mourned by his bandmates and his friends.

Members

YearsNameInstrument
1993Nick DominguezBass
1993Matt FoxBass
1993-1994Chris MichaelisDrums
1994-1996Eric LeonDrums
Chad Gilbert
John WylieGuitar
Ray Souza
Kenny Fontaine

Discography

YearTitleLabel
1993In Our TimeFirst Street Records
1994The Sickness of our AgeEndless Fight Records

YearTitleLabel
1994SFSA: South Florida Slammie Awards Vol. 1GJ Records
1994"Stand Aside" on Identity?! Songs of HatredCentury Media
1995"Stand Aside" on Ceremony of FireUprising
1995"Greed" on Point CounterpointInside Front Records
1995"Greed" on South Florida CompFar Out Records
1995"Unheard" on Over The Edge Compilation Vol. 2Endless Fight
1995"Stand Aside" on Stones to Mark a FireMilitant Records/Vegan Earth Order
1995"Stand Aside" on Bloodlines - The Seeds of RebellionCentury Media
1996"Greed" on Inside Front the Compact DiscInside Front