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. 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. Tension was then asked to partake in a 4-way split 7-inch with After All (Uplipht's new name), Culture, and Roosevelt on Intention Records but the release fell through.
Leon was soon thereafter asked to leave for reasons not released 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 (Shai Hulud), Chad Gilbert (New Found Glory), Ray Souza (LOAD), Kenny Fontaine (Kenny Steel), and John Wylie (Where Fear and Weapons Meet). 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 + Last known lineup Years Name Instrument 1993-1997 Michael "Mikey" Joseph Hurley II (died 2017) Vocals1993-1997 Joe Keit Guitars1993-1995, 1996-1997 Ray Rodriguez Bass1996-1997 Mike McDermit Drums
+ Former members Years Name Instrument 1993, 1995-1996 Nick Dominguez Bass1993 Matt Fox Bass1993-1994 Chris Michaelis Drums1994-1996 Eric Leon Drums Chad Gilbert John Wylie Guitar Ray Souza Kenny Fontaine
Discography + List of studio albums Year Title Label1996 Agent of the People Uprising Records
+ List of EPs Year Title Label 1993 In Our Time First Street Records 1994 The Sickness of Our Age Endless Fight Records
+ List of compilation appearances Year Title Label1994 SFSA: South Florida Slammie Awards Vol. 1 GJ Records1994 "Stand Aside" on Identity?! Songs of Hatred Century Media1995 "Stand Aside" on Ceremony of Fire Uprising1995 "Greed" on Point Counterpoint Inside Front Records1995 "Greed" on South Florida Comp Far Out Records1995 "Unheard" on Over The Edge Compilation Vol. 2 Endless Fight1995 "Stand Aside" on Stones to Mark a Fire Militant Records/Vegan Earth Order1995 "Stand Aside" on Bloodlines - The Seeds of Rebellion Century Media1996 "Greed" on Inside Front the Compact Disc Inside Front
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