Zadoc...& the Nightmare
The Terrible History of Zadoc...& the Nightmare
2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1988 1980

1980
September  Zadoc and Dark Cloud meet for the first time in Liverpool, N.Y. Morgan Road Elementary School
1988
September   Zadoc and Dark Cloud meet and befriend Kirk Brinley
June
  • Zadoc and Dark Cloud form a "band" in name only, with Kirk Brinley (also with Kevin Durr - bass guitar, and Brian Wood as drummer/manager) , called "Angells" later to be known as "Silent Thunder"
  • Zadoc buys his first electric guitar and amp off of Dark Cloud for $30 (he still has it BTW)
November  Zadoc moves to Orlando, Florida effectively putting the band "on hold"
Zadoc vows that he intends on returning to Upstate, NY as soon as he possibly can
1990
various
  • Zadoc joins several Orlando garage bands including Killer Rabbits from Hell, Bedlam, Technical Ecstasy, and others
  • Zadoc and Dark Cloud begin their first attempts at collaborative songwriting - long distance - via handwritten letters and telephone calls

    Their first finished work was a song called "Silent Thunder" - which Zadoc had recorded onto a cheap tape recorder
  • Guitarist Kirk Brinley resigns on his commitment to the band "Silent Thunder" and is replaced by guitarist Nico Gerritsen
  • Bassist Kevin Durr also resigns due to lack of interest and motivation
Zadoc's 1990 high school yearbook photo
1991
various Zadoc writes and records his first attempt at a home demo which includes the first workings of "Save Me" and "Save Your Tears"

Dark Cloud receives his moniker from Onondaga Nation Tribe
June   Dark Cloud resigns on his commitment to "Silent Thunder", leaving Zadoc and guitarist Nico Gerritsen as the only two remaining members

Zadoc and Nico decide to rename Silent Thunder out of respect for Dark Cloud

Band is officially known as "Zadoc" and the first logo is designed by Zadoc, Nico Gerritsen, and Kirk Brinley - and sketched by Zadoc

1992
September 20th 
Zadoc finally relocates to Central New York and the band "officially" begins; consisting of Zadoc on lead vocals / lead guitar, Kirk Brinley on rhythm guitar, and Dark Cloud on drums
Zadoc, Dark Cloud, and Kirk Brinley
1992
October &
November
  • Being dissatisfied with Zadoc's vocals, Dark Cloud and Kirk Brinley insist on continuing to search for another vocalist
  • Joey Corcoran is hired as the band's vocalist and third guitar player; this arrangement turns out to be short lived as Joey's young age presents persistent problems
  • Being without a vocalist, Zadoc once again fills in on the lead vocal slot at rehearsals; no other vocalist emerges and Zadoc takes the slot permanently, again
  • Zadoc and Kirk Brinley pen a two early songs together - "Hellfire" and (upon insistence from Dark Cloud to have a "ballad") "The Ballad of Shadows"

    Due to Dark Cloud not owning a drum kit at the time, the band records these songs with the two guitars being played by Zadoc and Kirk, while Dark Cloud uses a cheap electronic set of drum pads
December "The End of Time" and "No More Goodbyes" are written as are the beginnings of "Brotherhood of Death"
1993
January
Dark Cloud leaves the band and is replaced by Rich Hough on drums

The band again briefly tries a third guitar player, good friend Eric Bayless, but Bayless proves not to work out 
Kirk Brinley, Rich Hough, and Zadoc
1993
May
Zadoc records their first "official" demo, "Blood and Rain" at Screaming Skull studios with bassist Matt Conn

Recorded for the 3 song demo are "The End of Time", "Deanna (Killing You)" and "No More Goodbyes"

Due to a dispute over a broken drum microphone between studio engineer Steve Lloyd and drummer Rich Hough - the master recording was never released to the band - despite the fact that Zadoc had purchased the reel ahead of time.  Zadoc felt that this dispute was between Lloyd and Hough - and when the two both blamed the negligence of the other, Hough refused to pay for the damage, Lloyd kept the master reel

Matt Conn disappears shortly after the recording is finished
Kirk Brinley and Matt Conn at Screaming Skull Studios
June
Zadoc's first "official" gig as a band for the biker bash "Fred Fest"

The band plays a 45 minute set half comprised of cover songs, without a bass player
Zadoc's first gig
FredFest '93
September Jeff Densmore hired as bass player
October Zadoc meets Ray Castaldo and Dan Gober (aka Angell Blakk/D.D. Nightmare)
December
After numerous frustrations concerning reliability issues, Rich Hough is replaced by Ray Castaldo on drums
Zadoc, Kirk Brinley, Jeff Densmore, RaYzor Castaldo
1994
  June &
July
  • Zadoc begins playing a string of Lost Horizon shows
  • Zadoc also lands an opening gig for well-known local metal band, Bleed Christine; unfortunately, the gig turned out to be rather disastrous
  • Zadoc plays their second consecutive Fred Fest - this gig fared far better than their debut performance the previous year
November Rich Hough briefly returns as Ray Castaldo leaves to join 99¢ Special
December 17th
  • Zadoc performs their last show as a traditional rock band
  • Consequentially, this show turns out to be the first and only club date to be performed featuring Rich Hough on drums
  • This performance also marks the first time Zadoc experiments with wearing face makeup

 
Zadoc's first makeup job
1995
January Rich Hough fired. Band takes a drastic step which is their current foundation, computer sequencing replaces the drum throne, and band dons the makeup for the first time
February The Jester hired as an additional live drummer
Band is now known as "Zadoc: Vampire Theatre"
April   Dark Cloud returns as another additional drummer but after synchronization difficulties, shortly moves over to play the keyboard
various
Band continues to gain acceptance and popularity as one of the best Goth-Theatric bands in the Central N.Y. area
Kirk Brinley, Jeff Densmore, Dark Cloud, Zadoc, and the Jester
1995
1996
July Jeff Densmore resigns, Dark Cloud assumes the position of bassist
September After the collapse of 99¢ Special, Ray Castaldo rejoins as part-time keyboardist
October 21st Band begins to record "...As the Curtain Falls..." at Eastwind Studios
October 31st
  • The band plays it's first Watertown gig at Jamie's Coffee house - a weird atmosphere erupted shortly after the band's arrival sparking a few patrons to bring garlic to the show

    A few bulbs were thrown at various bandmembers before the performance which made keyboardist RaYzor extremely nervous, as well as making The Jester and Dark Cloud very angry

    Upon taking the stage, Dark Cloud scooped up a bulb and angrily bit into it (which he later learned to regret)
    After witnessing this display and after the first few notes of the opening song, the crowd calmed down and thoroughly enjoyed the performance tremendously
  • This performance also sees "Zadoc: Vampire Theatre's" first pairing with the band Pagan Holiday, leading the two bands to go on to become 1997 tourmates - seeing both bands sharing a plethora of gigs together
November
  • Midway through the recording sessions for "...As the Curtain Falls...", RaYzor resigns, overwhelmed by all the recent stress in his life
  • Keyboardist Kim Mercier (aka "Seek", "Ambrosia") joins the band after primary recording has finished - however, she does later assist with the mixing of the album
1997

January 
Band releases "...As the Curtain Falls..."
March The Jester is moved to keyboards and Steve "Ace"  Moore is hired as an additional guitarist
May Zadoc and Dark Cloud escorted out of a Watertown, N.Y. Battle of the Bands by Jefferson County police for disputing an unfair disqualification. The band had agreed to tarp the floor as not to stain the floor with blood. The band complied and were disqualified anyways when the organizers allegedly claimed that blood was not allowed at all. The band's only request was to announce to the audience where they would have placed had they not been disqualified. The organizers refused and after a small but heated argument called the police. The official voting ballot gave Zadoc: Vampire Theatre a perfect score.
June Music video is shot for "Brotherhood of Death", still unreleased
October The band parts ways with The Jester, Ray Castaldo returns to drums
December 3rd "Zadoc: Vampire Theatre" plays it's last show with it's classic lineup
December 7th Due to internal conflicts, Zadoc quits "Zadoc: Vampire Theatre" signaling an end to an era
December 25th Zadoc begins a demo for a new project named "7th Sin"
1998
January   Zadoc teams forces with Dan Gober (theatrics), Nazareth (keyboards), and former Zadoc: Vampire Theatre members Ray Castaldo (bass), Steve Moore (guitar) to form 7th Sin
August "7th Sin" disbands and becomes a production company and recording studio studio
September Zadoc: Vampire Theatre is reformed with the Jester returning to drums, Zadoc on guitar and vocals, and Dan Gober on theatrics
November  The Jester resigns to start a family, Steve Moore is rehired for guitar, Kyle Proia joins as a percussionist/keyboardist, and Russell David Pope Jr. joins on drums
1999
February   founding member Kirk Brinley replaces Steve on guitar
April  Russell resigns the drums and becomes involved in production work, Dan resigns theatrics and focuses on management
May
Zadoc: Vampire Theatre releases a self titled CD, that is later shelved by the request of Dan Gober
August Due to growing problems with Dan, and Zadoc's frustration, Kirk parts ways with the music business
October After a tirade of guitar players, Monster joins on guitar
The band decides on a fresh start and is renamed to "Zadoc...and the Nightmare"
Dan debuts as a bass player and X is inducted as lighting technician
2000
various Dan continues to instigate problems and later forces more members out of the band than in it's entire history.
Some casualties: Russell David Pope Jr., Steve Moore, Nazareth, Skarekrow, SINdy Crucifix, Bat Boy, Monster, Ssikk, Leslie Rose, Twitch Twilight
January Band begins to record debut album "Beyond Our Eyes"
August The guitar switches hands from Monster to SINdy Crucifix due to overwhelming problems with Gober and Monster over addiction
October
After various delays, re-recordings, temper tantrums from Dan, and disgust, "Beyond Our Eyes" is finally released
October 13th
Zadoc ties the knot with longtime girlfriend, Courtney, performing a special set of music for a crowd of about 200+
Mr and Mrs. Zadoc Angell
2001
January Having had enough of Dan Gober, Zadoc seizes an opportunity to fire him and put an end to all the damage Gober has caused.
Gober attempts to remain in the music business by unsuccessfully trying to join "Children Of Apathy" and "Atmos/Fear X", winds up selling all of his musical possessions instead
February Dark Cloud reclaims the role of bass player
March 30th The band ends a brief stint under Low-Key Productions. A chaotic melee occurs after delays, bad sound mix, and finally equipment failure.
The Nightmare decides from that point on to work only with contracts to avoid such a mishap again.
May The band records a cover of the song Rocket Queen for a Guns N' Roses tribute CD compilation. Former drummer RaYzor contributes a drum track to the release.
June
  • The band announces new member MC Illin. The Nightmare hasn't had a drummer since 1996
  • Former member Skarekrow passes away at age 22
July New album Paper Dollz is announced. Songwriting begins, with a few early cuts debuting at the Erotic Art Show
November 10th  Former guitarist Monster arrives at a performance at the Stag Hotel and rejoins the band the same night.
2002
January Guitarist SINdy Crucifix departs in order to further pursue his solo project Children of Apathy
February Forthcoming album is renamed Tragically Ever After to avoid copyright infringement due to the departure of SINdy Crucifix.
March Gary Dobbins signed on as producer for Tragically Ever After
Zadoc joins Children of Apathy as guitarist replacing guitarist Ash Bowie.
April Dark Cloud is dismissed from the band. Zadoc and Dark Cloud agree to continue on as a songwriting team while Born Again Savages guitarist Joe DiRienzo fills in as a studio session bassist for the recording of Tragically Ever After
June The band begins recording the primary tracking of Tragically Ever After
July
  • Zadoc joins Black Sabbath tribute band Supernaut
  • Zadoc's home is burglarized by a former member of the Nightmare. Thankfully only two gaming consoles along with dozens of games were stolen
  • Former keyboardist Kim Mercier (Ambrosia) arrives at a performance July 27th and offers to rejoin the band the same night.
Black Sabbath Tribute band Supernaut
Jason Hasseler, Tom Mitchell, Zadoc, and Kevin
August Former keyboardist Kim Mercier (Ambrosia) officially rejoins the Nightmare.
September Drummer I.M. Illin' resigns (mainly due to creative differences with Monster), former drummer RaYzor Castaldo returns as his replacement.
October former bass player BatBoy attempts breaking and entering into Zadoc's home only months after the robbery of Zadoc's home. The attempted burglary occurs on Zadoc and his wife Courtney's second anniversary on October 13th.
The Nightmare hastily records three 'teaser' songs slated to appear on the forthcoming CD (this time featuring RaYzor and Ambrosia) due to delays in being able to finish the album in a reasonable fashion.
2003
January   Supernaut disbands.
March Zadoc disbands the Nightmare due to Ambrosia and Monster's inabilities to function productively, and RaYzor's imminent return to 99¢ Special, however, Zadoc reconsiders his intentions after being verbally abused and harassed by former guitarist Monster about his 'real' intentions for disbanding the project.
The sad reality behind the 'real' intention is far worse which resulted in Ambrosia becoming divorced from her husband.
April Longtime friend and fan of the Nightmare, Az Mordecai auditions for the band's bass guitar duties. Upon performing a few of the older songs, Az produces a rare cassette only release of Songs of A Vampire released by Zadoc: Vampire Theatre in 1995, which he bought in that same time period. Zadoc was flattered and impressed; Az walked away with the job.
May Ambrosia hastily announces her impending departure from the band, having plans on moving out of state, less than a week before a promotional photo shoot.  Az and Zadoc wisely decide to go ahead and continue with the photo shoot as planned, producing excellent promotional photographs from Bent Wire Studios.
June On a recommendation from Cliff Diver bassist/frontman Tom "Cliff" Bushnell, drummer Carmen Giocondo joins the fold.
July 5th Zadoc unveils the new lineup at a 'debut' show at Bleachers (in Liverpool, NY)  Drummer Carmen Giocondo not feeling quite ready to join the band live opts to sit the show out.  Despite a lack of a drummer and a slight pyrotechnic misunderstanding with the Bleachers staff, the show goes off fairly well.
July 12th Zadoc, Az (with his then-girlfriend Esther), and Ambrosia attend a Born Again Savages and Small Girl Boils Water show at the Planet 505 in Syracuse, NY.  Former guitarist Monster arrived sometime later that evening and verbally harassed Zadoc, Az, Esther, and Ambrosia and physically assaulted Ambrosia upon leaving.  Zadoc posts an angry retort on the band's forum (which he later removed deeming it to be too offensive for the forum's rules) which resulted in a slew of slanderous and contradictorily inaccurate rebuttals by Monster and his wife (who was also present at the incident). 
July 19th Only a day before the new lineup's second performance, keyboardist Ambrosia has a mental breakdown and opts not to perform the following day's gig.  Zadoc and Az decide that the show must go on, and performed as a two piece alongside a trusty drum machine.  Two days later sensing the problems that her unreliability is causing the band, Ambrosia resigns from the Nightmare.
July 20th The Nightmare performs for the first time alongside Ssik Humor, beginning a strong friendship between the two bands leading to many more pairings of Ssik Humor with the Nightmare.
August
Again as a two piece, Zadoc and Az perform at the Metal Madness festival held by Metal Scene alongside of Ssik Humor, Dogs on Mars, Hypnotica, Wiremouth, OBIE, Bitterweed, Tribal Law, and others.  Zadoc also responds to the mess of posts on the band's forum with a long and detailed clarification of the untruths and slanderous accusations by former guitarist Monster.
Az and Zadoc
Gothic Rock Duo
September 5th
Drummer Carmen Giocondo finally debuts as the drummer for the Nightmare at a performance at the Bridge Street Music Hall
Az, Zadoc, and Carmen at the Bridge Street Music Hall
October 11th
Zadoc reunites with former Nightmare drummer I.M. Illin' and guitarist SINdy Crucifix, filling in as a bass player for a Children of Apathy performance at the historic Landmark Theatre in downtown Syracuse
Mike, Zadoc, SINdy, and Illin'
Children of Apathy
October 17th In what was to become a legendary 'blunder' within the Nightmare camp, bassist Azriel Mordecai becomes stranded and was left behind after a gig in Rome, NY with the Born Again Savages

At the end of the night, both Zadoc and Carmen packed up the equipment into each of their vehicles and mistakenly thought that the other car also contained their bass player - they both drove off until growing suspicious after a few miles

Az, realizing his predicament, hitched a ride back to Syracuse with John Thomas, bassist for the Savages - although Carmen had turned around by this point to return to club

Az has still not let this incident be forgotten

October 25th After performing a set with The Nightmare, Zadoc joins members of the band Enertia onstage to provide the vocals for a rendition of the Ozzy Osbourne classic Over the Mountain up in Watertown's Club 342
2004
April 3rd A surprise guest performance by former Nightmare member SINdy Crucifix on a number of songs at a gig out at Lucky's - in Rome, NY, begins a prospect of SINdy rejoining the Nightmare.
May 15th SINdy officially debuts as a member of the Nightmare out at Lucky's in Rome, NY
June After a few musical differences and disagreements, the Nightmare and SINdy Crucifix mutually part ways again.
July 24th The Nightmare performs at Caranival, and marks the first time the band has performed at an outdoor event in over a decade since playing the Fred Fest back in 1994

Members of the Nightmare and Toxic Love Affair stayed the weekend in the campgrounds in a mutually shared area dubbed "Camp Toxic Nightmare".

Unfortunately, the diet for these campers consisted almost entirely of alcohol - with the exception of what Toxic Love Affair drummer Matt Miller and Nightmare bassist Azriel Mordecai referred to simply as "Beer-gers".

July 31st Accepting a last minute gig replacement as a favor to Haunted By Angels, drummer Carmen Giocondo is unable to make it.  Toxic Love Affair drummer, Matt Miller, sits in after a 6 hour rehearsal the night before.
November 27th The Nightmare films two videos for the regional cable access music video show UMTV (now known as UVTV) at a performance at the Gatherings By Design in Phoenix, NY.  Videos for "The Drive" and "Another Way" are filmed during the performance.
2005
February 4th Zadoc, Azriel Mordecai, and Carmen Giocondo begin laying down tracks at Cliff Diver's home studio for the band's next album, Tragically Ever After.
March Desperately missing having synthesizers in the band's sound, the band decides to take on newcomer s3t on the keyboards.
April 8th s3t debuts as the band's keyboardist at a performance at Murphy's in downtown Syracuse, NY.  Unfortunately, s3t's first gig is marred by the owner's nephew who harassed and later punched s3t while the band was loading out at the end of the night.
May 14th