Bill Stevenson | |
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 Stevenson performing with the Descendents in 2014 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | John William Stevenson (1963-09-10)September 10, 1963 (age 62) Torrance, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Punk rock,hardcore punk |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, producer,engineer |
| Instrument(s) | Drums, percussion |
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Labels | Orca,New Alliance,SST,Cruz,Interscope,Epitaph,Fat Wreck Chords,Rise |
| Member of | |
| Formerly of | |
John William Stevenson (born September 10, 1963) is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer. He is the drummer, main songwriter, and only constant member of the Californiapunk rock groupDescendents since its inception. In late December 1981, he played a few concerts with thehardcore punk bandBlack Flag because their drummer,Robo, was detained in England after a tour there. He went on to record with Black Flag on several of their albums until 1985, including the highly influentialMy War. After this, he focused his attention on Descendents and played with the band until lead singerMilo Aukerman left in 1987. After Milo's departure, Bill and the other members of Descendents,Karl Alvarez andStephen Egerton, recruited singerDave Smalley ofDag Nasty and formedALL. ALL went on to have two more singers, Scott Reynolds (1989–1993) and Chad Price (1993–present). Aukerman came back for the 1996 albumEverything Sucks, the 2004 albumCool to Be You, 2016'sHypercaffium Spazzinate and the newest album9th and Walnut. All and Descendents continue to tour between Stevenson's and Aukerman's respective careers as a recording engineer and a biochemist.Stevenson was born inTorrance, California and attendedMira Costa High School, with fellow members of the Descendents.[1]
Stevenson and record producer Jason Livermore are the founders of the recording studioThe Blasting Room inFort Collins,Colorado. Currently, Stevenson is involved inRuss Rankin'sside projectOnly Crime with former members ofGWAR andConverge.
In 2005, he became a member of instrumental group The Mag Seven, and produced the group's album.[2] He also played withThe Lemonheads from 2005 to 2007, appearing on their2006 self titled album, which he also helped produce.[3][4]
Stevenson producedAs I Lay Dying's 2012 albumAwakened, the 2012NOFX albumSelf Entitled[5][6][7] as well asRise Against's seventh and ninth studio albums,The Black Market andNowhere Generation, released July 15, 2014 and June 4, 2021 respectively.
One of Stevenson's most recent works was the production ofFrenzal Rhomb's tenth studio albumThe Cup of Pestilence, released April 7, 2023.
Bill Stevenson (birth name; John William Stevenson) was born on September 10, 1963. Stevenson grew up mostly with his father, Steve Stevenson. He describes his father as a cold man but present for him. Steve Stevenson worked two jobs and was out of the house 22 hours a day. Steve would come to give Bill food and put him to bed. Around the age of fourteen or fifteen, Stevenson started working forKeith Morris' father as a fisherman. He attendedMira Costa High School where he met his friends and future bandmates ofDescendents.[8]
Stevenson is an original member of theDescendents forming in 1978. The Descendents put out a single called "Ride the Wild / It's a Hectic World" in 1979. In 1982 they put out their first albumMilo Goes to College. After the album, singerMilo Aukerman went to college, the band played rarely, so Stevenson joinedBlack Flag. He left Black Flag in 1985 to reform the Descendents. The Descendents becameAll in 1988 after Aukerman left once again. The Descendents would form again from 1996 to 1997 and then in 2002, before going on hiatus. From 2003 to 2007, Stevenson played in smaller bands until All played shows again in 2008. In 2010, the Descendents reformed again.[8]
Bill Stevenson has never tried recreational drugs in his life other than alcohol, which he did not drink until later in life.[9][10]
In recent years, Stevenson has had some health issues. He developed a benign brain tumor around 2008, which remained for another two years before being removed. The tumor caused Stevenson to lose motivation and eventually made him gain weight. He also underwent surgery to remove a blood clot from one of his lungs. He is also a diabetic and suffers from sleep apnea. In 2010, he had a successful surgery to remove the tumor which helped him to regain his health.[8] In 2016, Stevenson revealed he had open heart surgery.[11]
See alsoAlbums produced by Bill Stevenson
Q: Are theDescendents straight edge?
Karl Alvarez: Descendents were around before the song "Straight Edge" so it's really a moot point. The answer to the question is no, though Bill's never done any drugs at all.
Milo Aukerman: [...] Bill and myself were not really drinking or doing any drugs at all. [...] But as we've grown older Bill and I enjoy getting together and having a beer every now and then. [...]
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