Joseph Simmons (guitarist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph Simmons
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Simmons performing with As Friends Rust at The Fest 14 in Gainesville, Florida, on October 31, 2015.
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Joseph Lee Simmons |
| Also known as | Joe Simmons |
| Born | June 18, 1978 Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Origin | Coral Springs, Florida |
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| Years active | 1994–present |
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Joseph Lee Simmons (born June 18, 1978) is an American musician and songwriter. He plays both guitar and bass guitar. Joseph is also known for his work in the brewing industry.
He grew up in Coral Springs, Florida. There, he played in early bands like Dinner Time and Lock Down. He was also part of the bands Bird of Ill Omen and Morning Again. Later, he moved to Gainesville, Florida, and joined bands such as Culture, As Friends Rust, and Salem. Today, he plays in the black metal band Rot in Coffins.
From 2007 to 2013, Joseph co-owned a record label called Sound Study Recordings. He started it with friends and released music for many artists. Outside of music, Joseph has worked as a head brewer at several breweries. In 2019, he even opened his own brewery called Bay Cannon Beer Company in Tampa, Florida.
Contents
Joseph Simmons: A Musician's Journey
Starting with Early Bands
Joseph Simmons began his music career in the mid-1990s. His first bands were Dinner Time and Lock Down, which played hardcore punk music in Coral Springs, Florida.
In 1996, Joseph joined a new band called Fork in the Road, which soon changed its name to Bird of Ill Omen. This band played a mix of sludge metal and metalcore. They wrote many songs and played local shows with other bands. Joseph left Bird of Ill Omen in March 1997 to join another band called Morning Again.
Playing with Morning Again
Joseph first played with Morning Again in December 1996 as a fill-in bass guitarist. In March 1997, he officially joined the band as their new guitarist. He was even credited on their album Martyr.
Morning Again toured a lot to promote their music. They went across the United States and Canada in June 1997. They also toured Europe in July and August 1997, and again from November to December 1997. During one European tour, they recorded a new song called "Dictation of Beauty."
In February 1998, Morning Again recorded their first album, As Tradition Dies Slowly. Soon after, Joseph was asked to leave the band. He then moved to Gainesville, Florida, and joined two new bands, Culture and As Friends Rust. Joseph later rejoined Morning Again briefly in December 1999 for two secret shows.
Joining Culture and As Friends Rust
In March 1998, Joseph moved to Gainesville and joined two bands at once: Culture and As Friends Rust. Both bands shared some members, including singer Damien Moyal.
With Joseph, As Friends Rust recorded a song called "Home Is Where the Heart Aches." This song was part of their first release, The Fists of Time, in July 1998. The band then toured the United States in June and July 1998.
Later in 1998, Joseph and other members left Culture but stayed with As Friends Rust. Joseph and Damien Moyal also started a metal project called Some Sort of Radio, but they never played live shows.
In October 1998, As Friends Rust recorded another song, "The First Song on the Tape You Make Her." This song was released on a split CD with another band called Discount. As Friends Rust then toured Europe and the United Kingdom from December 1998 to January 1999.
The band signed a deal with Doghouse Records and recorded six new songs in May 1999. These songs were released as the As Friends Rust EP in September 1999. They toured the United States and Europe again in the summer of 1999, playing at many festivals.
In 2000, As Friends Rust continued to tour. They went on mini-tours and played at several festivals. Doghouse Records re-released The Fists of Time in June 2000. The band toured the United States with Strike Anywhere to promote it.
In July and August 2000, As Friends Rust went on more tours in Europe and the United Kingdom. During one tour, the band had a car accident and some members decided to leave. Joseph and Damien Moyal then brought in new members to keep the band going.
In February 2001, the new lineup of As Friends Rust recorded two songs for a release called Morningleaver / This Is Me Hating You. They continued to change members and write new songs. By July 2001, they recorded ten songs for their first full-length album, Won. This album was released in October 2001.
As Friends Rust toured a lot to support Won. They toured the United States and Europe in late 2001. A live show from November 2001 in London was even filmed and released on DVD.
In February 2002, As Friends Rust recorded five more songs. These were released as A Young Trophy Band in the Parlance of Our Times in May 2002. Soon after, singer Damien Moyal left the band. Joseph and the remaining members decided to continue touring. They played shows with bands like Sick of It All and Thursday.
In March 2002, Adam D'Zurilla joined as the new singer. The band toured Canada and the United States in June and July 2002. They also played at Krazy Fest 5 and the Warped Tour. In late July 2002, another member left. As Friends Rust continued as a four-piece band, with Joseph as the only guitarist. They toured Europe and the United Kingdom again in August and September 2002. During this tour, the band decided to change their name to Salem.
Forming Salem
After their last tour as As Friends Rust, the band officially became Salem. They still played As Friends Rust songs for a few months while touring. They added a new guitarist, Jeremy Robertson.
Salem played their first official show in September 2002. They toured with bands like The Movielife and Brand New. In November 2002, a new drummer, David Miller, joined the band.
In 2003, Salem toured with many bands, including Finch and From Autumn to Ashes. They also played at festivals like Skate and Surf Festival and Warped Tour.
During the summer of 2003, Salem recorded their first EP, Love It or Leave Me. It was released in October 2003. They even made a music video for their song "Smoke & Mirrors." Salem continued to tour a lot in 2003 and 2004.
In March and April 2004, Joseph was unable to tour, so another guitarist filled in for him. When Joseph returned, Salem continued touring with bands like From First to Last and Underoath.
Salem was planning a tour in the United Kingdom in September 2004. However, Joseph decided to leave the band on the way to the airport. Salem had to cancel their tour, and a new guitarist officially joined the band.
Beyond Music: Brewing and Reunions
From 2007 to 2013, Joseph was a co-owner of Sound Study Recordings, an independent record label. He started it with his former bandmates. They released music for various artists.
Outside of music, Joseph has a career in the brewing industry. He has been a head brewer at Swamp Head Brewery and First Magnitude Brewing Company in Gainesville, Florida. In 2019, he and his business partner opened their own brewery, Bay Cannon Beer Company, in Tampa, Florida.
In March 2008, Joseph rejoined As Friends Rust for a reunion. The band played shows in Europe and the United States. In June 2014, As Friends Rust toured Asia. A "best-of" album called Greatest Hits? was released to celebrate the tour.
In 2015, a special album called The Porch Days: 1998 to 2000 was released. It included old studio recordings and live songs from As Friends Rust. The band played three shows to support this release.
In 2017, Joseph started a new black metal band called Rot in Coffins. They released their first EP in March 2018.
As Friends Rust announced in 2018 that they were writing new songs for a second full-length album. They released a two-song EP called Up From the Muck in July 2020. In September 2022, the band played at Furnace Fest in Alabama. Joseph is still working on the new As Friends Rust album.
