User:CrowzRSA/Sandbox/Sandbox 2/L.A.P.D.

L.A.P.D. was an American heavy metal, formed in 1989, in Bakersfield, California. From 1989 to 1991, the member line-up was James Shaffer, Reginald Arvizu, David Silveria, Richard Morrill, and Pete Capra. The group has released one studio album, one extended play, and one compilation album.

The band was originally formed by Shaffer, Arvizu, and Morrill. Capra approached the band introducing them to bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Faith No More, and was positioned as vocalist. Still in need for a drummer, the band placed an ad in a local newspaper which was answered by Silveria. Shortly after this, the band recorded a demo album which was meant to be sent out to record companies. Realizing they would have to continue the band in a more populated area in order for them to expand, all of the members but Shaffer left Bakersfield and resided in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California (Shaffer later moved to Hollywood as well). In late 1989, a man affectionately known as Arthur approached the band asking the band if they were in need of a manager. Although they did not need a manager, the band hired him, resulting in them getting signed to Triple X Records. The band recorded their first extended play in 1989, and it was released the same year, but wasn't distributed properly.

In 1991 they released Who's Laughing Now, making their first full–length studio album. Shortly after the album's release, Capra left the band and was replace by someone only noted by his first name Corey. Corey was fired from the band several weeks later. After this, Morrill quit the band, and the rest of the group set out to form the band Korn with two other people. Several of the band's former members have formed solo project in 1997, a compilation album was released consisting of fourteen tracks was released. L.A.P.D. shows a style of heavy metal, indie rock, and alternative rock.

Formation and early years (1989)
L.A.P.D. formed in Bakersfield, California, in 1989. The band was started with Richard Morrill, James Shaffer, and Reginald Arvizu. With both guitarist and bass guitar positions filled, there was still a need for a lead vocalist, as well as a percussionist. The group asked Pete Capra to perform vocals for their band, and he joined. Although he had not been a vocalist for other bands, Capra introduced the group to bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Faith No More. The group was inspired by the bands that Capra had shown them, and committed to head into those band's genres and style.

The band still needed a drummer, so they put put an ad in a local newspaper. The ad description stated that they were a "funk, thrash, metal groove band looking for a drummer." This resulted in David Silveria auditioning for the band. Although at the time Silveria was only fifteen, he was still recruited to the band, filling the percussionist position. L.A.P.D. recorded a demo album consisting of four songs, "James Brown," "Stinging Like a Bee," "Jesus," and "Don't Label Me," which were all ready to be sent out to various record labels.

The group left Bakersfield and set out for Los Angeles, California. Shaffer was the only band member that was not in favor of the act. He was the only one to stay in Bakersfield, while all the other band members left. In order to leave Bakersfield, Silveria had to drop out of high school, and did. L.A.P.D. began rehearsing at a space located in Hollywood, California, near Western Avenue. After a short time of the group's presence there, Shaffer decided to return to the band, leaving Bakersfield, and Brian Welch would eventually "chack out the [band's] music scene."

Love and Peace Dude EP (Late 1989 – 1990)
L.A.P.D. was performing at several gigs in Hollywood throughout their self–titled EP era. After one of therir shows, a local man known as Arthur was positioned as manager. After the group was kicked out of their original studio for not paying the rent on time, they quickly found another practice space in Santa Monica, California. In 1990, their manager introduced them to Triple X Records, an independent Los Angeles based record company that has signed bands such as Dr. Dre, Social Distortion, Jane's Addiction, and the The Vandals. The company offered them a contract after seeing them in concert. Although it was a "pitiful" contract, L.A.P.D. still signed and began recording their album. The album was not distributed properly by the record company, which left the group broke.

Who's Laughing Now (1991 – 1992)
In 1991, L.A.P.D. recorded their second album. It was their first full-length studio album, and consisted of eleven tracks. Released on May 3, 1991, the album featured styles like alternative rock and indie rock. After they recorded the album, the group's lead vocalist left the band a was replaced by someone affectionately known by other band members as Corey. The band later fired him after his behavior during an audition with producer Ross Robinson. While looking for a new singer, they heard Jonathan Davis singing for the band Sexart. After the show, the remaining band members of L.A.P.D. asked him to join their band. Shortly after this, the band changed their name to Korn and added Brian Welch to the member line-up.

Post–breakup (since 1992)
After L.A.P.D. had broken up, Shaffer, Arizu, Silveria, and the newly added band members Jonathan Davis and Brian Welch each collaborated with producer Ross Robinson to produce and release their demo album Neidermeyer's Mind in 1993. The group, known as Korn, has released eight studio albums, two of which, peaking number one on the Billboard 200, and all of their albums have been certified an award. In 2001, L.A.P.D.'s former bassist Riginald Arizu, (now known better as "Fieldy") released a solo album entitled Rock'n Roll Gangster on January 22, 2002. In 2006, Fieldy formed the band StillWell with rapper Q-Unique. Fear and the Nervous System is currently one of James Shaffer's, L.A.P.D.'s ex-guitarist, (now known by band members as "Munky") side projects, formed in 2008. As 2010, Pete Capra, Richard Morrill, and Corey have not been heard from by any other of L.A.P.D.'s former members. Pete Capra left the band due to his drug abuse.

Aside form L.A.P.D.'s former member's projects, in 1997, a compilation album was released into the public domain. The album featured songs from both their EP, Love and Peace Dude, and their full–length studio album, Who Laughing Now.

Musical style
When the band was first started, their lead singer introduced them to bands such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Faith No More, and the group has been influenced by the bands he presented. The band shows different styles and genres from its styles, including alternative rock, heavy metal, funk metal, and indie rock. The group considered themselves to be a "funk, thrash. metal groove band" when they posted an ad in a Bakersfield newspaper. Bradley Torreano noted that the band was "a far different beast than what its members would move on to," while also saying it incorporated "elements of funk into their thrashy stew." The group is considered to have launched the careers of several members of the nu metal band Korn. Arvizu describes L.A.P.D.'s music as being "very heavy," and also said that "audiences loved [them]."

Visual imagery
L.A.P.D.'s art and visual imagery complemented the themes of their music and performance. The band members adopted a "baggy hip-hop street way of dressing." Bassist Reginald Arvizu had dreadlocks, and said that there "was absolutely nothing femme about [the band]." L.A.P.D.'s final singer, Corey, was described by Arvizu as the following: His image was so perfect was so perfect for our band, like the ideal rock star, with the whitest skin I ever saw, long straight red hair that was down to the middle of his back, and a matching goatee. He dyed both this extreme fire engine red color—a color that wasn't natural looking at all but it was really cool. He always wore long cutoff shorts and had lots of tattoos and these very intense piercing baby blue eyes.

Influence
When the band was first started, their lead singer introduced them to bands such as the alternative rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers and rock band Faith No More, and the group has since cited them as major influences to their musical style. The group is considered to have launched the careers of several members of the nu metal band Korn. Drummer David Silveria said that "L.A.P.D. really was good for us because we learned about the industry and how things work." Korn has influenced bands like Slipknot, Saliva, Breaking Benjamin, and Flyleaf. L.A.P.D. is considered to have also started the genre nu metal, mixing styles such as hardcore punk, grunge and industrial rock.

l
Donnie Steele – guitars (1995–1996) Anders Colsefini – lead vocals, custom percussion (1995–1997)

(#4) Josh Brainard – guitars, backing vocals (1995–1999) (#2) Paul Gray – bass, backing vocals (1995–2010)