Backstabbers Incorporated (sometimes called Backstabbers Inc. or BSI, and previously known as Life Passed On) are an American hardcore/metal band based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
History:
Backstabber Incorporated was formed as Life Passed On in the late nineties by Matt Serven (guitar) and Ryan McKenney (vocals). In 2000, a lineup changes prompted the band to change their name to Backstabbers Incorporated. Brian Serven joined around this time. They have released albums for Black Market Activities (distributed through Metal Blade) and Trash Art! Records in addition to some splits and EPs on smaller DIY labels.
The band has gone on several US tours, including a short tour in January 2005, and a more extensive East Coast Tour from October to December 2005. In 2006, the band embarked on a European tour during August and September. Since a short tour in March 2008 around Dudefest, the band has largely been inactive.
On August 24, 2010 BSI announced via Facebook that their upcoming full length album would be released on Blackmarket Activities.
Musical style:
The band is typically described as punk and hardcore as umbrella terms, but state that other influences such as grindcore, crossover thrash, post-hardcore, and death metal are often present. The use of a variety of vocal styles, from high pitched screaming to deeper growls, often serve to identify the band in both the hardcore and metal genres. On their earlier releases they are typically described as more direct and stripped-down, while their later releases such as Kamikaze Missions show an expansion of their sound. Brian Serven also cites film composers Michael Nyman and Yann Tiersen as influences.
The band is also sometimes tied to straight edge music culture, partly due to Serven not using drugs or alcohol (he is also a vegan). However, he expressed that these decisions are not tied to any youth-orientated subculture like straight edge, but are personal choices.
