Mephiskapheles

by Jason AnkenyLeading the charge of the New York City ska revival scene, Mephiskapheles was formed in the East Village in 1990 by lead vocalist the Grand Invidious, guitarist Brendog and keyboardist Brian Martin. Within the course of the following months, the groups classic lineup — also consisting of bassist Michael Bitz, trumpeter Osho Endo, alto saxophonist Alexander McCabe, and trombonist Greg Robinson — was firmly in place, and over the next few years Mephiskapheles toured relentlessly up and down the East Coast, building a tremendous cult following. In 1994 they joined with producer Bill Laswell to record their debut LP God Bless Satan, originally issued on their own Pass the Virgin label. By 1996, with new drummer Wayne Dunton on board, Mephiskapheles toured the U.S. opening for the Buzzcocks; their second album, Maximum Perversion, was released a year later, followed in 1999 by Might-Ay White-Ay.