PUC Chronicle

Issue date: 2/5/07 Section: Entertainment

After the demise of Grammy-nominated Spineshanks, Johnny Santos immersed himself in a new project- Silent Civilian. This metal band, currently touring to support their first LP "Rebirth of the Temple," hopes to revive the heavy metal scene in Canada.

Johnny Santos, 30, who is half Filipino and half Irish, is the lead singer and guitarist of the California thrash metal band Silent Civilian. In 2004, Santos was nominated for a Grammy with his previous band Spineshank for the song "Smothered" in the Best Song by a Metal Band category.
"That was a fluke," Santos said.
That fluke was neither well received nor supported by his former label. This shortsightedness on the part of his former label went along with the demise of Spineshank.
Enter the new project. In March 2005 Santos resurfaced with Silent Civilian's first LP titled "Rebirth of the Temple" on Mediaskare. The record was put to tape at Undercity Recording in Los Angeles with the capable hands of Logan Mader and Lukas Banker behind the board.
As the record was in post-production and getting packaged, the band embarked on tour on Feb. 7, 2005. Since then, Silent Civilian has shared the stage with a number of national touring metal acts including Nothingface, Bleed the Sky, God Forbid, Ill Nino, Nonpoint and Drowning Pool with Ryan from Soil.
Being in a big time, national rock band can be hard on people. The band has seen its members change a number of times since their debut.
"It's been tough," said Santos, who during the life of the band has both been married and divorced.
The band plans to continue touring extensively to support "Rebirth." Santos said the band will be doing some shows in Canada soon. At some point he hopes to travel to Europe - Santos said metal never died over there.
The music industry demands product and the band plans in June to go back into the studio. The hope is to attempt a new record slated for a late summer release.
As the evening grew later our time grew short. The last two days had been exciting for the band - playing solid Chicago area bills lined with local support bands on the north side and Lake Station.
"Come out to the show. I'm still a fan of music and can remember saving up money to go," said Santos.

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