Pound of Flesh
Pound of Flesh is an alternative electronic hard rock band based in Chicago featuring, former member of Ministry, Darrell James.
In 2000, Pound of Flesh debuted with Red & Black. It received critical acclaim and support from 250+ radio stations across the US and charted within the top five of several of those stations.
While touring regionally in support of Red & Black, Darrell had the great fortune to be introduced to the legendary Al Jourgensen of Ministry fame. Jourgensen subsequently came on board to produce POF’s next record. Soon thereafter, Jourgensen asked if he would be interested in playing keyboards during Ministry’s 2003 Fornicatour. Darrell agreed, and Jourgensen loved his creative contribution so much he asked him to stay on for Ministry’s 2004 Evil Doer tour. Additionally, Darrell’s keyboard and programming work can be heard on Ministry’s Rantology and Rio Grande Blood as well as the Revolting Cocks’ Cocked and Loaded.
In 2008, Darrell started collaborating with keyboardist Steven McIntosh on new material.
In 2012, POF released the album Pill through their DIY label Drakeraven Entertainment and recruited guitarist Alan Stehman, bassist Jack Curylo, and drummer Jarek “Jerry” Lukomski.
In 2014, POF went back into the studio to record the EP Pills—it was the difference between Pill, performed mostly by Darrell, and the live performances, which had brought in the influences and energy of the new members, which moved the members to record new material as well as rerecording tracks as a band. Pills was released on November 21st, 2014 through Drakeraven Entertainment and distributed worldwide through WuLi Records and INgrooves Music Group.
In support of Pills, POF filmed the first video to promote the EP with the first single titled “One-Time Offer”—directed by Steve with cinematography by E3 Photography. The video was released as an exclusive on Revolver Magazine’s website on December 10th, 2014.
The last few years have been very productive--performing regionally, writing, and recording new material.
The Shylock is back for his Pound of Flesh.
We will all pay the price...
Darrell James
Darrell James was born and raised in Chicago. He started off as a drummer and always enjoyed singing but never was a fan of singing drummers, so in the late 90's he decided to put down the drum sticks and pick up the microphone—giving birth to Pound of Flesh in 2000. His influences are all over the place, ranging from Iron Maiden to top 40 radio. James adds, "I like to listen to all different styles of music, and I always find it interesting to hear what genre people put POF into because I have a hard time defining it myself. lol."Steven McIntosh
Steve grew up everywhere, but calls Chicago his hometown and jokes about how that influenced his outlook. He's a classically trained musician who studied cello, saxophone, and clarinet as well as any other instruments he could get his hands on. He became interested in keyboards when his high-school friend, Stephen Mork of Somegirl, wanted to start a band. He worked on various projects—bands, music tracks for singers and theatre, as well as a movie soundtrack until the early 90s.His music influences early on were varied—from euro pop, punk, world-ethno-folk, and most anything from Rock over London, but will point out that it's easy to find something enjoyable in most music styles.
Steve began working with Darrell on the 2012 release of Pill, adding his affinity for electronic music to the industrial foundation of PoF.
Al Stehman
Alan grew up in a musical family, most of whom sang in the church choir and also played a variety of instruments. He learned the basics of piano, violin, viola, trumpet and guitar from various family members. Alan began private guitar lessons upon entering highschool, but in college he began playing in bands. While acheiving a degree in Economics, he also minored in music theory. Inside, and outside of class, Alan honed his guitar skills to include classical, jazz and blues in addition to his first love of Rock-N-Roll. Then, along with some college friends, Alan started a pop-punk band named Giddy, and Alan became Al. Giddy met with moderate success in the Chicago music scene and released a 4 song demo, 'Off-White Trash', and a full length album 'Perverserverance'. After 4 years, Giddy desolved. Al quickly joined Sin the Moon God, a goth-industrial band from the southside. They released a self titled 3 song demo, but called it quits after a year and a half. During that time, Al learned to play with a click track and backing tracks. That ultimately proved crucial in joining Pound of Flesh. When long time friend and POF keyboardist Steven McIntosh asked Al to join, the transition couldn't have gone more smoothly. Al also picked up some metal chops from former POF guitarist, Steve Larson. As POF progresses, Al continues to play a variety of musical styles in his free time, but is constantly chasing the dark angel of metal guitar for POF.Press Quotes
"The industrial music parenthood is certainly present, but the songs are fresh and worthy of not being summarily pigeonholed. “Everybody” is the first cut off of the album and starts off with the attitude POF is known for. It will go far as the new anthem for Monday mornings and other bad days." Erich Morse - National Rock Review
"There is a sinister edge to some of this, but mostly it’s a quite melodic, catchy slab of occasional brutality, but with a bit more emphasis on *(the good, the bad and the ugly sides) of 'fun.'" Vincent Daemon - TheIntestinalFortitude
“Pound of Flesh have the sort of pulsing rhythms that induce involuntary muscle movement, and have topped those off with discontented verbal musings coupled with powerful melodies. As Shakespeare might say, now we should enjoy, “the pretty follies that themselves commit.” Jrivera - INDIE MUSIC
“The golden ( albeit corrosive ) age of industrial/dance rock is rising again.” Jason Pettigrew - Alternative Press
“Chicago, home to many creative visionaries has a new pioneer to add to its resume. Pound of Flesh is unafraid to take chances and expand musical horizons with extraordinary ideas. POF is fiery and wicked, intriguing and deviant.” Leigh Taylor - The Album Network
“POF's frontman Darrell James adds a catchy, unusually melodic edge to this outfit.” M. Tye Comer - CMJ New Music Report
“Racy, jock-grabbing. A powerful bridge between nostalgic music and forward-reaching visions. Ultimately relatable. A vehicle for catharsis, the kind that leaves you spent yet oddly invigorated. This is deep stuff, kids, that will take you on a journey that you will want to experience again and again.” Larry Flick - Billboard Magazine