by Ed Rivadavia
Venice, California-based thrashers Beowulf (not to be confused with the earlier, L.A.-based hard rockers by the same name) formed in 1984 and featured singer/guitarist Dale Henderson, guitarist Mike Jensen, bassist Paul Yemada, and drummer Michael Alvarado. Friendly from the start with local legends Suicidal Tendencies, the quartet contributed two tracks to 1985's Suicidal Records' compilation Welcome to Venice, and then quickly recorded and released their self-titled debut a year later. This was followed by 1988's Lost My Head...But I'm Back on the Right Track L.P., which was issued through Caroline Records and featured a thrashy version of Smokey Robinson's "Cruising." Sadly, none of the above could help distinguish Beowulf from the era's teeming thrash metal throngs, and the group decided to split up a short time later.
Venice, California-based thrashers Beowulf (not to be confused with the earlier, L.A.-based hard rockers by the same name) formed in 1984 and featured singer/guitarist Dale Henderson, guitarist Mike Jensen, bassist Paul Yemada, and drummer Michael Alvarado. Friendly from the start with local legends Suicidal Tendencies, the quartet contributed two tracks to 1985's Suicidal Records' compilation Welcome to Venice, and then quickly recorded and released their self-titled debut a year later. This was followed by 1988's Lost My Head...But I'm Back on the Right Track L.P., which was issued through Caroline Records and featured a thrashy version of Smokey Robinson's "Cruising." Sadly, none of the above could help distinguish Beowulf from the era's teeming thrash metal throngs, and the group decided to split up a short time later.
