Ink & Dagger

One of my all time favorite bands in the world, the almighty INK & DAGGER. I&D was a Vampire-themed punk hardcore band from Philadelphia that formed in 1996. The band was started by the only two permanent members throughout the band's ever changing line up, guitarist Don Devore and vocalist Sean Patrick McCabe after the break ups of their former bands Frail & Mandela Strike Force. Ink & Dagger was very influenced by vampires & they frequently incorporated references to them in their music. During 1996 to 1997 (Love Is Dead EP, & Drive this Seven-inch stake era) they would often paint their faces, play with fake blood, throw up on Christmas trees & have strobe lights on stage. In 1998 when The fine Art of Original Sin came out they stopped wearing the face paint and the music started to lean away from the punk hardcore roots and more towards experimental music, but of course they were still as crazy as ever. In 1999 after extensive touring & recording what was to be the band's final album Ink & Dagger (self titled) , Ink & Dagger formally announced that they were disbanding. In 2000 singer Sean McCabe (at age 27) was found dead in a motel room in Indiana after he had ingested to much alcohol. he had passed out due to the drinking, and choked on his own vomit. Some members were previously in or went on to be in Crud is a Cult, The Mandela Strike Force, Frail, Amazing Baby, Souls She Said, Lenola, Like A Fox, Elements of Need, Sola, The Icarus Line, Historics, Lilys, Mazarin, Ghost Note, Rain on The Parade, The Telephone Man, SnakeEater, Armbar, Guilt, Life Time, Kid Dynamite, I Am Heaven, 12 Tone System, ISO, The Series, The Interpreters, & Soundtrak. I've read in an old livewire records message board post that theirs also some unreleased stuff that includes some instrumentals and alternate takes but I've never been able to find them.

I&D was at different times:
Sean McCabe - vocals/programing
Don Devore - guitar/programing
Ashli State - bass
Terrance Yerves - drums
Eric Wareheim - bass
Jorge Gonzalez - guitar
David Wagenschutz - drums
Joshua Brown - bass/b.vocals
Ryan McLaughlin - drums
Jennifer Park - additional vocals
Chris Tropea - lights/roadie
Graham Williams?



*Note: yes Eric Wareheim, the co-creator and star of shows Tom Goes to the Mayor & Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! was a member of I&D during the Love Is Dead Days.

Drive This Seven-Inch Wooden Stake
(this includes the love is dead ep)
DOWNLOAD



the fine art of original sin
Download



self titled
Download



Le Shok Split
Download



Sensations EP
Download



The Icarus Line Split
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experiments in nocturnal sound and energy
Download


*live recordings:
For all the fucked up children (original sin era)
Download

At the first Unitarian church (seven-inch stake era)
Download

my Fan Myspace

R.I.P. Sean 1972-2000
Devil Children Unite, Vampires On The Loose Tonight.