Ex-ANTHRAX Guitarist Says New Band Will Feature His 'Sickest, Most Wicked Thrash Metal Riffs'

DEUXMONKEY, the new band led by former ANTHRAX guitarist Dan Spitz, has parted ways with vocalist A.O.H. (SHAOLIN DEATH SQUAD) and drummer Matt Thompson (KING DIAMOND) and has replaced them with Wade Black (CRIMSON GLORY, SEVEN WITCHES, LEATHERWOLF) and Patrick Johansson (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, W.A.S.P. ),respectively.

Commented Spitz: "Bringing in Wade Black as our vocalist was just what we all needed. A vocalist who eats, sleeps and breathes METAL. I am confident that live we will be a musical team that our peers, fans and friends will be happy to watch create intense, intricate and creative expertise on a nightly basis."

DEUXMONKEY is:

* Dan Spitz (ANTHRAX) - Guitar
* Peter Baltes (ACCEPT) - Bass
* Patrick Johansson (YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, W.A.S.P.) - Drums
* Wade Black (CRIMSON GLORY, SEVEN WITCHES, LEATHERWOLF) - Vocals

Spitz added, "We will start momentarily tracking what I think is just the sickest, most wicked thrash metal riffs I've written to date. If you were a fan of the 'Among The Living'-era songs I co-wrote, you will certainly want to grab hold of what we all have in store with the new band. A movement forward in time with creative new guitar sounds. I'll certainly have some video footage coming from our sessions to put up on the sites so all can watch the progression.

"After the end of my last touring cycle with ANTHRAX, I needed a long brake to take care of our identical twins, Brendan and Jaden, who were diagnosed with autism. I certainly couldn't leave Candi (my wonderful wife) to deal with the daily grind of multiple therapists at the house. We are on a better track now with them and at a point where the recording and touring cycles can start.

"Patrick and I have been hard at work in his KISS room bringing to fruition some brutally fast riffs. His double-bass feet seem connected to my picking in a way I can't explain. I guess it was meant to be."

For more information, visit the DEUXMONKEYMySpace page.

After spending 15 years on buses and planes touring the world, Dan lost his desire to play guitar. He decided to clear his head by stopping the music and starting the Swiss schooling to become a master watchmaker. He is now "back on track," having gained back the love once lost for his instrument. He said, "DEUXMONKEY is the start of many projects I plan to enter into. It's getting my feet wet, it's reconnecting with my fans and friends, whom I miss so much."

Spitz underwent open-heart surgery on June 5, 2009 after it was discovered that the main artery to his heart was almost "completely closed."

Spitz took part in the reunion of ANTHRAX's classic lineup in 2005 and 2006 but left the band after ANTHRAX's most recent split with singer Joey Belladonna.

In a January 2007 interview with Eddie Trunk of the "Friday Night Rocks" radio show on New York's Q104.3 FM, ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian stated about Spitz, "Whether people are aware or not, Danny's, like, a big deal in the really, really fancy, expensive watch world — like crazy, super-high-end watches — and he's got his own line of watches coming out. It's weird, because before the reunion I would read this stuff online, and I would just kind of be like, 'What the hell…?' But then like after hanging out with the guy for 20 months and you actually talk to him and see the watches and what-not, I was like, 'Holy crap!' It's a pretty big deal."