STEMM is an American heavy metal band from Niagara Falls, New York. STEMM was formed in 1998 by Joe Cafarella and Jimi Penque, along with Louis Penque, Russ Martin, and Alex Scouten, made up the original lineup of the band. Alex left the band in 1999 and was briefly replaced by guitarist Fred Blackwell. Rich Spalla replaced Fred shortly after. This lineup remained intact until 2003. Joe and Rich merged with drummer Danny Nelligan (SKUNgK), bassist Stephen Crowl (SKUNgK), and vocalist TJ Frost (Yellow No. 5) of Buffalo band 5 Years Gone, to create a new incarnation of the band. This lineup also saw a change in the musical direction of the band from hardcore/rap to more of a metalcore act.
This lineup's first two shows were a showcase for Metal Blade Records, opening for major act, Sevendust. The band performed on many Jägermeister Tours overtime, opening for major/large acts such as Hatebreed, Chimaira, Staind, Godsmack, Soulfly, Trivium, Arch Enemy, and Black Label Society. STEMM also played the last full show of Dimebag Darrell (Pantera/Damageplan) in Buffalo, NY, the night before he was killed on stage in Columbus, Ohio.
STEMM began a hiatus on December 1, 2012. Then, in early 2019, it was announced on the band's Facebook page that they would be releasing new music later in the year.
STEMM was endorsed by ESP Guitars, Jägermeister, Dream Cymbals, Regal Tip drumsticks and Mesa Boogie.
History
Early years
STEMM was formed in June 1998 by Joe Cafarella, Jimi Penque, Russ Martin and Louis Penque. All the members had come from various other local acts. By December the band recorded a two-song promo disc. Within four months' time, the album had sold well over 600 copies. Initially STEMM incorporated a hybrid of hardcore with rapcore much like the band E.Town Concrete. These sounds were very prominent on their first EP, entitled Further Efforts and also on their first independently released debut, entitled Dead to Me which was released in 2002. In July 2000, STEMM would announce the addition of second guitarist, Rich Spalla.
UFC and Fight Network
In 2002, STEMM also signed a licensing deal with the UFC. "Face the Pain" was also featured on the UFC compilation CD UFC Ultimate Beatdowns Volume 1 alongside such bands as Fear Factory, Slayer and Shadows Fall. STEMM more recently also signed a licensing deal to feature their music on Canadian television station The Fight Network.
New beginning
After reconfiguring the lineup, STEMM signed to Chimaira guitarist Rob Arnold's management label, Triple M Management. The EP went on to sell over 1,000 copies in only a couple of months time. The band did local shows in support of the demo, opening for acts such as Sevendust and touring nationwide with Chimaira and Trivium. STEMM would be the openers for Damageplan's final concert, as the next day, Dimebag Darrell was murdered while onstage. They also opened for Nuclear Blast artist Bleed The Sky at the legendary Whisky a Go Go. T.J. Frost along with Joe Cafarella would provide guest vocals on the Bleed the Sky track "Division" as well. In November 2005, the band released their second album, entitled Songs for the Incurable Heart independently. The album included four tracks from the previous demo, plus all new material, including a song that is a tribute to the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks, which vocalist T.J. Frost survived entitled "The Day the Earth Stood Still" which clocks in at 9:11, in homage. Though the contract was only to re-release Songs for the Incurable Heart.
Later on Scouten replaced former guitarist Rich Spalla. Blood Scent was released on November 11, 2008. In a press release by the UFC, the company stated that the song, "House of Cards" from Blood Scent would be used as the theme song for UFC Wired. The first single, "Awake" is accompanied by a video that was shot by GDM Video Production company.
Joining with Trans-Fusion Entertainment
In late 2008 STEMM finally found a booking agency who was able to get them outside a regional market. STEMM has been touring the United States in support of Blood Scent as the headlining act.
Ride or Die Tour 2009
In June 2009, STEMM announced they would headlining the Ride Or Die Tour with bands His Name Was Yesterday and Adakain.
Disbandment and reunion
On December 1, 2012, STEMM performed their last show. The concert was located at Town Ballroom in Buffalo, NY. They performed with His Name Was Yesterday and Whiskey Reverb. Former members Louis, TJ, and Stephen played with them according to the eras they were with the band (e.g. Louis performed songs from Further Efforts and Dead to Me). They all came together for Face the Pain and finally Monster.
After disbandment, Joe and Danny started working in music publishing for Sonoton and APM.
The band became active again in 2019. They released a new single "Don't Act Surprised" on YouTube on October 13, 2019.
Band members
; Current lineup
- Joe Cafarella – vocals, guitar <small>(1998–present, 2019–present)</small>
- Dan Nelligan – drums <small>(2003–2012, 2019–present)</small>
- Alex Scouten – guitar <small>(1998–1999, 2007–2012, 2019–present)</small>
- Joe Scouten – bass, backing vocals <small>(2019–present)</small>
; Former members
- Louis Penque III – vocals <small>(1998–2003, guest 2011, 2012, 2022)</small>
- Russ Martin – bass <small>(1998–2003)</small>
- Jimi Penque – drums <small>(1998–2003)</small>
- Fred Blackwell – guitar <small>(1999–2000, guest 2012, 2022)</small>
- T.J. Frost – vocals <small>(2003–2007, guest 2012, 2022)</small>
- Rich Spalla – guitar <small>(2000–2007)</small>
- Stephen Crowl – bass, backing vocals <small>(2003–2011, guest 2012, 2025)</small>
- Mario Nobilio – bass, backing vocals <small>(2011–2012)</small>
Discography
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Title
! Release date
! Label
|-
| Further Efforts
| 1999
| None
|-
| Dead to Me
| 2001
| None
|-
| 5
| 2004
| None
|-
| Songs for the Incurable Heart
| November 15, 2005<br />October 10, 2006 (re-release)
| I Scream Records
|-
| Blood Scent
| November 11, 2008
|Catch 22 Records
|-
| Crossroads
| September 13, 2011
|Catch 22 Records
|}