Skitzo

Skitzo is a seminal underground thrash metal band formed in 1980 in Healdsburg, California. Originally named Venom, they rebranded after the UK's Venom rose to prominence.

Led by the enigmatic Lance Ozanix, the band became a fixture of the Northern California metal scene, particularly at the Phoenix Theater. Their sound is characterized by a 'crossover' energy that bridges the gap between early Bay Area thrash and hardcore punk, prioritizing speed and raw aggression over technical polish. Culturally, Skitzo occupies a unique niche due to Ozanix's performance art, which involves intentional projectile vomiting, leading to high-profile appearances on Judge Judy, Jerry Springer, and Howard Stern. This 'shock rock' element has made them a subject of both critical curiosity and underground reverence. With a revolving door of over 60 members across four decades, the band represents the persistent, unkillable spirit of the independent metal fringe. Their influence is felt less in musical imitation and more in the validation of extreme, uncompromising performance identities within the heavy music subculture.