Bio
Rotting Corpse formed in 1985 in the Dallas–Arlington–Ft. Worth metroplex — one of the first thrash bands in North Texas, years before the scene had a name — and played its first show at Rascals in Arlington on December 6th that year. Co-founders Walt Trachsler and Jim Mulqueen had known each other working as roadies for Pantera; guitarist John Perez (later of Solitude Aeturnus) and drummer Dave Gryder completed the founding lineup, with bassist Steve Murphy joining in early 1987. The band cut four demos between 1986 and 1990, the latter two produced by Vinnie Paul, before going quiet. A 2004 reunion jam — started almost by accident, the same weekend as Murphy’s wedding — brought the band back for good. All four demos were officially remastered and released for the first time as The Demos (2005), and the band’s first full-length anthology, Thrash in Pain or Die Insane, followed in October 2025 via vicRecords. Rotting Corpse remains active today, playing regularly around Austin, Dallas, and Fort Worth.
Quick Facts
- Formed
- 1985 — first show Dec 6, 1985
- Hometown
- Dallas – Arlington – Ft. Worth, TX
- Genre
- Thrash Metal
- Members
- Walt Trachsler (guitar), Jim "Moe" Mulqueen (vocals), Steve Murphy (bass) — full lineup & history →
- Latest Release
- Thrash in Pain or Die Insane (Oct 2025, vicRecords)
- Booking
- [email protected]
Downloads
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Links
Full History → · Press Coverage → · Band Members → · Bandcamp → · Instagram →