San Diego Reader

Julius Juice: Guitar (acoustic), Guitar (electric) | Jen Otis: Vocals | Mark: Guitar (acoustic), Guitar (electric) | Matt: Bass guitar | Mike: Drums | Billy: Vocals

Genre: Metal | Hardcore, Noise | Xprmntl

Sound description: Progressive experimental-metal.

RIYL: Dream Theater, Opeth, Pink Floyd, Rush, Mr. Bungle, Faith No More, Mike Patton

Upcoming Local Shows

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Related Links

• VIII Fraud website

• Website · July 18, 2007

• Musician Interviews · April 27, 2006

Synoposis

Inception: San Diego, 1998

Current Status: After eight years, three nationwide tours, and hundreds of shows, VIII Fraud split in late 2006. Mark, Mike, and Julius Juice now play with Mister Mad Sickman.

Influences: Dream Theater, Opeth, Fear Factory, Tool, Alice in Chains, Incubus, Candiria, Faith No More, Meshuggah, Chevelle, Rush, Yes, Mahivishnu Orchestra, A Perfect Circle, Exodus, Testament, Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax, Mike Patton, PJ Harvey, Björk, Alice in Chains, the Police

Background:

"Our band name was taken directly from the pages of Dante's Inferno," says VII Fraud singer Jen Otis. "Our songs are about people in the different levels of Dante's conception of hell. We're completely secular -- I'm not even sure if any of us really believe in hell, or gods for that matter, but humans make an interesting study, and humans live to fuck things up. According to Dante, the eighth level of hell is for the fraudulent, the liars, the panderers, and the false flatterers. I think that covers nearly the entire human race."

The melodic, symphonic metal band has opened for Indecision, Nothingface, Death Angel, Strapping Young Lad , Lacuna Coil, and Lizzy Borden.