Playing Enemy

The origins of Seattle's metallic, complex, screaming, and inventive Playing Enemy can be traced back to another band, a band called Kiss It Goodbye. Kiss It Goodbye formed when Deadguy's singer and guitarist convinced ex-Rorschach drummer Andrew Gormley and former Rorschach bassist Thom Rusnak to relocate to the Northwest. They released a phenomenal album through Revelation before their founding guitarist exited. Guitarist Demian "Headboy" Johnston (formerly of Nine Iron Spitfire and Undertow) came on board and recorded the band's last single with them, before the group disbanded. In 1999, Gormely and Johnston reunited as Playing Enemy, with Johnston taking over vocal duties as well. The Blood Brothers' Morgan Henderson filled in on bass as Playing Enemy began demoing and performing live. The group distributed demo tracks via the Internet, soon after embarking on a West Coast tour with New York's Anodyne. Anodyne introduced Playing Enemy to Escape Artist Records, who quickly agreed to release their debut album. In the fall of 2000, Rusnak rejoined his old pals as Playing Enemy's bass player, and the band recorded Cesarean with the help of producer Matt Bayles (Pearl Jam, Isis, Botch) before the end of the year. In 2001, Rusnak left the band and was replaced by Indiana transplant Shane Mehling. The album was released in the spring of 2001. ~ Ryan J. Downey