The YYC Story

by Shawn Malloy

In late 2001, a new musical force would be formed from the ashes of the infamous noisegrind project Castrabation and the nu-metal/hardcore moshfest Underground Khaos. It was a metalcore assault named Silence The Days. The thunderous vocals of Marco Tonelli and the frenetic fretboard gymnastics of Mike Lowney teamed up with the notorious grindcore lunatic Shawn Malloy (better known to the underground grind scene as Spam) to blaze a trail of destruction on drums. These 3 would form a pact, a musical brotherhood, and a strong foundation. The first generation of Silence The Days featured bassist Jeremy, and guitarist Mike Valdez. Then in Spring 2002, tensions among the group brought the growing young musical force to a screeching halt. What seemed like the end of life to a blossoming young flower was just the beginning. Understandings were reached, and friendships reformed. It was time for Chapter 2 of the story with the 3 original founders of the band along with two new recruits, Brad Flagg on bass, and Andy Jubinville who played with Marco in Altered State and Castrabation with Shawn, to play guitar. Several shows were played, and many eardrums were tattered with some newly developed musicianship, and a new grindcore influence within the band was born. It was now time for a name change. Silence The Days with it's meaningless label was discarded, and in it's place, the more efficiently discriptive name THE YIN YANG CONTRAST was set. The first demo was recorded in Shawn's basement in December, 2002. Soon Brad was relieved of his duties. In March of 2003, Patrick Fitzmaurice was named the new bassist. After a few disappointing shows, YYC played a show in New York opening for German tech death gods Necrophagist. This marked the turning point where YYC would prove to be a formidable live act, as well as a host of big potential for what is to come in the world of grindcore in the near future. The Yin Yang Contrast is now more focused and determined to make their mark with their uncompromising progresive grindcore sound with crushing blastbeats, stomping breakdowns, ear-piercing screams, and technical wizardry, all topped off with a beautiful, melodic touch. If manic depression had a soundtrack, YYC wrote the score.