Bobby Gustafson (ex-Overkill) - Case Closed (see below under
updates)
Bobby
Gustafson is a name many may not remember - unless you've been into
metal for more than a couple of years, and unless you are a fan of
Overkill.
Gustafson was the original guitarist for Overkill. He was with the
band from its inception until after the CD "The Years of
Decay." In 1991 he left the band to pursue other interests and
projects. For a while Bobby was working with Dave Lombardo and it seemed
as if he was going to be in Grip Inc (first called I4NI?). However,
things between the two didn't click musically.
In 1994 he co-produced a CD by a promising band from New York called
"Insult II Injury." Next came his one off recording fling with
the industrial / metal band Skrew. He can be heard on their 1996 release
"Shadow of Doubt." Why he left that band I can't
remember...and as for what he's doing now four years later is unknown to
me.
UPDATES
Ex-Overkill
Axeman Bobby Gustafson Returns To Metal With New Band RESPONSE NEGATIVE
(May 2003 interview)
Older Updates:
This e-mail came in and we are posting it here just so you'll know
some more information on this. We are not claiming this is 100% accurate
- but if the source is who he claims to be, then it is.
E-mail Tip, March 7th, 2000
"Ok, first off Bobby G WAS NOT with overkill from the
beginning. I was the guitarist in overkill when they first started
writing originals. The song "Raise the Dead" from their first
album was actually MY music using Blitz's lyrics. (What else they used
of mine who knows?). Dan Spitz, from Anthrax, was in before me, THEN me,
THEN Bobby G replaced me. Bobby G is in Florida last I heard working
construction and is still jamming. I ran into Bobby G. 2 years ago and
he told me that. Damn, if you can't find Bobby G, then I can see why you
don't know me! Overkill likes to bury their former members (especially
the ones they screw). I do know where Rat Skates is also (still talk to
him), he is doing good. Anyway, this is the deal!"
RETRACTION:
Update, February 2002.
Seems like the above e-mail was not who he claimed to be.
"Ok, I don't know where to start with this one,
so here goes. That little piece on Overkill's bobby Gustafson has me
worried, it appears to have been written by me, seeing that I was with
overkill before bobby, and the story is pretty much accurate, but I
NEVER sent this in to this web site. the only thing I can think of is
either somebody is pretending to be me, or even worse, somebody was
being an asshole playing around with my computer during one of the MANY
parties that used to go on here. Actually, it would be very cool if you
eliminated that whole bullshit story off of your site, because I don't
feel like like getting blamed for that one. I had a friend email me this
link asking if I sent this, because it REALLY looks like it could have
come from me, which is why it has to be somebody I know, because only
those who know me knew I ran into bobby in South Dakota at the Sturgis rally. I really don't feel like taking heat for this from the overkill
guys IF I run into them, and I usually do here and there. Whoever sent
you that is an idiot, and I can't believe you even put that junk on the
web, especially worded the way it was with song stealing references, and
them burying former members. Jesus, do me a favor and kill that stupid
piece on bobby. Better yet, print a retraction. Thanks guys/gals
whoever."
Well there you have it...we said above that we were not
saying the update was accurate. We said it was from someone who CLAIMED
it was true. Looks like it is not. Too bad the real story is still
hidden and no one is any closer on finding out just what Bobby Gustafson
is up to!