Bill Stevenson (musician)

John William Stevenson (born September 10, 1963) is an American musician and record producer. He is the drummer, main songwriter, and the only constant member of the California punk rock group Descendents since its inception. In late December 1981, he played a few concerts with the hardcore punk band Black Flag because their drummer ROBO was detained in England after a tour there. He went on to record with Black Flag on several of their albums until 1985, including the highly influential My War. After this, he focused his attention on Descendents and played with the band until lead singer Milo Aukerman left in 1987. After Milo's departure, Bill and the other members of Descendents, Karl Alvarez and Stephen Egerton, recruited singer Dave Smalley of Dag Nasty, moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, and formed All. All went on to have two more singers, Scott Reynolds (1989–1993) and Chad Price (1993–present). Aukerman came back for the 1996 album Everything Sucks, the 2004 album Cool to Be You, 2016's Hypercaffium Spazzinate and the newest album 9th and Walnut. All and Descendents continue to tour between Stevenson's and Aukerman's respective careers as a recording engineer and a biochemist. Stevenson was born in Torrance, California and attended Mira Costa High School, with fellow members of the Descendents.[1]

For the blues and jazz pianist, see Bill Stevenson (Canadian musician).

Bill Stevenson
Stevenson performing with the Descendents in 2014
Stevenson performing with the Descendents in 2014
Background information
Birth nameJohn William Stevenson
Born (1963-09-10) September 10, 1963
Torrance, California, U.S.
GenresPunk rock, hardcore punk
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter, producer, engineer
Instrument(s)Drums, percussion
Years active1978–present
LabelsOrca, New Alliance, SST, Cruz, Interscope, Epitaph, Fat Wreck Chords, Rise

Stevenson, along with record producer Jason Livermore are the founders of the recording studio The Blasting Room in Fort Collins, Colorado. Currently, Stevenson is involved in Russ Rankin's side project Only Crime with former members of GWAR and Converge.

In 2005, he became a member of instrumental group The Mag Seven, and produced the group's album.[2] He also played with The Lemonheads from 2005 to 2007, appearing on their 2006 self titled album, which he also helped produce.[3][4]

Stevenson produced As I Lay Dying's 2012 album Awakened, the 2012 NOFX album Self Entitled[5][6][7] as well as Rise Against's seventh and ninth studio albums, The Black Market and Nowhere Generation, released July 15, 2014 and June 4, 2021 respectively.

One of Stevenson's most recent works was the production of Frenzal Rhomb's tenth studio album The Cup of Pestilence, released April 7, 2023.

Early life

Bill Stevenson (birth name; John William Stevenson) was born on September 10, 1963. Stevenson grew up mostly with his father, Steve Stevenson. He describes his father as a cold man but present for him. Steve Stevenson worked two jobs and was 22 hours outside of his home and came to give Bill food and put him to bed. Around the age of fourteen or fifteen, Stevenson started working for Keith Morris' father as a fisherman. He attended Mira Costa High School where he met his friends and future bandmates of Descendents.[8]

Career

Stevenson is an original member of the Descendents forming in 1978. The Descendents put out a single called "Ride the Wild / It's a Hectic World" in 1979. In 1982 they put out their first album Milo Goes to College. After the album, singer Milo Aukerman went to college, the band played rarely, so Stevenson joined Black Flag. He left Black Flag in 1985 to reform the Descendents. The Descendents became All in 1988 after Aukerman left once again. The Descendents would form again from 1996 to 1997 and then in 2002, before going on hiatus. From 2003 to 2007, Stevenson played in smaller bands until All played shows again in 2008. In 2010, the Descendents reformed again.[8]

Membership timeline

Personal life

Bill Stevenson has never tried recreational drugs in his life other than alcohol, which he did not drink until later in life.[9][10]

In recent years, Stevenson has had some health issues. He grew a brain tumor unknowingly around 2008, which remained for another two years before being removed. The tumor caused Stevenson to lose motivation and eventually made him gain weight, had a blood clot, diabetes and sleep apnea. In 2010, he had a successful surgery to remove it which helped him to gain his health back.[8] In 2016, Stevenson revealed he had open heart surgery.[11]

Selected discography

See also Albums produced by Bill Stevenson

References
  1. Spurrier, Jeff. "DESCENDENTS HANG OUT IN NEVER-NEVER LAND", Los Angeles Times, January 5, 1986. Accessed January 10, 2008.
  2. "ALL? No, the Mag Seven!". Alternative Press. October 14, 2005. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
  3. Lemonheads full length, reissue due next year, Punknews.org, November 16, 2007.
  4. Stevenson talks about next Lemonheads album, Punknews.org, August 21, 2007.
  5. "NOFX reveal 'Self Entitled'". Punknews.org. July 19, 2012. Retrieved July 19, 2012.
  6. "NOFX's new album named 'Self-Entitled'; pre-order live now". Alternative Press. July 19, 2012. Retrieved July 19, 2012.
  7. "NOFX Announce New Album "Self Entitled"". Alter the Press!. July 19, 2012. Retrieved July 19, 2012.
  8. "FILMAGE: The Story of DESCENDENTS/ALL (Stereo) – FILMAGE – (Film Only)". Filmage.vhx.tv. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  9. "FAQ". descendentsonline.com. Archived from the original on June 1, 2013. Retrieved October 10, 2017. Q: Are the Descendents straight edge?
    Karl Alvarez: Descendents were around before the song "Straight Edge" so it's really a moot point. The answer to the question is no, though Bill's never done any drugs at all.
  10. "Descendents Interview With Milo Aukerman". restassuredzine.com. January 23, 2013. Archived from the original on May 20, 2017. Retrieved October 10, 2017. Milo Aukerman: [...] Bill and myself were not really drinking or doing any drugs at all. [...] But as we've grown older Bill and I enjoy getting together and having a beer every now and then. [...]
  11. "Descendents' Bill Stevenson Had 20 Espressos After Open Heart Surgery" (video). YouTube. Rolling Stone. July 20, 2016. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
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