25 ta Life

Biography :

25 ta Life is an American  band from New York City, originally formed in Queens, N.Y.  in mid-1991.


History :

The band was started by Frank Smarra (Bass) and Harry Minas (Drums) in Astoria, Queens, N.Y., they were soon joined by Fred Mesk (Guitar) and together wrote most of the material that would be on their early releases.

In early 1992 they recruited former Agnostic Front roadie Rick Healy (AKA Rick ta Life) who added the lyrics to all the songs. They adopted the name after it was suggested by Freddie Madball. Madball also helped the band by giving them guest appearances at the end of their sets. 25 ta Life played their first full show at Studio 1 in New Jersey on May 10, 1993 supporting Obituary. After a few failed attempts to add a second Guitar player, Beto (formally of D'mize & Madball) joined the band in late 1993. In January 1994 Bassist and co-founding member Frank Smarra left the band due to family commitments and was replaced by Warren Lee. The Band continued to play massive amounts of shows in the tri-state area and all along the East Coast. In early 1996 25 ta Life traveled to Europe for the first time playing in Italy, Germany, Austria, Belgium and Poland. By late 1997 co-founding member Harry Minas left the band and was replaced by Seth Meyer from One4One.


25 ta Life opened for Agnostic Front's reunion show at the Wetland in December 1996 and then played all of AF's East Coast Dates along with Madball, Hatebreed and H2O in early 1997. They went to Japan in April 1997. Warren and Beto left in May 1997 after the West Coast Tour. Mike from One4One joined on Bass in June 1997 and they went to Europe in July 1997. Recorded Strength Through Unity in July 1997 writing half of it on the spot. Loyal to da Grave featuring Freddy from Madball and Lord Ezec from Crown of Thornz/Skarhead was written and recorded in less than an hour. Mike left in August 1997 and was replaced by Dave from Faction Zero. Later that month, they went to Puerto Rico and recorded 2 songs for the New York's Hardest 2 Compilation with Candiria and SFA. In October-November 1997, Biohazard took 25 ta Life on a short 8 show tour of the East Coast from Washington DC to Boston. Seth left the band in February 1998 and was replaced by Rob Pallotta. The band recorded it's first full-length album "Friendship, Loyalty & Commitment" in 1999.


Band Members :

Current Members :

* Rick ta Life - Vocals
* Ezra Vanbuskirk - lead Guitar
* Chris Manning - Guitar
* Big Ed - Bass
* Petey Pabblo - Drums
* Andrew Chumbley - Designated Pitter

Former Members :

* Fred Mesk - Guitar
* Steve Petit - Guitar
* Beto - Guitar
* Zack Attack - Guitar
* Mark Da Fist - Guitar
* Frank Smarra - Bass
* Warren Lee - Bass
* Mike H. - Bass
* Big Dave - Bass
* Chumley - Bass
* Big Ed - Bass
* Harry Minas - Drums
* Seth Meyer- Drums
* Rob Pallotta - Drums
* J. Skams NWR - Drums
* Justin the Jew - Drums
* Matt Brewer* - Guitar


Discography :

Studio Albums :

* 25 ta Life - Friendship Loyalty Commitment  1999
* 25 ta Life - Hellbound Misery Torment  2005
* 25 ta Life - Strength Integrity Brotherhood  2009

EPs :

* 25 ta Life - 25 ta Life  1994
* 25 ta Life - Keepin' It Real  1996
* 25 ta Life - Strength Through Unity: The Spirit Remains  1997
* 25 ta Life - Best of Friends And Enemies  2003
* 25 ta Life - Fallen Angel  2006

Splits :

* 25 ta Life - Morning Again/25 ta Life  1996
* 25 ta Life - Make it Work  1996
* 25 ta Life - Highway to Hellfest  1998
* 25 ta Life - Never Tear Us Apart  1999
* 25 ta Life - Hellbound Split  2004
* 25 ta Life - Cut Throat/25 ta Life  2006
* 25 ta Life - 25 ta Life/In Search of  2006

Demos :

* 25 ta Life - NYHC Demo  1993

Live Albums :

* 25 ta Life - Live at Few da Real  2004

Compilation Albums :

* 25 ta Life - N.Y.H.C. Documentary Soundtrack  1996
* 25 ta Life - Haterz Be Damned  2004
* 25 ta Life - Early Dayz  2006
* 25 ta Life - Forever, True, Represent  2008