Zoetrope is a speed/thrash metal band from Chicago, Illinois, USA, that was formed in 1976.
Zoetrope was formed while the members were teenagers. The band played a style of speed metal that bordered on thrash, which they referred to as "street metal". In the mid 1980s, the band also frequently played with many local hardcore acts in addition to metal bands, which gave them followings in both camps. The original line up fractured during the recording of the band's second LP, "A Life Of Crime", when guitarist Ken Black left the group. After the tour for "A Life Of Crime", most of the band departed for other projects while guitarist Kevin Michael opted to put a new version of the band together. The group released one more album before disbanding in the early 1990s.
Band members:
Kevin Michael - guitar (1976-1993)
Ken Black - guitar (1976-1987)
Barry Stern - drums, vocals (1976-1988)
Calvin "Willis" Humphrey - bass (1976-1990)
Louis Svitek - guitar (1987-1988)
Pete Montswillo - vocals (1988-1993)
Michael Ray Garrett - guitar (1988-1993)
Drew Kristoff - drums, vocals (1988-1990)
Sean Schipper - drums (1990-1993)
Eric Armstrong - bass (1990-1993)