Band history

Following the demise of his band Overcast in 1998, bassist Mike D'Antonio trawled the underground Massachusetts hardcore punk and heavy metal scene in search of a line-up for a new band. In 1999, D'Antonio met Adam Dutkiewicz and Joel Stroetzel, AFTERSHOCK's guitarists. Dutkiewicz became the drummer, while Stroetzel remained on guitar. The trio searched for a vocalist and eventually hired Jesse Leach, formerly of Corrin and Nothing Stays Gold. The now four member band took the name of "Killswitch Engage", a name proposed by D'Antonio after watching an episode of the FOX television program The X-Files entitled "Kill Switch" (named after the episodes writer William Gibson had a chance meeting with industrial band Kill Switch...Klick).

Current Band Members

• Howard Jones - Vocals
• Adam Dutkiewicz - Guitars (Drums from 1998-2002)
• Joel Stroetzel - Guitars
• Mike D'Antonio - Bass
• Justin Foley - Drums

Former Band Members

• Jesse Leach - Vocals
• Pete Cortese - Guitars
• Tom Gomes - Drums

• Killswitch Engage web site page on band history
• All Music Guide Killswitch Engage article
• Wise Men Promotions interview with Joel Stroetzel, June 27, 2004 Retrieved January 27, 2005