World War IX began as an idea looking for a home between Max and Justin in 2002. After some different drummers and bassists, the current lineup was locked in after about a year. Jon (drums) and Justin (guitar) go way back as friends, as do Annick (bass) and Max Strum (vox). The band cut a 7-song demo called "Level 10" (2003) followed by the awesome and critically acclaimed LP "Panic Attack" (9/2004). WWIX has been blowing minds in their live shows since the band's inception and first show in August of '02. The band has caught the attention of such punk rock icons as Maximum Rock & Roll's Mykel Board, who called the band "my favorite NYC band" (see press page), and New York Waste editor Glenn Wernig, who, when not being blown away by the band's live stage antics takes the time to comment, "this is the best live show I've seen in years... World War IX is a force to keep your eye on in the music scene... will prove that your money will be wisely spent to see them and to buy their CD... not many bands value their audience as much as these guys and nobody gives you more bang for your buck" (Selena Devine, Rotgutzine, Seattle, WA).

Annick

Annick lives in Brooklyn with her roommate Katie where they eat lots of spaghetti. Spaghetti is yummy and it tastes red if you cook it right. Katie also makes the most delicious butterscotch cookies... mouthwatering! Annick assumed the role of bass player for the very loud band World War IX early in the year 2002. Since joining the band, Annick has also assumed the role of Kogepan celebrant, eradicator of mendacity, and she is currently accepting recruitment applications for a war, which is now in its early stages of planning, between the androids and the penguins. Please indicate which side you would prefer to champion and we will try to accommodate your request. Keep in mind, it's all about the process and, as it is cold in Antarctica, please have a winter coat on hand in the event that we ask you to come in for an interview.

Jon

Jon Kleinman is the drummer. At the age of seven, he memorized KISS’ ALIVE II in its entirety and began to wear Peter Criss makeup to school. He attempted to emulate his new hero by constructing a drumset made of boxes in his basement, using two recorders as drumsticks. He eventually graduated to an authentic drum kit and began his musical career at the age of 15 as a member of the CT punk band Green Panic, who electrified Elks club halls and high school gyms throughout the mid to late '80s. He spent the '90s drumming for Boston rock kings UKLA and the freak-boogie trio Gravitron. He was somehow compelled to involve himself with Los Angeles’ zodiac crooner/cult hero Harvey Sid Fisher as a member of his northeast band from 1998-2002. In 2003 he was reunited with old friend Justin Melkmann at a comic book release party in New York City and soon found that he was the new drummer for WWIX. He is pleased to be playing with Justin, Max and Annick especially because their music is reminiscent of some of his favorite punk bands such as the Ramones, Circle Jerks, Black Flag, Angry Samoans and the Dead Kennedys. His drumming influences include Keith Moon, John Bonham, Mitch Mitchell, Ginger Baker, Nicko McBrain and of course, Peter Criss.

Justin

My life was changed forever upon hearing the guitar open to "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" for an Apocalypse Now radio promo back in the day. Not a week has passed since then that I haven't bought or at least thought about buying a record. Rock and Roll, Punk, Country, Metal—anything guitar driven will do. I've spent months listening to nothing but George Jones. Fuck that, I've listened to GG Allin every day since 1987!

When I turned 28 I realized that I'd been collecting records and listening to other people's music for long enough. It was time to give something back. I dusted off my dull yellow Fender Lead III, gathered some chums, and started Jerk Alert. We were fucking great. Ramones with Joan Jett vocals. When that ended though, I wiped the tear from my eye and hooked up vocalist extraordinaire Max Strum. We both wanted to start a heavy, entertaining punk band that would satisfy us creatively and sonically! World War IX is just that.

I HATE: anisette, Danelectro guitars, white trash chic baseball caps worn askew, George Bush Jr. & Sr., and "been there done that" attitudes.

I LOVE: Stovetop Stuffing, Female Trouble, Lemmy, the smell of used guitar shops, light beer, and lots of other stuff.

Max

Born in 1971 in NYC's Lower East Side, Max was born a music freak. Going through childhood and getting albums based on the scariness of their covers, his plastic phonograph, by the time he was 8, was spinning such classics as Twisted Sister, Sabbath, Budgie and Kiss. When Max had matured to a young teen, he could be found every Sunday at CBGB's matinee wearing braces, DM's and sporting a shaved head. Strangely enough, he was exposed to the NYC hardcore scene and its music years before ever hearing the punk rock he still listens to today. Before he had even heard punk mainstays like The Ramones, The Dead Boys, Iggy or X, he was living on NYC Hardcore bands like Raw Deal, Agnostic Front, Warzone, Breakdown, Sick of it All, MDC, Yuppicide, Born Against etc... In 1991 Max formed his first band while attending college upstate in New Paltz, NY after finally being exposed to, and obsessed with, punk rock. Max's band, "Worried,"in its explosive, 2 year existence, recorded a demo called "Reason to Be" which was loosely compared to a few of his favorite bands like the Angry Samoans, Circle Jerks, FEAR, Black Flag and other west coast punk bands he loved. The hardcore that had influenced Max throughout his youth and the punk rock he later lived on lent itself to influencing the singer in an interesting way—he combined the anger and high energy of hardcore with the more down-to-earth and sometimes silly stylings of punk rock. Years later, after living in Europe for many years and returning to NYC, Max met Justin through his current girlfriend, and WWIX began. It was a match made in heaven and a meeting which resulted in the bone crunching yet melodic sounds of WWIX, one of NYC's premier and most original punk bands. Besides WWIX, Max's musical tastes have remained firmly locked in the past and his current favorite bands include Rudimentary Peni, Discharge, Poison Idea, GG Allin, and, of course, Black Flag.