The Primal Urge for Mayhem

Social Sabotage Formed in summer school. Fueled by thrash metal. Preserved on 250 cassettes. Social Sabotage came together in the summer of 1987, when four classmates turned their time in summer school into one of Tom Cavanagh’s most outrageous high school bands. Inspired by S.O.D., Anthrax, Metallica, Motörhead, Twisted Sister, Megadeth, and the emerging thrash scene, they played fast, loud, and with a sense of humor that made every show part concert, part performance art. The band’s run was brief: a handful of gigs and one album, released at the time only on cassette in a limited edition of 250 copies. Decades later, Tom transferred the original tapes into Pro Tools, remixed the recordings, and decided it was time to let the music out into the world. The lineup was The Insane Tom Cavanagh on guitar and vocals, Sticky Stix Steve-O on drums and vocals, Denny Denim on bass and vocals, and Mark “Hits the Mark” Maikaieigo on guitar and vocals. Tom continues to make and perform music. With the original recordings restored and remixed, Social Sabotage’s sole album is finally available beyond those 250 cassettes: a time capsule of teenage thrash, theatrical chaos, and one unforgettable summer.