-- was formed in Santa Ana, California by Bobby Ferry, Cris Jerue, and Jason Corley in 1992. According to Ferry, he and Jerue bonded as part of the Southern California skate scene. Ferry has stated band was originally called 15, but changed their name when they were made aware of a previously existing group called Fifteen, who had been signed to Lookout Records. Ferry also named some of the band's early influences, including 7 Seconds, Bad Brains, and Metallica, as well as the "wave of bands, Helmet, Jesus Lizard, Unsane and Tar." The band's first full-length album, Curves That Kick, was released in 1993 on Bacteria Sour, an independent label owned by renowned artist, Pushead. Following the album's release, -- toured Japan in 1994.
''Drop Out'' and ''Blaze of Incompetence'' (1995-1998)
The band's next record, Drop Out, was released by Pessimiser/Theologian records in 1996. In spite of Drop Out's critical acclaim, -- did not tour heavily, opting instead to focus on performing locally. Jason Corley was ejected from the band at the end of 1994, and replaced by Andy Hassler. Phil Vera was also added as a 2nd guitarist. The band released Blaze of Incompetence in 1997, and did a US tour with Grief in 1998. Andy Hassler was fired shortly after the tour. R.D. Davies replaced Andy, and then he was replaced by Mark Sanger 6 months later.
''Zoloft Smile'' and hiatus (1999-2004)
--'s next album, Zoloft Smile, was recorded in 1999/2000, but wasn't released until 2002 by At A Loss Recordings. By the time the album was released, Bobby and Tony had both quit the band. The rest of the guys carried on with Phil being the lone guitar player. Nial McGaughey and later, Rafa Martinez handled bass duties. Phil took over vocal duties in 2003, after Cris was forced to go to rehab for alcohol and drug dependency. Addiction issues have plagued the band throughout their career, with Jerue remarking in a 2012 interview with Invisible Oranges, "there have been 14 dudes in this band and not one has been stable mentally or chemically." The band then toured the US and Japan as a three-piece, until calling it quits in 2004.
Reformation, ''Bridges to Burn,'' and ''Deep Cuts From Dark Clouds'' (2007-2014)
Ferry, Jerue, Corley and Tony Baumeister reformed -- in 2007, subsequently securing a deal with Relapse Records. Their Relapse debut, Bridges to Burn, was released in January 2009. The band parted ways with Corley again, and recruited Mateo Pinkerton as their new drummer. In 2010, Relapse Records released The First Trimester, a compilation of non-album material. Deep Cuts From Dark Clouds followed in 2012. In 2012, Last Hurrah Records also released Lost Tracts of Time, a compilation featuring b-sides from the Zoloft Smile era.
''The Lifespan of a Moth'' (2015-present)
On May 18, 2016, Stereogum premiered a new track from The Lifespan of a Moth, "The Absolute Center of a Pitch Black Heart." On June 9, 2016, Decibel premiered 16's video for "Peaches, Cream and The Placenta." Guitarist Bobby Ferry said of the track, "The song is a stressed-out walk down a well-trodden trail that we have been prancing down since the early ’90s. The lyrics delicately touch with all thumbs on the subject of addictive personality sorcery that creates unintended helpless victims." The video was directed by longtime 16 collaborator and producer, Jeff Forrest. In June 2016, it was announced that "Landloper" was the opening track from Lifespan of a Moth. On August 15, 2016, guitarist Bobby Ferry discussed Lifespan of a Moth on the Everything Went Black podcast, hosted by Tombs frontman Mike Hill.
