Early years (1982–1983) The group was formed in 1982 by
The Fartz members Paul Solger and
Duff McKagan (also of the
Fastbacks). Filling out the band's line-up were vocalist Steve Verwolf, bassist David Garrigues, and future
Mother Love Bone drummer,
Greg Gilmore. Garrigues left the band in 1983 due to personality clashes. McKagan took over duties on bass for a single 8-track recording of Necropolitan Affair and subsequently left the band in 1984. Jim Lightfoot (former partner in Modern Productions and member of Memory) joined as bass player, but stayed only for a single performance. The final pre-
Sub Pop line up was cemented by the addition of
Daniel House on bass. Despite criticism from the punk rock purists of the area, the band's performances are generally regarded as legendary; there were hints of psychedelic elements which caused
Black Flag's
Henry Rollins to label them the "punk rock
Hawkwind". but the album was never released. At the time the Seattle music industry was still young, and the indie labels which helped propel bands from that area into stardom in later years had yet to come into fruition. It is for this reason that Ten Minute Warning never released any recorded material before they split in 1984. This left groups such as
Green River and
Soundgarden to become known as the founders of what later became known as
grunge.
Breakup (1984) The band played a farewell performance at the Lincoln Arts Center in Seattle in 1984. Since then, McKagan has reunited with his former Guns N' Roses bandmates
Slash and
Matt Sorum to form
Velvet Revolver, and Paul Solger was diagnosed with and successfully treated for cancer in 2004. As of 2008, he resides in Eastern Washington with his parents. Steve Verwolf died of a heroin overdose in August 2008. Only a month before he died, Verwolf made a deal with Jason Potbelly of Northwest hardcore punk icons Potbelly to do a split 7-inch titled "Then and Now"; this release would showcase an unreleased track recorded in 1983 on the 10 Minute Warning side and a classic Potbelly track on the other. The limited pressing 7-inch was released the day of Verwolf's funeral. Potbelly attended Verwolf's funeral and presented his family copies of the record. ==Members==