8 Foot Sativa is a New Zealand-based extreme metal band formed in 1998. Their most famous single is their self-titled song, "8 Foot Sativa", which was number one on the M2 (a late night New Zealand music show) top 12 list for 12 weeks, and stayed on the chart for seven months. The band has toured and released albums internationally, and have played alongside artists such as Fear Factory, Soulfly, Korn, Slipknot, System of a Down, Children of Bodom, Disturbed, Motörhead, Pungent Stench, Shihad and Corrosion of Conformity. 8 Foot Sativa have become a household name in New Zealand. History Early days (1998–2002) 8 Foot Sativa formed when members Brent Fox and Gary Smith met at Massey High School in Auckland, New Zealand. They both enjoyed metal music and played music together. Peter 'Speed' Young from Kelston Boys' High School joined the band as the band's drummer. 'Fat' Dave was on the bass guitar. In their early days, they were a cover band, who played music from Pantera, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Sepultura, Metallica and Slayer. 'Fat' Dave often did not turn up to practices, so Brent Fox moved from guitar to bass. The band met their next vocalist, Ari, at a music school, where he was formally training as a drummer. Ari was the first vocalist to write original songs for the band, and wrote "Fuel Set", "Kick It All Away" and "Engine", which later appeared on the band's debut album. During this time, the band met Justin 'Jackhammer' Niessen at a mall. According to Gary Smith: "He used to sneak into the gigs and we'd sneak him beers". After Ari's disappearance from the band (the other members didn't see him for several years), Niessen became the new vocalist. Niessen is famous among 8 Foot Sativa fans for occasionally collapsing on-stage due to the strain of his vocal performances, most notably during a performance of "Destined to be Dead" on a New Zealand music show, Space. NZMusician.com claims that these collapses were due to, "shortage of breath attributed to a lack of vocal training". Hate Made Me (2002) In 2002, 8 Foot Sativa released their debut album, Hate Made Me, with the album later receiving gold status within New Zealand for selling more than 7,500 copies Shortly after the release of Hate Made Me, Young left the band, reportedly citing 'musical differences'. He was replaced with Sinate drummer, Sam