Virus X is considered one of the earliest punk bands and a founder of the Buffalo/Niagara punk scene. Rising up from the playgrounds of Love Canal in Niagara Falls New York, Uniray Records recording artists Virus X hit the scene in the fall of 1983. Making their debut on October 31,1984 at the famed Jack's Garage gig, hosted by the warlock artist Joe Volpe. Virus X released their untitled debut album in 1985 on Uniray Records. This album was also known as the "pink" album (produced and published in Toronto, Canada, Astro Records) quickly became an underground hit on college radio locally, regionally and nationally. Virus X featured original members Rick Miami on the mic and ebow guitar, Jarid Sin on the axe, Smash Thrash(brought the Canadian connection with his family hailing from Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada) with the beat and Lee Lazer on the bass axe. In the mid 1980's Virus X toured from Niagara Falls, Buffalo, Rochester NY to Fort Erie and Toronto, Ontario Canada and every little town in between. In the 1980’s Virus X would headline and support such acts as the 10,000 Maniacs, Corrosion of Conformity, Dirty Rotten Imbeciles, Teenage Head, Mark Freeland/The Fems/Electroman, Problem Children, Green Jello(1980s&2000’s) the Goo Goo Dolls, Adrenaline OD, Post Ejaculation Depression PED and The Cheats.(2017)
Rick Miami during the 1980's also served as chaperone in his bitchin' Camaro for music greats such as Johnny Thunders, Dave Vanian and the Damned and Wendy O'Williams. In 1989 members of Virus X released an album entitled " The Rick Miami Pad, She Lost her Mind," on Uniray Records. In 1996 Virus X/Rick Miami released their own compilation of songs they recorded from 1984 to 1996 on CD entitled "Fun Toy at the Zoo." Their music has been distributed in the USA and Canada and has been featured in the magazine Maximum Rock and Roll and in Tim Burton' s promotional video for the movie the Corpse Bride.
Today after 15 years on hiatus Virus X has re-released both vinyl and CD and kicked of their reunion on July 7, 2016 at Record Theatre, Buffalo NY with much success. Virus X features the original descendants of Mafia Punk....Rick Miami, Jarid Sin and Smash Thrash.
Look for these Western New York/Southern Ontario, Canada Punk rock icons to visit your hometown on their "Mafia Punk " renuion tour.
Virus X is one of the original bands from the 1980's Buffalo, NY Punk scene still performing 1983- Present.
Virus X 1983-1988 (the original)
Rick Miami vocals and ebow guitar (Rick Mameli)
Jarid Sin axe (Jerauld Genova)
Smash Thrash beat (Sam Fruscione)
Lee Lazer bass axe (Leo McDonald)
*From 1988 to present Virus X has had various bass players ie. Arty Razor, Holly, Bobby Stata Zeet, Flip Hastings, Derrik Line, Dan Pilon.
Current lineup: Rick Miami, Jarid Sin, Smash Thrash, Dan Pilon.
Bassist Dave (Derrik Line) Kline 1968-2024 RIP
Cousin Vinny- Blues Harp 2018-2020
Discography :
~T Virus X untitled album, 1985 Uniray Records LP
~T Virus X/Rick Miami "She Lost her Mind" 1989 Uniray Records ** LP
~T Virus X/Rick Miami "Fun Toy at the Zoo" 1996 Uniray Records ** CD
¥ That Christmas CD 1996 Hot Wings Records (Compilation)
~T WNYS Music Scene vol.4 (Compilation) CD
Virus X ”Live Cannabis” 2019 Uniray Records CD
Virus X “Vapor Store” 2019 Uniray Records CD
Virus X “Angel Dust Daze 40th Anniversary Rockumentary” Uniray Records DVD 2023
Virus X “Vol. 2 The Final Vinyl” 2024 Uniray Records LP
Virus X 1983 Uniray Records 2024 companion CD to the LP Vol.2 The Final Vinyl
Documentary released November 6, 2025 by 1120 Press and Shepherd Moon Studios entitled “Zip Tied… The Virus X Story” available on YouTube.
Virus X “Acapulco Gold “ Uniray Records 2026 CD
** Re-released 2016 Uniray Records
~Rick Miami, Jarid Sin and Smash Thrash perform on all recordings.
¥ featuring Rick Miami, Jarid Sin and Derrik Line
T produced and published in Toronto Canada
Also available on ITunes, Amazon Music, Google Music, Apple Music, Spotify, Bandcamp
For booking info email virusxband@gmail.com
