Overkill is an American thrash metal band, formed in 1980 in New Jersey. They have gone through many lineup changes, leaving bassist D.D. Verni and lead vocalist Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth as the only remaining original members. The band's current lineup includes Verni, Ellsworth, Dave Linsk on lead guitar, Derek "The Skull" Tailer on rhythm guitar, and Jeramie Kling on drums. Along with Nuclear Assault and Anthrax, the latter of which featured one-time Overkill lead guitarist Dan Spitz, they are one of the most successful East Coast thrash metal bands, and have been called "the Motörhead of thrash metal", due to their unique playing style which is influenced by punk and the new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM). The band has a mascot named "Chaly" that has appeared on many of their album covers.