Mephiskapheles is a ska band based in New York. Their name is a portmanteau of "ska" and "Mephistopheles", of Goethe's Faust. As their name suggests, their lyrics are often playfully satanic in nature. The band began when New York hardcore band The Shaved Pigs split up, and guitarist Brendan Tween and roommate Mikal Reich decided to start a ska band. After recruiting several friends, including keyboardist Brian "Underpants" Martin, the band was formed under the name Skatterbrains. It was changed to Mephiskapheles once the band realized that another band had already taken the name. On January 3, 1991, the band made its first public appearance at a venue in Long Island. After a small lineup shuffle that saw Andre A. Worrell emerge as lead singer and frontman, the band recorded its demo tape titled The DEMOn. The band continued to play live, winning the Brooklyn Lager Band Search in the World Beat category, in 1992, and building a devoted fan base throughout the Northeast. In 1994, the band released its debut album, God Bless Satan, produced by Bill Laswell and Robert Musso.