Mushroomhead

Mushroomhead

Mushroomhead is an alternative metal band from Cleveland, Ohio. Formed in 1993 in Cleveland's Warehouse District, the band's music can be described as a synthesis of alternative, heavy metal and electro-industrial.

History

Mushroomhead, Superbuick and M3

In 1993, Mushroomhead was established as a side project. To differentiate itself from the members’ existing bands and to dispel any misconceptions about the group’s sound and musical content, Mushroomhead adopted costumes, masks and pseudonyms. Mushroomhead played its first show in 1993. Days later, the octet found itself on stage alongside established metal band GWAR. "We played our first show on a Saturday; we were going to play our first show on Friday, but I had to work, so it ended up being on a Saturday," said the band’s drummer, Skinny.

In 1995, Mushroomhead released a self-financed debut album Mushroomhead, with their own record label, Filthy Hands Co. (also named as "Mushroom Co."). For the members, Mushroomhead became a priority with their original bands breaking-up. Although the line-up saw many changes throughout the 1990s, the band stayed active, steadily releasing music and gaining a cult following. In 1996 they released Superbuick. In 1999, Mushroomhead released M3, which was the final album self-financed and self-released by the band.

XX and XIII

In 2001 Mushroomhead released a compilation album titled “XX”, pronounced Double X, on the independent label Eclipse Records. Later in the year, the band signed with major label Universal Records and the compilation was remastered and re-released internationally. The release of the album led Mushroomhead to major national and international tours including Ozzfest 2002; as well as television exposure via their first music video "Solitaire/Unraveling". 2003 saw the release of XIII, their first album with new material for Universal Records. The album produced the single "Sun Doesn't Rise" which was featured on MTV: Headbangers Ball and the Freddy vs Jason soundtrack. Also featuring the hidden track "Crazy", a song originally by Seal. The album debuted at no. 40 on the Billboard Top 200 charts and sold 400,000 copies worldwide.

After an extensive world tour, singer J Mann announced he was leaving the band in August 2004 due to exhaustion and personal reasons. A major reason for his departure was the fact that his father was sick and he wanted to be there for him. He was replaced by Three Quarters Dead singer, Waylon Reavis. In August 2005 Mushroomhead self-released its first DVD on its own Filthy Hands label – "Volume 1". Produced, directed, shot and edited by the band, Volume 1 covers the band’s rise in the 2000s with live performances, music videos and behind the scenes footage.

While on the road in 2005, Mushroomhead began the process of writing new material and recording a new album. In December 2005, Mushroomhead signed with Megaforce Records, ensuring the new albums availability nationally and internationally. On June 6 2006 Mushroomhead launched Mushroom Kombat - an interactive flash feature as a part of the band's official website. The mini-game pits band members against each other in a Mortal Kombat-style environment, each member having a unique fatality.

Mushroomhead headlined with Dope, Nocturne, and New Orleans locals Invain on The Music For Freedom Tour sponsored by Jägermeister at the House of Blues in New Orleans, Louisiana on Tuesday, August 16, 2005. This show was one of the last big acts to play in New Orleans for a long time due to Hurricane Katrina striking New Orleans on August 29, 2005.

Savior Sorrow and next album

Savior Sorrow was released on September 19, 2006, and debuted at #45 on the Billboard 200 charts with sales exceeding 12,000. The band's label stated that sales were closer to 25,000 with the inclusion of sales made while on tour. As a result, SoundScan issued an apology the day following the release of sales data due to mistakes made in estimates. The primary reason given was the lack of inclusion of sales from the Best Buy retailer chain. Sales of Savior Sorrow were roughly 26,000 and the chart entry place was closer to the #30 spot than #73. Savior Sorrow's chart position was later officially adjusted to #50. Simple Survival, the pre-released single to Savior Sorrow, was placed at #39 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart one week after the release.

Drummer Skinny has stated that while on the Jägermeister-sponsored tour, Mushroomhead was filming around the clock, capturing the action on and offstage. The footage was compiled into the band's second DVD, titled "Volume 2". On December 29, 2007, Mushroomhead won Video of the Year 2007 on the MTV2 Headbanger's Ball for "12 Hundred" from the Savior Sorrow record. On September 17, 2008, it was announced that the band will release the "Volume 2" DVD on October 28 through Filthy Hands/Megaforce Records. The disc features two and a half hours of content, including live footage from the three-year Savior Sorrow tour, music videos including "12 Hundred", "Simple Survival", "Burn", the short video for "Tattoo", "Save Us" and "Embrace The Ending", video commentary and behind the scenes footage.

Stitch went on to say, "Most bands release DVDs that don’t have anything but live or backstage footage. Keeping the spirit of the old Pantera home videos, we always try to have more of the behind the scenes antics and drama that shows the human side of Mushroomhead and what goes on when we are not onstage. Everything about this home video is personal and we filmed and edited all of the content. If you own Volume 1 then Volume 2 will blow your fucking mind."

To support the DVD, Mushroomhead hit the road with The Autumn Offering, XFactor1 and Human Factors Lab from October 3 in Findlay, Ohio, until November 2 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After the tour, Mushroomhead returned to the studio to record their next album which was due out June 2009. However in a recent interview with Maxinum Threshold, Skinny stated that it would come later, as June was "too close". He also mentioned that Mushroomhead's former vocalist J-Mann, is involved with at least one song. The new album is scheduled for a late winter release, February 10, 2010. However recording has been delayed because of the recent "hed to Head Tour" presented by Jagermeister, where Mushroomhead lines with hed PE. Rumors have risen about a possible tour involving Mushroomhead the headliner, although no further news has been released.

The band has performed 3 shows on the Mayhem Festival tour, filling in for Bullet for My Valentine. The band also performed at the 10th annual Gathering of the Juggalos. They have announced on July 31 during the Mayhem Festival that their new album will be released on February 10, 2010. It has also been confirmed that J Mann will be recording vocals on four of the tracks on the new album. Additionally, Mushroomhead will be celebrating their 16 year as a band by putting on one of their annual Halloween shows at the Agora Theater in Cleveland, Ohio. The show will be filmed for Mushroomheads first ever Live DVD.

The new song "Your Soul is Mine" will be featured on the Saw VI Soundtrack.

Image and style

The members of Mushroomhead have identified themselves by wearing masks; and by its distinct “X Face” logo – commonly worn on the masks of most members; as well as clothing and merchandise. The band originally adopted masks and stage names to not conflict with their original bands. The band's look has evolved over the years with each release. Their current masks, as one of their producers confirmed, are them coming back from hell after being killed in war.

The masks of Savior Sorrow are different from the old masks. In an interview, Skinny says that they used the black and white masks with the "X-Face" logo for a long time and they have to change the image as they change the singer. They have done different masks for every member and put their personalities in them.

Although the X-Face logo has long been worn on the masks of Mushroomhead, at their first show as a part of Mayhem Festival, the members of Mushroomhead have adopted rather controversial style costumes consisting of masks best described as alienated doll faces wearing makeup and long trenchcoats with fishnet stockings. This could possibly be associated with the release of their new album, which is set for release on February 10, 2010.

Since 1999, Mushroomhead has had an on-and-off rivalry with Iowa-based band Slipknot. The feud erupted (mostly among fans) due to the image similarities between the bands; such as the masks and costumes worn on stage. Before signing Slipknot, Roadrunner Records were interested in signing Mushroomhead, but Mushroomhead passed on the deal. The rivalry is now officially over as confirmed in several 2009 interviews with Waylon and Skinny.

In an interview with Soundbites, then lead singer of Mushroomhead Jason Popson stated, "It seems a little strange, because they look so much like us and they have the same number of members and some of the same masks, and it was a little too strange that their record label had this material. I think it's obvious that they borrowed material from our show."

Allmusic said about Mushroomhead, "reviewers have mentioned everyone from Marilyn Manson to Evanescence to Slipknot and Sevendust when describing XIII. But truth be told, Mushroomhead had a distinctive, recognizable sound (and a devoted cult following in Cleveland) long before Evanescence, Slipknot, or Sevendust broke through commercially — and it would be a huge mistake to think that Mushroomhead is actually trying to emulate any other artists."

Members

Current

• Jeffrey Hatrix (Jeffrey Nothing) – lead vocals (1993–present)
• Waylon Reavis (Waylon) – lead vocals (2004–present)
• Dave Felton (Gravy) – guitar (1999–present)
• Jack Kilcoyne (Pig Benis) – bass (1995–present)
• Tom Schmitz (Shmotz)" – keyboard (1993–present)
• Rick Thomas (ST1TCH) – turntable, electronics, sample, water drums (2001–present)
• Steve Felton (Skinny) – drums, percussion (1993–present)

Former

• "Joe Lenkey" (DJ Virus) – turntables, electronics, samples (1993–1995)
• "Joe Kilcoyne" (Mr. Murdernickel) – bass (1993–1995)
• "Richie Moore" (Dinner) – guitars (1993–1999)
• "John Sekula" (J.J. Righteous) – guitars (1993–2001)
• "Jason Popson" (J Mann) – lead vocals (1993–2004)
• "Marko Vukcevich" (Bronson) - dancing, turntables, samples (1993–2001), guitars (2001–2006)

Touring

• "Chris Chamberlain" (Chamberlain) – juggler (1993–1994, no musical contributions)
• "Jessica Haney" (Roxy) – dancing (1993–2000, no musical contributions)
• "Daniel Fox" (Lil' Dan) – water drums, electronic drums, custom percussion (2005–present)

Guests

• Mandy Lascko – vocals ("Mommy")
• The Heathers – vocals ("Big Brother")
• Scot Edgell – vocals ("The Final Act", "The New Cult King")
• Devon Gorman – vocals ("Our Own Way", "One More Day")
• Sean Kane – vocals ("Tattoo")
• Jens Kidman – vocals ("The Dream Is Over")

Timeline

Discography

Main article: Mushroomhead discography

• 1995: Mushroomhead
• 1996: Superbuick
• 1999: M3
• 2001: XX
• 2003: XIII
• 2006: Savior Sorrow
• 2010: TBA

External links

• Official website
• Template:Myspace