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The '''Mentors''' are an American [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] band, noted for their deliberately sexist [[shock rock]] lyrics.
The '''Mentors''' are an American [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]] band, noted for their deliberately sexist [[shock rock]] lyrics.


Originally formed in May 1976 [[Seattle, Washington]]<ref name=bio>{{cite web|url=http://www.thementors.us/BIO.html |title=Site Suspended - This site has stepped out for a bit |publisher=Thementors.us |date= |accessdate=2013-07-23}}</ref> and relocated to [[Los Angeles, California]] in 1979, where their irreverent attitude aligned them with the city's [[punk rock]] scene. Their music has developed stylistically over the years from [[garage rock|garage]] [[heavy metal music|metal]] to [[hardcore punk]] to [[experimental rock|experimental]] [[thrash metal]]. The self-proclaimed inventors of "rape rock," essentially an early, 1970s-style heavy metal and punk rock fusion with extremely [[Chauvinism|chauvinistic]] and [[Perversion|perverse]] lyrics about [[Misogyny|degrading and denigrating women]].
Originally formed in May 1976 [[Seattle, Washington]]<ref name=bio>{{cite web|url=http://www.thementors.us/BIO.html |title=Site Suspended - This site has stepped out for a bit |publisher=Thementors.us |date= |accessdate=2013-07-23}}</ref> and relocated to [[Los Angeles, California]] in 1979, where their irreverent attitude aligned them with the city's [[punk rock]] scene. Their music has developed stylistically over the years from [[garage rock|garage]] [[heavy metal music|metal]] to [[hardcore punk]] to [[experimental rock|experimental]] [[thrash metal]]. The self-proclaimed inventors of "rape rock," essentially an early, 1970s-style heavy metal and punk rock fusion with extremely [[Chauvinism|chauvinistic]] and [[Perversion|perverse]] lyrics about [[Misogyny|degrading and degenerating women]].


Although garnering attention both from noted hard rock acts and pro-censorship movements such as the [[Parents Music Resource Center]],<ref name=allmusic>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-mentors-mn0000422882/biography |title=The Mentors &#124; Biography |publisher=AllMusic |date= |accessdate=2013-07-23}}</ref> the high-profile death of drummer and lead singer [[Eldon Hoke]] ("El Duce" or sometimes "Papa El") in 1997 brought them unprecedented attention. They remain active with a retooled line-up: Sickie Wifebeater (Eric Carlson) - lead guitar, Dr Heathen Scum (Steve Broy) - bass guitar, Cousin Fister (Bryan Analla) - rhythm guitar, and John Christopher - drums.
Although garnering attention both from noted hard rock acts and pro-censorship movements such as the [[Parents Music Resource Center]],<ref name=allmusic>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-mentors-mn0000422882/biography |title=The Mentors &#124; Biography |publisher=AllMusic |date= |accessdate=2013-07-23}}</ref> the high-profile death of drummer and lead singer [[Eldon Hoke]] ("El Duce" or sometimes "Papa El") in 1997 brought them unprecedented attention. They remain active with a retooled line-up: Sickie Wifebeater (Eric Carlson) - lead guitar, Dr Heathen Scum (Steve Broy) - bass guitar, Cousin Fister (Bryan Analla) - rhythm guitar, and John Christopher - drums.

Revision as of 06:30, 1 January 2018

Mentors
OriginSeattle, King, Washington, United States
GenresHeavy metal, shock rock, hard rock, punk rock, rape rock
Years active1976–present (hiatus; 1997–2001)
LabelsMentor Records, Mystic, Metal Blade, Ever Rat
MembersEric Carlson
Steve Broy
Cousin Fister
John Christopher
Past membersEldon Hoke
Jeff Dahl
Chris Jacobson
Mike Dewey
Ed Danky
Zippy
Clark Savage
Sickie J
El Rapo
Mad Dog
WebsiteOfficial Website
Church of El Duce

The Mentors are an American heavy metal band, noted for their deliberately sexist shock rock lyrics.

Originally formed in May 1976 Seattle, Washington[1] and relocated to Los Angeles, California in 1979, where their irreverent attitude aligned them with the city's punk rock scene. Their music has developed stylistically over the years from garage metal to hardcore punk to experimental thrash metal. The self-proclaimed inventors of "rape rock," essentially an early, 1970s-style heavy metal and punk rock fusion with extremely chauvinistic and perverse lyrics about degrading and degenerating women.

Although garnering attention both from noted hard rock acts and pro-censorship movements such as the Parents Music Resource Center,[2] the high-profile death of drummer and lead singer Eldon Hoke ("El Duce" or sometimes "Papa El") in 1997 brought them unprecedented attention. They remain active with a retooled line-up: Sickie Wifebeater (Eric Carlson) - lead guitar, Dr Heathen Scum (Steve Broy) - bass guitar, Cousin Fister (Bryan Analla) - rhythm guitar, and John Christopher - drums.

History

Founding members Hoke, Eric Carlson ("Sickie Wifebeater"; guitar) and Steve Broy ("Dr. Heathen Scum"; bass) attended Roosevelt High School together in Seattle,[2] and began experimenting together with crude punk and primitive heavy metal. Upon formation, The Mentors began to tour the Northwest, playing shows with their trademark executioner hoods and bawdy lyrics. Broy was in and out of the band during its early career due to his preoccupation with pursuing a degree in engineering.[3] Other bassists from this era include Jeff Dahl, Chris Jacobsen (Jack Shit), and Mike Dewey (Heathen Scum Wezda).[4]

Through Mystic Records, the Mentors released their first EP, The Trash Bag, in 1983.[1] Their first live album, Live at the Whiskey/Cathey de Grande, came out the following year; both records were produced by Phillip (Philco) Raves. In 1985, they signed to Death Records, a subsidiary of Metal Blade, and released their debut studio LP, You Axed for It!, with Broy returning on the bass.[3] During this time, Hoke maintained a strong public presence, making a controversial appearance[5] alongside fellow metal band GWAR on The Jerry Springer Show, where Hoke's band, beliefs, and public image were criticized.[2] In another controversial interview, on Hot Seat with Wally George,[6] Hoke claimed that The Mentors and their fans "want rape rock!" This term would eventually come into use by similar shock rock bands such as the Murder Junkies.

The Mentors did not achieve true notoriety until the 1985 Congressional hearings orchestrated by Tipper Gore’s Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC). The relatively obscure Mentors caught the attention of the PMRC with their song, “Golden Shower”, prompting a reading of some of its lyrics on the Congressional floor and inducing peals of uncontrolled laughter from those present.

Broy was briefly replaced by bassists Wayne Daddio ("Ripper"), Ed Danky ("Poppa Sneaky Spermshooter"), and Zippy, but later returned to the group. In 1989, The Mentors released their third album, Sex, Drugs & Rock 'n' Roll, a faux-live[citation needed] record. This album caught the attention of the hard rock band Revolting Cocks, who invited The Mentors on tour with them.[2]

They released Rock Bible in 1990, with Rick Lomas ("Insect On Acid")[7] sitting in on drums. To the Max followed the next year. Clark "Moosedick" Savage[1] often filled in for Hoke on drums at live shows, as Hoke's alcoholism had made it difficult for him to play drums and sing simultaneously.

The Mentors remained sporadically active thereafter. Hoke began a solo career, while Carlson formed the band Jesters of Destiny.[3] In the mid 1990s, Hoke claimed that Courtney Love had offered him $50,000 to kill her husband Kurt Cobain,[8] whose death was ruled a suicide. In 1997, days after being interviewed for the documentary film Kurt and Courtney, Hoke died after being struck by a freight train while intoxicated. His death was alternately described as an accident and a suicide,[9] while some conspiracy theorists have claimed there is evidence suggesting foul play.[10]

Carlson, Broy and Savage continued the band and were joined by guitarist Sickie J and vocalist El Rapo, releasing Over the Top in 2005. 2006 Singer and drummer Marc DeLeon ("Mad Dog"), of the Mentors tribute band The Mantors, replaced El Rapo and, later, Savage. 2009 saw the release of Ducefixion, their eighth full-length record. DeLeon left the Mentors in 2014.

On May 25, 2017, the Mentors released The Illuminaughty, their first studio album in eight years, with Broy and Lomas sharing the vocal duties.

Members

Timeline

Discography

Albums

Singles/EPs

Compilations

Videography

  • Get Up and Die (1983)
  • Mentors Fuck Movie (1987)
  • A Piece Of Sinema (1990)
  • The Wretched World of The Mentors (1990)
  • Mentors Tour De Max '91 (1991)
  • El Duce, The Man. The Myth. The Video. (1993)
  • Mentors - El Duce Vita DVD (2007)

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Site Suspended - This site has stepped out for a bit". Thementors.us. Retrieved 2013-07-23.
  2. ^ a b c d "The Mentors | Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 2013-07-23.
  3. ^ a b c "The Mentors". Facebook. 2009-04-27. Retrieved 2013-07-23.
  4. ^ "The Mentors - Encyclopaedia Metallum". The Metal Archives. Retrieved 2013-07-23.
  5. ^ "YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved 2013-07-23.
  6. ^ "MENTORS on HOT SEAT part 1". YouTube. 2006-04-07. Retrieved 2013-07-23.
  7. ^ "MusicMight :: Artists :: MENTORS". Rockdetector.com. Retrieved 2013-07-23.
  8. ^ "Justice For Kurt Cobain - Investigation - Case Documents - Eldon Hoke Interview". Justiceforkurt.com. 2007-10-26. Retrieved 2013-07-23.
  9. ^ "A Tribute to El Duce". Mindmelt.com. Retrieved 2013-07-23.
  10. ^ "Justice For Kurt Cobain - Investigation - Eldon Hoke aka El Duce". Justiceforkurt.com. Retrieved 2013-07-23.
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