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Mushroomhead
 

Mushroomhead is a seven person Alternative Metal band based in Cleveland, Ohio. Formed in 1993, the band’s music can be described as an eclectic blend of alternative, heavy metal, hip hop and industrial influences. The various members of Mushroomhead have identified themselves by each adopting masks or facial disguises as well as individual pseudonyms. Mushroomhead is easily identified by its distinct “X Face” logo – commonly worn boldly on the masks of most members, as well as clothing and associated merchandise.

As of April 2006, Mushroomhead has completed the recording of the follow up to 2003’s “XIII” - the new album, entitled "Savior Sorrow", is due in September of 2006. In the United States, the album will be released on the band’s Filthy Hands label with distribution by Megaforce Records. The recent alliance with Megaforce Records will also ensure an international release for the new album.

On June 6 2006, Mushroomhead launched MushroomKombat - an interactive flash feature as a part of the band's official website. The new website pits band members against each other in a Mortal Kombat-style environment - with each member having his own unique fatality.

Members

Current

Previous

  • "Chamberlain" – Juggler/Pogo stickman
  • "Dinner" – Guitar (Richie Moore)
  • "DJ Virus" – Samples (Joe Lenkey)
  • "J.J. Righteous" – Guitar (John Sekula)
  • "Mr Murdernickel" – Bass (Joe Kilcoyne) 1993–1995
  • "Roxy Horne" – Dancer (Jessica Haney) 1993–2000
  • "J Mann" – Vocals (Jason Popson) 1993–2004
  • "Bronson" - Guitar (Marko Vukcevich) 1993-2006

Guests

  • Scot Edgell – Vocals ("The Final Act", "The New Cult King") 1999
  • Devon Gorman – Vocals ("Our Own Way", "One More Day") 2003
  • Jens Kidman – Vocals ("The Dream is Over") 2003
  • Mandy Lascko – Vocals ("Mommy") 1995

Biography

The Beginnings

In 1993, Mushroomhead was established as a side project – its line-up comprised of members from several bands from Cleveland, Ohio. To differentiate itself from 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 punk rock juggernaut GWAR. “We played our first show on a Saturday,” said the band’s drummer, Skinny, in an article for Mushroomhead’s official website. “Three days later, we got a call to play with GWAR at the Cleveland Agora in front of 2000 people – our second show ever!”

In 1995, Mushroomhead self-released its debut album, “ Mushroomhead”. For many members, Mushroomhead became a priority – their original bands were put on the back burner. Despite the band’s line-up seeing many changes throughout the 1990s, Mushroomhead stayed active, steadily releasing music and gaining new fans as they went.

The Image

The late 1990s hold many controversial myths and legends for Mushroomhead. Many record labels began to take notice of Mushroomhead and expressed interest in the Ohio outfit – most notably Roadrunner Records. In 1998, the band came close to signing with Roadrunner Records, however, due to the two parties’ inability to reach a mutual agreement, pen never touched paper. One year later, a nine-piece metal band from Des Moines, Iowa – Slipknot – debuted on Roadrunner Records with its 1999 album “Slipknot”.

After Roadrunner's aquisition, several controversial similarities could be seen. Mushroomhead and its fans believed that Slipknot had stolen their image due to similarities such as a large line-up (Mushroomhead’s eight men v. Slipknot’s nine), several identical masks (Skinny’s gas mask v. Sid Wilson’s gas mask, Pig Benis’ pig mask v. Paul Gray’s pig mask), uniform costumes (Mushroomhead’s camouflage coveralls v. Slipknot’s barcode coveralls) and stage names (each member of Slipknot adopted a number in place of their birth name). However, despite the similarities on surface, the sound and lyrical content of each band differ greatly.

The 1999 signing of Slipknot to Roadrunner Records led to many changes within Mushroomhead. As the band felt their image had been stolen for financial gain, Mushroomhead “killed” their individual characters. Their once colourful costumes – camouflage and rubber masks – were replaced by a uniform black. Later, cartoon style X marks over each eye were added to further illustrate the death of the group’s image. This X mask design later lead to the “X Face” logo which today is recognised as the band’s iconic symbol. These changes were also reflected on the band’s 1999 release “ M3” – a harder, darker sound.

In 2001, Mushroomhead released a compilation album titled “ XX” on independent label Eclipse Records. Later in that year, the band signed with major label Universal Records and the compilation was remastered and re-released internationally. The release of this album lead Mushroomhead to major tours (national and international – including Ozzfest 2002) as well as television exposure via its first music video “Solitaire/Unravelling”. “XX” eventually sold 300,000 copies.

The Breakthrough

In 2003, Mushroomhead released “XIII” on Universal Records – the group’s first album to contain new material since 1999’s “M3”. The 2003 title matched the previous “XX” in sales and kept the band on the road well into 2004.

Mushroomhead came to a mutual agreement with Universal Records to dissolve its alliance in 2004. Without a label backing them, Mushroomhead used the years of heightened national exposure as a springboard to evolve into a fully self-reliant unit. The band kept on rolling, funding itself.

Prior to a tour with Detroit rap group Insane Clown Posse in Summer 2004, Mushroomhead Vocalist J Mann stepped down as the band’s front man to pursue other interests. Mushroomhead pulled itself from the nearing tour with Detroit’s wicked clowns.

The band was quick to appoint a replacement – hand picked by the outgoing “J Mann” Jason Popson. Waylon Reavis from North Carolina’s 3 Quarters Dead joined forces with the Cleveland outfit in September of 2004. On newest member Waylon, drummer Skinny told the band’s official website: “Kids are coming to shows with their faces painted just like him … we’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback from everywhere (especially out of Cleveland …). They say, ‘He did a great job, he sounds just like (J Mann) – but he also has his own voice.’”

The Rebirth

In August of 2005, Mushroomhead self-released it’s 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. Waylon, however, is not featured in "Volume 1".

While still on the road Early 2005, Mushroomhead began the long process of writing and recording a new album due out September 19, 2006. The name of the new album is titled "Savior Sorrow". In December of 2005, Mushroomhead signed with Megaforce Records, ensuring the new albums availability nationally and internationally.

Discography

Videography

  • Simpleton (1995)
  • Solitaire/Unraveling (2002)
  • Sun Doesn't Rise (2003)

The Following Videos Can Be Seen On Mushroomhead's Dvd, "Volume 1".

  • Kill Tomorrow
  • Becoming Cold (216) Montage
  • Eternal
  • Along The Way *
  • The Dream Is Over *
  • Before I Die
  • Sun Doesn't Rise
  • Solitaire Unraveling
  • 2nd Thoughts *- During the "Extras" chapter.

Trivia

On the "Volume 1" disc its-self, the federal warning has a slight variation. the variation is as follows: "..licensed for private home viewing only. Any other use prohibited and is subject to an ass beating."

See also

External links

1990s music groups | 2000s music groups | American heavy metal musical groups | Ohio musical groups

Mushroomhead | Mushroomhead

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Mushroomhead".

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