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Biography
Infobox musical artist | name = Mushroomhead| image =| years_active = 1993& ndash;present| genre = Industrial metal ,cite web|url= http://www.metalcrotch.com/tag/mushroomhead/ |title=Mushroomhead |publisher=Metal Crotch |date= |accessdate=2012-03-07cite web|url= http://shutter16.com/wp/2011/05/25/feature-story-mushroomhead-hed-to-head-tour/ |title=Feature Story: Mushroomhead – Hed to Head Tour & #124; Shutter 16 Magazine |publisher=Shutter16.com |date=2011-05-25 |accessdate=2012-03-07 electro-industrial , heavy metal music|heavy metal , alternative metal http://www.allmusic.com/artist/mushroomhead-p295958 shock rock | background = group_or_band| origin = Cleveland , Ohio , USA | label = Eclipse Records|Eclipse , Universal Records|Universal , Megaforce Records|Megaforce , Filthy Hands| current_members = Waylon Reavis|Waylon Jeffrey Hatrix|Jeffrey Nothing Steve Felton|Skinny Tom Schmitz|Shmotz Rick Thomas|ST1TCH Thomas Church Ryan Farrell | past_members = Lil Dan Dave Felton|Gravy Jack Kilcoyne|Pig Benis Jason Popson|J Mann Bronson John Sekula|J.J. Righteous Dinner DJ Virus Joe Kilcoyne|Mr. Murdernickel | website = URL| http://www.mushroomhead.com Mushroomhead is an American industrial metal band from Cleveland , Ohio . Formed in 1993 in Cleveland Warehouse District , the band's music can be described as a synthesis of alternative music , heavy metal music|heavy metal , and electro-industrial . Mushroomhead have sold over 880,000 units worldwide, and have made 7 studio albums and 15 music videos.
History
Mushroomhead, Superbuick and M3 (1993-2000)
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 used costumes, mask s, 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" said the band's drummer, Skinny, in an article for Mushroomhead’s official website.Citation needed|date=February 2007 “Three days later, we got a call to play with GWAR at the Cleveland Agora in front of 2,000 people – our second show ever!”.cite web|title=First show on saturday stated the mushroomhead drummer A EXAMPLE OF A MUSHROOM HEAD IS RICHARD HOPKINS skinny|url= http://www.bebo.com/Profile.jsp? MemberId=5596813262|accessdate=2008
In 1995, Mushroomhead released a self-financed debut album Mushroomhead (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 followers. In 1996 they released Superbuick .cite web|title=second demo by mushroomhead call superbuick|url= http://portalternativo.com/banda/Mushroomhead/Superbuick|accessdate=2008 In 1999, Mushroomhead released M3 (Album)|M3 ,cite web|title=M3 woud be the last Ep by mushroomhead|url= http://portalternativo.com/banda/Mushroomhead/Superbuick|accessdate=2008 which was the final album self-financed and self-released by the band. Original bass player, Joe 'Mr. Murdernickel' Kilcoyne, formerly of Mystik and the Spudmonsters, could be identified by his bald, pale faced vampire mask.
XX and XIII (2000-2005)
In 2001 Mushroomhead released a compilation album titled “ XX (album)|XX ” on the independent label Eclipse Records . Later in the year after quickly selling almost 40,000 copies in just 2-3 monthsVerified through use of Nielsen Soundscan, 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|Ozzfest 2002 ; as well as television exposure via their first music video " Solitaire/Unraveling ". Also in 2001, guitarist J.J. Righteous was replaced by one of the band's stage dancers, Marko Vukcevich. 2003 saw the release of XIII (album)|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)| Freddy vs Jason soundtrack . Also featuring the hidden track "Crazy", a song originally by Seal (musician)|Seal . The album debuted at no. 40 on the Billboard Top 200 charts and sold 400,000 copies worldwide.cite web|title=Mushroomhead Enters Billboard|url= http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/retrieve_chart_history.do? model.chartFormatGroupName=Albums& model.vnuArtistId=265792& model.vnuAlbumId=795611|accessdate=2008
After an extensive world tour, singer J Mann announced he was leaving the band in August 2004 citing exhaustion and to take care of his sick father. 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 (DVD)|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 Macromedia Flash|flash feature as a part of the band's official website. The mini-game pits band members against each other in a Mortal Kombat (arcade game)|Mortal Kombat -style environment, each member having a unique Fatality (Mortal Kombat)|fatality .
Mushroomhead headlined with Dope (band)|Dope , Nocturne (band)|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 Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children (2005-present)
Savior Sorrow was released on September 19, 2006, and debuted at No. 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 No. 30 spot than No. 73. Savior Sorrow's chart position was later officially adjusted to No. 50. Simple Survival, the pre-released single to Savior Sorrow , was placed at No. 39 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart one week after the release. Also in 2006, Daniel Fox (Lil' Dan) joined the band as a touring drummer.
The band has performed 3 shows on the Mayhem Festival tour, filling in for Bullet for My Valentine .
Live 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.
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.
They released Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children (album)|Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children in September 2010. Within the first week of its release it became the No. 1 best selling metal album on iTunes. A new song, "Your Soul Is Mine," appeared on the Saw VI (soundtrack)|Saw VI Soundtrack . On October 1, 2010, a music video for "Come On" debuted on Headbangers Ball on MTV.cite web|url= http://thirteam.proboards.com/index.cgi? board=general& action=display& thread=21519 |title=Thirteam |publisher=Thirteam.proboards.com |date= |accessdate=2012-03-07 The video has since been barred from airing on MTV and other television outlets after being deemed too graphic by network censors .cite web|author=Bloody-Disgusting.com |url= http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/music/1073/ |title=BD Music News - Mushroomhead Debut Video For 'Come On': Banned From TV |publisher=Bloody-disgusting.com |date= |accessdate=2011-07-01 On October 28, 2010, the band's founding guitarist, JJ Righteous, passed away of unknown reasons at the age of 41.cite web|author=Name: |url= http://gunshyassassin.com/news/former-mushroomhead-guitarist-jj-righteous-dies/ |title=Former Mushroomhead Guitarist JJ Righteous Dies |publisher=Gun Shy Assassin |date=2010-11-03 |accessdate=2011-07-01
In October 2010, following the death of ex band-mate JJ Righteous, J Mann appeared on stage with the band during their Halloween show, performing vocals for two songs alongside both Jeffrey Nothing and Waylon. Both he and Waylon made a point of announcing that there were no hard feelings between the two of them, and that they are in fact on good terms with each other.
On Oct 5, 2010 The Professional Wrestling Promotion known as TNA (Total Nonstop Action Wrestling) (Now called "Impact Wrestling") used their hit single "Come On" as the theme song to promote a match between Ric Flair and Mick foley, a confrontation that was 20 years in the making. The promotional video can be seen on the TNA Wrestling official YouTube Channel. It is said that a longtime fan of the band put that together for them.
In February 2012, it was announced that guitarist Gravy and bassist Pig Benis would be replaced by Tommy Church and Ryan Farrell respectively.
In April 2012, Dave "Gravy" Felton stated publicly on his Facebook fan page that he was "kicked out of the band."
In May 2012, Daniel "Lil Dan" Fox left Mushroomhead to work for another band. It is rumored that he is working as a drum technician for Marilyn Manson.
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, featuring alterations to bring them up to date and freshen up the image for new albums and tours.cite web|url= http://www.bedfordtimesregister.com/news/article/4894926 |title=Mushroomhead sprouts new recording |publisher=Bedfordtimesregister.com |date=2010-09-16 |accessdate=2011-07-01
Feud with Slipknot
Since 1999, Mushroomhead has had an on-and-off rivalry with Iowa -based band Slipknot (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 interviews with Waylon, ST1TCH and Skinny. Recently Mushroomhead posted on their official Myspace page their thoughts about Paul Gray's death, they stated: "R.I.P. Paul Gray, This feud needs to end. Much Love and Respect to the guys in Slipknot".cite web|url= http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx? mode=Article& newsitemID=126950 |title=BLABBERMOUTH.NET - MUSHROOMHEAD Vocalist Says There is No More Beef With SLIPKNOT |publisher=Roadrunnerrecords.com |date= |accessdate=2011-07-01
In 2012, Slipknot (band)|Slipknot singer Corey Taylor has stated that he is interested in a tour with Slipknot, Mushroomhead, GWAR, and Mudvayne.cite web|url= http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm? newsid=77732 |title=Slipknot and Mushroomhead Warming Up To Tour - in Metal News |publisher=Metal Underground.com |date= |accessdate=2012-03-07cite web|url= http://loudwire.com/slipknot-and-mushroomhead-on-the-same-stage-corey-taylor-says-its-possible/ |title=Slipknot and Mushroomhead on the Same Stage? Corey Taylor Says It’s Possible |publisher=Loudwire.com |date= |accessdate=2012-03-07 There is a user group that is trying to make a tour happen with Mushroomhead and Slipknot on Facebook (FilthyMaggots Group Page). Since the group started there has been more than 27,000 people "join" the group in support of the event. It is an open discussion group in order to promote and persuade Slipknot's management in to a tour to happen and the feud to officially end with a friendship.cite web|url= http://facebook.com/groups/filthymaggots |title=Aanmelden |publisher=Facebook |date= |accessdate=2012-03-07
Members
col-begincol-2;Current
Jeffrey Hatrix "Jeffrey Nothing" & ndash; lead vocals|vocals (1993& ndash;present)
Waylon Reavis "Waylon" & ndash; lead vocals|vocals (2004& ndash;present)
Tom Schmitz "Shmotz" & ndash; Keyboard instrument|keyboards (1993& ndash;present)
Rick Thomas "ST1TCH" & ndash; turntables , electronics, samples, water drums (2001& ndash;present)
Steve Felton "Skinny" & ndash; drums , percussion (1993& ndash;present)
Tommy Church "Thing 1" & ndash; guitars (2012& ndash;present)
Ryan Farrell "Thing 2" & ndash; Bass guitar|bass (2012& ndash;present)
Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children (album)|Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children (2010)
References
reflist
External links
Official website| http://www.mushroomhead.com
myspace|id=mushroomhead|name=Mushroomhead
http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/filthymaggots/ FilthyMaggots Group Page (Masked 4 Tour)
Mushroomhead Category:Musical groups established in 1993 Category:Heavy metal musical groups from Ohio Category:Musical septets Category:Musical groups from Cleveland, Ohio Category:Rock music groups from Ohio Category:American industrial metal musical groups Category:Masked musicians
