Motograter
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Motograter |
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Motograter is an American nu metal band. They are best known for their homemade instrument the "motograter" - designed with industrial cable and guitar pieces that creates a very deep bass sound. The "motograter" instrument originally took place of the original bass guitar but now accompanies it. The band is also known for painting themselves in a tribal style body paint for concerts.
History
Motograter was founded in 1995 by Bruce Butler aka Grater. The band was originally a tribal group that experimented with hardcore screams and sampling. In 1999, they became more of a rock styled band, and began to use guitar samples before adding a proper guitarist. They released two independent EPs titled Hugh Chardon (1999) and Indy (2000) with their original vocalist Zak (The Waz). He was later replaced by Ivan Moody, and the band signed with Elektra Records in 2002.
The band released their self-titled debut album Motograter on June 24, 2003, just shortly before their first major tour. Motograter's second stage slot at Ozzfest 2003 would ultimately lead to the band's struggles with their label. Like every other band on the second stage classified as nu metal (others included Twisted Method, grade 8, Depswa, Endo, and Unloco), Motograter's record sales did not improve as much as their record company had hoped. After the tour, Motograter's camp didn't say much regarding their future.
In 2003, Motograter's "Suffocate" was included on the soundtrack of the film The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and had a music video of the song which featured scenes from the film.
Dates were announced for a tour in January 2004, but it received no promotion or tour support from Elektra. The tour was eventually canceled, but the group hinted at Elektra being interested in both a second album and a European tour. Nothing materialized and there were no plans in the works for the band.
Following a headlining tour that was poorly advertised, Motograter did a series of dates with Kittie. They followed this up with an extensive, self-financed tour with Dope that saw the band abandon their trademark body paint.
The band announced in May 2005 that they were on hiatus to start some side-projects.
Motograter played a one-time reunion show at the Delicious Rox Festival in Missouri on September 30, 2006. The lineup featured Ghost, JR, Nuke, Bruce and Crispy.
A year after the Delicious Rox Festival, Lead Guitarist Nuke started working with Rhythm Guitarist JR on a side project. It was here where the group was introduced to current frontman Angel. However, the project didn't see life outside of the studio.
Nuke and Angel went on to recruit the current line up and started working on material for a new album mid-2008. In the midst of writing the new album the group decided to schedule a number of tours to showcase some of their new songs.
On July 25 2009 Motograter embarked on a 3 month tour that spanned the entire U.S. ending with them headlining the first annual Bandecky Bash Music Festival in Bradley, CA on Oct. 10th.
Currently the band has began its second tour of 2009 on Nov. 5th which is scheduled to end in Mesa, AZ on the 20th of Dec. After which Motograter will be heading into the Studio to record for its sophomore album.
MOTOGRATER currently has no original members left
Discography
Album(s)
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Demo 1998
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Hugh Chardon EP
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Indy
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Motograter
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Singles
| Year | Song | US Hot 100 | U.S. Modern Rock | U.S. Mainstream Rock | Album |
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| 2003 | "Suffocate" | - | - | 23 | Motograter |
| 2003 | "Down" | - | - | 29 | Motograter |
| 2004 | "No Name" | - | - | - | Motograter |
Other songs
"Failure" (Performed in 2004)