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Mushroomhead

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Mushroomhead

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

Mushroomhead are probably most famous for their ongoing rivalry with the 9 piece Nu-metal group Slipknot. Fans of Mushroomhead have argued that Slipknot has ripped off their image, while fans of Slipknot say the opposite. However, it is a fact that Mushroomhead existed before Slipknot, and had their masked and costumed image before Slipknot.[citation needed] In a 2006 issue of MetalEdge magazine, Mushroomhead were interviewed about the situation and their album Saviour Sorrow. The lead singer claimed that he had met Joey (Slipknot's drummer) and that he (Joey) had apologized for the situation and claimed the band wanted no hard feelings. Mushroomhead's singer said to the interviewer: "The last member of Slipknot I would want to meet would be Joey. Have you seen these guys without their masks?! There's a reason they wear them!"

  • Little known fact: Mushroomhead is a band full of douchebags and Slipknot is way better than mushroomhead.
File:Untitled04341.jpg
Mushroom Head Band Members

On June 6 2006, Mushroomhead launched MushroomKombat - 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.

History

Beginnings

In 1993, Mushroomhead was established as a side project. Its line-up comprised 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 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] “Three days later, we got a call to play with GWAR at the Cleveland Agora in front of 2000 people – our second show ever!”. [citation needed]

In 1995, Mushroomhead released its self-financed debut album with Filthy Hands Co., “Mushroomhead”. For the members, Mushroomhead became a priority with their original bands breaking-up. The band’s line-up saw many changes throughout the 1990s, stayed active, steadily releasing music and gaining new fans.

Image

In 2001, Mushroomhead released a compilation album titled “XX” 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 this album lead Mushroomhead to major tours, national and international including Ozzfest 2002) as well as television exposure via its first music video “Solitaire/Unraveling”. XX sold 300,000 copies.[citation needed] Their current masks, as one of their producers confirmed, are them coming back from hell after being killed in war.

2003 saw the release of XIII, their first album of entirely new material for Universal Records. The album produced the single "Sun Doesn't Rise" which was featured on MTV:Headbangers ball soundtrack and Freddy Vs Jason. Also featuring the hidden track "Crazy" a cover song originally by Seal. The album debuted at No. 40 on the Billboard Top 200 charts and sold 400,000 copies worldwide.[citation needed]

After an extensive world tour, singer Jmann (aka Jason Popson) announced that he had left the band in August 2004 due to exhaustion and personal reasons. Reasons such as his father being sick and wanting to be there for him.

The late 1990s held controversial myths and legends for Mushroomhead. 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”. Corey Taylor has stated that Slipknot had never heard of Mushroomhead until they were recording their debut album in 1998.1

After Roadrunner's acquisition, 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 and 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(Pig Benis resembling the pig mask or vice versa as the argument follows).[citation needed] Each member of Slipknot adopted a number in place of their birth name. This caused rivalries between Slipknot and Mushroomhead.

The 1999 signing of Slipknot to Roadrunner Records led to changes within Mushroomhead. The band felt their image had been stolen for financial gain, Mushroomhead “killed” their individual characters. Their once colorful costumes, camouflage and rubber masks, were replaced by a black uniform. 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”.

An incident between Mushroomhead fans and Slipknot themselves occurred when Slipknot trekked to Cleveland as part of their tour in support of their debut album, Mushroomhead fans flocked to the concert and peppered Slipknot with batteries forcing them off-stage.[citation needed] In a press conference, lead singer Corey Taylor stated that members of Mushroomhead had encouraged fans to do these acts. Mushroomhead has publicly stated that the band in no way encourages this sort of behavior. In a May 2007 interview it Imhotep.com, singer Jeffrey Nothing stated that the day after the Cleveland incident, his then girlfriend went down to the venue and the members of Slipknot and some of their crew harassed her saying: "You're wearing a Mushroomhead shirt, what do you know?" Nothing went on to say, "The bottom line is: here is our city, our fans support us completely! They felt just as fucked over by these pony "Clowns" as us and they aren't afraid to show it. Welcome to Cleveland bitches.” [1]

Rebirth

File:Mrhlive.jpg
Mushroomhead live

In August of 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. Waylon, however, is not featured in "Volume 1", though he is given a camera operator credit.

While on the road in 2005, Mushroomhead began the process of writing new material and recording a new album. In December of 2005, Mushroomhead signed with Megaforce Records, ensuring the new albums availability nationally and internationally. This rebirth brought on a new look for Mushroomhead. All the masks still displayed the X-face but have an individual mask look, not the same identical masks as in the XX and XIII eras. The band has completely revamped their website to display their new look and sound.

Mushroomhead headlined with Dope, Nocturne, and New Orleans locals (now Dallas) Invain played a show 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.

Mushroomhead, SOiL, Brand New Sin, and The Autumn Offering took to the road together for a full tour of the United States in 2006. Mushroomhead's 2006 Midnight Halloween performance started with an announcement over the PA: “Due to unforseen circumstances, Slipknot will not be appearing tonight,” which was greeted by chants of “Fuck Slipknot!” from the cadre of fans in the pit. Soon after, the lights came up, revealing their Nightmare Before Christmas-themed set, complete with falling snow. St1tch and Little Dan (Skinny’s drum tech and drummer for Ventana) came out wearing masks from two members of Slipknot. Dan wearing Chris Fehn’s mask with the Pinocchio-style nose, Stitch wearing Shawn “Clown” Crahan’s mask. When they weren’t playing the large drums at the front of the stage, Dan proceeded to masturbate his mask’s nose, and St1tch took off his mask and flipped the bird at it, eliciting fits of laughter from the crowd. concert review

Savior Sorrow debuted at #73 on the Billboard 200 charts with sales exceeding 12,000.[citation needed] The band's label stated that sales were closer to 25,000 with the inclusion of sales made while on tour.[citation needed] SoundScan issued an apology the day following the release of sales data due to mistakes made in estimates.[citation needed] 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.[citation needed]

Drummer Skinny has stated that while on the Jägermeister-sponsored tour, Mushroomhead has been filming around the clock, capturing the action on and offstage. The footage will be compiled into the band's second DVD, tentatively titled "Volume 2,"

On March 31 2007 ST1TCH announced that he would be leaving Mushroomhead. He cited the conflicts with Slipknot, and the media's subsequent focus on Mushroomhead only in the context of their similarities to Slipknot, as his main reasons for leaving the band. He intends to independently release a CD of remixes titled "Vol. 2: The Superliminal Choruses", with all proceeds from the album going to the remaining members of Mushroomhead. Schmotz will take on the job of samples in addition to playing keyboards. This actually turned out to be an April Fools Day joke by the band. ST1TCH is still in Mushroomhead.

Discography

Main article: Mushroomhead discography

Studio albums

Band members

Current members

Former

  • "Chamberlain" – Juggler/Percussion 1993–1995
  • "Dinner" – (Richie Moore) Lead Guitar 1993-1998
  • "DJ Virus" – (Joe Lenkey) Turntables 1993-1995
  • "J.J. Righteous" – (John Sekula) Rhythm Guitar 1993–2001 (was sole guitarist from 1998-1999)
  • "Mr. Murdernickel" – (Joe Kilcoyne) Bass 1993–1995
  • "Roxy" – (Jessica Haney) Dancer/Electronics 1993–1998
  • "J Mann" – (Jason Popson) Vocals 1993–2004
  • "Bronson" - (Marko Vukcevich) Turntables 1995-1998, Electronics 1999-2001, Rhythm Guitar 2001-2006 korv

Guests

  1. ^ Sarkis, Thiago. "MUSHROOMHEAD – GOING THROUGH CHANGES, ALTHOUGH SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE". Imhotep. Retrieved 2007-05-01. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
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