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Mushroomhead

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Mushroomhead
File:Mushroomhead2006 promo.jpg
Mushroomhead in 2006 in a promo shot
Background information
OriginCleveland, Ohio
Years active1993 – present
MembersWaylon Reavis
Jeffery Nothing
Pig Benis
Gravy
ST1TCH
Skinny
Shmotz
Past membersJ. Mann
Bronson
Mr. Murdernickel
J.J. Righteous
Chamberlain
Dinner
DJ Virus
Roxy
WebsiteOfficial site

Mushroomhead is a seven person alternative metal band based in North Royalton/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, similar to the music of such bands as Tool and Slipknot (who many fans and former band members claim are a ripoff of Mushroomhead). The music of Mushroomhead is very progressive and some people use to call it "art metal". The sound is very differerent to many heavy alternative metal bands because there are keyboards and samples in Mushroomhead music. 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", was released in the US on September 19, 2006. In the United States, the album was released on the band’s Filthy Hands label with distribution by Megaforce Records. The recent alliance with Megaforce Records also ensured 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.

Band members

File:Mrhlive.jpg
Mushroomhead live

Current

Former

  • "Chamberlain" – Juggler/Pogo-stick man
  • "Dinner" – Guitar (Richie Moore)
  • "DJ Virus" – Samples (Joe Lenkey)
  • "J.J. Righteous" – Guitar (John Sekula)
  • "Mr Murdernickel" – Bass (Joe Kilcoyne) 1993–1995
  • "Roxy" – 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
  • Sean Kane - Vocals ("Tattoo") 2006

Biography

The Beginnings

File:Mrh.jpg
Mushroomhead - early to mid 90s

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 acquisition, 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). All of this has caused rivalries between Slipknot and Mushroomhead. For example, in a Slipknot concert in cleveland, Corey Taylor said to the Rock Sound Magazine that Slipknot fought some Mushroomhead fans and that one of their tech guys was arrested. 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.

An incident between Mushroomhead fans and Slipknot themselves accord 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. After that, in a press confrence, Slipknot leader singer Corey Taylor stated that members of Mushroomhead had encouraged fans to do these acts; there has never been any proof that this claim was true.

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. XIII, entered the Billboard Top 200 at #40 and went on to sell 400,000 copies worldwide.

File:Jmannlastshow.jpeg
J Mann's last show (August 7 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 due to an overloaded work schedule and his fathers ailing health. Mushroomhead pulled itself from the nearing tour.

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 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".

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

This rebirth has also brought on a new look for Mushroomhead. All masks still display the X-face but all have an individual mask look, not the same identical masks as in the XX and XIII eras. The band has also completely revamped their website to display their new look and sound.


Mushroomhead, SOiL, Brand New Sin, and The Autumn Offering will be taking to the road together for a full tour of the United States this September through October.

Savior Sorrow debuted at #73 on the Billboard 200 charts with sales exceeding 12,000. However, the band's label stated that sales were closer to 25,000 with the inclusion of sales made while on tour. 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 indeed around 26,000 and the chart entry place was closer to the #30 spot than #73. However, 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.

In October of 2006, Mushroomhead bandmember Skinny spoke out to online journal sit MidWestMovement.com about Slipknot. At the end of the interview he stated "I'm just done playing nice guy. We've kept our mouth's shut for eight years, and listened to everyone tell us to play nice, and its got us nowhere. For eight years we sat by as those assholes talked their shit about us and tried to tear us down at every corner and every stop. But guess what? We're still here." This has led to many mixed reactions from fans of both Mushroomhead and Slipknot.

Discography

Singles

  • Simpleton (1995)
  • Bwomp (1996)
  • Before I Die (1999)
  • Solitaire/Unraveling (2001)
  • Before I Die (re-release - 2001)
  • Sun Doesn't Rise (2003)
  • Crazy (2003)
  • Kill Tomorrow (2004)
  • Simple Survival (2006)
  • 12 Hundred (2006)

Charting Positions

Year Title Chart positions Album
US Hot 100 US Modern Rock US Mainstream Rock
1995 "Simpleton" - - - Mushroomhead
1996 "Bwomp" - - - Superbuick
1999 "Before I Die" - - - M3
2001 "Solitaire/Unraveling" - - - XX
2001 "Before I Die" - - - XX
2003 "Sun Doesn't Rise" - - - XIII
2003 "Crazy" - - - XIII
2004 "Kill Tomorrow" - - - XIII
2006 "Simple Survival" - - #39 Savior Sorrow

Compilations/Soundtracks

  • Decible Magaine/FYE Summer 2006 Compilation – "Burn (Demo)"
  • xXx Soundtrack – "Before I Die" (August 6, 2002)
  • The Scorpion King Soundtrack – "Along the Way" (March 26, 2002)
  • Texas Chainsaw Massacre Soundtrack – "43" (November 4, 2003)
  • Freddy vs. Jason soundtrack – "Sun Doesn't Rise" (August 12, 2003)
  • MTV2 Headbangers Ball – "Sun Doesn't Rise" (October 7, 2003)
  • Modern Rock Radio – "Solitaire/Unraveling" (December 1st, 2001)
  • Nu Rock Traxx, Vol. 59 – "Crazy" (February 9th, 2004)
  • Nu Rock Traxx, Vol. 38 – "Along the Way" (May, 2002)
  • Ozzfest 2002 - Streetwise Summer Sampler – "Solitaire Unraveling"
  • There's a Rumble in the House – Greatest Hits of the Arena Football League, Vol. 1
  • Calling All Maniacs – "Solitaire/Unraveling" (2002)

Other songs

NOTE: Lyrics for the following songs can be found, but no true original album listings can be found.

  • "Treason" – on special edition of XIII that is only available from Best Buy |Lyrics
  • "Loop #6"- Said to follow treason on special edition of XIII. | Lyrics
  • "When Doves Cry" – Prince Cover |Lyrics

Videography

  • "Simpleton" (1995)
  • "Solitaire/Unraveling" (2002)
  • "Sun Doesn't Rise" (2003)
  • "Eternal" (2003)
  • "Simple Survival" (2006)
  • "12 Hundred" (2006)Yet to be released

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

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

Trivia

  • On the "Volume 1" disc itself, 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."
  • On the back of the Volume 1 DVD case, Bronson's real name is spelled wrong. His name should read 'Vukcevich', but instead it reads 'Vuckevich'.
  • On an early August 2006 episode of ECW cameras caught a fan wearing a Mushroomhead mask.
  • Mushroomhead is featured in Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's Ohio Music Exhibit alongside Marilyn Manson, Devo and Macy Gray.
  • It has been estimated that Mushroomhead has sold 1,000,000 albums worldwide. This is seen as a great feat as the band has had little to no mainstream spotlight.

See also

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