Mushroom Head

Biography :

Mushroomhead is an American alternative 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, and electro-industrial. Their new album, Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children, has taken a more eerie Doom Metal tone. Mushroomhead have sold over 880,000 units worldwide, and have made 7 studio albums and 13 music videos. They still remain as an underground band.


History :

Mushroomhead, Superbuick and M3

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, 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; we were going to play our first show on Friday, but I had to work, so it ended up being on a Saturday" said the band's drummer, Skinny.

In 1995, Mushroomhead released a self-financed debut 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. In 1999, Mushroomhead released M3, 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 with his bald, pale faced vampire mask.

XX and XIII

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 the album led Mushroomhead to major national and international tours including 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, 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. Also featuring the hidden track "Crazy", a song originally by Seal. The album debuted at no. 40 on the Billboard Top 200 charts and sold 400,000 copies worldwide.

After an extensive world tour, singer J Mann announced he was leaving the band in August 2004 due to exhaustion and personal reasons. A major reason for his departure was the fact that his father was sick and he wanted to be there for him. 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". 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 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.

Mushroomhead headlined with Dope, 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

Savior Sorrow was released on September 19, 2006, and debuted at #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 #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. 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 in September 2010. Within the first week of it's release it became the #1 best selling metal album on iTunes. A new song, "Your Soul Is Mine," appeared on the Saw VI Soundtrack. on October 1, 2010, they released a music video for Come On on MTV at the Headbanger show. It has been confirmed that Mushroomhead is filming for a Volume 3 DVD.


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.

Since 1999, Mushroomhead has had an on-and-off rivalry with Iowa-based 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 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". Oderus Urungus of the band GWAR has said that GWAR is friends with Mushroomhead, and not all monster metal bands are enemies.

In reference to Mushroomheads style, Allmusic said, "reviewers have mentioned everyone from Marilyn Manson to Evanescence to Slipknot and Sevendust. But truth be told, Mushroomhead had a distinctive, recognizable sound (and a devoted cult following in Cleveland) long before Evanescence or Slipknot broke through commercially — and it would be a huge mistake to think that Mushroomhead is actually trying to emulate any other artists."


Band Members :

Current Members :

* Jeffrey Hatrix (Jeffrey Nothing) – vocals (1993–present)
* Waylon Reavis (Waylon) – vocals (2004–present)
* Dave Felton (Gravy) – guitars (1999–present)
* Jack Kilcoyne (Pig Benis) – bass (1995–present)
* Tom Schmitz (Shmotz) – keyboard (1993–present)
* Rick Thomas (ST1TCH) – turntables, samples, electronics, water drums (2001–present)
* Steve Felton (Skinny) – drums, percussion (1993–present)
* Daniel Fox (Lil' Dan) – water drums, electronic drums, custom percussion (touring 2006-2008; member 2009–Present)

Former Members :
* Joe Lenkey (DJ Virus) – turntables, electronics, samples (1993–1995)
* Joe Kilcoyne (Mr. Murdernickel) – bass guitar (1993–1995)
* Richie Moore (Dinner) – guitars (1993–1999)
* John Sekula (J.J. Righteous) – guitar (1993–2001)
* Jason Popson (J Mann) – lead vocals (1993–2004)
* Marko Vukcevich (Bronson) - Guitars, (2001–2006), turntables, samples (1995–2001), dancing (1993–1995)


Discography :

* Mushroom Head - Mushroomhead (1995)
* Mushroom Head - Superbuick (1996)
* Mushroom Head - M3 (1999)
* Mushroom Head - XX (2001)
* Mushroom Head - XIII (2003)
* Mushroom Head - Savior Sorrow (2006)
* Mushroom Head - Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children (2010)