John Miller
Mushroomhead is an American metal band that was founded in 1993 by drummer Steve Skinny Felton and vocalists Jeff Nothing Hatrix and Jason J Mann Popson. The band was originally a side project for members of other Cleveland bands, and they wore masks to hide their identities. They released their self-titled debut album independently in 1995, and it became an underground hit. Since then, Mushroomhead has released several albums and undergone numerous lineup changes, with Skinny remaining as the only constant member. They are known for their unique sound, which blends alternative metal with industrial, goth, rap, electronica, punk, and death metal elements.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year founded | 1993 |
| Founder | Drummer Skinny |
| Founding members | Vocalists Jeff "Nothing" Hatrix and Jason "J Mann" Popson, guitarists John "JJ Righteous" Sekula and Richie "Dinner" Moore, bassist Joe "Mr. Murdernickel" Kilcoyne, keyboardist Tom "Shmotz" Schmitz, drummer Steve "Skinny" Felton, and DJ Joe "DJ Virus" Lenkey |
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What You'll Learn
Drummer Skinny founded the band in 1993
Drummer Skinny founded the band Mushroomhead in 1993. The band was originally a side project for members of other Cleveland bands, and they wore masks to hide their identities and for theatrical impact. They played their first show on October 22, 1993, and quickly developed a loyal fan base in Cleveland.
Mushroomhead released their self-titled debut album independently in 1995, and it became an underground hit. This was followed by Superbuick in 1996 and M3 in 1999, all released via an underground street effort. The band stood out for their unique merging of metal, atmospheric elements, rock, and theatrics mixed with a punk DIY attitude. Their music incorporates elements of hip-hop and industrial metal, with keyboards playing heavily into their sound.
In 2000, Mushroomhead acquired a record deal with Eclipse Records and released their first label-released album, XX, in 2001. The album contained remixed and remastered versions of select songs from their first three albums. After quickly selling almost 40,000 copies in just 2-3 months, the band signed with Universal Records, and the compilation was re-released internationally. This led to major national and international tours for the band, including Ozzfest 2002.
Mushroomhead has undergone numerous lineup changes, with Skinny remaining as the only constant member. They have continued to release albums and perform, maintaining their dedicated fanbase.
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The band's unique image and sound
Mushroomhead was formed in 1993 in Cleveland, Ohio, and quickly established themselves with a unique and distinctive image and sound that set them apart from their peers. The band has undergone several line-up changes over the years, but their signature style remains consistent and is a key part of their appeal.
One of the most striking aspects of Mushroomhead's image is their masks and costumes. Each member of the band wears a unique mask, creating an anonymous and mysterious persona. The masks are often eerie and macabre, featuring distorted features, sharp teeth, and dark eye holes. They are coupled with an array of costumes, ranging from eerie clown-like outfits to military-inspired gear, adding to the overall sense of theatre and performance. This anonymous approach creates an air of intrigue and curiosity, with fans often speculating about the identities behind the masks. The band has explained that the masks represent a way to leave their everyday selves behind and fully embrace their onstage personas.
Their music videos also play a crucial role in showcasing their unique image. Through these visual mediums, they craft mini-horror films, often featuring disturbing and graphic content. The videos enhance the band's overall appeal, attracting fans of horror and the macabre. The band's image has a dedicated and passionate fan base, with many fans embracing the band's aesthetic by creating their own interpretations of the masks and costumes.
Mushroomhead's sound is as unique as their image. They blend an eclectic mix of genres, including metal, industrial, and hip-hop, with elements of electronic and experimental music. This fusion creates a dynamic and intense sound that is both heavy and groovy. The band's line-up reflects this diversity, featuring multiple vocalists, guitarists, bassists, drummers, and even a DJ. Each member brings their own influences and style to the band, resulting in a complex and layered soundscapes.
The band's lyrics are often dark and introspective, exploring themes of anger, pain, and personal struggles. They are known for their aggressive and energetic live performances, where the members' onstage personas truly come to life. The contrast between the clean and harsh vocals, coupled with the blend of heavy riffs and electronic elements, creates an immersive and captivating listening experience.
Mushroomhead's dedication to their craft and their commitment to maintaining their unique image and sound have earned them a loyal following. Their influence can be seen in various other bands that have adopted similar aesthetic approaches, showcasing the impact they have had on modern metal and rock culture.
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Mushroomhead's first album was self-titled
Mushroomhead is an American alternative metal band founded in 1993 by vocalists Jeff "Nothing" Hatrix and Jason "J Mann" Popson, guitarists John "JJ Righteous" Sekula and Richie "Dinner" Moore, bassist Joe "Mr. Murdernickel" Kilcoyne, keyboardist Tom "Shmotz" Schmitz, drummer Steve "Skinny" Felton, and DJ Joe "DJ Virus" Lenkey. The band was meant to be a side project, so they wore masks to go unrecognized, but they quickly gained a loyal fanbase in Cleveland.
Mushroomhead's first album, a self-titled debut, was released independently in 1995 and became an underground hit, which was unprecedented at the time due to the band's lack of proper distribution. The self-titled album was followed by Superbuick in 1996 and M3 in 1999, all released via an underground street effort. The band's unique image and hyper-melodic, heavy style of music started gaining traction, and they began to change their look to stand out further.
The self-titled debut album "Mushroomhead" played a pivotal role in establishing the band's identity and differentiating it from the members' existing bands. By donning costumes, masks, and adopting pseudonyms, Mushroomhead created a distinct and memorable presence in the music industry. This strategic decision, coupled with their unique sound, quickly garnered a dedicated following, solidifying the band's decision to focus on Mushroomhead as a priority.
The album "Mushroomhead" served as an introduction to the band's signature blend of metal, atmospheric elements, rock, and theatrics. It set the tone for their future musical endeavours and showcased their willingness to experiment and push the boundaries of traditional music genres. The underground success of their debut album also granted them a degree of creative freedom, allowing them to explore their artistic vision without being confined to conventional industry expectations.
In 2000, Mushroomhead signed with Eclipse Records, marking their transition to a record label. The following year, in 2001, they released their first label-produced album, titled "XX". This album was a re-recorded compilation featuring remixed and remastered versions of songs from their first three albums. The release of "XX" under Eclipse Records, and subsequently Universal Records, propelled Mushroomhead into the mainstream, leading to major national and international tours and increased media exposure.
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The band's 2006 album, Savior Sorrow
The American heavy metal band Mushroomhead was founded in 1993 by drummer Steve "Skinny" Felton. The band's forceful yet melodic alternative metal incorporates elements of hip-hop, as well as industrial metal.
Originally set to be released on June 6, 2006, it was pushed back for unknown reasons (but it is speculated that this was due to attempting to acquire the rights to Prince's song "When Doves Cry" so they could place a cover on the album). The album was eventually released on September 19, 2006, in the United States, while overseas versions were released in mid-October 2006.
The album's first single, "Simple Survival," debuted on Cleveland's WMMS on August 11, 2006. The song Burn was also included on a FYE sampler, which was given away exclusively with the purchase of two qualifying CDs at FYE stores. Savior Sorrow debuted at No. 50 on the charts and, as of September 2007, had sold over 76,000 copies in the US. As of May 2009, it had sold close to 125,000 copies worldwide.
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Lineup changes and departures
Mushroomhead has undergone several lineup changes since its inception in 1993. The only constant member has been the drummer, percussionist, and founder, Steve "Skinny" Felton.
In 1999, bassist Joe "Mr. Murdernickel" Kilcoyne was replaced by his brother, Jack "Pig Benis" Kilcoyne. In the same year, DJ Joe "DJ Virus" Lenkey departed and was replaced by Bronson. Guitarist Richie "Dinner" Moore also left and was replaced by Skinny's brother, Dave "Gravy" Felton. In 2000, guitarist J.J. Righteous was replaced by Marko "Bronson" Vukcevich, who moved from being a male dancer and sample provider. In 2003, Rick "St1tch" Thomas joined as a DJ, and the band adopted a more experimental electronic sound.
In 2004, vocalist Jason "J Mann" Popson left the band to care for his estranged, terminally ill father. He was replaced by Waylon "Wizlo" Reavis. In 2006, Bronson departed without being replaced, leaving the band with only one guitarist. In the same year, touring water drummer Daniel "Lil' Dan" Fox joined, becoming an official member in 2009.
In February 2012, Gravy, Lil' Dan, and Pig Benis were all fired. They were replaced by Tommy Church, Ryan "Dr. F" Farrell, and Robert "Roberto Diablo" Godsey, respectively. In August 2013, Popson returned, and original vocalist J. Mann also rejoined the band, leaving them with three active vocalists. In 2015, keyboardist Tom "Shmotz" Schmitz departed, causing turmoil within the band and leading to the violent firing of Reavis.
On March 7, 2018, vocalist and founding member Jeffrey "Nothing" Hatrix parted ways with the band. Two days later, guitarist Tommy Church also announced his departure. They were replaced by Steve Rauckhorst and Tommy "Tankx" Shaffner, respectively. In 2022, J. Mann and St1tch went on a touring hiatus, and Skinny took on additional roles as DJ and water drummer. New members Scott Beck and Aydin Michael joined as vocalist and drummer, respectively, and Jordan Gannon became a touring water drummer.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushroomhead was founded in 1993 by drummer Skinny.
Skinny, the drummer and percussionist, founded the band.
Skinny founded Mushroomhead as a side project so that he and other members of Cleveland bands could play incognito. They wore masks to go unrecognized but soon developed a loyal fanbase in Cleveland.
