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Monster Magnet

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Monster Magnet
Monster Magnet live in Hungary, 2008
Monster Magnet live in Hungary, 2008
Background information
OriginRed Bank, New Jersey,U.S.
Genres
Years active1989–present
Labels
MembersDave Wyndorf
Garrett Sweeny
Phil Caivano
Bob Pantella
Alec Morton
Past membersEd Mundell
Joe Calandra
Jon Kleiman
Michael Wildwood
John McBain
Tim Cronin
Jim Baglino
Chris Kosnik

Monster Magnetis an Americanrockband, founded inRed Bank, New Jerseyin 1989 byDave Wyndorf(vocals and guitar),John McBain(guitar and bass) and Tim Cronin (vocals, bass and drums). The band has since gone through several lineup changes, leaving Wyndorf as the only constant member. Monster Magnet has released eleven studio albums to date, and are best known for their 1990s hits "Negasonic Teenage Warhead"and"Space Lord".The band has also been credited for developing and popularizing thestoner rockgenre, along withMasters of Reality,Kyuss,Fu ManchuandSleep.[1][2][3]

History

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Beginnings andSpine of God(1989–1992)

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Original names for the band were Dog of Mystery, Airport 75, Triple Bad Acid and King Fuzz before finally settling on Monster Magnet, taken from the name of a 1960s toy made byWham-O,which Wyndorf liked when he was a child.[4]

In 1989, Monster Magnet released two demo cassettes:Forget About Life, I'm High on DopeandI'm Stoned, What Ya Gonna Do About It?.The band's first "official" release was a single "Lizard Johnny/Freakshop USA" on Long Island-based Circuit Records. The first demo and single were recorded as a three piece (McBain, bass, Wyndorf, guitar and vocals, Cronin, drums and vocals). Before the second demo Tom Diello joined on drums, McBain and Cronin switched to guitar and bass respectively. Thus the lineup was composed of McBain on guitar, Wyndorf on guitar and vocals, Cronin on bass and vocals, and Diello on drums. TheEPMonster Magnetfollowed, onGlitterhouse RecordsofGermany,containing the songs "Snake Dance" and "Nod Scene", (both of which would appear again onSpine of God), and "Tractor", (which would be re-recorded later forPowertrip).

In 1990, the band signed withCaroline Recordsand released a single "Murder/Tractor". Cronin left shortly after; although he would remain in the background, particularly at live shows, contributing to auditory effects, lights, and visuals, for many years. After Cronin's departure, Joe Calandra joined on bass. In 1991, Monster Magnet released their first full-length album,Spine of God,on the labels Go Get Organized/Atypeek Music,Primo Scree,Glitterhouse Records,Caroline Records. Shortly after, drummer Tom Diello left the band and was replaced by Jon Kleiman. Although it was not a commercial success,Spine of Godwas praised by critics and is hailed as one of the classics of the stoner rock genre, in addition to being considered a major influence on the genre.[5]The album contained the single "Medicine" (which would be re-recorded ten years later onGod Says No), which was also the band's firstmusic video.The band followed with a tour alongside risinggrungebandSoundgarden.[6]Thetourhelped the band get arecording contractwith majorrecord labelA&M Records.

Their final release with Caroline Records was anEPtitledTabwhich included, among two other marathon-length songs, a 32-minute track called "Tab...". TheTabEP was recorded beforeSpine of God,yet released after it. McBain quit the band soon after and was replaced byAtomic BitchwaxguitaristEd Mundell.[6]

A&M Records-era and popularity (1992–2002)

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In 1992, Monster Magnet was signed toA&M Records,and their first album on the label,Superjudge,was released the following year. Despite being released on a major label, it fared poorly commercially.[7]Like its predecessor,Superjudgebecame an influential release in the stoner rock genre.[7]The songs "Twin Earth" and "Face Down" were released as singles (with accompanying videos), but it did little to help promote the album. In 1995, Monster Magnet released their third studio album,Dopes to Infinity.The album included the band's first hit single, "Negasonic Teenage Warhead",which benefitted from a music video that received regular rotation onMTV.Still, the album was not as successful as the band had hoped.

After touring in support ofDopes to Infinity,Wyndorf moved toLas Vegas,Nevadain order to begin working onPowertrip(1998), a breakthrough hit that finally earned the band agold record.[8]Guitarist Phil Caivano joined the band in 1998.[6]"Space Lord",the album's first single, was a major radio hit and the band went on tour with successful bandsAerosmith,MetallicaandRob Zombie.The band also toured as one of theopening actsof the bandsHoleandMarilyn Mansonon theirBeautiful Monsters Tour.[9]Following the well-publicized falling out between the outspoken vocalists of Hole and Marilyn Manson, Monster Magnet continued touring with Manson and opened the first three shows of hisRock is Dead Tour.[10]The songs "Powertrip", "Temple of Your Dreams", and "See You In Hell" also received airplay on rock radio stations. The album charted at No. 97 on theBillboard200and later went multi-platinum.[11]

After a two-year tour supportingPowertrip,the band releasedGod Says No(2001), charting at No. 153 onBillboard.However, it failed to match the commercial success of the band's previous release. After the release, Joe Calandra and Jon Kleiman left the band. They would be replaced by Jim Baglino and Michael Wildwood who recordedMonolithic Baby!and, after a short stint, Wildwood was replaced by formerLove Among Freaksdrummer Bob Pantella, respectively. The band also left A&M Records during this period.

Following the split from A&M Records, Monster Magnet wrote and performed "Live For The Moment", which was the former entrance theme ofWWEwrestlerMatt Hardyfrom 2002 to 2010. The song also appeared on theWWF Forceable Entrycompilation.

Monolithic Baby!and4-Way Diablo(2003–2008)

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In 2003, Monster Magnet releasedGreatest Hits,adouble albumfeaturing their best songs, some rarities, and music videos from their time with A&M. They then signed to theEuropeanlabelSPV,and in early 2004 releasedMonolithic Baby!throughout Europe. The US release followed in May on SPV America. The band had a minor hit with the song "Unbroken (Hotel Baby)".

In March 2005, Caivano departed after seven years service in a split described as amicable by Wyndorf. A followup toMonolithic Baby!was expected in March 2006, to coincide with their European tour, along with re-releases ofSpine of GodandTab,both featuring new artwork and liner notes; however the tour and album releases failed to materialize.

Monster Magnet live in 2012

On February 27, 2006, Dave Wyndorfoverdosedon prescription drugs and was hospitalized.[12]

In 2007, it was announced that Monster Magnet would release a new album,4-Way Diablo,which had been put back for a year because of Wyndorf's overdose. It was released later that year. Later in 2007, another greatest hits collection,20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of Monster Magnet,was released. "Powertrip" was used as the official theme song for the WWE pay-per-view eventNo Way Out 2007.

Prior to Monster Magnet's 2008 European tour, Caivano returned to the band.

Mastermind,Last PatrolandMindfucker(2009–2019)

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On November 24, 2009, it was announced that Monster Magnet had signed a new deal withNapalm Records.The band also announced that they would enter the studio in January 2010 to record a new album for a summer release.[13]According to Wyndorf, the band is very pleased with the label, which is "doing a good job".[14]

The new album,Mastermind,was released in October 2010. The band embarked on a massive European tour, in August and then in November–December 2010, to promote their new album. After the tour, Ed Mundell left the band after 18 years "to collaborate with other musicians and producers", forming The Ultra Electric Mega Galactic. Wyndorf stated that Garrett Sweeny (Riotgod) replaced Ed on the tour.[15]

In the fall of 2011, Monster Magnet toured and performed the seminalDopes to Infinityrecord in its entirety throughout Europe. One year later they did the same thing with their 1992 albumSpine of God.

Last Patrolwas released in North America on October 15, 2013. Monster Magnet's website also announced a North American tour for the album, their first in ten years. However, the remaining shows in mid-December got cancelled because of Wyndorf's influenza. The tour resumed in Europe in January and continued through February. Wyndorf stated that the band would play at each show the entireLast Patrol.[16]

In November 2014 a reworked version of "Last Patrol" calledMilking the Stars: A Re-Imagining of Last Patrolwas released, and in October 2015, a reworked version of "Mastermind" calledCobras and Fire (The Mastermind Redux)was released. Featuring re-recordings and new arrangements, they contained a less polished, psychedelic production. In 2016, the band reissued the A&M era LPs with bonus content via Spinefarm Records. They toured Europe again.

Monster Magnet's first studio album in five years,Mindfucker,was released on March 23, 2018.[17]

A Better Dystopia(2020–present)

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By December 2020, Monster Magnet had been working on their eleventh studio album. That same month,Loudwireincluded it in their "88 of 2021's Most Anticipated Rock + Metal Albums" list.[18]The band released the first single of the albumA Better Dystopia,a collection of song covers, on March 23, 2021: "Mr. Destroyer", a cover of thePoobahsong.A Better Dystopiawas released two months later.[19][20]Monster Magnet toured Europe in the fall of 2024 as part of the band's 35th anniversary.[21][22]The last 10 dates of the 35th anniversary European tour were cancelled due to Wyndorf falling ill.[23]

Musical style and influences

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Monster Magnet performing in 2017

Monster Magnet is noted for having a "heavy and spacy sound".[24]They have been described as a "space-metaloutfit [that] helped codify thestoner-rocktemplate with their landmark efforts in the early 1990s ".[25]The albumSuperjudge,according toMetal Injection,"helped forge a sound that crafted a bandanda genre. "[26]Their sound has been described as "headyheavy metal".[27]Additionally, Monster Magnet is regarded asspace rock,[28]hard rock,[29]"psychedelic metal",[30]and as part of the first wave ofalternative metal.[31]Their style is heavily influenced by 1970s space rock bands such asHawkwind[32]andpsychedelia.[31]

In addition to recording covers such as Black Sabbath's "Into the Void"(Master of Reality,1971) and Hawkwind's "Brainstorm" (Doremi Fasol Latido,1972), Wyndorf sometimes incorporated elements of space rock staples into his own songs. For instance, theDopes to Infinitytitle track borrows some of its lyrics from "Lord of Light" (ibid.), andSuperjudge's "Twin Earth" is a reinterpretation of Captain Beyond's "Mesmerization Eclipse" (Captain Beyond,1972). The main guitar riff to the trackDopes To Infinityis lifted from TheSir Lord Baltimoresong "Woman Tamer" (Sir Lord Baltimore,1971). The band has cited the British bandDepeche Modeas an influence on its music. They covered Depeche Mode's "Black Celebration" forFor the Masses,a 1998 Depeche Mode tribute album.

Wyndorf is a fan of 1960s comic books, particularly ones byJack Kirby.He mentions Kirby in the song "Melt" fromGod Says No.He also mentionsMarvel ComicscharactersMODOK(on "Baby Götterdämmerung" fromPowertrip) andEgo the Living Planet(on "Ego, The Living Planet" fromDopes to Infinity). "Mindless Ones" from the album "Last Patrol" has references to the race of the same name, Dormammu, Great Vishanti and The Ancient One from Marvel's 'Doctor Strange'. "All Shook Out" fromGod Says Nohas a reference to "Children of the Atom" which is a reference toX-Men,also from Marvel Comics. Additionally, Marvel'sFantastic Fouris referenced in the song "The Titan Who Cried Like a Baby" on theirMastermindalbum.

In other media

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Television

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The television drama seriesSons of Anarchyused Monster Magnet tracks frequently. Those featured include "Monolithic" in season 1 (episode 10), "Radiation Day", "Slut Machine" and "Freeze and Pixelate" in season 2 (episodes 1, 4 and 13), and "100 Million Miles" in season 3 (episode 12).

Tracks from the 2001 albumGod Says Nohave been used in television series, including the sci-fi TV seriesAlphas( "Heads Explode" ), andThe Shield,which featured the track "God Says No" in an early episode.

The reality seriesViva La Bamused several tracks fromMonolithic Baby!,such as 'Slut Machine', 'Supercruel', and 'Unbroken' during multiple episodes.

Film

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Tracks from the 1995 albumDopes to Infinitywere included on the soundtrack forThe Matrix( "Look to Your Orb for the Warning" ) andThe Girl Next Door( "Dopes to Infinity" ). The soundtrack of the 1994 movieS.F.W.features an early, otherwise-unreleased version of a song originally fromDopes to Infinity,"Negasonic Teenage Warhead".[33]The 1999 filmBeowulffeatures the track "Lord 13" from Monster Magnet's early 1990s EPTabduring its end credits. The filmBoys(1996) features the track "The Secret".

Several tracks from the 1998 Monster Magnet albumPowertriphave been featured in film soundtracks, including "See You in Hell" inBride of Chucky(1998), "Powertrip" inSoldier(1998), "Crop Circle" inUrban Legend(1998), and "Space Lord" inTalladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby(2006). "Big God", the bonus track on the Japanese edition of the album (and also B-side to "Space Lord" ), appears inThe Crow: Salvation(2000).

Tracks from the 2001 albumGod Says Nohave also been used in films.Heavy Metal 2000(2000) includes "Silver Future";Made(2001) includes "Down in the Jungle";[34]andDracula 2000(2000) includes "Heads Explode", and part of the music video for "Heads Explode" is also shown inDracula 2000.The 2004mountain bikefilmNew World Disorder V - Disorderly Conductfeatures "Radiation Day" and "Slut Machine" on its soundtrack.

Monster Magnet contributed a cover of theMC5song "Kick Out the Jams"to theVarsity Bluessoundtrack. They also performed their track "Master of Light" fromMonolithic Baby!live in a scene in the movieTorque.

The Marvel Comics characterNegasonic Teenage Warhead,featured in the 2016 filmDeadpooland its sequel, is named afterthe song of the same namefrom the band's albumDopes to Infinity.

Video games

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Promotional use

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Band members

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Timeline

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Members' other projects

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As teenagers, Wyndorf and Caivano played inpunk/power popbandShrapnelfrom the late 1970s until 1985. The band was managed byLegs McNeil,put out two indie singles and an EP onElektra Records,played with theRamonesatCBGB,featured guitar from future producerDaniel Rey,and appeared both onthe Uncle Floyd Showand in aFrank Millerissue ofAmazing Spider-Man.

Founding member John McBain joined the psychedelic/ garage influenced bandsHater,Wellwater ConspiracyandDevilheadafter quitting Monster Magnet, playing along members ofSoundgarden,Malfunkshun,The Walkabouts,Pearl Jam,and other well-knownSeattlebands and releasing several albums until the early 2000s. He also contributed to projects likeThe Desert Sessionsand The Freeks, and released the solo albumThe In-Flight Featurein 2006 with guest appearances by Cronin on guitar and Kleiman on drums.

Since the mid-1990s, Cronin and Kleiman have fronted The Ribeye Bros. In 2003, Pantella mixed and plays bass onThe Glasspack'sBridgeburneralbum. Mundell also played lead guitar on The Glasspack's track "Peepshow". The album was released onSmall Stone Recordsin May 2004.[36]

In 2010, Ed Mundell left Monster Magnet to collaborate with new musicians and producers. In 2011 he formed The Ultra Electric Mega Galactic, and has contributed to albums for Sasquatch, Abrahma, 9 Chambers. His solo album "Space Time Employment Agency" is slated for 2013.

In 2007 Pantella joinedThe Atomic Bitchwax.Also in 2007, Pantella and Baglino formed RIOTGOD, along with Garrett Sweeny (of Psycho Daisy), and Mark Sunshine.

In 2010, Pantella appeared on LadyKiller's debut self-titled release. He is credited as having played drums on 13 of the 16 songs, in addition to having tracked more than half of the album at his recording studio in Sayerville, New Jersey.

In 2010, the first single "American Dream" was released on One Voice by Capricorn, a band formed by Phil Caivano,Todd Youth(ofMurphy's Law,Danzig,Ace Frehley,Glen CampbellandThe Chelsea Smiles) andKarl Rosqvist(of Danzig, The Chelsea Smiles andMichael Monroe).[37]

Chris Kosnik has played inThe Atomic Bitchwaxsince its formation in 1993.

Discography

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Studio albums

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Remix/redux albums

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EPs

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Compilation albums

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  • It's a Satanic Drug Thing...You Wouldn't Understand(1992)
  • Greatest Hits(2003)
  • The Best of Monster Magnet – The Millennium Collection(2007)
  • Space Lords(2012)

Singles

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Year Song Album
1990 "Lizard Johnny" Monster Magnet
"Murder"
1993 "Twin Earth" Superjudge
"Cyclops Revolution"
"Face Down"
"Cage Around the Sun"
1995 "Negasonic Teenage Warhead" Dopes to Infinity
"Dopes to Infinity"
"Dead Christmas"
"Look to Your Orb for the Warning"
1998 "Space Lord" Powertrip
"Powertrip"
1999 "Temple of Your Dreams"
"See You in Hell"
2000 "Silver Future" God Says No
2001 "Heads Explode"
"Melt"
2004 "Unbroken (Hotel Baby)" Monolithic Baby!
"Monolithic"
2007 "Wall of Fire" 4-Way Diablo
2010 "Gods and Punks" Mastermind
2011 "100 Million Miles"
2013 "Mindless Ones" Last Patrol
"The Duke (of Supernature)"
2018 "Mindfucker" Mindfucker
"Ejection"
2021 "Mr. Destroyer" A Better Dystopia
"Motorcycle (Straight to Hell)"

References

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  1. ^"10 essential stoner rock albums".Louder.October 16, 2016. Archived fromthe originalon March 27, 2019.RetrievedDecember 28,2020.
  2. ^"Monster Magnet Bring Larger-Than-Life Rock to Williamsburg".The Village Voice.October 16, 2016.RetrievedDecember 28,2020.
  3. ^"Stoner Metal, a metal music subgenre".Metal Music Archives.RetrievedDecember 28,2020.
  4. ^"Biography".monstermagnet.net.Archived fromthe originalon April 3, 2007.RetrievedJune 17,2007.
  5. ^Tepedelen, Adem (December 4, 2017)."Monster Magnet -" Spine of God "".Decibel Magazine.RetrievedJuly 3,2024.
  6. ^abcStrong, Martin C. (2000).The Great Rock Discography(5th ed.). Edinburgh: Mojo Books. p. 656.ISBN1-84195-017-3.
  7. ^abInjection, Metal (January 31, 2019)."#TBT: Superjudge is MONSTER MAGNET's Psychedelic-Kissed Retro Metal".Metal Injection.RetrievedJuly 3,2024.
  8. ^"American certifications – Monster Magnet".Recording Industry Association of America.RetrievedDecember 26,2013.
  9. ^Kaufman, Gil (March 11, 1999)."Hole Threaten To Drop Off Marilyn Manson Joint Tour".MTV.Viacom Media Networks. Archived fromthe originalon July 28, 2015.RetrievedJuly 7,2015.
  10. ^"Manson Resumes Tour Without Hole, Taps Nashville Pussy And Jack Off Jill For Upcoming Dates".MTV.Viacom Media Networks. March 22, 1999. Archived fromthe originalon September 7, 2018.RetrievedMarch 7,2011.
  11. ^Lawson, Dom (July 8, 2020)."Monster Magnet's Dave Wyndorf: My Life Story".Metal Hammer.RetrievedJuly 3,2024.
  12. ^Davis, Steve (March 1, 2006)."Monster Magnet singer Dave Wyndorf overdoses!".metalsludge.tv.Archived fromthe originalon February 7, 2012.RetrievedApril 3,2019.
  13. ^"Monster Magnet Signs With Napalm Records".blabbermouth.net. November 24, 2009.RetrievedDecember 7,2017.
  14. ^Wyndorf, Dave (January 22, 2014)."Spacelords back in Europe - Interview Dave Wyndorf".Entertaim.net.RetrievedJanuary 22,2014.
  15. ^Wyndorf, Dave (November 3, 2010)."Where's Ed?".Monster Magnet Forum.RetrievedApril 10,2012.
  16. ^"Monster Magnet Announce New Album! Confirm First North American Tour in Over 10 Years! Debut New Song".Zodiaclung.Archived fromthe originalon February 20, 2014.RetrievedMarch 11,2014.
  17. ^"Monster Magnet – Mindfucker | Echoes and Dust".Archived fromthe originalon May 8, 2019.RetrievedMay 8,2019.
  18. ^"88 of 2021's Most Anticipated Rock + Metal Albums".Loudwire.December 28, 2020.RetrievedDecember 28,2020.
  19. ^"A Better Dystopia, by Monster Magnet".Monster Magnet.RetrievedMay 4,2021.
  20. ^"Album Review: A Better Dystopia - Monster Magnet".May 17, 2021.
  21. ^"MONSTER MAGNET Announces 35th-Anniversary European Tour".Blabbermouth.May 7, 2024.RetrievedSeptember 19,2024.
  22. ^Ling, Dave (September 17, 2024).""I wanted to go back to being a cult band, which is what I had sought all along": After 35 years, Monster Magnet know exactly what they want ".Louder.RetrievedSeptember 19,2024.
  23. ^Kennelty, Greg."MONSTER MAGNET Cancels Remaining Tour Dates Due To DAVE WYNDORF's Health".Metal Injection.RetrievedOctober 15,2024.
  24. ^Rivadavia, Eduardo (June 13, 2018)."Monster Magnet Albums Ranked Worst to Best".Ultimate Classic Rock.RetrievedJune 15,2022.
  25. ^Pehling, Dave (October 9, 2018)."CBS SF Talks To Monster Magnet's Dave Wyndorf".CBS SF.RetrievedJune 15,2022.
  26. ^"TBT: Superjudge is Monster Magnet's Psychedelic-Kissed Retro Metal".Metal Injection. January 31, 2019.RetrievedJune 15,2022.
  27. ^Terich, Jeff; Blyweiss, Adam (April 20, 2017)."10 Essential Stoner Rock Albums".Treblezine.RetrievedMay 21,2017.
  28. ^D'Angelo, Joe (March 20, 2001)."Monster Magnet Tap Buckcherry for God Says No Tour".MTV. Archived fromthe originalon December 3, 2021.RetrievedJune 15,2022.
  29. ^"Monster Magnet Biography, Songs, & Albums".AllMusic.
  30. ^"Monster Magnet attracts fans Psychedelic band sets performance at Diamond Ballroom".Oklahoman.
  31. ^ab"Alternative Metal".AllMusic.RetrievedFebruary 25,2023.The first wave of alternative metal bands fused heavy metal with [...] psychedelia (Soundgarden, Monster Magnet)
  32. ^Swanson, Dave (June 16, 2018)."When Monster Magnet Took Us on a 'Powertrip'".Ultimate Classic Rock.RetrievedJune 15,2022.
  33. ^"Multimedia Magnet Downloads".monstermagnet.net.Archived fromthe originalon January 27, 2010.
  34. ^"Made".moviemusic.
  35. ^"American chopper - PlayStation 2: Video Games".Amazon.RetrievedMarch 11,2014.
  36. ^Rivadavia, Eduardo."Bridgeburner - The Glasspack | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards".AllMusic.RetrievedMarch 11,2014.
  37. ^"Capricorn".onevoicestudio.it.[dead link]
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