Monster Magnet
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| Monster Magnet | ||
|---|---|---|
 From left to right; Phil Caivano, Ed Mundell (back), Dave Wyndorf, Jim Baglino
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| Background information | ||
| Origin | New Jersey | |
| Genre(s) | Stoner Rock | |
| Years active | 1989-present | |
| Label(s) | Glitterhouse Records (1989-1991) Caroline Records (1991-1993) A&M Records (1993-2003) SPV Records (2003-present) |
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| Website | Official Website | |
| Members | ||
| Dave Wyndorf Ed Mundell Jim Baglino Bob Pantella |
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Monster Magnet is an American band. Hailing from Red Bank, New Jersey, the group was founded by Dave Wyndorf (vocals and guitar), John McBain (guitar), Tom Diello (drums), and Tim Cronin (vocals and bass). The band first went under the name "Dog of Mystery" and later "Airport 75", before finally settling on "Monster Magnet".
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[edit] History
In 1989, Monster Magnet released two demo cassettes: Forget About Life, I'm High on Dope and I'm Stoned, What Ya Gonna Do About It?. The band's first "official" release was a self-titled EP from Glitterhouse Records of Germany. In 1991 the band signed with Caroline Records and released their first full length album, the cult classic Spine of God, in 1991. The next release was a bizarre 4 song EP titled Tab which included, among two other marathon length songs, a 32 minute track called "Tab...". McBain was fired soon after, because of personality conflicts between himself and Dave Wyndorf. He was replaced by Atomic Bitchwax guitarist Ed Mundell; who holds the position to this day.
The year 1993 saw the release of the album Superjudge. While the album was released on a major record label (A&M Records) and is considered a cult favorite among fans of the band's earlier work, the album did not sell very well. The follow-up, a more pop-influenced album, was Dopes to Infinity which had a hit single in "Negasonic Teenage Warhead", helped by the MTV-promoted video, which showed Dave Wyndorf travelling through Outer Space. But the other songs received almost no radio airplay, because of radio programmers' belief that the then-new Seattle sound had rendered Monster Magnet's style of hard rock outdated. So other innovative tracks on the album, such as "All Friends And Kingdom Come", "Blow 'Em Off", "King Of Mars", and "Dead Christmas" were never heard by their target audience. Dopes to Infinity sold better than Superjudge, but was not the breakthrough success that Monster Magnet expected, especially considering the consistent high quality of the album's material. Wyndorf moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in order to begin working on Powertrip (1998), a breakthrough hit that earned a gold certification. Powertrip saw the band departing from its usual lo-fi, stoner rock fare, and enter into an era with more guitar and heavier drum beats. Guitarist Phil Cavaino joined the band in 1998. "Space Lord", the first single, was a major radio hit and the band went on tour with bands like Aerosmith, Metallica and Marilyn Manson. Their last album on A&M Records was God Says No (2000). After this release, Joe Calandra and Jon Kleiman departed the band because of internal conflicts with Wyndorf, and were replaced by Jim Baglino and Bob Pantella respectively. In 2003, Monster Magnet signed to the European label SPV, and in early 2004 released Monolithic Baby! throughout Europe. The U.S. release followed in May on SPV America. In March 2005 Phil Cavaino departed after 7 years service in a split described as amicable by Wyndorf. A followup to Monolithic Baby! was expected in March 2006 to coincide with their European Tour, along with rereleases of Spine of God and Tab, both featuring new artwork and liner notes, however the tour and album release did not go ahead.
On February 27, 2006 Dave Wyndorf overdosed on prescription drugs. His management released the following statement
The battle with one’s inner demons is the most personal fight any of us can undertake. The fight is at times a lonely, confusing journey. On the evening of February 27, Dave Wyndorf suffered a set back in his own fight and was hospitalized due to a drug overdose. His full recovery is expected. We ask that all those he has encountered over the years or simply affected by his music to take a moment to think good thoughts of and for him. With the grace of God and those who love him we are all confident that Dave will rebound from this set back and continue to play and make great rock and roll.
[edit] Influences
Monster Magnet's style and material are heavily influenced by 1970s space rock bands such as Hawkwind and Captain Beyond. In addition to arranging covers such as Hawkwind's "Brainstorm" (Doremi Fasol Latido, 1972), Wyndorf sometimes incorporates elements of space rock staples into his own songs. For instance, the Dopes to Infinity title track borrows some of its lyrics from "Lord of Light" (ibid.), and Superjudge's "Twin Earth" is a reinterpretation of Captain Beyond's "Mesmerization Eclipse" (Captain Beyond, 1972). Wyndorf also is a fan on 60's comic books, paticularly Jack Kirby. He mentions Kirby in the song "Melt" from God Says No. He also mentions MODOK (on "Baby Götterdämerung" from Powertrip) and Ego the Living Planet (on "Ego, The Living Planet" from Dopes to Infinity), both of which are Marvel Comics creations.
Monster Magnet's live shows occasionally feature Stacia-esque nude dancers, a fact which has landed them in trouble with the law in some American cities.
[edit] World Wrestling Entertainment
Monster Magnet have worked for the World Wrestling Entertainment. They play "Live For The Moment", the official theme song of Matt Hardy and "Powertrip" from Powertrip is the official theme song for No Way Out 2007.
[edit] Soundtracks
- "Crop Circle" from Powertrip for the movie Urban Legend.
- "Dopes to Infinity" from Dopes to Infinity was featured on the soundtrack to the film The Girl Next Door.
- "Heads Explode" from God Says No was featured on the soundtrack to the film Dracula 2000. Part of the music video for the song is displayed in the movie as well.
- "Look To Your Orb For The Warning" from Dopes to Infinity was featured on the soundtrack to the 1999 film The Matrix.
- "Master of Light" from Monolithic Baby! was featured in the movie Torque in a scene in which Monster Monster are shown performing the song.
- An early version of "Negasonic Teenage Warhead" from Dopes to Infinity, which can't be found on the album, was featured on the soundtrack of the 1994 movie S.F.W..[1]
- "Powertrip" from Powertrip can be heard in the film Soldier.
- "See You In Hell" from Powertrip appears in Bride of Chucky.
- "Silver Future" from God Says No was featured in Heavy Metal 2000.
- "Space Lord" from Powertrip was featured in the film Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.
- "PowerTrip" from Powertrip can also be heard in PS3 2007 release Motor Storm
[edit] Trivia
- Monster Magnet is mentioned in a Mitch Hedberg joke.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Full-lengths
| Year | Title | Notes |
| 1991 | Spine of God | Debut full-length album; debut release on Caroline Records. |
| 1993 | Superjudge | First release on A&M Records. |
| 1995 | Dopes to Infinity | |
| 1998 | Powertrip | |
| 2000 | God Says No | Final release on A&M Records. |
| 2003 | Greatest Hits | Compilation album; released on A&M Records. |
| 2004 | Monolithic Baby! | First release on SPV Records. |
[edit] EPs
| Year | Title | Notes |
| 1990 | Monster Magnet | Only release on Glitterhouse Records. |
| 1991 | Tab | Final release on Caroline Records. |
[edit] References
[edit] External links
| Monster Magnet |
| Dave Wyndorf |
| Ed Mundell | Jim Baglino | Bob Pantella |
| Former members: Tim Cronin | Joe Calandra | Jon Kleiman | John McBain | Michael Wildwood | Phil Caivano |
| Discography |
|---|
| Main albums: Spine of God (1991) | Superjudge (1993) | Dopes to Infinity (1995) | Powertrip (1998) | God Says No (2000) | Monolithic Baby! (2004) |
| EPs: Monster Magnet (1990) | Tab (1991) |
| Other releases: Greatest Hits (2003) |
