Mushroomhead band career

Formed in 1993 in Cleveland, Ohio, Mushroomhead has built a successful underground career due to their aggressively artistic sound, theatrical stage show, and unique appearance. Just how big a deal the band was for rock music can be illustrated by this: "We played our first show on a Saturday," says founder and drummer Skinny, "and three days later we got a call inviting us to play with GWAR at the Cleveland Agora in front of 2,000 people." Mushroomhead: Biography of the band Mushroomhead quickly achieved regional popularity, opening for new national acts (with Marilyn Manson, Down, Type O Negative) and headlining their own concerts. The reason for their ascension was the unusual, original, aesthetically pleasing eight guys, dressed in matching jumpsuits and scary masks over their heads, playing incredible, unsettling music. You see, Mushroomhead's music unfolds like a waking dream. It's simultaneously surreal and vibrant, intense and intelligent, and impossible to ignore. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v1JZGFjufJEY С 1995 по 1999 год группа выпустила четыре независимых альбома (Mushroomhead 1995 года, Superbuick 1996 года, Remix 1997 года и M3 1999 года) на лейбле Filthy Hands. They toured the regions in support of each release, watching their fan base grow with each performance. Mushroomhead: 1995-2000 The late 1990s contained conflicting myths and legends about Mushroomhead. Record labels began to take notice of Mushroomhead, with Roadrunner Records particularly keen on the band. In 1998, the band was close to signing a deal with Roadrunner Records, but due to the inability of both parties to reach a mutual agreement, pen never touched paper. A year later, the nine-piece band from Des Moines, Iowa, Slipknot, made its Roadrunner debut with the album "Slipknot." The rock band became Mushroomhead's main competitor for many years. Of course, there was some conflict. Mushroomhead: Band Biography Mushroomhead's Know-How Since 1993, when the Cleveland-based octet formed, no other band has worn masks and jumpsuits and written uniquely heavy music influenced by Faith No More and Pink Floyd, as they have with hardcore, metal, and even techno. In 1999, Slipknot signed with Roadrunner Records, which led to changes in Mushroomhead's work. The group felt their style and image were being stolen for financial gain. This, according to the group members, “killed” their individuality. Their once colorful suits, camouflage and rubber masks have been replaced by black uniforms. Later, cartoonish X-marks were added above each eye to further illustrate the death of the band's previous image. This mask design later led to the "X Face" logo, which is today recognized as the group's symbol. These changes were also reflected in the band's 1999 album "M3". https://www.youtube.com/watch?vIM_y6Kxr0vA Внешний вид группы развивался на протяжении многих лет с каждым релизом. Their current masks, as confirmed by one of their makers, reflect the return from hell after members are killed in war. This decision to disguise oneself was not made without controversy. Long-running feud with Slipknot Since 1999, Mushroomhead has had an on-and-off rivalry with Iowa-based band Slipknot. The feud erupted over the participants' appearance. Many Mushroomhead fans say that Slipknot stole Mushroomhead's image, their "masked" look. Back then, in an interview with Soundbites, former Mushroomhead vocalist Jason Popson stated: “It seems a little weird because they sound so much like us, like we’re a stupid version of Slipknot. I admit that we borrowed material from their show." Slipknot members claim they hadn't heard of Mushroomhead until they recorded demos for their first album in 1998 and actually started wearing masks and jumpsuits in late 1992. The incident between Mushroomhead fans and Slipknot themselves occurred when Slipknot traveled to Cleveland during their tour in support of their debut album. Mushroomhead fans came to the concert and threw batteries at Slipknot, forcing the musicians to leave the stage. At a press conference, Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor claimed that Mushroomhead members encouraged fans to commit such acts. However, Mushroomhead have publicly stated that the band in no way condones this type of behavior. In a May 2007 interview with Imhotep.com, singer Jeffrey Nothing claimed that the day after the Cleveland incident, members of Slipknot verbally assaulted his then-girlfriend. 2000–present In 2000, the band signed with Eclipse Records to release XX, a compilation of tracks from their four previous albums. The collection sold 50,000 units in the first four months. Based on these sales, Universal Records took notice of the group and re-released a mixed version of XX. The band soon released a music video (Solitaire/Unraveling, directed by Dean Carr) and began working on film soundtracks (The Scorpion King, XXX, Freddy vs. Jason, and the Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake). The re-released album sold 300,000 copies. This was followed by numerous tours in the USA, Europe and Canada, as evidenced by a successful performance at Ozzfest 2002 (both in Europe and the USA). https://www.youtube.com/watch?vCEFHNQS52eQ В 2003 году был выпущен XIII, их первый альбом совершенно нового материала для Universal Records. The record features the single "Sun Doesn't Rise", which was played on MTV. The song became the soundtrack for Headbangers Ball and Freddy Vs Jason. The album debuted at number 40 on the Billboard Top 200 chart and sold 400,000 copies worldwide. In this work, the band's melodic metal was realized more richly and extensively. Sales of XIII matched those of XX as Mushroomhead continued to travel the world and interact with fans. But in the midst of their next tour, the band parted ways with Universal Records, and soon after, with vocalist J-Mann. Mushroomhead Lineup Changes After an extensive world tour, J-Mann (aka Jason Popson) announced that he had left the band in August 2004 due to fatigue and personal reasons. The main reason for his departure was the fact that his father was ill and he wanted to be near him. Such changes would have crippled any other band, but not Mushroomhead. "We're doing what we've always done," Skinny says, "going back to square one." He cites the band's "Do it yourself from day one" credo, which means Mushroomhead are responsible for their own success. It was their enthusiasm and talent that made them who they are today: popular and successful musicians. Armed with new frontman Waylon, the band continues to gain momentum. They heard the new singer when the band 3QuartersDead opened for Mushroomhead. Working with a new vocalist In August 2005, Mushroomhead released their first DVD on their own label Filthy Hands – “Volume 1”. Recorded and edited by the band themselves, Volume 1 spans the 2000s with live performances, music videos and behind-the-scenes footage. While touring 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 availability of new albums nationally and internationally. On June 6, 2006, Mushroomhead launched MushroomKombat, an interactive game as part of the band's official website. The minigame pits party members against each other in a Mortal Kombat-style battle, with each member having a unique death option. "Savior Sorrow" debuted at number 73 on the Billboard 200 chart with sales of over 12,000 copies. The band's label said sales were close to 25,000, including sales made during the tour. Mushroomhead: Band Biography SoundScan apologized the day after the sales figures were released due to errors in their estimates. The main reason was the lack of sales in the Best Buy chain of stores. "Savior Sorrow" sold approximately 26,000 copies and entered the chart closer to No. 30 than No. 73. "Savior Sorrow"'s chart position was later officially adjusted to #50. Drummer Skinny stated that during the Jägermeister-sponsored tour, Mushroomhead were filmed around the clock, including both on-stage and off-stage action. The footage will be compiled into the band's second DVD, titled "Volume 2". On December 29, 2007, Mushroomhead won "Video of the Year 2007" on MTV2 Headbanger's for "12 Hundred" from "Savior Sorrow". Jeffrey Nothing will release a solo album called The New Psychodalia in 2008. Mushroomhead have been described as alternative metal, heavy metal, shock rock, and even nu metal. But Jeffrey Nothing said the band is not nu-metal, and when asked about the band's genre, he replied: "We play what we feel when it happens. We try to expand our territory with each new release."

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