Monster Magnet is an American Stoner Rock band

Monster Magnet is an American Stoner Rock 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," taken from the name of a 1960s toy made by Wham-O, which Wyndorf liked when he was a child.[1]Contents [hide]

1 Career

2 Influences

3 Soundtracks

4 Personnel

5 Member's other projects

6 Discography

6.1 Albums

6.2 EPs

7 Singles

8 References

9 External links 

[edit]

Career 

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 self-titled EP from Glitterhouse Records of Germany. The EP contained the songs "Snake Dance" and "Nod Scene", (both of which would appear again on Spine of God), and "Tractor", (which would be re-recorded later for Powertrip). 

In 1991 the band signed with Caroline Records and released their first full-length album, the cult classic Spine of God, in 1992. The album is hailed[who?] as one the classics of the stoner rock genre ranking 28th on Heavy Planet's "Top 50 of All Time". The album contained the single "Medicine" (which would be recorded ten years later on God Says No), which was also the band's first music video. The band followed with a tour alongside rising grunge band Soundgarden.[2] The tour helped the band get a recording contract with major record label A&M Records. 

Their final release with Caroline Records was a EP titled Tab which included, among two other marathon-length songs, a 32-minute track called "Tab...". McBain quit the band soon after and was replaced by Atomic Bitchwax guitarist Ed Mundell, who remains in the band to the present day.[2] 

1993 saw the release of the album Superjudge. While the album was released on a major label (A&M Records), it fared poorly commercially, in part because of the rise of grunge rock, which made their hard rock style unpopular. The songs "Twin Earth" and "Face Down" were released as singles (with accompanying videos), but it did little to help promote the album. 

Dopes to Infinity (1995), the follow-up record, had a hit single in "Negasonic Teenage Warhead", which benefitted from a music video that received regular rotation on MTV. Still, the album was not the success the band had hoped for. 

After the Dopes to Infinity tour, Wyndorf moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in order to begin working on Powertrip (1998), a breakthrough hit that finally earned the band a gold record. Guitarist Phil Caivano joined the band in 1998.[2] "Space Lord", the first single, was a major radio hit and the band went on tour with successful bands Aerosmith, Metallica, Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson. The songs "Powertrip", "Temple of Your Dreams", and "See You In Hell" also received airplay on rock radio stations. The album charted at #97 on the Billboard 200. 

After a two-year tour supporting Powertrip, the band released God Says No (2000), charting at #153 on the Billboard. 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 recorded Monolithic Baby! and, after a short stint, Wildwood was replaced by former Love Among Freaks drummer Bob Pantella, respectively. The band also left A&M Records during this period. 

Monster Magnet wrote and performed "Live For The Moment", which has been the official theme song of former WWE Superstar Matt Hardy since 2002. The song also appeared on the WWF Forceable Entry compilation. 

In 2003, Monster Magnet released Greatest Hits, a double album featuring their best songs, some rarities, and music videos from their time with A&M. They then 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. 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 to Monolithic Baby! was expected in March, 2006, to coincide with their European Tour, along with re-releases of Spine of God and Tab, both featuring new artwork and liner notes; however the tour and album releases failed to materialize. 

On February 27, 2006, Dave Wyndorf overdosed on prescription drugs.[3] 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 [sic] in his own fight and was hospitalized for 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 [sic] and continue to play and make great rock and roll. 

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, No Way Out 2007. 

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

On November 24, 2009, it was announced that Monster Magnet had signed a new deal with Napalm Records. The band also announced that they will enter the studio in January, 2010, to record a new album for a summer release.[4] 

The new album, entitled " Mastermind ", is due to be released in October. The band is embarking on a massive European tour, in August and then in November–December 2010, to promote their new album. 

On the 3rd of November 2010, the first date of the band's European tour supporting Mastermind, Dave Wyndorf announced that Ed Mundell has left the band due to personal reasons. He also stated that Garrett Sweeny (Riotgod) will be filling Ed's spot on the tour.[5]

[edit]

Influences

 

Monster Magnet live in 2010 

Monster Magnet's style is heavily influenced by 1970s space rock bands such as Hawkwind and Captain Beyond.[citation needed] In addition to recording covers such as Hawkwind's "Brainstorm" (Doremi Fasol Latido, 1972), Wyndorf sometimes incorporated 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 1960s comic books, particularly 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. "All Shook Out" from God Says No has a reference to "Children of the Atom" which is a reference to X-Men, also from Marvel Comics. 

Monster Magnet's live shows occasionally feature Stacia-esque nude dancers, which has landed them in trouble with the law in some American cities.[citation needed]

[edit]

Soundtracks This article is in a list format that may be better presented using prose. You can help by converting this article to prose, if appropriate. Editing help is available. (July 2010) 

"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 Magnet are shown performing the song.

An early otherwise unreleased version of "Negasonic Teenage Warhead" from Dopes to Infinity, was featured on the soundtrack of the 1994 movie S.F.W..[6]

"Powertrip" from Powertrip has been featured in numerous soundtracks including:

Soldier

PlayStation 3's 2007 release Motor Storm

Crusty Demons Freestyle Motocross series

"Dinosaur Vacume" from Superjudge was featured in the Electronic Arts video game Road Rash.

"See You In Hell" from Powertrip appears in Bride of Chucky.

"Silver Future" from God Says No was featured in Heavy Metal 2000.

"Kick Out the Jams", a cover version of the MC5 song, was featured on the soundtrack to Varsity Blues.

"Melt" from God Says No has been featured in the Crusty Demons Freestyle Motocross series.

"Lord 13" from "25.......Tab" was featured during the end credits of the 1999 film Beowulf.

"Radiation Day" and "Slut Machine" were featured in the mountain bike film New World Disorder V - Disorderly Conduct.

"Space Lord" was featured on the American Chopper video game. The song is also featured in the film, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.

"Monolithic baby", "Radiation day" and "Freeze and Pixelate" were played on the tv show Sons of Anarchy.

"Live for the Moment." A theme song used by former WWE Superstar Matt Hardy and featured on WWE Forceable Entry.

[edit]

Personnel 
 

[edit]

Member's other projects 

Since the mid 1990s, Cronin and Kleiman have fronted The Ribeye Bros. In 2003, Pantella mixed and plays bass on The Glasspack's Bridgeburner album. Mundell also played lead guitar on The Glasspack's track "Peepshow." The album was released on Small Stone Records in May 2004.[7] 

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

[edit]

Discography

[edit]

AlbumsYear Title Label Notes

1992 Spine of God Caroline Records Re-released by SPV

1993 Superjudge A&M Records Re-released 2001 by dacapo-records

1995 Dopes to Infinity A&M Records Re-released 2001 by dacapo-records

1998 Powertrip A&M Records US #97 RIAA: Gold

2001 God Says No A&M Records US #153

2004 Monolithic Baby! SPV 

2007 4-Way Diablo SPV 

2010 Mastermind Napalm Records  
 

[2]

[edit]

EPsYear Title Label Notes

1990 Monster Magnet Glitterhouse Records

1991 Tab Caroline Records Re-released by SPV in 2006

2001 Love Monster Wrong Way Records Collection of demos from 1988 
 

[2]

[edit]

SinglesYear Song U.S. Modern Rock U.S. Mainstream Rock Album

1990 "Murder" - - Monster Magnet

1990 "Lizard Johnny" - - Monster Magnet

1993 "Twin Earth" - - Superjudge

1993 "Face Down" - - Superjudge

1993 "Cage Around the Sun" - - Superjudge

1995 "Negasonic Teenage Warhead" 26 19 Dopes to Infinity

1995 "Dead Christmas" - - Dopes to Infinity

1995 "Look to Your Orb for the Warning" - - Dopes to Infinity

1998 "Space Lord" 29 3 Powertrip

1998 "Powertrip" - 20 Powertrip

1999 "Temple Of Your Dreams" - 25 Powertrip

1999 "See You in Hell" - - Powertrip

2000 "Silver Future" - 15 God Says No

2001 "Heads Explode" - 26 God Says No

2001 "Melt" - - God Says No

2004 "Unbroken (Hotel Baby)" - 31 Monolithic Baby!

2004 "Monolithic" - - Monolithic Baby!

2007 "Wall of Fire" - - 4-Way Diablo

2010 "Gods and Punks" - - Mastermind