- Monster Magnet
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Monster Magnet 
Monster Magnet live in Spain, 2008.Background information Origin New Jersey, United States Genres Heavy metal, stoner metal, hard rock, psychedelic rock, space rock Years active 1989–present Labels Circuit Records (1989) Glitterhouse Records (1989–1991)
Caroline Records (1991–1993)
A&M Records (1993–2003)
SPV Records (2003-2009)
Napalm Records (2009-present)Website Official Website Members Dave Wyndorf
Garrett Sweeny
Phil Caivano
Jim Baglino
Bob PantellaPast members Ed Mundell
Joe Calandra
Jon Kleiman
Michael Wildwood
John McBain
Tim CroninMonster 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) and Tim Cronin (vocals and drums). The band first went under the name "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 by Wham-O, which Wyndorf liked when he was a child.[1]
Contents
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 a single "Lizard Johnny/Freakshop USA" on Long Island based Circuit Records. The first demo and single was recorded as a three piece (McBain, Wyndorf, Cronin). Before the second demo Jon Kleiman and Joe Calandra joined on drums and bass respectively making the line up Mcbain-gtr, Wyndorf-gtr/voc, Cronin-Voc, Kleiman-Drums, Calandra-Bass. An EP followedself-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 1990 the band signed with Caroline Records and released a single "Murder/Tractor". Cronin left shortly after. In 1991 they released their first full-length album, the cult classic Spine of God. The album is hailed 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 an EP titled Tab which included, among two other marathon-length songs, a 32-minute track called "Tab...". The Tab EP was recorded before Spine of God, yet released after it. McBain quit the band soon after and was replaced by Atomic Bitchwax guitarist Ed Mundell.[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. 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 setback 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 would enter the studio in January, 2010, to record a new album for a summer release.[4]
The new album, entitled "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.
On the 3rd of November 2010, the first date of the band's European tour supporting Mastermind, Ed Mundell left the band to pursue other musical ventures, forming (9 Chambers). Dave Wyndorf stated that Garrett Sweeny (Riotgod) will be filling Ed's spot on the tour.[5]
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. Additionally, Marvel's Fantastic Four is referenced in the song The Titan Who Cried Like a Baby on their Mastermind album.
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. The song was also featured in promos for the new Syfy series, Alphas.
- "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, As well in a commercial for the Swedish chain store JC (jeans and clothes).
- "Monolithic," "Radiation Day," and "Freeze and Pixelate" were used in Sons of Anarchy.
- "Live for the Moment." A theme song used by former WWE Superstar Matt Hardy and featured on WWE Forceable Entry.
- "Slut Machine" from Monolithic Baby! was used in an episode of Viva La Bam.
- "Big God" (B-Side to Spacelord, & bonus track on Japanese editions of Powertrip) was used on The Crow: Salvation
Personnel
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 2010, Ed Mundell left Monster Magnet and formed (9 Chambers) along with Greg Hampton, Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath, Heaven and Hell), Jorgen Carlsson (Govt Mule).
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.
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, NJ.
In 2010, the first single "American Dream" was released on One Voice by Capricorn, a band formed by Phil Caivano, Todd Youth (of Murphy's Law, Danzig, Ace Frehley, Glen Campbell and The Chelsea Smiles) and Karl Rosqvist (of Danzig, The Chelsea Smiles and Michael Monroe).[8]
Discography
Albums
Year Album details Peak chart positions US
[9]US Ind US Rock US Hard Rock AUT CAN
[10][11]CHE GER SWE 1992 Spine of God - Released: February 28, 1992
- Label: Caroline Records
— — — — — — — — — 1993 Superjudge - Released: April 6, 1993
- Label: A&M Records
— — — — — — — — — 1995 Dopes to Infinity - Released: March 21, 1995
- Label: A&M Records
— — — — — 61 — — — 1998 Powertrip (RIAA: Gold) - Released: June 16, 1998
- Label: A&M Records
97 — — — — 81 — — — 2001 God Says No - Released: April 10, 2001
- Label: A&M Records
153 — — — — — — — — 2004 Monolithic Baby! - Released: May 25, 2004
- Label: SPV
— 22 — — — — — — — 2007 4-Way Diablo - Released: November 6, 2007
- Label: SPV
— — — — — — — — — 2010 Mastermind - Released: October 27, 2010
- Label: Napalm Records
165 23 47 14 70 — 84 38 34 "—" denotes a release that did not chart. EPs
Year 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 Singles
Year Song Peak chart positions Album US
Alt
[12]US
MainCAN
[13]CAN
Alt
[14]1990 "Murder" — — — — Monster Magnet "Lizard Johnny" — — — — 1993 "Twin Earth" — — — — Superjudge "Face Down" — — — — "Cage Around the Sun" — — — — 1995 "Negasonic Teenage Warhead" 26 19 — 17 Dopes to Infinity "Dead Christmas" — — — — "Look to Your Orb for the Warning" — — — — 1998 "Space Lord" 29 3 — 5 Powertrip "Powertrip" — 20 49 8 1999 "Temple of Your Dreams" — 25 — — "See You in Hell" — — — — 2000 "Silver Future" — 15 — — God Says No 2001 "Heads Explode" — 26 — — "Melt" — — — — 2004 "Unbroken (Hotel Baby)" — 31 — — Monolithic Baby! "Monolithic" — — — — 2007 "Wall of Fire" — — — — 4-Way Diablo 2010 "Gods and Punks" — — — — Mastermind 2011 "100 Million Miles" — — — — References
- ^ "Monster Magnet Bio". monstermagnet.net. Archived from the original on 2007-04-03. http://web.archive.org/web/20070403035815/http://www.monstermagnet.net/bio.htm. Retrieved 2007-06-17.
- ^ a b c d e Strong, Martin C. (2000). The Great Rock Discography (5th ed.). Edinburgh: Mojo Books. p. 656. ISBN 1-84195-017-3.
- ^ Metalsludge.tv
- ^ Roadrunnerrecords.com
- ^ http://monstermagnet.yuku.com/sreply/50676/t/Where-s-Ed-.html
- ^ Monstermagnet.net
- ^ Allmusic.com
- ^ Capricorn
- ^ Monster Magnet Album & Song Chart History billboard.com. Retrieved on June 3, 2011. Shows proof of all US chart positions mentioned in this article.
- ^ "Top Albums/CDs - Volume 61, No. 4, February 27, 1995". RPM. http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.8012&type=2&interval=50&PHPSESSID=9i5paqtglj9t4ljq9h35oep1e1. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
- ^ "Top Albums/CDs - Volume 67, No. 24, September 07 1998". RPM. http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.7947&type=2&interval=50&PHPSESSID=9i5paqtglj9t4ljq9h35oep1e1. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
- ^ "Monster Magnet Album & Song Chart History". Billboard. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/monster-magnet/chart-history/11320?f=377&g=Singles. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
- ^ "Top Singles - Volume 68, No. 13, January 11, 1999". RPM. http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.7010&type=2&interval=50&PHPSESSID=1vkndk8bd7thihtmt4oo7lm567. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
- ^ "Search Term(s): "monster" and "magnet" and "Rock/Alternative"". RPM. http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-110.01-e.php?PHPSESSID=3ro99rkgpdl5ir5nteb2ce93v5&q1=monster+magnet&q2=Rock%2FAlternative&interval=50. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
External links
Former members: Studio Albums: Spine of God (1992) · Superjudge (1993) · Dopes to Infinity (1995) · Powertrip (1998) · God Says No (2000) · Monolithic Baby! (2004) · 4-Way Diablo (2007) · Mastermind (2010)EPs: Singles: "Medicine" · "Twin Earth" · "Face Down" · "Dopes to Infinity" · "Negasonic Teenage Warhead" · "Dead Christmas" · "Space Lord" · "Powertrip" · "Temple of Your Dreams" · "See You in Hell" · "Silver Future" · "Heads Explode" · "Unbroken (Hotel Baby)" · "The Right Stuff" · "Monolithic" · "Wall of Fire" · "Gods and Punks" · "100 Million Miles"Compliation Albums: Greatest Hits (2003) · 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Monster Magnet (2007)Categories:- Musical groups established in 1989
- Heavy metal musical groups from New Jersey
- Stoner rock musical groups
- Musicians from New Jersey
- Musical quintets
- Red Bank, New Jersey
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