Sponge (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Sponge


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Origin = Detroit, Michigan, USA
Genre = Post-grunge
Years_active = 1991–present
Label = Sony, Beyond, Idol
Associated_acts = Loudhouse
URL = [http://www.spongetheband.com/ spongetheband.com]
Current_members = Vinnie Dombroski Billy Adams Tim Krukowski Kyle Neeley Andy Patalan
Past_members = Mike Cross Joey Mazzola Tim Cross Jimmy Paluzzi Charlie Grover Kurt Marschke

Sponge is a Detroit, Michigan, Post-grunge band formed in 1991 by Vinnie Dombroski, Mike Cross, and Joey Mazzola — all formerly of hard-rock band Loudhouse. Sponge were signed to Sony Records in 1993. [ [http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/sponge/bio.jhtml Sponge biography] at MTV.com]

History

The band recruited Mike Cross' brother, Tim Cross, on the bass and Jimmy Paluzzi on drums. The band's debut album, "Rotting Piñata", was a major hit, received heavy play on radio and MTV, and was certified gold by the RIAA. The two biggest singles from that album were "Plowed" and "Molly (Sixteen Candles)." Their follow-up album was called "Wax Ecstatic"; the track "Have You Seen Mary" was included in the Kevin Smith film "Chasing Amy". This time around, Charlie Grover replaced drummer Paluzzi.

On June 28, 1996, Sponge was the opening act on the first night of the Kiss reunion tour. The band had been tapped a few weeks earlier to replace the Stone Temple Pilots who had to bow out of the opening spot due to Scott Weiland's drug problems. The show was one of the last concerts held at Tiger Stadium in Detroit.

"New Pop Sunday", on Beyond Records, was a departure from the grittier sound of the first two albums, featuring songs that were unmistakably pop rock in nature. The band's popularity waned sharply during this period. The only single, "Live Here Without You", was nominated for the Outstanding National Single award by the Detroit Music Awards in 2000.

The Cross brothers and Charlie Grover left the band, and the remaining members (Mazzola and Dombroski) recruited drummer Billy Adams, guitarist Kurt Marschke and bassist Tim Krukowski. Sponge continued their career with "For All the Drugs in the World" on Idol Records.

The band stayed with their current record label. Vinnie Dombroski created a new lineup once again, this time without the other founding member Joey Mazzola. Dombroski became the only remaining original member of Sponge; although, Adams and Krukowski from the previous album stayed. "The Man" was released through traditional channels on Idol Records.

It was announced in November 2007 that the band would release a new album, titled "Galore Galore", on their newly signed label Bellum Records. In addition, the lineup from "The Man" would be the same for the new album. This is the second time that the lineup stayed the same, the first time being between "Wax Ecstatic" and "New Pop Sunday". The album was finally released on December 4, 2007 (the release date varied depending on the outlets that supplied the album).

Band members

Current

* Vinnie Dombroski - Vocals
* Billy Adams - drums
* Kyle Neeley - guitar
* Tim Krukowski - bass
* Andy Patalan - guitar/backup vocals

Former

* Jimmy Paluzzi - drums
* Mike Cross - guitar
* Tim Cross - bass
* Charlie Grover - drums
* Kurt Marschke - guitar
* Joey Mazzola - guitar/backup vocals

Discography

Albums

ee also

*1990s music groups
*List of alternative rock artists

References

*Huey, Steve. " [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=Bvalvad8kt8wj Sponge] ". "Allmusic". Retrieved June 13, 2005.

External links

* [http://www.spongetheband.com/ Sponge website]
* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:l098s31ya3zg Sponge at the AMG]