Dave Wyndorf

Dave Wyndorf
Dave Wyndorf, 2008.
Background information
Born	October 28, 1956 (1956-10-28) (age 55)
Origin	Red Bank, New Jersey
Genres	Hardcore punk Stoner rock Heavy metal Hard rock
Occupations	Singer Songwriter Guitarist
Instruments	Vocals Guitar Bass Theremin Mellotron Organ
Labels	Elektra Records Glitterhouse Records Caroline Records A&M Records SPV Records
Associated acts	Shrapnel Monster Magnet

David "Dave" Albert Wyndorf (born October 28, 1956) is the lead vocalist, guitarist, pianist, trombonist, and songwriter for the American stoner rock group Monster Magnet. He is the frontman and only original member of the band.

Biography

Early life

Born October 28 ,1956^[1], in Red Bank, New Jersey,Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag; see the help page

As a teenager, Wyndorf was invited by Phil Caivano and Daniel Rey Rabinowitz to become the lead vocalist for his junior high band, Hard Attack. The band soon became Shrapnel (who would later be know as Metal Church), a glam/punk/power pop band that dressed in army camouflage, sang about fighting in Vietnam, and employed wild stage theatrics. The group played at the legendary punk club CBGB in New York and other national venues, was Managed by Noted Punker Eddie Legs McNeil and released two 45's on Salute Records "Combat Love" b/w "Hey" in 1979 (which featured Joey Ramone & Arturo Vega on Backgrounds) and "Go Cruising" b/w "Way Out World" in 1981, a track called "Come Back to Me" on the Dirt Records compilation in 1982 and a self-titled EP on Elektra Records in 1984 before splitting up.

First years as a member of Monster Magnet

After the demise of Shrapnel, Dave taught himself to play the guitar. He picked up a fuzzbox and began writing songs in homage to the distortion-filled rock that he loved as a youngster. Wyndorf started recording his songs and releasing them on cassette under the name Love Monster; some of these tunes later became songs for Monster Magnet. Wyndorf discovered a local band called Dog of Mystery, an experimental noise outfit fronted by drummer and vocalist Tim Cronin and guitarist John McBain. Wyndorf was asked to play guitar with Dog of Mystery for some of their live shows. A revolving group of musicians—including a sax player—came and went. The band was finalized with Joe Calandra and Jon Kleiman as its rhythm section.^[2]

The band had a few name changes, including Wrath of the Bull God and Airport '75, before settling on Monster Magnet, a name taken from a toy that Wyndorf had owned as a child. Monster Magnet developed a sound that relied heavily on feedback and screaming vocals. While opening for the alternative rock band Jane's Addiction in Trenton, New Jersey, Monster Magnet played a 45-minute instrumental version of a song of called "Paranoid." It remains unclear whether this was a cover of Black Sabbath's "Paranoid," Grand Funk Railroad's song of the same name or one of their own creation. After hearing the jam, a hippie roadie approached Wyndorf and described their music as "drug rock"; the description stuck.^[2]

When Tim Cronin decided to retire from singing with Monster Magnet, Wyndorf became their lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist; Cronin stayed on with the band as resident consultant and light-show technician.^[2]

Short-lived commercial success

During most part of the 1990s, Dave and his band struggled for commercial success which they couldn't obtain because of their highly unfashionable retro-rock style.^[3] This changed in 1998, when Dave took a 21 day trip to Las Vegas, Nevada, from which he drew inspiration to write the songs for Powertrip,^[4] which would be Monster Magnet's breakthrough album.^[3] His life following the release of Powertrip was his inspiration for God Says No.^[5]

Monolithic Baby!

Wyndorf travelled to Los Angeles, California^[6] to work for the soundtrack of the movie Torque, which was entirely composed by him.^[1] During his stay on LA, he found inspiration for Monolithic Baby!,^[6] Monster Magnet's 2004 album.

Drug overdose and recovery

On February 27, 2006, Wyndorf overdosed on prescription drugs.^[7] An upcoming European tour for Monster Magnet was subsequently canceled. 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 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 and his family. With the grace of God and those who love him we are all confident that Dave will rebound from this setback and continue to play and make great rock and roll.

More than a year later, in September 2007, Wyndorf spoke to UK-based music journalist Dave Ling about his overdose. According to him, everything began because he couldn't sleep on tour. Instead of asking for help from psychologists, he made doctors give him anxiolytics which he began to use regularly. He says his medical help just made his mental problems go away for a little while, after which they'd come back strengthened. Feeling very weak one day, he consumed a full bottle of sleeping pills, causing the overdose.^[8]

4-Way Diablo

After his overdose, Wyndorf began working on Monster Magnet's newest album, 4-Way Diablo, which was released in November 2007. On some songs of the album he tried to make the listener be able to feel his nasty experience. Other tracks exhibit his optimism and show he still feels healthy.^[9]

He currently has plans to enter the studio to record an as yet undisclosed album project. Wyndorf says he's not happy touring so much anymore. Wyndorf wants to apply his creativity to the things he is glad with: music, recording and writing. He has shown an intention to tour again but, apparently, after having released a new album.^[9]

In June 2008 Monster Magnet performed at several European festivals, playing six shows in total, and returned to Europe at the end of 2008 to play 35 more dates, with Phil Caivano back in the band.^{[citation needed]} No songs from the new album were played.

Monster Magnet played several shows in Australia at the end of 2009. After having spent half of 2010 working in the studio for their upcoming album entitled Mastermind, which is going to be released in October,^[when?] the band is embarking on a massive European tour to promote their eighth studio album.Throughout March 2011 Monster Magnet played Australia once more, playing 35 minute sets at the National Soundwave festival.

Opinion about drugs

Having spent most of his career writing about drugs, Wyndorf now upholds that drugs are not an inspiration for music nor a gateway into creativity.^[8] In a 1995 interview Wyndorf stated that legalizing mushrooms in America might be a bad idea stating "Americans have been so suppressed for so long that given that kind of freedom they would tend to abuse it".^[10]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Dave Wyndorf on IMDb". IMDb. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0943925/. Retrieved 2007-12-30. 
2. ^ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Monster_Magnet_Biography_on_www.musicianguide.com; see Help:Cite errors/Cite error references no text
3. ^ ^{a b} "Monster Magnet > Biography". Eduardo Rivadavia, Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p13706. Retrieved 2007-09-24. 
4. ^ "David Wyndorf interview". ad amorosi, Philadelphia City Paper. http://www.citypaper.net/articles/073098/20Q.shtml. Retrieved 2007-09-24. 
5. ^ "Garden State Stoner Rock Gods Monster Magnet Just Say Yeah!". Barnes & Noble. http://music.barnesandnoble.com/features/interview.asp?z=y&NID=410868. Retrieved 2007-09-24. 
6. ^ ^{a b} "Interview to Dave Wyndorf on The Cutting Edge.net". Todd K. Smith, The Cutting Edge.net. http://thecutting-edge.net/MM.html. Retrieved 2007-09-24. ^{[dead link]}
7. ^ "Monster Magnet singer Dave Wyndorf overdoses!". Metal Sludge. http://www.metalsludge.tv/home/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1193&Itemid=42. Retrieved 2007-09-24. 
8. ^ ^{a b} "MONSTER MAGNET: '4 Way Diablo' Artwork Preview Available". Blabbermouth.net. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=80651. Retrieved 2007-09-24. 
9. ^ ^{a b} "Official SPV Records Press Release". www.monstermagnet.net. Archived from the original on 2007-11-11. http://web.archive.org/web/20071111141710/http://www.monstermagnet.net/news.htm. Retrieved 2007-11-29. 
10. ^ "Audio interview with Monster Magnet (Part 1)". Toazted. http://toazted.com/playinterview/1641/Audio-interview-with-Monster-Magnet-Part-1.html. Retrieved 2007-09-24. 

External links

• Official website
• Extensive Interview with Dave Wyndorf on the Jekyll and Hyde Show

Persondata
Name	Wyndorf, Dave
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Date of birth	1956-10-28
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