Mushroomhead
Mushroomhead | |
|---|---|
Performing in 2023. From left to right: Skinny, Jackie LaPonza, Xtriker, Steve Rauckhorst (facing away), Roberto Diablo (obscured), Dr. F & Jenkins. | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Labels | |
| Members | Steve Felton Ryan Farrell Jackie LaPonza Steve Rauckhorst Joe Gaal Dave Felton Scott Beck Aydin Kerr Simon Kanaris Jordan Gannon |
| Past member(s) | Tommy Church Jeffrey Hatrix John Sekula Richie Moore Marko Vukcevich Joe Kilcoyne Jack Kilcoyne Joe Lenkey Daniel Fox Waylon Reavis Tom Schmitz Tommy Shaffner Jason Popson Rick Thomas Robbie Godsey |
| Website | mushroomhead |
Mushroomhead is an American alternative metal band from Cleveland, Ohio. They formed in 1993 in the Cleveland Warehouse District. The band is known for their avant-garde sound and horror film-inspired imagery. Their use of masks and costumes, predates that of Slipknot. As such, the two bands were often compared. They also have unique live shows, usually at smaller venues.[1]
Since the band's formation, Mushroomhead has experienced many lineup changes. Water drummer, keyboardist, DJ and visual designer Steve "Skinny" Felton is the sole consistent member. Other members are vocalists Steve Rauckhorst, Jackie LaPonza and Scott "Strike" Beck, guitarists Dave "Gravy" Felton and Joe "Jenkins" Gaal, bassist/keyboardist Ryan "Dr. F" Farrell, drummer Aydin Kerr, and water drummers Jordan Gannon and Simon Kanaris. Their previous vocalists were Jeffrey Nothing, Jason "J Mann" Popson and Waylon Reavis.
Musical style and influences
[change | change source]Mushroomhead's musical style combines heavy metal, hip-hop, experimental music, industrial music, gothic rock, punk rock and techno elements.[2][3][4] It has been described as alternative metal,[4][5][6][7] industrial metal,[8][9][10][11] nu metal,[12][13][14][15] and experimental metal.[11][16][17]
They are influenced by bands such as Mr. Bungle, Faith No More, Pink Floyd, Pantera, Nine Inch Nails, and KMFDM.[18][19] In a 2014 interview with music journalist Greg Prato, then rapper and harsh vocalist, Jason Popson, reflected on the band's influences. He stated "When you're talking about a band with nine guys, you're talking about tons of influences. I know when we started the band, we were really into a lot of the stuff Mike Patton was doing - Faith No More or Mr. Bungle, things like that. But we also liked heavier bands like Meshuggah, Pantera. Then there's electronic stuff. So it's really all over the map. It's everything from hard rock to punk rock to hip-hop to electronica. It's pretty vast."[20]
Band members
[change | change source]Current members
- Steve "Skinny" Felton – samples, keyboards, production (1993–present); percussion (2006–present); drums (1993–2022; studio 2022–present)
- Ryan "Dr. F" Farrell – bass (2012–present); keyboards (2015–present, studio 2006–2015)
- Jackie LaPonza – vocals (2013–present)[21]
- Steve Rauckhorst – vocals (2018–present); bass (touring 2007)
- Joe "Jenkins" Gaal – guitars (2021–present)[21]
- Dave "Gravy" Felton – guitars (2000–2012, 2022–present)
- Scott "Strike" Beck – vocals (2022–present)[21]
- Aydin "Alien" Kerr – drums (2024–present; touring 2022–2024);[21] samples, keyboards, percussion (touring 2019)
- Simon Kanaris - percussion (2025-present)
Current touring members
- Jordan Gannon – percussion (2022–present)
Discography
[change | change source]- Mushroomhead (1995)
- Superbuick (1996)
- M3 (1999)
- XIII (2003)
- Savior Sorrow (2006)
- Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children (2010)
- The Righteous & the Butterfly (2014)
- A Wonderful Life (2020)
- Call the Devil (2024)
References
[change | change source]- ↑ Augustine, Dianna (May 25, 2011). Jenny Lou Bement (ed.). "Mushroomhead – Hed to Head Tour". Shutter16. Archived from the original on April 26, 2012. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
- ↑ "Mushroomhead". The Gauntlet. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
- ↑ "Newspaper Archive". Nl.newsbank.com. January 16, 2004. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
- 1 2 Henderson, Alex. "Mushroomhead – Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ↑ Taniwha (Garry Sharpe-Young). "Mushroomhead". MusicMight. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
- ↑ Le Miere, Jason (August 22, 2011). "Exclusive: Jeffrey Nothing Premieres "Deathbed Masquerade"". Revolver. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
- ↑ "MUSHROOMHEAD Vocalist Reveals New Album Title In 'Iron City Rocks' Podcast". Blabbermouth.net. March 10, 2010. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
- ↑ Ant. "Mushroomhead Premiere New Music Video – 'QWERTY'". All About The Rock. Archived from the original on October 26, 2015. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
- ↑ Callwood, Brett (May 19, 2014). "Five questions with Mushroomhead's J Mann". Metro Times. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
- ↑ Smith, Troy L. (June 4, 2014). "15 top musicians from Cleveland and what they're doing in 2014 (photo gallery)". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
- 1 2 James Christopher Monger (May 13, 2014). "The Righteous and the Butterfly – Mushroomhead | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
- ↑ "28 Nu-Metal Era Bands You Probably Forgot All About". NME. Archived from the original on January 7, 2016. Retrieved December 11, 2015.
- ↑ "ArtsEtc.: SlipNOT, Mushroomhead are the poor kid's Nu-Metal savior". The Badger Herald. Archived from the original on September 4, 2008. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
- ↑ Hadusek, Jon (June 13, 2024). "Mushroomhead Announce New Album, Drop Single "Fall in Line"". Consequence. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
- ↑ "MUSHROOMHEAD Announces Summer 2020 European Tour". Blabbermouth.net. February 27, 2020. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
- ↑ Wiese, Ben (September 6, 2018). "Steve "Skinny" Felton of Mushroomhead Interviewed". Westword. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
- ↑ Kottmann, Niki (October 19, 2019). "Mushroomhead to share unique blend of metal and visual artistry with Asher audience". Wyoming Tribune Eagle. Retrieved August 19, 2025.
- ↑ "About Mushroomhead". Mushroomheadxx.20megsfree.com. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
- ↑ "Mushroomhead Official". Facebook.com. October 23, 1993. Retrieved October 23, 2015.
- ↑ "J-Mann of Mushroomhead : Songwriter Interviews". www.songfacts.com.
- 1 2 3 4 "Call The Devil, by Mushroomhead". Mushroomhead. Retrieved 2024-06-13.