Mushroomhead

Mushroomhead is an alternative metal band from Cleveland, Ohio. Formed in 1993 in Cleveland's Warehouse District, the band's music can be described as a synthesis of alternative, heavy metal and electro-industrial.

In 1993, Mushroomhead was established as a side project. To differentiate itself from the members’ existing bands and to dispel any misconceptions about the group’s sound and musical content, Mushroomhead adopted costumes, masks and pseudonyms. Mushroomhead played its first show in 1993. Days later, the octet found itself on stage alongside established metal band GWAR. "We played our first show on a Saturday; we were going to play our first show on Friday, but I had to work, so it ended up being on a Saturday," said the band’s drummer, Skinny. [1]

In 1995, Mushroomhead released a self-financed debut album Mushroomhead, with their own record label, Filthy Hands Co. (also named as "Mushroom Co."). For the members, Mushroomhead became a priority with their original bands breaking-up. Although the line-up saw many changes throughout the 1990s, the band stayed active, steadily releasing music and gaining a cult following. In 1996 they released Superbuick. [2] In 1999, Mushroomhead released M3, [3] which was the final album self-financed and self-released by the band.

The members of Mushroomhead have identified themselves by wearing masks; and by its distinct “X Face” logo – commonly worn on the masks of most members; as well as clothing and merchandise. The band originally adopted masks and stage names to not conflict with their original bands. The band's look has evolved over the years with each release. Their current masks, as one of their producers confirmed, are them coming back from hell after being killed in war.

The masks of Savior Sorrow are different from the old masks. In an interview, Skinny says that they used the black and white masks with the "X-Face" logo for a long time and they have to change the image as they change the singer. They have done different masks for every member and put their personalities in them.

Since 1999, Mushroomhead has had an on-and-off rivalry with Iowa-based band Slipknot. The feud erupted (mostly among fans) due to the image similarities between the bands; such as the masks and costumes worn on stage. Before signing Slipknot, Roadrunner Records were interested in signing Mushroomhead, but Mushroomhead passed on the deal.

In an interview with Soundbites, then lead singer of Mushroomhead Jason Popson stated, "It seems a little strange, because they look so much like us and they have the same number of members and some of the same masks, and it was a little too strange that their record label had this material. I think it's obvious that they borrowed material from our show."

Allmusic said about Mushroomhead, "reviewers have mentioned everyone from Marilyn Manson to Evanescence to Slipknot and Sevendust when describing XIII. But truth be told, Mushroomhead had a distinctive, recognizable sound (and a devoted cult following in Cleveland) long before Evanescence, Slipknot, or Sevendust broke through commercially — and it would be a huge mistake to think that Mushroomhead is actually trying to emulate any other artists."

(From Wikipedia) http://www.myspace.com/mushroomhead