Dave Wyndorf

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Dave Wyndorf
Monster Magnet - 2023174184626 2023-06-23 Alpen Flair - Sven - 1D X MK II - 0773 - AK8I3696 (cropped).jpg
Wyndorf performing in 2023
Background information
Birth nameDavid Albert Wyndorf
Born (1956-10-28) October 28, 1956 (age 68)
Red Bank, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • musician
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
Years active1970s–present
Member of Monster Magnet
Formerly of Shrapnel

David Albert Wyndorf (born October 28, 1956) is an American musician, best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of hard rock band Monster Magnet. He is the band's frontman, songwriter and only remaining founding member. Monster Magnet has released eleven studio albums and is considered one of the pioneers of the stoner rock genre. [1] [2] [3] Prior to forming Monster Magnet, Wyndorf was the frontman of punk band Shrapnel.

Contents

Early life

Wyndorf was born in Red Bank, New Jersey on October 28, 1956 and grew up in a family of eight children. [4] Although the family was poor, Wyndorf has stated that his childhood was idyllic. [4] Wyndorf started attending concerts at age 14 and joined his first band as a singer while in high school. [4]

Career

From the late 1970s to the early 1980s, Wyndorf fronted the punk band Shrapnel, releasing two singles, "Combat Love" and "Go Cruisin'", and a five-song self-titled EP on Elektra Records. In 1980, the band made a cameo appearance in an issue of The Amazing Spider-Man Annual written by Dennis O’Neil and drawn by Frank Miller. [5] After learning how to play guitar, Wyndorf started writing songs and formed a new project called Love Monster. [4] He later joined the band Dog of Mystery, which would eventually become Monster Magnet. [4]

Monster Magnet released their debut album, Spine of God , in 1991. The album was praised by critics upon release and is considered a major influence on stoner rock bands. [6] The band's second album, Superjudge , was released in 1993 through major label A&M Records. Although the album was not a commercial success, it would become an influential release in the stoner rock genre like its predecessor. [7] With the release of Monster Magnet's third studio album, Dopes to Infinity , in 1995, the band achieved their first hit single with the song "Negasonic Teenage Warhead". Following the band's tour in support of the album, Wyndorf traveled to Las Vegas for 21 days where he wrote the songs for the band's next album, Powertrip . [8] Released in 1998, the album would become Monster Magnet's commercial breakthrough, spearheaded by the single "Space Lord". Peaking at number 97 on the Billboard 200, Powertrip was certified gold by the RIAA in January 1999 and became a multi-platinum record. [9] [10] [4] The band followed-up the album with God Says No in 2000, with Wyndorf's life following the success of Powertrip serving as inspiration for the new songs. [11] Although God Says No reached number 153 on the Billboard 200, promotional support by the band's label was lacking and the album polarized fans. [12] After being dropped by A&M, Monster Magnet's sixth studio album, Monolithic Baby! , was released through German independent label SPV in May 2004. [12] The album was considered a rebirth for the band, with the sound described as a "strip down (...) to its familiarly aggressive, in-your-face, though still eclectic manifesto." [12]

Wyndorf with Monster Magnet in 2014 Dave Wyndorf 2014 (cropped).jpg
Wyndorf with Monster Magnet in 2014

On February 27, 2006, Wyndorf overdosed on prescription drugs. [13] An upcoming European tour for Monster Magnet was subsequently canceled. [14] 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." [14]

More than a year later, in September 2007, Wyndorf spoke to UK-based music journalist Dave Ling about his overdose. [15] He stated that he was prescribed anxiolytics due to suffering from insomnia while touring, which he began to use regularly. [15] Wyndorf further explained that the drugs strengthened his mental problems once their effect wore off and while feeling very weak one day, he consumed a full bottle of sleeping pills, causing the overdose. [16] Following his overdose, Wyndorf began working on Monster Magnet's next album, 4-Way Diablo , released in November 2007. [17]

After extensive touring in 2008 and 2009, Monster Magnet returned to the studio to record new material. The album Mastermind was released in October 2010, peaking at number 165 on the Billboard 200. [18] During Monster Magnet's tours in 2011 and 2012, the band performed the albums Dopes to Infinity and Spine of God in their entirety. [19] [20] The band's ninth studio album, Last Patrol , was released in October 2013. Wyndorf later described the band's recent albums as "long-form psych records that were decidedly melancholy" and made a return to a more rock-oriented sound for their 2018 album Mindfucker . [21] In May 2021, Monster Magnet released the album A Better Dystopia , consisting of cover songs by psychedelic rock and garage rock bands of the 1960s and 1970s. [22]

Personal life

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. [16] 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." [23]

Discography

With Monster Magnet

Studio albums

Studio EPs

Remix/redux albums

Compilation albums

With Shrapnel

Studio EPs

Other appearances

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monster Magnet</span> American rock band

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<i>Powertrip</i> 1998 studio album by Monster Magnet

Powertrip is the fourth studio album by American rock band Monster Magnet, released on June 16, 1998. The album was the band's commercial breakthrough, achieving mainstream success due largely to the hit single "Space Lord". Other hit songs on the album include "Powertrip", "Temple of Your Dreams", and "See You in Hell". The album itself, reached #1 on the Heatseekers Charts, #21 in the German Charts, #65 in the UK Charts, and #97 on the Billboard 200. The album was certified gold by the RIAA on January 25, 1999, and later went multi-platinum. Music videos were made for the songs "Space Lord", "Powertrip", and "See You in Hell".

<i>Dopes to Infinity</i> 1995 studio album by Monster Magnet

Dopes to Infinity is the third album by American rock band Monster Magnet, released on March 21, 1995. The album includes the song "Negasonic Teenage Warhead", the band's first hit single.

<i>Spine of God</i> 1991 studio album by Monster Magnet

Spine of God is the debut studio album by American rock band Monster Magnet, released in Europe in 1991 and in the United States the following year. The album represents one of the earliest examples of the emerging 1990s sub-genre of stoner rock. Spine of God did not perform well commercially upon its initial release, but was praised by critics and would later be considered a major influence on stoner rock bands. The song "Medicine" was released as a single with accompanying music video.

<i>Superjudge</i> 1993 studio album by Monster Magnet

Superjudge is the second full-length album by American rock band Monster Magnet, released on April 6, 1993. It is the first Monster Magnet album to feature lead guitarist Ed Mundell, who replaced founding member John McBain in 1992. The album was not a commercial success upon release, but would later become an influential release in the stoner rock genre alongside the band's debut album, Spine of God. The tracks "Twin Earth" and "Face Down" were released as singles with accompanying music videos.

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<i>Tab</i> (album) 1991 EP by Monster Magnet

Tab is the second EP by American rock band Monster Magnet, released in 1991. Initially released only in Europe, it was recorded before the band's 1991 debut full-length album Spine of God and was not released in North America until after the group's 1993 album Superjudge became a minor hit. The EP is generally viewed as Monster Magnet's most psychedelic release, with the first two tracks alone totaling almost 45 minutes.

<i>God Says No</i> 2000 studio album by Monster Magnet

God Says No is the fifth studio album by American rock band Monster Magnet. It was released in the United Kingdom on November 12, 2000, and in the United States on April 10, 2001. It was a commercial failure compared to their previous album, Powertrip. It was their last release recorded for A&M Records, due to problems with promotion of the album but it reached #17 in Germany. It would also be the last release with bassist Joe Calandra and drummer Jon Kleiman.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Negasonic Teenage Warhead (song)</span> 1995 single by Monster Magnet

"Negasonic Teenage Warhead" is the second track on Monster Magnet's 1995 album, Dopes to Infinity. It became the band's first successful single.

<i>4-Way Diablo</i> 2007 studio album by Monster Magnet

4-Way Diablo is the seventh studio album by American rock band Monster Magnet, released in November 2007. The album was recorded between 2006 and 2007, following frontman Dave Wyndorf's overdose on anxiolytics in February 2006. 4-Way Diablo sold 1,800 copies on its first week of release in the United States and is the band's first album since Dopes to Infinity (1995) to not feature guitarist Phil Caivano.

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Edward Mundell is an American rock guitarist known for his space rock 1970's inspired sound. From 1992 to 2010, he was the lead guitarist for stoner rock band Monster Magnet, contributing to eight albums in total. As of 2024, Mundell contributes to various recordings and soundtracks as a studio musician based in Los Angeles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Space Lord</span> 1998 single by Monster Magnet

"Space Lord" is a 1998 single by American rock band Monster Magnet from the album Powertrip. The song is in the key of C minor. It brought them mainstream success, with its accompanying music video directed by Joseph Kahn. The song peaked at number three on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart, and number twenty-nine on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart. A remixed version of the song was also made, and was featured on their compilation album Greatest Hits. The music video is notable for being the first video ever aired on MTV's Total Request Live on September 14, 1998. It appeared on the countdown five times climbing no higher than the No. 7 position.

<i>Mastermind</i> (Monster Magnet album) 2010 studio album by Monster Magnet

Mastermind is the eighth studio album by American rock band Monster Magnet, released on October 25, 2010. It debuted at No. 165 on the Billboard 200 selling around 3,000 copies, becoming the band's first album since 2001's God Says No to chart on the Billboard 200. Mastermind was the final album to feature long-time lead guitarist Ed Mundell and bassist Jim Baglino. The album marked the return of guitarist Phil Caivano after his four-year hiatus. A video for the first single, "Gods and Punks", was released on October 1, 2010.

<i>Last Patrol</i> 2013 studio album by Monster Magnet

Last Patrol is the ninth studio album by American rock band Monster Magnet, released on October 15, 2013. It is the band's first recording since their 1991 debut album Spine of God to not feature long-time member Ed Mundell who left the band shortly after their 2010 album Mastermind. Last Patrol sold around 2,300 copies in the United States in its first week of release, peaking at number 188 on the Billboard Top 200. The band would perform the entire album for each show of the European leg in January and February 2014.

<i>Milking the Stars: A Re-Imagining of Last Patrol</i> 2014 remix album by Monster Magnet

Milking the Stars: A Re-Imagining of Last Patrol is a remix studio album by the American rock band Monster Magnet, released on November 14, 2014. According to frontman Dave Wyndorf, the album is a "reimagined" version of their previous album, 2013's Last Patrol, featuring four new songs and two live tracks. The album is not strictly a remix of Last Patrol, as songs feature new recordings and arrangements aimed at giving the album what Wyndorf describes as "a weird 1960s vibe". The album concludes with two live tracks recorded at the AB in Brussels in 2014, and which feature the debut performance of the band's new bassist, Chris Kosnik.

<i>Cobras and Fire (The Mastermind Redux)</i> 2015 remix album by Monster Magnet

Cobras and Fire is a redux studio album by the American rock band Monster Magnet, released on October 9, 2015. The album is a reworking of material previously included on their album 2010 Mastermind. It is the band's second release focusing on reworking material from a studio album following their 2014 remix album Milking the Stars: A Re-Imagining of Last Patrol.

<i>Mindfucker</i> (album) 2018 studio album by Monster Magnet

Mindfucker is the tenth studio album by the American rock band Monster Magnet, released on March 23, 2018, through Napalm Records. Frontman Dave Wyndorf described the band's recent albums as "long-form psych records that were decidedly melancholy" and chose to make a return to a more rock-oriented sound for Mindfucker. The album yielded two singles, "Mindfucker" and "Ejection", the latter being a Robert Calvert cover.

References

  1. ↑ "10 essential stoner rock albums". Louder. October 16, 2016. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Monster Magnet Bring Larger-Than-Life Rock to Williamsburg". The Village Voice. October 16, 2016. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  3. ↑ "STONER METAL, a metal music subgenre". Metal Music Archives. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Lawson, Dom (July 8, 2020). "Monster Magnet's Dave Wyndorf: My Life Story". Metal Hammer . Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  5. ↑ Kronin, Brian (September 8, 2017). "Comic Legends: Spider-Man and Frank Miller Promoting...a Punk Band?!". Comic Book Resource. Jonah Weiland. Retrieved December 30, 2019.
  6. ↑ Tepedelen, Adem (December 4, 2017). "Monster Magnet - "Spine of God"". Decibel Magazine. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  7. ↑ Injection, Metal (January 31, 2019). "#TBT: Superjudge is MONSTER MAGNET's Psychedelic-Kissed Retro Metal". Metal Injection. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  8. ↑ Peterson, Todd (June 9, 1999). "The Third Degree with Monster Magnet". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  9. ↑ BraveWords. "MONSTER MAGNET Announces "A Celebration Of Powertrip" North American Tour; NEBULA, SILVERTOMB To Support". bravewords.com. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  10. ↑ Childers, Chad (January 21, 2020). "Monster Magnet Saluting 'Powertrip' Album on 2020 Tour". Loudwire. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  11. ↑ "Garden State Stoner Rock Gods Monster Magnet Just Say Yeah!". Barnes & Noble . Archived from the original on September 8, 2006. Retrieved September 24, 2007.
  12. 1 2 3 Rivadavia, Eduardo (May 25, 2015). "How Monster Magnet Was Reborn on 'Monolithic Baby!'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  13. ↑ "Monster Magnet singer Dave Wyndorf overdoses!". Metal Sludge. Archived from the original on February 7, 2012. Retrieved September 24, 2007.
  14. 1 2 Blabbermouth (March 1, 2006). "MONSTER MAGNET Mainman Hospitalized For Drug Overdose; European Tour Cancelled". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  15. 1 2 Blabbermouth (July 30, 2007). "MONSTER MAGNET Frontman Talks About His Drug Overdose". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  16. 1 2 "MONSTER MAGNET: '4 Way Diablo' Artwork Preview Available". Blabbermouth.net . Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved September 24, 2007.
  17. ↑ "Official SPV Records Press Release". www.monstermagnet.net . Archived from the original on November 11, 2007. Retrieved November 29, 2007.
  18. ↑ "Monster Magnet - Mastermind". allmusic.com. Retrieved on October 19, 2013.
  19. ↑ Blabbermouth (August 29, 2011). "MONSTER MAGNET Frontman Talks About Performing Entire 'Dopes To Infinity' Album". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  20. ↑ Bowar, Chad (August 6, 2012). "Monster Magnet Adds U.S. Dates to 'Spine of God' 20th Anniversary Tour". Loudwire. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  21. ↑ Collins, Dillon (March 27, 2018). "MONSTER MAGNET's Dave Wyndorf INTERVIEW: "I Just Try to Pretend I Can Live in My Own Fourth Dimension."". Metal Injection. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  22. ↑ Hadusek, Jon (March 23, 2021). "Monster Magnet Announce Covers Album A Better Dystopia" . Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  23. ↑ "Audio interview with Monster Magnet (Part 1)". Toazted. Archived from the original on October 22, 2007. Retrieved September 24, 2007.
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