Mushroomhead is an American alternative metal band, they have undergone many lineup changes, leading every studio album to have a different lineup, with the only constant member being drummer, percussionist, water drummer, keyboardist, DJ, producer and director Steve "Skinny" Felton. Their lineup currently consists of Felton, vocalists Jackie LaPonza, Steve Rauckhorst and Scott "Strike" Beck, guitarists Dave "Gravy" Felton and Joe "Jenkins" Gaal, bassist and keyboardist Ryan "Dr. F" Farrell, percussionist Robert "Roberto Diablo" Godsey, drummer Aydin "Aylien" Michael and touring water drummer Jordan Gannon. [1] [2]
The band was founded in 1993 by vocalists Jeff "Nothing" Hatrix and Jason "J Mann" Popson, guitarists John "JJ Righteous" Sekula and Richie "Dinner" Moore, bassist Joe "Mr. Murdernickel" Kilcoyne, keyboardist Tom "Shmotz" Schmitz, drummer Steve "Skinny" Felton and DJ Joe "DJ Virus" Lenkey. [3] Live performances also featured dancers Jessica "Roxy" Haney and Marko "Bronson" Vukcevich, the latter also being video editor, alongside hired talent such as fire-breathers and gymnasts.
After releasing a demo and their self-titled debut album in 1995, Kilcoyne was replaced by his brother, Jack "Pig Benis" Kilcoyne. Lenkey departed the band in early 1999, and was replaced by Bronson. Next to depart was guitarist Richie Dinner, who was replaced by Skinny's brother Dave "Gravy" Felton. JJ Righteous also left a year later, in his absence, Bronson moved to guitar, and Rick "St1tch" Thomas joined as DJ, moving to more experimental electronics by 2003.
In mid 2004, Popson left the band to establish a relationship with his estranged terminally-ill father. [4] He was replaced by Waylon "Wizlo" Reavis. [5] Bronson departed in May 2006, he was not replaced, meaning the band had only one guitarist. [6] Later in 2006, the band were joined by touring water drummer Daniel "Lil' Dan" Fox, who later became an official member in 2009 with St1tch and Skinny gradually becoming more prevalent on the instrument as well.
In February 2012, Gravy, Lil' Dan and Pig Benis were all fired. They were replaced by Tommy Church, Ryan "Dr. F" Farrell and Robert "Roberto Diablo" Godsey respectively. Dr. F had previously contributed electronic elements to the previous 2 albums in the studio. Popson also returned in August 2013, [7] [8] performing vocals along side Hatrix, Reavis, and Skinny's wife Jackie LaPonza as the first female vocalist. [9]
Schmitz departed in 2015 causing turmoil within the band, leading to Reavis being violently fired soon after and schisms occurring between key members. Skinny and St1tch were often labelled the aggressors. [10] The former members weren't replaced, St1tch moved onto keyboards, eventually splitting duties with Skinny and Dr. F, with Hatrix and Popson continuing as dual vocalists. Hatrix and Church both departed in March 2018 as a result of further conflict. [11] [12] They were replaced by roadies Steve Rauckhorst and Tommy "Tankx" Shaffner respectively. [13] [14] LaPonza went on hiatus and Shaffner departed in mid-2021, the latter being replaced by Joe "Jenkins" Gaal.
In 2022, J Mann and ST1TCH went on touring hiatus and Skinny suffered back injuries. As such the line-up was reworked to feature Skinny as both DJ and water drummer in addition to visual design, new members Scott Beck and Aydin Michael joined as a new vocalist and drummer respectively, and onstage Jordan Gannon became a touring water drummer. [15] The band were also rejoined by Gravy, returning to a dual guitarist line-up. [16] Gravy and LaPonza's return, Popson's retirement and Skinny's reconciliation with Reavis are considered indicators of the winding-down of conflict, however tensions still exist between the band, Hatrix and Church. As such, in 2024, following the announcement of Call the Devil , Hatrix attempted to form 'Jeffrey Nothing's Mushroomhead', composed of other former members of the band, confirming members Church and Marko "Bronson" Vukcevich.
On August 16, 2024, it was reported that Jeffrey Nothing had filed a lawsuit against Felton in regard to unpaid royalties and copyright infringement. [17] [18] Nothing's attorney Ronald Stanley alleged that Felton had siphoned income under the alias of 'Tenafly Viper' as well as an unknown publicist and unknown writer. Stanley claims Nothing is owed at least $3.5 million and is entitled to use of band insignia. [17] [19]
Image | Real name (stage name) | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Steve Felton (Skinny) | 1993–present |
| all releases | |
Dave Felton (Gravy) |
| guitars | all releases from XX (2001) to Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children (2010) and from Call the Devil (2024) to present | |
Ryan Farrell (Dr. F) | 2012–present |
| all releases from Savior Sorrow (2006) to present | |
Robert Godsey (Roberto Diablo) |
| all releases from The Righteous & the Butterfly (2014) to present | ||
Jaqueline La Ponza (Ms. Jackie) | 2013–present (hiatus 2021) | vocals | ||
Steve Rauckhorst | 2018–present |
| all releases from Volume 3 (Video Album) (2018) to present | |
Joe Gaal (Jenkins) | 2021–present | guitars | all releases from A Requiem for Tomorrow (2021 music video) to present | |
Aydin Michael (Aylien) |
|
| all releases from Call the Devil (2024) to present | |
Scott Beck (Strike) | 2022–present [20] | vocals | ||
Jordan Gannon |
| none |
Image | Real name (stage name) | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
---|---|---|---|---|
Jeffrey Hatrix (Jeffrey Nothing) | 1993–2018 | vocals | all releases from Mushroomhead 4 Song Demo (1993) to The Righteous & the Butterfly (2014) | |
Tom Schmitz (Shmotz) | 1993–2015 |
| all releases from Mushroomhead 4 Song Demo (1993) to The Righteous & the Butterfly (2014) | |
Jason Popson (J Mann) |
| vocals | all releases from Mushroomhead 4 Song Demo (1993) to XIII (2003), and from The Righteous & the Butterfly (2014) to A Wonderful Life (2020) | |
John Sekula (JJ Righteous) | 1993–2001 (died 2010) | guitars | all releases from Mushroomhead 4 Song Demo (1993) to XX (2001) | |
Richie Moore (Dinner) | 1993–2000 | all releases from Mushroomhead 4 Song Demo (1993) to M3 (1999) | ||
Joe Lenkey (DJ Virus) | 1993–1999 |
| all releases from Mushroomhead 4 Song Demo (1993) to Home Video (Video Album) (1997) and XX (2001) | |
Joe Kilcoyne (Mr. Murdernickel) | 1993–1995 | bass | all releases from Mushroomhead 4 Song Demo (1993) to Mushroomhead (1995) and XX (2001) | |
Jack Kilcoyne (Pig Benis) | 1995–2012 | all releases from Superbuick (1996) to Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children (2010) | ||
Marko Vukcevich (Bronson) | 1999–2006 |
| all releases from M3 (1999) to XIII (2003) | |
Rick Thomas (St1tch) | 2001–2022 |
| all releases from XX (2001) to A Wonderful Life (2020) | |
Waylon Reavis (Wizlo) | 2004–2015 | co-lead vocals | all releases from Savior Sorrow (2006) to The Righteous & the Butterfly (2014) | |
Daniel Fox (Lil' Dan) | 2009–2012 (touring 2006–2009) |
| Your Soul Is Mine (2009) and Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children (2010) | |
Tommy Church | 2012–2018 | guitars | The Righteous & the Butterfly (2014) | |
Tom Shaffner (Tankx) | 2018–2021 | A Wonderful Life (2020) |
Role | Album | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mushroomhead (1995) | Superbuick (1996) | M3 (1999) | XX (2001) | XIII (2003) | Savior Sorrow (2006) | Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children (2010) | The Righteous & the Butterfly (2014) | A Wonderful Life (2020) | Call The Devil (2024) | |
Vocals | Jeffrey Hatrix | Steve Rauckhorst | ||||||||
Jason Popson | Jason Popson | Scott Beck | ||||||||
Waylon Reavis | ||||||||||
Jackie LaPonza | ||||||||||
Guitars | Richie Moore | Dave Felton | Tommy Church | Tom Shaffner | Dave Felton | |||||
Joe Gaal | ||||||||||
John Sekula | Marko Vukcevich | Ryan Farrell | ||||||||
Bass | Joe Kilcoyne | Jack Kilcoyne | Ryan Farrell | |||||||
Drums, percussion | Steve Felton | Ayden Kerr | ||||||||
Daniel Fox | Robbie Godsey | |||||||||
Water drums, additional percussion, supporting drums | ||||||||||
Rick Thomas | Steve Felton | |||||||||
Turntables, electronics, samples | Joe Lenkey | Marko Vukcevich | Rick Thomas | |||||||
Production | ||||||||||
Steve Felton | ||||||||||
Keyboards | Tom Schmitz | Steve Felton | ||||||||
Rick Thomas | ||||||||||
Ryan Farrell |
Please note this pertains only to members constant to both studio and live line-ups.
Period | Members | Releases |
---|---|---|
1993–1995 |
|
|
1995–1999 |
|
|
1999–2000 |
|
|
2000–2001 |
|
|
2001–2004 |
|
|
2004–2007 |
|
|
2007–2012 |
|
|
2012–2015 |
| |
2015–2018 |
| none |
2018–2020 |
| |
2020–early 2021 |
|
|
Early–late 2021 |
| none |
Late 2021–mid 2022 |
| |
Mid 2022–present |
|
|
Mushroomhead is an American heavy metal band from Cleveland, Ohio. Formed in 1993 in the Cleveland Warehouse District, the band is known for their avant-garde sound and horror film-inspired imagery which features masks and costumes as well as their unique live shows usually performed at smaller venues. They have sold over two million media units worldwide, and have released eight full-length albums and 35 music videos.
Superbuick is the second studio album by American heavy metal band Mushroomhead. It was released independently in 1996. Most of the songs were later remastered on XX which was initially released through Eclipse Records, then through Universal Records after some slight modifications and two additional songs. This is their first album with Jack Kilcoyne on bass and the last with Joe Lenkey on samples/programming. Previous bassist Joe Kilcoyne has songwriting credits for a few tracks, as revealed when the songs were recorded and released again for XX.
XX is a compilation album by American metal band Mushroomhead, released in 2001. It was originally released through Eclipse Records, where Mushroomhead took classic tracks and remixed them. XX was re-released on Universal Records in December of the same year. XX contains tracks from the band's three independently released albums: Mushroomhead, Superbuick, and M3.
Mushroomhead is the debut album from heavy metal band Mushroomhead. It was released independently in Cleveland, Ohio, United States in 1995. Some songs have been remastered on XX. Many of the songs contain samples from movies. This is the only album to feature the original line-up, as member Mr. Murdernickel would leave the band after the album's release, although he has songwriting credits on a few tracks on the next album. The album was re-pressed in 2002 through Filthy Hands along with Superbuick and M3 with alternate artwork, though some major retailers do not carry them.
Jason Jonathan Popson is an American vocalist and rapper for metal band Mushroomhead taking the stage name J Mann. Prior to his initial departure from the band he was identified by his face paint, which was based on the film Dead Presidents. Since 2014, he has worn a mask like the rest of the band.
Waylon Reavis is an American musician best known for being a former vocalist for American heavy metal band Mushroomhead. He was in Mushroomhead from 2004-2015 and with them released three albums: Savior Sorrow (2006), Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children (2010), and Righteous and the Butterfly (2014). He has also performed vocals for the Cleveland-based band Tenafly Viper and the alternative rock band 3 Quarters Dead. Reavis starred in the 2011 movie horror 13th Sign
Steve "Skinny" Felton is an American musician, most notable for being the co-founder, visual director, leader, keyboardist, percussionist and tertiary drummer of metal band Mushroomhead. He was also the drummer of the bands Hatrix, (216), Tenafly Viper and Scelestus. His other projects include Detroit Ave and 10,000 Cadillacs with fellow Mushroomhead member Jason "J Mann" Popson. He has produced every Mushroomhead album and has directed most of their music videos.
Savior Sorrow is the fifth studio album by American heavy metal band Mushroomhead. It is their first release through Megaforce Records. This is the first Mushroomhead recording to not feature original vocalist Jason "J Mann" Popson and guitarist Bronson, who left the band in 2004 and 2005 respectively. The former is replaced by Waylon Reavis.
Hatrix is an American thrash metal band formed in 1989 and fronted by future-Mushroomhead lead singer Jeff Hatrix after his departure from Purgatory. First started with Dave Felton's former bandmate from his time in Centurion, Sam Romano on drums. He was replaced by Gary Estok in late 1989, who appeared on "Sins Of A Bastard Angel", the first song released by the band. In early 1990, they solidified the lineup that would last the rest of their career when Estok was replaced by Trëllebörg drummer Steve Felton, and Trëllebörg guitarist Marko Vukcevich was brought in as the 2nd guitarist for their live performances. The band has since released 3 cassette demos, one full-length album called "Collisioncoursewithnoplace" and a compilation of their first 2 demos that was released under several different names. They have had numerous compilation appearances since their first, "Sins of A Bastard Angel" on the Auburn Records compilation Heavy Artillery, released in January 1990. Hatrix played their first live show at the Phantasy Theater in Cleveland, at the Heavy Artillery Pre-Release Party on December 16, 1989. Hatrix is currently on hold. Hatrix re-united in 2003 for a stint of shows in the Cleveland area lasting until Summer 2004.
John Sekula was the original guitarist for heavy metal band Mushroomhead.
Jeff Hatrix, also known as Jeffrey Nothing, is an American musician, best known as the former clean vocalist for the industrial metal band Mushroomhead. His nickname comes from a scene in Blue Velvet. He has lived with a mild form of epilepsy. With a wide variety of face paint and mask designs, Jeffrey's most known look is that of a butcher. However, he revealed a new look in the music video of "Your Soul Is Mine", showing a tan skin mask that somewhat resembles the infamous Leatherface from the Texas Chainsaw Massacre movies. Two of his masks were made from face-molds of famous actors Christopher Lloyd and Bela Lugosi. His most recent incarnation is that of a mask resembling human hands. He is signed as a solo artist to Suburban Noize Records.
Pitch Black Forecast is an American heavy metal supergroup formed in 2005 with a lineup consisting of Mushroomhead frontman Jason Popson and ex-Strapping Young Lad drummer Gene Hoglan and former Integrity bassist Steve Rauckhorst, formed in Ohio in 2005 under the name Absentee. They released their debut album, Absentee, in 2008, which featured guest contributions from Lamb of God frontman Randy Blythe and Human Furnace of Ringworm.
Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children is the sixth studio album by American heavy metal band Mushroomhead. The album was released on September 28, 2010 by Megaforce Records. The first single from the album "Come On", was released on August 16, 2010. It is the band's final album to feature Pig Benis on bass and Gravy on guitar, and it is the only album to feature Lil Dan on percussion.
The Righteous & the Butterfly is the seventh studio album by American heavy metal band Mushroomhead. It was released on May 13, 2014.
A Killer's Confession is an American alternative metal band from Cleveland, Ohio formed in 2016.
A Wonderful Life is the eighth studio album by American heavy metal band Mushroomhead. It was released on June 19, 2020, and is their first album to feature Steve Rauckhorst and Jackie LaPonza on vocals. It is also the first Mushroomhead album without vocalist Jeffrey Hatrix and keyboardist Tom Schmitz, the last album with sampler Rick Thomas and vocalist Jason Popson before his second departure, and the only full album with Tom Shaffner on guitars.
Call the Devil is the ninth studio album by metal band Mushroomhead. It was released on August 9, 2024. The album is considered a continuation of their experimental and alternative metal style from previous album A Wonderful Life, deviating from early nu metal influences to form a more accessible record. It is the first album to feature guitarist Joe "Jenkins" Gaal, vocalist Scott Beck and drummer Aydin Kerr. In addition, it serves as the return of guitarist Dave "Gravy" Felton. It is produced by long-time member Steve "Skinny" Felton, mixed by Matt Wallace and mastered by Jacob Hansen. The first single released was "Fall in Line" on June 13, 2024, followed by its music video. "Prepackaged" and its video followed on July 10 and "We Don't Care" was released on August 7.
Jacqueline "Ms. Jackie" LaPonza is an American singer best known for her work with Mushroomhead. She became prominent as the lead singer for Unsaid Fate in her early 20s. Her vocal style in Unsaid Fate was more aligned with typical hard rock aesthetics, however in Mushroomhead she is considered to be a continuation of Jeffrey Nothing's doom-influenced style. She has assumed many costumes throughout her career with the band, with elements from Victorian, industrial and typical Mushroomhead aesthetics.