Fu Manchu

Fu Manchu

Fu Manchu is an American stoner rock band from San Clemente, California, active since 1990. The group is associated with desert rock, hard rock and rock as well as stoner rock, and its membership has included Glen Chivens, Scott Votaw, Mark Abshire, Ruben Romano, Scott Hill, Eddie Glass, Brad Davis, Brant Bjork, Bob Balch and Scott Reeder.

History

The band begins as Virulence, a hardcore punk group formed in 1985 in Orange County, California. That line-up includes vocalist Ken Pucci, guitarist Scott Hill, bassist Mark Abshire and drummer Ruben Romano. After Abshire leaves in 1987, Greg McCaughey joins on bass, and the group releases If This Isn't a Dream... in 1988, which is issued in 1989.

In 1990, Pucci leaves, Glenn Chivens joins on vocals, and the band takes the name Fu Manchu. The group releases the single Kept Between Trees and goes through further personnel changes, including Abshire’s return on bass. Chivens later leaves, Scott Hill takes over lead vocals, and Scott Votaw joins on lead guitar. During 1992, the band releases the singles Senioritis, Pick Up Summer and Don't Bother Knockin' (If This Vans Rockin').

Albums and line-up changes

Votaw leaves in 1993 and is replaced by Eddie Glass, formerly of Olivelawn. Fu Manchu’s first full-length album, No One Rides for Free, appears in 1994 on Bong Load Custom Records and includes themes connected to automotive culture, which continue in later releases. Abshire leaves before the second album, Daredevil (1995), and Brad Davis joins on bass. The band tours widely in North America in support of the record, including shows with Monster Magnet.

After In Search of... (1996), Eddie Glass and Ruben Romano leave, along with earlier bassist Mark Abshire. Bob Balch joins on guitar and Brant Bjork on drums. Glass, Romano and Abshire later form Nebula. Fu Manchu then releases The Action Is Go (1997), Godzilla's/Eatin' Dust (1999) and King of the Road (2000).

In 2001, the band releases California Crossing. Brant Bjork leaves soon after and is replaced by Scott Reeder on drums; this is a different Scott Reeder from the bassist associated with Kyuss, Unida and Goatsnake. Fu Manchu releases Start the Machine in 2004, We Must Obey in 2007, Signs of Infinite Power in 2009, Gigantoid in 2014 and Clone of the Universe in 2018. In 2008, the track Mongoose from California Crossing appears in a Toyota Sequoia commercial.

Later work

Fu Manchu continues to tour with acts including Kyuss, Monster Magnet, Marilyn Manson, Clutch, Corrosion of Conformity, White Zombie, Sevendust and P.O.D. In 2024, the band releases its thirteenth studio album, The Return of Tomorrow, as a double album. The single Hands of the Zodiac appears alongside it, and Scott Hill describes the album as divided conceptually between heavier and more subdued material.

Style and associations

Fu Manchu is linked with the Palm Desert scene and with bands such as Queens of the Stone Age, Kyuss and Mondo Generator. Its music is described as influential within stoner rock.