Mushroomhead

Mushroomhead is an American metal group from Cleveland, United States, active since 1993. Their sound sits across alternative metal, industrial metal, industrial, metal and nu metal, and it also incorporates hip-hop elements. The band forms around drummer Skinny and begins as a side project for musicians already involved in other Cleveland bands. Its first show takes place in October 1993.

Style and image

The band is known for using masks and face paint as part of its theatrical presentation. One vocalist, J Mann, later stops wearing a mask and uses white face make-up with black make-up around the mouth and eyes. Jeffrey Nothing also moves away from his earlier goat or devil masks in favour of face paint.

Early releases and local profile

Mushroomhead’s independent debut album appears in 1995, followed by Superbuick in 1996 and M3 in 1999. Across these early releases, the line-up changes repeatedly: Mr Murdernickel is replaced on bass by Pig Benis, Roxy leaves, Dinner is replaced by Gravy, and Bronson moves from dance and samples to second guitar after J.J. Righteous leaves. During this period, the band becomes one of Cleveland’s leading underground acts and builds a strong local following.

Record deals and later albums

The band turns down an offer from Roadrunner Records, then signs to Eclipse Records in 2000. XX follows as a best-of compilation, then the band signs to Universal Records to re-release it. XIII is the first full studio album for that label. Mushroomhead later parts ways with Universal and with J Mann during a tour, then continues with Waylon, previously of 3 Quarters Dead, as frontman. Bronson leaves after Waylon joins, then later line-up changes bring in Church on guitar, Dr. F on bass and Roberto Diablo on percussion.

The DVD Mushroomhead, Volume 1 appears in 2005, followed by Volume 2 in 2008. Savior Sorrow is released through Megaforce Records in 2006, and Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children follows in 2010 on the same label. J Mann returns in 2013, giving the band three active vocalists. Their seventh studio album, The Righteous and the Butterfly, follows, and the later line-up features returning and newer members alongside the existing core.

Line-up changes and current members

Over time, Mushroomhead’s line-up includes Jeffrey Nothing, Waylon, J Mann, Church, Dr. F, Shmotz, ST1TCH, Skinny, Roberto Diablo, and earlier members including Joe Kilcoyne, John Sekula, Jason Popson, Tom Schmitz, Marko Vukcevich, Jack Kilcoyne, Dave Felton and Richard Thomas. In 2012, Gravy, Lil’ Dan and Pig Benis are fired and replaced by Tommy Church, Ryan “Dr. F” Farrell and Robert “Roberto Diablo” Godsey. Popson returns in 2013, Schmitz departs in 2015, and later departures and replacements continue to reshape the touring line-up.

Rivalry with Slipknot

Since 1999, Mushroomhead has an on-and-off rivalry with Slipknot, centred on the two bands’ masked image and stage presentation. The conflict becomes public through interviews, audience clashes and a series of performances that mock Slipknot, including shows in which Mushroomhead dresses as Slipknot and a Halloween set announced with a fake Slipknot introduction before the band’s own themed performance.