Motograter is an American nu metal band formed in 1995. They are best known for their homemade instrument, the "Motograter", designed with industrial cable and guitar pieces that creates a unique bass sound. The band is also known for painting themselves in a tribal style body paint for live concerts. Under the band's original line-up, they released two EPs, Hugh Chardon and Indy. Original singer, Zak Ward left the band in 2002, replacing him wi ... th Ivan "Ghost" Moody and released their so-far only studio album, Motograter in 2003. The band went under hiatus in 2005, played a one-time reunion show in 2006, until permanently reformed under a new line-up in 2008 featuring singer Michael "Angel" Woodruff. They released the EP, Pre-Release in 2009, and toured until the band's second split up in 2011. The band reunited again in early 2014. History: Formation, Hugh Chardon and Indy (1995-2001): Motograter was founded in Santa Barbara, California in 1995 by Bruce "Grater" Butler, the inventor of the motograter instrument, and percussionist Joey "Smur" Krzwonski. Their initial years consisted of both experimenting with various sounds and instruments to identify their sound. They later added vocalist Zak "The Waz" Ward and drummer Chris "Crispy" Binns in 1998, and released their first EP, Hugh Chardon that same year. In 2000, during the recording of their second EP, Indy, they added Eric Gonzales, who handled electronics and samples. They later added guitarist Neil Godfrey in 2001. In January 2001 Motograter was introduced to Dez Fafara from fellow nu metal band Coal Chamber and they signed to his newly formed Sever Records. Motograter (2002-2005): During development of their debut album in early 2002, Godfrey, Gonzales, and Zak departed from the band. They later found a new guitarist, Matt "Nuke" Nunes, and a new vocalist Ivan "Ghost" Moody. That year, the band signed a deal with No Name/Elektra Records and continue work on their album. In June 2003, they released their first major label album debut, Motograter. It was the first album to feature actual guitars rather than just samples. Before touring for the album's release, they added second guitarist JR, and Zak re-joined the band, handling electronics/samples and also providing back-up vocals, making the band a 7-piece. That summer, Nuke was fired from the band, leaving them a 6-piece for a while, but eventually replaced Nuke with Ty Fury. In the summer of 2004, Ty Fury would be replaced with Aaron aka "A-Bomb", and the band announced that they had begun work on a new album. Later on, Zak would leave the band again. The band chose not to replace him. In the fall of 2004, the band toured without Bruce and Smur, leaving drummer Crispy as the only constant original member. In place of using the Motograter, they were accompanied by bassist Jonny Nailz. It was emphasized that this line-up was only for this tour but it was unclear whether or not Smur and Bruce had left for good or not. Hiatus and breakup (2005-2006): In 2005, Motograter announced their hiatus to give time for side projects. However, the band played a one time re-union show in 2006 at the Delicious Rox Festival, in which Ivan made it perfectly clear to fans and band members alike that he was finished with Motograter. Crispy and Ivan were joined by JR, and both Bruce and Nuke had returned, rounding out the rest of the lineup. After this show, it was unclear what the rest of the members would choose to do. The New Breed, Pre-Release (2008-2011): In 2008, the band reformed with a "new breed" line-up based out of Santa Barbara, California. This lineup also included a bass player, playing alongside the motograter. The lineup was announced as Angel on vocals, Nuke on guitar, Tyler Hole on guitar, Mylon Guy on bass, Twitch on drums, and Bruce on the motograter. The lineup played one show in Las Vegas, NV under the name "Out Of Curiosity" to test the new material on a live, unbiased, crowd before deciding to adopt the Motograter name. The set did not feature the motograter. Before any touring commenced, Bruce left and was replaced with Mark Nosler, leaving Motograter with no original/consistent members. They released their first EP with the new line-up, Pre-Release in 2009. The "New Breed" sound is more in the direction of extreme metal and away from the tribal/aggro-rock of the original Motograter. The band's demos did include electronics, however do not feature percussion, which was an integral part of the original Motograter sound. 2009 proved to be a challenge for the band, playing for less than 100 people most nights of the Halo's and Horn's tour (July 25 - October 9). The tour also featured Orange County metal group Darksun. The tour was cut short September 28, shunning cities such as Seattle, Denver, and Tempe. The band released a statement saying a band member's sickness was to blame for the cancelled shows. Many fans were also disappointed that the band contained no original members and were advertising Nuke as being an original member when he was not. The second 2009 tour, known as The Damned Holiday Tour, took place from November 5 - December 20. Motograter's venture alone on this tour was questionable due to the lack of draw during the previous tour, as well as the passed opportunity to have Straight Line Stitch join for the trek. Nonetheless, the tour appeared to have been a success and a step in the right direction for the new line up, as attendance numbers had tripled in most cities. The band made public on stage announcements of an upcoming album and anticipation grew. Motograter took 2010 off other than two California dates in Modesto and Sacramento. It seemed as if they were hard at work on the new album. Songs leaked here and there to support these rumors but were quickly taken down by the band. On September 6, 2010, the band uploaded a comical studio preview and it looked as though an album was defiantly underway. However, the band has since been heard saying the sessions were trashed and they would be starting again at a later date. 2011 marked the beginning of a new year and a new look for the band when they released a slew of new high quality photos from a shoot in downtown Los Angeles. It was obvious that the time off fueled the band as they announced a huge summer tour dubbed The Honoring Of The Sun Tour (April 29 - July 9). Once again, the band headed out alone on this tour, but was accompanied by various regional bands along the way. The tour took a sudden change in course where, instead of continuing south to Texas, the band re-routed to Michigan to play the fourth annual Rockapalooza alongside such national acts as Mushroomhead, Crossfade and Pop Evil. The second leg of the tour (July 25 - August 28) saw the addition of a 7th member, KC Kaos, on electronics/samples. The tour featured two festivals (Buzzfest and The Carnival Of Chaos), where Motograter proved to be one of the bigger draws. Both festivals were soaked from the day's rain, but the bands continued to perform. C.O.C., however, were one of the many national names involved, who were pulled out at the last minute on Saturday, August 20, leaving Motograter as the default headliner, if they stayed. The festival was teetering on the possible cancellation of the days events when Angel and Mark announced over the P.A. that the band would play through the mud and rain if the audience were willing to stay with them. Facing a possible "mud riot" were they to cancel, the festival allowed Motograter to continue performing. Second breakup (2011): Shortly after their return home, Motograter announced that they would be joining Mushroomhead in the fall of 2011 on a tour, called The Slaughterhouse Roadshow and featured Psychostick, Blue Felix, Ventana and Tenefly Viper. One week before the first day of the tour, Motograter posted to their Facebook page that they had disbanded, and would therefore not participate in the tour. Many rumors have been circling on the reasons for the disbanding, however it is unclear as to what really happened. The band apparently removed Nuke from all administration privileges on their Facebook page, but he has released a statement on his personal page stating that: "In regards to recent events involving former members of my band, I would like to say that those members are of no consequence to the ultimate outcome of Motograter and the music produced under that name... Unfortunately, those former members decided to step out of the project at a crucial time and sabotage their careers and an inevitably successful tour, but the music will continue and Motograter will morph into something bigger and better, as we have always proven to do. Much love to our loyal fans and keep an ear open for what is next." A new line-up is reportedly in the works, but at the moment the future of Motograter is uncertain. Angel has stated that: "Nuke decided he was going to fire members for no reason. My fellow band members and I had enough of his controlling ways and quit in support of our brothers." Third lineup (2014-present): In February 2014, Motograter reunited under another new lineup, including returning members Angel on vocals, Nuke on guitar and Mylon Guy on bass. The line up was rounded out by new members Noah "Shark" Robertson on drums, Kery "Venom" Glennon on guitar, and Michael " The Kidd" Stewart on the Motograter. Originally J.R. Schwartz was announced as a returning member, but didn't make it to the band's rehearsals. The band played their first show in two years on February 8, 2014 in Santa Ana, CA. The band stated on stage that they will be releasing a new album this year. Band Personnel: Current members: Matt "Nuke" Nunes - guitars, backing vocals (2002-2003, 2006, 2008-2011, 2014-present), Michael "Angel" Woodruff - lead vocals (2008-2011, 2014-present), Mylon Guy - bass (2008-2011, 2014-present), Mark Nosler - motograter (2009-2011, 2014, 2014-present), Kery "Venom" Glennon - guitars (2014-present), Noah "Shark" Robertson - drums (2014-present), Former Members: Bruce "Grater" Butler - motograter (1995-2005, 2006, 2008-2009), Joey "Smur" Krzywonski - percussion, backing vocals (1995-2005), Zak "The Waz" Ward - lead vocals (1998-2002, 2003-2004, 2009), backing vocals, electronics/samples (2003-2004), Chris "Crispy" Binns - drums (1998-2005, 2006), Eric Gonzales - electronics/samples (2000-2002), Neil Godfrey - guitars (2001-2002), Ivan "Ghost" Moody - lead vocals (2002-2005, 2006), Ty Fury - guitars (2003-2004), J.R. Swartz - guitars (2003-2005, 2006), Aaron "A-Bomb" Abalos - guitars (2004-2005), Tyler Hole - guitars (2008-2011), Jeremy "Twitch" Scheller - drums (2008-2011), Casey "KC Kaos" Cahill - backing vocals, electronics/samples (2011), Lane Steele - percussion, backing vocals (2014), Michael "The Kidd" Stewart - motograter (2014), Touring Member: Jonny Nailz - bass (2004)See more [+]
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