Motograter

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Motograter
Origin	Santa Barbara, California
Country	United States
Years active	1995 – 2005 (Hiatus)
Genres	Nu Metal
Labels	Elektra

Motograter is a nu metal music group from Santa Barbara, California. The band is named after their homemade instrument, designed with industrial cable and guitar pieces. They often paint themselves before concerts as a sort of pre-concert ritual. In 2005 the band announced that they were on hiatus, however, the band played a one-time reunion show on September 30, 2006.

1 History
2 Members
- 2.1 Former members
3 Discography
4 External links

[edit] History

Motograter was founded in 1995 by Bruce Butler who plays the Motograter instrument. They released two independent records in 1999 and 2000 before Motograter was signed to Elektra Records/No Name in 2002. Their self-titled debut album was released on June 24, 2003, just shortly before their first major tour began. This side stage gig at Ozzfest 2003 would ultimately lead to the band's struggles with Elektra. Like every other band on the second stage classified as nu metal (others included Twisted Method, grade 8 and Unloco), Motograter's record sales did not improve as much as their record company had hoped. Just like the aforementioned bands, Motograter's camp didn't say much regarding their future after the tour had ended. Dates were announced for a tour in January of 2004, but due to it being poorly planned, there was no promotion or tour support from Elektra. The tour was cancelled, but things were looking up, as the group hinted at Elektra being interested in both a second album and a European tour.

That wasn't to happen, though, as Motograter quickly learned that there were no plans in the works for their band. Not only did Elektra refuse to provide the necessary tour support or money for a new album, but they also kept them signed to a contract that ruled out a new deal. The band tried to get their things together. Following a headlining tour that was once again poorly advertised, Motograter did a series of dates with Kittie. They followed this up with an extensive, self-financed tour with dope that saw the band abandon their trademark body paint.

The band announced in 2005 that they were on hiatus to start some long-delayed side projects. Ivan and Chris who formed Ghost Machine are currently signed to Corporate Punishment Records, and will be releasing their second album titled Hypersensetive on November 21, 2006. Ivan is also working on another project called Five Finger Death Punch, who recently secured a booking agency deal with The Kirby Organization - one of the premier booking agencies for metal artists.

Motograter played a one-time reunion show at the Delicious Rox Festival in Missouri on September 30, 2006 (along with Ivan's new band Five Finger Death Punch). The lineup featured Ivan, JR, Matt, Bruce and Crispy.