Dave Wyndorf

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Dave Wyndorf
Born October 28, 1956 (1956-10-28) (age 51)
Origin Red Bank, New Jersey
Genre(s) Hardcore punk
Stoner rock
Heavy metal
Hard rock
Occupation(s) Singer
Songwriter
Guitarist
Instrument(s) Vocals
Guitar
Bass
Theremin
Mellotron
Label(s) Elektra Records
Glitterhouse Records
Caroline Records
A&M Records
SPV Records
Associated acts Shrapnel
Monster Magnet

David "Dave" Albert Wyndorf (born October 28, 1956) is the lead vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter for the American stoner rock group Monster Magnet. He is the frontman and only remaining original member of the band.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early life

Born the 28th of October of 1956[1] in the suburban community where he'd be raised, Red Bank, New Jersey,[2] Dave Wyndorf is one of eight children from a lower-middle-class Catholic family. Early in life, he was influenced greatly by the record collection belonging to his older brother, by seeing a UFO with his mother and two sisters, and by going to a Hawkwind concert in New York. He also discovered comic books -a medium that continues to provide ideas for his songs- as well as sex and drugs. Wyndorf lost his virginity at 13. At 14, Wyndorf started selling pot; by 20, he was using LSD and cocaine regularly. Later, he became an alcoholic. Wyndorf would give up drugs and drinking later in 1995.[3]

As a teenager, Wyndorf was invited by Phil Caivano to become the lead vocalist for his junior high band, Hard Attack. The band soon became Shrapnel, a glam/punk/power pop band that dressed in army camouflage, sang about fighting in Vietnam, and employed wild stage theatrics. The group played at the legendary punk club CBGB in New York, released a 45, and produced a self-titled LP on Elektra Records in 1984 before splitting up. Shrapnel now is considered a minor legend among aficionados of hardcore punk.[3]

[edit] First years as a member of Monster Magnet

After the demise of Shrapnel, Dave taught himself to play the guitar. He picked up a fuzzbox and began writing songs in homage to the distortion-filled rock that he loved as a youngster. Wyndorf started recording his songs and releasing them on cassette under the name Love Monster; some of these tunes later became songs for Monster Magnet. Wyndorf discovered a local band called Dog of Mystery, an experimental noise outfit fronted by drummer and vocalist Tim Cronin and guitarist John McBain. Wyndorf was asked to play guitar with Dog of Mystery for some of their live shows. A revolving group of musicians -including a sax player- came and went. The band was finalized with Joe Calandra and Jon Kleiman as its rhythm section.[3]

The band had a few name changes, including Wrath of the Bull God and Airport '75, before settling on Monster Magnet, a name taken from a toy that Wyndorf had owned as a child. Monster Magnet developed a sound that relied heavily on feedback and screaming vocals. While opening for the alternative rock band Jane's Addiction in Trenton, New Jersey, Monster Magnet played a 45-minute instrumental version of a song of which it is unknown if it was Black Sabbath's "Paranoid" or Grand Funk Railroad's song of the same name. After hearing the jam, a hippie roadie approached Wyndorf and described their music as "drug rock"; the description stuck.[3]

When Tim Cronin decided to retire from singing with Monster Magnet, Wyndorf became their lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist; Cronin stayed on with the band as resident consultant and light-show technician.[3]

[edit] Short-lived commercial success

During most part of the 1990s, Dave and his band struggled for commercial success which they couldn't obtain because of their highly unfashionable retro-rock style.[4] This changed in 1998, when Dave took a 21 days trip to Las Vegas, Nevada, from which he draw inspiration to write the songs for Powertrip[5], which would be Monster Magnet's breakthrough album.[4] His life following the release of Powertrip was his inspiration for God Says No[6], released on 2000, which was a commercial failure.[4]

[edit] Monolithic Baby!

Wyndorf travelled to Los Angeles, California[7] to work for the soundtrack of the movie Torque, which was entirely composed by him.[1] During his stay on LA, he found inspiration for Monolithic Baby!,[7] Monster Magnet's 2004 album.

[edit] Drug overdose and recovery

On February 27, 2006, Dave overdosed on prescription drugs.[8] An upcoming European tour for Monster Magnet was subsequently canceled. His management released the following statement:

The battle with one’s inner demons is the most personal fight any of us can undertake. The fight is at times a lonely, confusing journey. On the evening of February 27, Dave Wyndorf suffered a set back in his own fight and was hospitalized due to a drug overdose. His full recovery is expected. We ask that all those he has encountered over the years or simply affected by his music to take a moment to think good thoughts of and for him. With the grace of God and those who love him we are all confident that Dave will rebound from this set back and continue to play and make great rock and roll.

More than a year later, on September, 2007, Wyndorf spoke to UK-based music journalist Dave Ling about his overdose. According to him, everything began because he couldn't sleep on tour. Instead of asking for help from psychologists, he made doctors give him anxiolytics which he began to use regularly. He says his medical help just made his mental problems go away for a little while, after which they'd come back strengthened. Feeling very weak one day, he consumed a full bottle of sleeping pills, causing the overdose.[9]

[edit] 4-Way Diablo

After his overdose, Wyndorf began working on Monster Magnet's newest album, 4-Way Diablo, which was released in November 2007. On some songs of the album he tried to make the listener be able to feel his nasty experience. Other tracks exhibit his optimism and show he still feels healthy.[10]

He currently has plans to enter the studio to record an as yet undisclosed album project. Dave says he's not happy touring so much anymore. Wyndorf wants to apply his creativity to the things he is glad with: music, recording and writing. He has shown an intention to tour again but, apparently, after having released a new album.[10]

[edit] Opinion about drugs

Unlike many other musicians, Wyndorf believes that drugs are not an inspiration for music. According to him, thinking that drugs are a gateway into creativity is believing in a myth.[9] He has stated that he has never written songs on drugs and that he thinks that those artists who have done so, would have made better music if they hadn't composed while being on drugs.[citation needed] In a 1995 interview Wyndorf stated that legalizing mushrooms in America might be a bad idea stating "Americans have been so suppressed for so long that given that kind of freedom they would tend to abuse it".[11]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Dave Wyndorf on IMDb. IMDb. Retrieved on 2007-12-30.
  2. ^ Sucato, Kirsty. "On the Night Shift", The New York Times, September 16, 2001. Accessed December 1, 2007. "Dave Wyndorf, the lead singer of the psychedelic heavy metal band Monster Magnet, is quintessential night owl. He sticks to a rock star's touring schedule even when he is at home in Red Bank, where he has been known to ride his bicycle down the middle of Broad Street in the early hours on his way to the beach."
  3. ^ a b c d e Monster Magnet Biography. www.musicianguide.com. Retrieved on 2007-09-24.
  4. ^ a b c Monster Magnet > Biography. Ed Rivadavia, All Music Guide. Retrieved on 2007-09-24.
  5. ^ David Wyndorf interview. ad amorosi, Philadelphia City Paper. Retrieved on 2007-09-24.
  6. ^ Garden State Stoner Rock Gods Monster Magnet Just Say Yeah!. Barnes & Noble. Retrieved on 2007-09-24.
  7. ^ a b Interview to Dave Wyndorf on The Cutting Edge.net. Todd K. Smith, The Cutting Edge.net. Retrieved on 2007-09-24.
  8. ^ Monster Magnet singer Dave Wyndorf overdoses!. Metal Sludge. Retrieved on 2007-09-24.
  9. ^ a b MONSTER MAGNET: '4 Way Diablo' Artwork Preview Available. Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved on 2007-09-24.
  10. ^ a b Official SPV Records Press Release. www.monstermagnet.net. Retrieved on 2007-11-29.
  11. ^ Audio interview with Monster Magnet (Part 1). Toazted. Retrieved on 2007-09-24.
Monster Magnet
Dave Wyndorf | Ed Mundell | Jim Baglino | Bob Pantella
Former members: Tim Cronin | Joe Calandra | Jon Kleiman | John McBain | Michael Wildwood | Phil Caivano
Discography
Studio Albums: Spine of God (1991) | Superjudge (1993) | Dopes to Infinity (1995) | Powertrip (1998) | God Says No (2000) | Monolithic Baby! (2004) | 4-Way Diablo (2007)
EPs: Monster Magnet (1990) | Tab (1991)
Singles: "Medicine" | "Twin Earth" | "Face Down" | "Dopes To Infinity" | "Negasonic Teenage Warhead" | "Dead Christmas" | "Space Lord" | "Powertrip" | "Temple Of Your Dreams" | "See You In Hell" | "Silver Future" | "Heads Explode" | "Unbroken (Hotel Baby)" | "The Right Stuff" | "Monolithic"
Compliation Albums: Greatest Hits (2003) | 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Monster Magnet (2007)
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