Stuck Mojo

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Stuck Mojo
Origin Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Genres Rap metal
Years active 1989–2000, 2005–present
Labels Century Media, Napalm
Associated acts Fozzy, Sick Speed
Website StuckMojo.us
Members Lord Nelson
Rich Ward
Sean Delson
Frank Fontsere
Past members Eric Sanders /<br /Bonz
Corey Lowery
Mike Martin

Stuck Mojo is an American rap metal band from Atlanta, Georgia. Formed in 1989 by guitarist Rich Ward, Stuck Mojo is considered to be one of the pioneers of rap metal. They have toured alongside bands such as Machine Head and Slapshot. Stuck Mojo's most successful album, Rising, peaked at No. 48 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart. The band disbanded in 2000, reforming five years later. In 2006, their original vocalist, Bonz, was replaced by rapper Lord Nelson. Their fifth studio album, Southern Born Killers, was initially released without a record label, offered as a free download in addition to being sold on compact disc. To date, they have released six studio albums and one live album.

History

In their early days, Stuck Mojo was criticized for their hip hop influences, while some audiences directed bigotry towards against Bonz, their African American lead vocalist/rapper.[1] In 1994, Stuck Mojo signed a deal with Century Media Records, releasing their debut album, Snappin' Necks in 1995. Allmusic's Bret Love wrote that "The group's high testosterone and volume levels, and virtual lack of funkiness, ensure a somewhat limited appeal, but for angry young men with too much pent-up energy, the powerful aggression of Snappin' Necks must be close to heaven."[2] In October 1995, the band joined Machine Head and Slapshot on a ten-week tour while living in a rented van.[1] Stuck Mojo's first European tour followed, and they were named the best live band by MTV Europe.[3]

Their second studio album, Pigwalk, was released on October 8, 1996. Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote that "Pigwalk captures the pummelling power of the band's intense live shows, yet the group doesn't yet have the ability to construct a memorable riff or hook, leaving Pigwalk as an entertaining, but uncompelling, cross of Rage Against the Machine and Pantera."[4] On March 3, 1998, Stuck Mojo released their third studio album, Rising. It peaked at No. 48 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart.[5] Allmusic reviewer Steve Huey wrote that "Rising shows some musical growth from Pigwalk, although Stuck Mojo still lose their musical focus on several occasions over the course of the album."[6]

Stuck Mojo disbanded following the release of a live album, HVY1, and their fourth studio album, Declaration of a Headhunter, reforming in 2005. During the band's period of inactivity, Ward worked on side projects such as Fozzy and Sick Speed.[3][7] In 2006, Stuck Mojo began recording material for a new album with original vocalist Bonz.[8][9] Rapper Lord Nelson was asked to contribute guest vocals to the album.[10] When it was decided that Bonz would not continue as the band's vocalist, Lord Nelson stepped into Bonz' position.[10] The band's fifth studio album, Southern Born Killers, was released directly through the band's website without a label.[3] The album was released as a free download, while the compact disc edition contained a bonus DVD.[11] After signing with Napalm Records, Southern Born Killers was released nationally, with three bonus tracks.[3] On November 28, 2008, Stuck Mojo released their sixth studio album, The Great Revival. It featured what has been described as some of the band's heaviest work, as well as some of the band's most "commercially-tinged songs".[12] According to Ward on Facebook, Stuck is releasing an ep when the presidential election comes around later in 2012. Ward also would go on to say in 2013 the band will release a cd when fozzy goes on break.

Music and lyrics

Stuck Mojo fuses Southern-based heavy metal with hip hop influences, and is considered to be one of the pioneers of rap metal.[8][9] Mark Jenkins of The Washington Post noted that one of the band's songs may indicate conservative views, while other songs may indicate more uniformly distributed hostility. Jenkins writes that "the [song] "Crooked Figurehead" does begin with an anti-Clinton rant, which suggests that this Atlanta quartet is the mirror image of leftist agit-metal band Rage Against the Machine. Maybe it's not just the president the Mojos hate, though—maybe it's everyone."[13] The band cites Red Hot Chili Peppers, Run-D.M.C., Faith No More and Black Sabbath as influences.[3]

Discography

Band members

Former band members

  • Eric Sanders - drums
  • Rodney Beaubouef – drums
  • Bonz – vocals/lyrics - currently in killerintheworkplace (1989–2006)
  • Dan Dryden – bass
  • Corey Lowery – bass (1996–1998)
  • Tim Maines - drums
  • Ryan Mallam – guitar
  • Mike Martin - guitar[3](2006–2009)
  • Dwayne Fowler - bass
  • Brent Payne - drums
  • Karman Gossett - drums
  • Steve 'Nailz' Underwood - drums[3]
  • Brad Hasty - drums
  • Scott Spooner - keyboards

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 DaRonco, Mike. "Biography of Stuck Mojo". Allmusic. Retrieved 9 December 2008. 
  2. ↑ Love, Bret. "Review of Snappin' Necks". Allmusic. Retrieved 9 December 2008. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 "Biography and Discography". Stuck Mojo. Retrieved 9 December 2008. 
  4. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Review of Pigwalk". Allmusic. Retrieved 9 December 2008. 
  5. ↑ "Charts and awards for Rising". Allmusic. Retrieved 9 December 2008. 
  6. ↑ Huey, Steve. "Review of Rising". Allmusic. Retrieved 9 December 2008. 
  7. ↑ Huey, Steve. "Biography of Fozzy". Allmusic. Retrieved 9 December 2008. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Mojo's Working — Rap-rock Pioneers Are Back". Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. April 13, 2006. Retrieved 9 December 2008. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Barnes, Brad (April 19, 2006). "Rap-rock pioneers have their 'Mojo' workin'". Columbus Ledger-Enquirer. Retrieved 9 December 2008. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Lord Nelson. "In His Own Words - Lord Nelson". Stuck Mojo. Retrieved 9 December 2008. 
  11. ↑ "And don't miss ...". Spartanburg Herald Journal. April 12, 2007. Retrieved 9 December 2008. 
  12. ↑ Interview: Stuck Mojo. Rock Sound. Retrieved 9 December 2008. 
  13. ↑ Jenkins, Mark (November 20, 1998). "STUCK MOJO "Rising" Century Media; ULTRASPANK "Ultraspank" Epic". The Washington Post. Retrieved 9 December 2008. 

External links

Stuck Mojo
Studio albums
Other albums
Videos
  • Inside the Monster: The Evilution of Stuck Mojo Vol. I
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