Motograter

Motograter
Origin	Austin Texas/ Santa Barbara/ Yreka, California
Genres	Nu metal,^[1] alternative metal,^[2] industrial metal,^[3] experimental metal^[4]
Years active	1995–2006, 2008–2011, 2014-present
Labels	Elektra/No Name Records
Associated acts	Five Finger Death Punch, Ghost Machine, Southern Front, Riven, The Alpha Complex, Intrinsic

Members	Matt "Nuke" Nunes Mylon Guy Noah "Shark" Robertson James Anthony Legion Carlos "Crow" Pagan Dustin "Skunk" Anderson Joey Vice

Past members	See: Former members

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 with Ivan "Ghost" Moody and released their so-far only studio album, Motograter in 2003. The band went under hiatus in 2005, disbanded after playing 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 (Formerly of Intrinsic), 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.^[5]^[6]

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 continued work on their album.^[7] In June 2003, they released their first major label album debut, Motograter. It was their 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.

Motograter toured on the second stage of Ozzfest 2003. The song "Suffocate" was featured on the soundtrack to the film The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The song "Down" is featured on the EA Sports video game Nascar Thunder 2004.

In the summer of 2003, Nuke was fired from the band, replacing him 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 if Smur's and Bruce's departures are permanent.

Hiatus and breakup (2005-2006)

In 2005, Motograter announced their hiatus to give time for side projects.^[8] However, the band played a one time re-union show in 2006 at the Delicious Rox Festival,^[9] with Ivan, JR, and Crispy and returning members Nuke and Bruce. Ivan confirmed on this show that he is finished with the band, resulting in the band's disbandment.

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.^[10] 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.

The new lineup began touring in July 25, 2009, playing for less than 100 people most nights of the Halos and Horns tour, playing with Orange County metal group, Darksun. The tour was cut short September 28, shunning cities such as Seattle, Denver, and Tempe, citing a band member’s sickness was to blame. 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 to 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 was a success, 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.

In 2011, the band debuted a slew of new high quality photos from a shoot in downtown Los Angeles. That same year, they announced a summer tour dubbed The Honoring Of The Sun Tour running from April 29 to 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, going from July 25 to 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. Facing a possible cancellation of the events, and despite the weather conditions, Motograter continued to perform.

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, for unknown reasons, Motograter announced on their Facebook page that they had disbanded, and would therefore not participate in the tour.

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)

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, which began a West Coast Reunion Tour that included a string of California and Nevada dates.^[11]

On Sunday, October 26, 2014, the band performed Knotfest at the San Manuel Ampitheater in San Bernadino, CA, alongside notable acts such as Slipknot and Five Finger Death Punch among many others, with Mark Nosler returning on the motograter for this event. On December 2014, Angel and Venom left the band, Angel confirming his departure in January 2015.

Fourth lineup (2015-present)

On April 2nd, the band announced the arrival of vocalist James Anthony Legion. The following day, Motograter have released a 20 second, pre-production teaser, featuring the new song, "Portrait of Decay", featuring Legion on vocals. The new lineup was rounded out with Carlos "Crow" on guitars, Dustin "Skunk" Anderson on the motograter and Joey Vice on percussion.

Band Personnel

Current members

Matt "Nuke" Nunes - guitars, backing vocals (2002–2003, 2006, 2008-2011, 2014-present)
Mylon Guy - bass (2008–2011, 2014–present)
Noah "Shark" Robertson - drums (2014–present)
James Anthony Legion - lead vocals (2015-present)
Carlos "Crow" Pagan - guitars (2015–present)
Dustin "Skunk" Anderson - motograter (2015–present)
Joey Vice - percussion, electronics/samples, backing vocals (2015–present)