Formed by drummer Skinny in 1993, Mushroomhead was originally a side-project for members of other Cleveland bands. They played their first show on October 22nd of that year. The members wore a variety of masks to hide their identity and for theatrical impact. One of the vocalists, J Mann, eventually stopped wearing a mask and just put white make-up on his face with black make-up on his mouth and around his eyes, similar to make-up worn in the movie Dead Presidents.
Mushroomhead quickly became one of Cleveland's top local acts and developed a devoted fanbase. Mushroomhead's self-titled debut album was released independently in 1995, followed by Superbuick in 1996 and M3 in 1999. Over the course of those 3 albums the band had several line-up changes: Bassist Mr Murdernickel was replaced by Pig Benis after the first album, female dancer Roxy left, guitarist Dinner was replaced by Gravy, male dancer Bronson went to playing samples and then took over as 2nd Guitarist when J.J. Righteous left. During this time Mushroomhead was the #1 underground band in Cleveland.
Roadrunner Records approached Mushroomhead with a record contract which they declined. The band eventually got signed to Eclipse Records in 2000, and their next album, XX (a "best of" compilation), came out the following year. In 2001, Mushroomhead's members included drummer/founder Skinny, lead vocalists J. Mann and Jeffrey Nothing, guitarists Bronson and Gravy, keyboardist Shmotz, bassist Pig Benis, and sample provider Stitch when they signed to Universal Records to re-release XX. During this time Jeffrey Nothing also ditched his trademark goat / devil masks in favor of face paint.
Their first proper effort for the label was 2003's dynamic XIII, but the band soon parted ways with not only Universal, but also vocalist J. Mann during a subsequent tour. Undeterred, Mushroomhead pressed on with their D.I.Y. ethos intact and welcomed new frontman Waylon, formerly of 3 Quarters Dead, into the fray. Second guitarist Bronson would depart not long after Waylon's entry, leaving to study in film school. The DVD Mushroomhead, Volume 1 followed in mid-2005 before the guys returned in September 2006 with Savior Sorrow, released through New York-based indie Megaforce Records.
Mushroomhead released another DVD titled Volume 2 on October 28th 2008 and the band released the album Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children in 2010 via Megaforce Records.
Late in 2013, it was announced via social media that original vocalist J.Mann would be returning to the band. This leaves Mushroomhead with 3 active vocalists. There were some other lineup changes along the way, with new members Church stepping in on guitar, Dr. F on bass, and Roberto Diablo on percussion.
In May of 2014, the band will release their 7th studio album, The Righteous and the Butterfly, once again via Megaforce Records. This album will be the first to feature all 3 vocalists and the rest of the newer members.
Current
"Jeffrey Nothing" – Vocals (1993 - present)
"Waylon" – Vocals (2004 - present)
"J Mann" - Vocals (1993 - 2004, 2013 - present)
"Church" - Guitars (2012 - present)
"Dr. F" - Bass (2012 - present)
"Shmotz" – Keyboards (1993 - present)
"ST1TCH" – Turntables, Electronics, Samples, water drums (2001 - present)
"Skinny" – Drums, Percussion (1993 - present)
"Roberto Diablo" - Percussion (2013 - present)
Former
"Gravy" – Guitars (1999 – present)
"Pig Benis" – Bass (1995 - present)
"DJ Virus" - turntables (1993 – 1995)
"Mr. Murdernickel" - bass (1993 – 1995)
"Dinner" - guitars (1993 – 1998)
"Roxy" - dancing, electronics (1993 – 2000)
"J.J. Righteous" - guitars (1993 – 2001) (R.I.P.-J.J. passed away on October 28th 2010)
"Bronson" - dancing, samples (1993 – 2001), guitars (2001 – 2006)
A little more history:
Since 1999, Mushroomhead has had an on-and-off rivalry with Iowa-based band Slipknot. The feud erupted due to the image similarities between the bands. Many fans of Mushroomhead claim Slipknot stole their 'masked' look, and vice-versa. In an interview with Soundbites, then lead singer of Mushroomhead Jason Popson stated, "It seems a little strange, because they look so much like us and they have the same number of members and some of the same masks, and it was a little too strange that their record label had all of our material. I think it's obvious that they borrowed material from our show."
An incident between Mushroomhead fans and Slipknot themselves occurred when Slipknot trekked to Cleveland as part of their tour in support of their debut album. Mushroomhead fans flocked to the concert and peppered Slipknot with batteries, rocks, bottles of piss, etc., forcing them off-stage. In a press conference, Slipknot lead singer Corey Taylor stated that members of Mushroomhead had encouraged fans to do these acts. However, Mushroomhead has publicly stated that the band in no way encourages this sort of behavior, nor were any band members even at the show where the incident took place.
In a May 2007 interview it Imhotep.com, singer Jeffrey Nothing stated that the day after the Cleveland incident, his then girlfriend went down to the venue and the members of Slipknot and some of their crew harassed her saying: "You're wearing a Mushroomhead shirt, what do you know?" And they said it was our idea that you stole and now you are mocking us that we stole this masked-looking from you?, "The bottom line is: here is our city, our fans support us completely! They felt just as fucked over by these puny 'Clowns' as us and they aren't afraid to show it. "Welcome to Cleveland bitches." In 2005 Mushroomhead dressed as Slipknot for three shows in the northeast Ohio area, avidly mocking the band.
Mushroomhead's 2006 Midnight Halloween performance started with an announcement over the PA: “Due to unforeseen circumstances, Slipknot will not be appearing tonight,” which was greeted by chants of “Fuck Slipknot!” from the sold-out Agora Theatre. Soon after, the lights came up, revealing their Nightmare Before Christmas-themed set, complete with falling snow. St1tch and Little Dan (Skinny’s drum tech and drummer for Ventana) came out wearing masks from two members of Slipknot. Dan wearing Chris Fehn’s mask with the Pinocchio-style nose, Stitch wearing Shawn “Clown” Crahan’s mask.
Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Eternal
Mushroomhead Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wage my war internal
Save my soul eternal
Reach out for redemption it bites the hand that needs
Neglect becomes rejection the silence sounds retreat
I can't believe
Anything you say
Chained to the past ride the wings of despair
Corroded and rusted trust beyond repair
In this triumph of the wills I won't be overrun
The pride that is instilled cannot be overcome
I can't believe
It's the last time
Anything you say
It's the last time that I'll try today
I can't believe
It's the last time
Anything you say
That I'll fall down
It's the last time
It's the last time
That I'll try today
Break it all down
The lyrics of Mushroomhead's "Eternal" talk about an internal struggle that the singer is going through. The first line "Face the day, embrace the pain" is an indication that the singer is facing his problems head-on, even though it's difficult. He is taking responsibility for his feelings and trying to confront them rather than avoid them. The line "wage my war internal" further amplifies this idea, as the battle the singer is fighting is within himself.
The second verse talks about the consequences of neglecting one's problems. "Neglect becomes rejection, and the silence sounds retreat" suggest that if one does not deal with their issues, it will eventually become too overwhelming to deal with, and the individual will give up. The chorus "It's the last time that I'll try today" implies that the singer has been trying repeatedly to deal with his problems and is tired of it. He doesn't know if he has the strength to keep going.
The pre-chorus "Chained to the past, ride the wings of despair. Corroded and rusted, trust beyond repair" implies that something in the singer's past may be hindering him. It could be a memory, person, or emotion. He is feeling trapped and rusted due to this obstacle, and he is unable to fix it. However, the last line "The pride that is instilled cannot be overcome" implies that the singer has some sense of self-worth and determination, and he believes he can overcome his problem.
Line by Line Meaning
Face the day embrace the pain
Accept the challenges that come with each new day, and be willing to endure the discomfort and suffering that may come with it.
Wage my war internal
Fight an internal battle that is not visible on the surface, but is just as real and demanding as any external conflict.
Save my soul eternal
Seek to protect the spiritual essence of oneself, and strive for a state of being that transcends temporal or mortal limitations.
Reach out for redemption it bites the hand that needs
Try to obtain forgiveness or salvation, but often find that seeking such absolution is painful and fraught with difficulty.
Neglect becomes rejection the silence sounds retreat
When people or things are ignored or abandoned, it can lead to feelings of rejection or failure, and may cause a sense of withdrawal or defeat.
I can't believe
It's the last time
Anything you say
Expressing disbelief that this may be the final opportunity to hear or respond to someone's words or actions, and feeling a sense of finality or loss.
Chained to the past ride the wings of despair
Feeling a sense of bondage or attachment to past experiences, and allowing oneself to be carried along by emotions of hopelessness or disillusionment.
Corroded and rusted trust beyond repair
Distrusting or doubting something or someone so deeply that it is difficult or impossible to repair the damage or restore the faith.
In this triumph of the wills I won't be overrun
Asserting one's strength and determination in the midst of a conflict or battle, and asserting that they will not be defeated or overwhelmed.
The pride that is instilled cannot be overcome
A sense of self-worth and dignity that is so deeply rooted within a person that it cannot be easily erased or destroyed.
It's the last time that I'll try today
Acknowledging that a situation or struggle may require persistent and ongoing effort, but also recognizing that one can only do so much in a single day.
That I'll fall down
It's the last time
It's the last time
That I'll try today
Admitting that failure or setbacks may occur, but also resolving to keep trying despite the obstacles, and to keep striving to achieve one's goals.
Break it all down
A call to dismantle or deconstruct something that is complex or difficult to manage, and to simplify or streamline it for greater ease and efficiency.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DAVE J. FELTON, STEVE R. FELTON, JEFF L. HETRICK, JOHN KILCOYNE, JASON J. POPSON, THOMAS MICHAEL SCHMITZ, RICHARD PEARSON THOMAS, MARKO VUKCEVICH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Timmy Butteryfly
Miss mushroomhead delivering this kind of heavyness. New album just so so.
AEIOU......
Yes
Metal Medieval
I think that you forget that Mushroomhead doesn't repeat themselves, I don't know about you but I've heard their new album last year and it got me into this band, A Wonderful Life has some similarities to XIII, even the production sounds a bit reminiscent of that album but Mushroomhead has been on their a-game since XIII and if only gotten better, I know XIII is a kick ass album but do you really want to hear that 8 or 13 more times?
Xeroxed
When Jeffrey and Shmotz left that was it for me
Dirtiest Soul / Sena
@Xeroxed same
ScaryManLegs
@Metal Medieval Well when it comes to lyrics... They do repeat themselves, Qwerty for example.
H.P. Lovethrash
One of their best songs
Mother Metal
Old School Mushroomhead. So kickass!! Skinny's drums blew me away man. Stitches table work...Legend. Mother Metal 💀 🖤
Edgar Morales
The Best Mushroomhead era.
Cristian Mejia
"FACE THE DAY
EMBRACE THE PAIN", you listen to the lyrics diferent when you are an adult