Lineup includes Spider One (vocals), Evan9 and Velkro (guitar), X51 (bassist), and GFlash (drums).
In 1990, Spider dropped out of art school and bought a cheap 4-track home studio and drum machine. Working under the title "MC Spider", he recorded "Much Evil" with producer Lamar Lowder. Building on local success, he built a band under the name Powerman 5000. Their style was in the nature of rap/metal that had yet to gain popularity. In 1991, longtime guitarist Adam 12 (Adam Williams) joined the band. In 1994 and 1995, Powerman released two independent records, True Force and The Blood Splat Rating System. Both albums were local successes.
In 1997, the band signed to Dreamworks Records and released a re-recording of The Blood Splat Rating System (with two new tracks) titled Mega!! Kung Fu Radio. The band toured and released singles such as "Organizized" and "Tokyo Vigilante #1". In 1999, Guitarist M.33 (Mike Tempesta) joined the band as they got their biggest break. Creating a strange fusion of science fiction (which had always interested Spider) and "Action Rock" (the term for their own high-energy powerful rock), they released Tonight the Stars Revolt!, which contained the hit singles "When Worlds Collide", "Nobody's Real", and "Supernova Goes Pop". The album sold over a million copies and assured the band's success.
A follow-up album titled "Anyone For Doomsday?" was recorded and a single ("Bombshell") had been released to radio stations, but the album was cancelled just before its scheduled release. Due to being heavily downloaded illegally, Anyone For Doomsday? was later released under Spider's own new label, Megatronic Records, but has since gone out of print due to legal issues. Arguments exist as to whether the record was cancelled due to the events of the September 11th terrorist attacks and the negative title, but the album was finished and scheduled to be released in August of 2001, a full month before the attacks. Spider has said in interviews that the album was dropped because it sounded too much like the previous album and that he wanted to release something fresh and different instead of repeating himself. Conflicts thereafter caused longtime members Dorian 27 (Dorian Heartsong) and Al3 (Allen Pahanish) to leave the band. Ad7 (Adrian Ost) and Siggy Sjursen were brought in to replace them. Ironically, "Bombshell" resurfaced, as the entrance music for the (now-formerly WWE) tag-team wrestlers, The Dudley Boyz.
In 2003, the band released "Transform", a more punk-fuelled album, completely dropping the costumes that had been featured throughout the band's "Tonight The Stars Revolt!" era. Containing the hit singles "Free" and "Action", the album sounded much more live and less filled with industrial metal electronics. After the release of Transform, Dreamworks Records was bought out by Interscope Records, and Powerman 5000 decided not to make the move. Undeterred, Spider continued with his own offshoot label Megatronic Records. In 2005, new music was released, both in the form of a rarities album titled The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, Vol. 1 and in new music from an upcoming album.
A new tour was also started, but M.33 had left the band and Adam 12, while present on the upcoming album, was not touring. Former Alien Ant Farm guitarist Terry Corso and former Halfcocked (the first band on Spider's label) guitarist Johnny Rock were brought in to round out the live show. The band has recently completed their new album, called "Destroy What You Enjoy". The band has announced that they are signed to DRT Enterainment, who released their album, of which the song "Wild World" is the new single and video.
On May 21, 2007, Powerman 5000 claimed via a MySpace blog post that they will be releasing a new studio album in 2007. The following is taken directly from said post: "Considering the bands track record of putting out cds once every three years it seems hard to believe that, yes we will put out a new disc in 2007!! It's all just beginning to develop and the wheres, whos and whats are to be determined but new rock is on the way!!" However, talk about the record soon simmered, and no new information was released.
Finally, in December 2008, the new track "Super Villain" premiered on the band's Myspace page, showcasing their return to their platinum-selling sound of the late 90s. On January 28, 2009, a preview of tracks from their upcoming 6th studio album were posted on the groups MySpace page, containing clips from the songs "Super Villain", "V is for Vampire", and "Horror Show". Powerman 5000 posted that "Super Villain" would become available for digital purchase on February 10 via iTunes and Amazon.com.
On April 7, 2009, Powerman 5000 released a blog on their MySpace page stating that Anyone For Doomsday? has officially been re-released. The legal battle ended and the album was released under the SKG Music License. The album is available on iTunes as a digital download. On April 21, the band released "V is for Vampire", the second single from their upcoming album, which is planned for a summer release.
On July 7, 2009, Powerman 5000 released a blog on their MySpace page[3] stating that the new album has been finished, and that a release date, track listing, artwork, and additional tour dates was coming soon. On July 27, 2009, Powerman 5000 appeared on Rockline, announcing the title of the new album as "Somewhere on the Other Side of Nowhere". A Tentative release date of October 6 was also announced. Three new songs were also premiered on the show, including "Timebomb", "Make Us Insane", and "Show Me What You Got". On Myspace Spider posted a blog talking about the three new songs filled with comments of the fans liking the music.
On September 6, 2009, Powerman 5000 released the album cover design along with the promotion of their upcoming tour starting on October 24. They also released two new promotional videos on YouTube for their new album, confirming its release date as October 6.
On October 1, the full track "Do Your Thing" was leaked onto YouTube. The song was apparently taken from the Megatronic Records Forum, in which frontman Spider One currently owns. The CD "Somewhere On The Other Side Of Nowhere" was officially released on October 6 in the U.S. and was available in Canada on October 20, two weeks after the reported release date.
The band embarked on a national tour during October and November in support of the album.
On December 7, Spider, the band's lead singer posted links on his Twitter page linking to FearNET.com which is hosting the bands music video for their first single "Super Villain". The video is also available on YouTube and stars Johnathon Schaech as the infamous Super Villain.
Megatronic
Powerman 5000 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What I've got you always got
Can see right through you
Through the lies and through the trouble
Tricks and check what you are doing
When you're crying in the corner over there you seem pathetic
Yeah now drop this mega bombshell
Cause believe you won't forget it
Don't you know
I am
The Megatronic
Don't you know
I am the one
Don't you know
I am
The Megatronic
Don't you know
I am the one
Don't you know
How I stand up
You're brainless, if you've got one
Wasting it they're here to take us
Now I'm louder than a shotgun
Load it down and don't give up
And put some plastic, steel, and wire
When I rock, I rock the planets
Maybe later I'll retire
Don't you know
I am
The Megatronic
Don't you know
I am the one
Don't you know
I am
The Megatronic
Don't you know
I am the one
Let it go and let it fly
And let it bust into the new world
Let it live or let it die
A message sent it was so wacky
Almost gone and almost gone
And if it's gone it's gone forever
And they're trooping with their training
Because no one does it better
Don't you know
I am
The Megatronic
Don't you know
I am the one
Don't you know
I am
The Megatronic
Don't you know
I am the one (one, one, one)
Don't you know
I am
The Megatronic
Don't you know
I am the one
Don't you know
I am
The Megatronic
Don't you know
I am the one (one, one, one)
In "Megatronic," Powerman 5000 presents themselves as an all-powerful, larger-than-life entity that can see through people's lies and tricks. The lyrics assert their superiority and confidence in their abilities, stating that they are the only ones who can truly stand up and take charge. The repeated declaration of being the Megatronic emphasizes this overarching theme of power and control.
The lines "And put some plastic, steel, and wire / When I rock, I rock the planets" suggest a futuristic, technological aspect to their power, further solidifying their dominance over others. The closing lines about letting something "bust into the new world" and the lyric "Almost gone and almost gone" suggest a sense of urgency and a need to bring about change - perhaps with the help of the Megatronic.
Overall, the song revolves around the concept of power and control, presenting Powerman 5000 as a force to be reckoned with.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't you know
Have you not realized
What I've got you always got
You have always been dependent on me for what I possess
Can see right through you
I can easily see through your facade
Through the lies and through the trouble
I can see past your lies and the problems you create
Tricks and check what you are doing
I am aware of all the deceiving things you do
When you're crying in the corner over there you seem pathetic
You appear weak and feeble when you cry in isolation
Yeah now drop this mega bombshell
I am going to reveal something very significant
Cause believe you won't forget it
It will leave an indelible mark on you
How I stand up
I stand up with confidence
You're brainless, if you've got one
You are devoid of any intelligence or rational thinking
Wasting it they're here to take us
Others are trying to take advantage of our wasted potential
Now I'm louder than a shotgun
I am more powerful and forceful than a gun
Load it down and don't give up
I am ready to take on any challenge, no matter how heavy
And put some plastic, steel, and wire
I am made of both artificial and natural components, and I am strong and resilient
When I rock, I rock the planets
My ability to perform outstanding feats is not limited to earth, but can be felt across the universe
Maybe later I'll retire
One day, I may eventually retire, but not anytime soon
Let it go and let it fly
Release it and let it soar
And let it bust into the new world
Allow it to break through into a new era
Let it live or let it die
It deserves a chance to either flourish or perish
A message sent it was so wacky
The message conveyed was outlandish and peculiar
Almost gone and almost gone
It is on the verge of disappearing
And if it's gone it's gone forever
Once it's gone, it can never return
And they're trooping with their training
Others are marching forward with their rigorous training
Because no one does it better
Because no one else can perform at this level
I am the Megatronic
I am a powerful, artificial being
I am the one
I am the only one who possesses my strength and abilities
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind