Monster Magnet

[Hammy]

I felt the need to start a thread for them since they are my favourite band 

I started listening to them 2003.  It was wrestling that got me into them.  After a day at 6th from round at my house me and my mate were messing about on the new Smackdown game and I kept saying how much I liked Matt Hardy's theme song.  So I looked up on the internet what band did it and found out it was a band called Monster Magnet.  Having never heard much from them before and thinking a higher percentage of bands who do WWE themes on the whole are crap, I wasn't expecting much from the rest of their catalogue.  Starting with albums such as 1998's Powertrip and the follow up God Says No I was hooked, great riffs, vocals and lyrics, they were a solid rock band, but my journey into Monster Magnet was only just beginning.

When I picked up their early albums, Spine of God, Superjudge, Dopes to Infinity and Tab...25 I was shocked.  They had changed a hell of a lot.  These early albums were from an all out stoner rock band, part garage band part grungy, they were a long way removed from the band they had become.

Now I was going through my stoner phase and I latched onto this stuff and I still love the early material most but for me I liked having a discography that was so varied.  Many die hard fans complain how they sold out, for me they just changed their style a gave a different kind of classic rock.  They continued this way with more recent efforts Monolithic Baby! and 4-Way Diablo.  As one reviewer said, the subject matter just changed, they went from singing about Drugs to singing about Sex.

After becoming a fan in November 2003 I saw them for the first time in February 2004 at a superb little gig in Manchester where frontman Dave Wyndorf used my lighter (Good times), in June of that year I saw them again when they played the Download Festival.

The next time I was due to see them was in 2006 but unfortunately Wyndorf overdosed.  After a lot of time away from the spotlight he recovered, released 4-Way Diablo and then they started touring again, unfortunately I haven't been able to see them again (yet), but I can't wait for the day I finally do.

Early Magnet....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRJVg0a570I&feature=related

Vs. Mainstream Magnet....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByCXe3rrSY8&feature=related

Heck, I love 'em both! 

[Axl4Life]

Yeah, their last album "4-Way Diablo" was immense. "Wall of Fire" and "Slap in the Face" are two of my favourites from that album. Any news on the supposed Wyndorf solo album or was that just a rumour?

[Hammy]

Pretty sure I remember reading thats still happening his overdosing and what not hindered it.  The website hasn't received a proper update in years but a new website is promised any time now.

[timothy]

I too have a **** made out of platinum.

[Axl4Life]

I too have a **** made out of platinum.

Since we're quoting Wall of Fire I'm sure Hammy will appriciate "Killing Nazi zombies in a German town."  Ha

[Hammy]

I too have a **** made out of platinum.

Since we're quoting Wall of Fire I'm sure Hammy will appriciate "Killing Nazi zombies in a German town."  Ha

Too right, I was about to type that, you stole my thunder haha, that is the best line off that album, a real classic!

I still remember my first day of Uni, well I say first day it was a pre-Uni summer camp.  I met this guy Bob who was a big fan and the 3 days we were there consisted of getting wasted and singing MM songs, the most popular was the lyrically fun Negasonic Teenage Warhead:

I can tell just by the climate, and I can tell just by the style
I was born and raised on Venus and I may be here a while
Cause every supersonic jerkoff who plugs into the game
Is just like every subatomic genius who just invented pain

[Hammy]

American stoner/hard hock/metallers Monster Magnet have had a fanatical cult following for close to two decades, with albums such as 1995's Dopes To Infinity and 1999's Powertrip shifting a ton of units worldwide. Following the release of their eight studio album, 2007's 4-Way Diablo (released through SPV/Riot!) and with an Australian tour on the cards for September, I caught up with always colourful mainman Dave Wyndorf for a quick chat.

Spiritech: Monster Magnet have always drawn their musical inspiration from a variety of sources. Where there any new musical influences that impacted on the new record?
Dave Wyndorf: (laughs) Oh boy....Well, I gotta say I was in the icy grip of Benzo withdrawal at the time. Spent most of those days locked in a tiny room with Lawrence of Arabia looping on a DVD player while thinking grey thoughts. Not much musical influence except for Maurice Jarre's film score - which is kickin', by the way.

Spiritech: Interesting. The lyrics of 4-Way Diablo seem to be inspired by conflicting emotions. Was this almost a form of therapy for you when writing the album?
Dave Wyndorf: Sure. I wrote all the lyrics after a drug meltdown. Best therapy in the world, plus chocolate and cigarettes too!

Spiritech: What are your favorite tracks from the new album and why?
Dave Wyndorf: Hmmm, I like 'Little Bag of Gloom' and '2000 Lightyears From Home' [a Rolling Stones cover], because I could relate to it's psycho-deliciousness.

Spiritech: 'No Vacation' was also a chance to re-visit a track from your demo days. Why did you decide to do this and are you completely satisfied with the results?
Dave Wyndorf: In retrospect, I should have gone with my first instinct and had it mixed by a chimpanzee.

Spiritech: (laughs) I understand you also have another musical project in the works - can you shed some light on this perhaps?
Dave Wyndorf: I'm writing stuff now, in between tours. I'd like to get a new Monster Magnet album out in 2010. I also seem to be writing lots of little, weird songs lately as well and I'm thinking of releasing them as a separate project rather than calling it a Monster Magnet album. Also, Monster Magnet is planning a, well for lack of a better word, "Unplugged" tour featuring songs from the Monster Magnet catalogue that have never before played live. Very psychedelic and very Bluesy. Cool instrumentation too -sitar, mellotron, percussion, slide guitars, it sounds fuckin' awesome!

Spiritech: The band has also gained some attention with younger Hard Rock fans for providing the theme song for WWE wrestler Matt Hardy. How did this come to happen?
Dave Wyndorf: Honestly, I got a call one day from the president of WWE asking if I could write and record a "theme" in a week! (laughs) Well, we packed up a van and drove up to the WWE headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut and did it. It was a strange trip indeed. That place is a cross between a military base and a circus. Only in America!

Spiritech: Monster Magnet are making the first trek in about a decade to Australia. What are your memories of previous visits Down Under?
Dave Wyndorf: Oh, man. Australia is the land of my dreams - giant bats, giant frogs, beautiful women and great steaks.

Spiritech: Great stuff. What can fans expect from a MM live show in 2009 in terms of set list?
Dave Wyndorf: A "best of" set list. Lots of old stuff too. A nice blend of psychedelic and Hard Rock. The band sounds better than ever - no lie.

Spiritech: On another topic, your personal issues have been discussed a great deal in the media in recent years. How close did you come to ending Monster Magnet after recovering or was the band a vital part of your recovery?
Dave Wyndorf: Yeesh... It's a long, detailed story, but okay, let's try this. After years of non-stop touring I became addicted to a powerful sedative. Thanks, doc! Well, the pills caught up with me and I had a massive, near-death meltdown. I was physically and emotionally blown out. I swore up and down that I would NEVER want to play again. One day I went up to my room to read a book. Two years and hundreds of books later I got up, walked downstairs and called the band. "Uh, I kinda changed my mind", I said. I guess I got bored with reading.

Spiritech: Did you object to your issues being aired in such a public manner and are you glad that the focus seems to be back on your music again?
Dave Wyndorf: No objections, the Internet was MADE for gossip. Of course, music is what's most important.

Spiritech: On a more personal note, are there any new releases you've been enjoying lately?
Dave Wyndorf: Hey, Colossus, The Knife, Soundtrack of Our Lives. Looking forward to the Jack White-Kills thang an the new Hives album.

Spiritech: Final question- do you have any last words for PyroMusic.net readers?
Dave Wyndorf: Thank you!

http://www.pyromusic.net/index.php?p=interviews_interview&interview=Monster_Magnet&id=141

Great interview from the man himself complete with WWE and Chimpanzee mentions    Hopefully I have a job and money in my back pocket next time they tour near me, I would love to see an "Unplugged" set and hopefully 2010, a new album from the band and maybe even himself with these "little" songs.

[Hammy]

Just over 2 weeks 'til I see them, can't wait, its been awhile 

[EricxGNRxSTARx]

My first Magnet show:98/99?Ahh,when we were young!

[Hammy]

Woah!!!!!

I'm not worthy! 

[EricxGNRxSTARx]

Now when they say greatest hits,what do they mean? As far as I know, MM have like 2 songs that a casual listener might know: Negasonic Teenage Warhead and Space Lord. Anyway,Hammy be sure to post the set.As far as you know is there a version of Matt Hardy's theme with the swear words? Or was it only released on that WWE album a few years back.If you have that version or a live version,I'd love to hear them.Thanks.Oh yeah,how the hell does one"slap a tornado" or are those the wrong lyrics?

[Hammy]

Now when they say greatest hits,what do they mean? As far as I know, MM have like 2 songs that a casual listener might know:

True, but it isn't for the casual listeners its for the fans who show up 

Incidently they did have a 2 Disc Greatest Hits released (Poor selection though)

I'd guess they'd mean "Singles" and "Fan Favourites".....

Negasonic Teenage Warhead
Powertrip
Space Lord
Twin Earth
Heads Explode
Unbroken (Hotel Baby)
Dopes to Infinity
Spine of God
Zodiac Lung
Black Balloon
Kiss of the Scorpion
Nod Scene
Wall of Fire
Dead Christmas
Supercruel

That'd be nice 

[Axl4Life]

^ What about:

There's No Way Out Of Here (David Gilmour Cover)
Blow Your Mind
Slap In The Face
3rd Isle Landslide
See You In Hell

They need to be included! 

[Hammy]

I actually prefer those to some I've included I was just trying to also cover the "GH, most obvious" aspect of things too.

Slap in the Face is an all time fave 

[Hammy]

Superb show.  Got there awhile after doors opened and have since found out we missed the first support act, whoever they were.

The next were Karma to Burn, great stoner rock band, great way to warm things up.

For Monster Magnet I was right at the front left (at the start) and by the 2nd song I had been bounced to dead centre in the pit 

It was a wonderful setlist.  Personal highlights being Negasonic Teenage Warhead, nothing better than an entire crowd singing and bouncing along together "I will deny you, I will deny you baby".  Zodiac Lung was fantastic as well, one of my all time favourites, a great stoner piece, a stoner ballad if you could have one I suppose    The final song Spine of God was a great way to finish to, complete with American Pie rendition in the middle of it, the band was on form, although Dave has got fat since he overdosed, loved it though, got drunk and had so much fun. 

Setlist was...

Dopes to Infinity
Crop Circle
Powertrip
Twin Earth
Third Alternative
Zodiac Lung
Radiation Day
The Right Stuff 
Negasonic Teenage Warhead
Space Lord

Encore:
 
Melt
Cage Around the Sun
Tractor
Spine of God

Interesting how there was nothing off the last album.

If you total it up.

Spine of God (1992): 2 (Zodiac Lung, Spine of God)
Superjudge (1993): 2 (Twin Earth, Cage Around the Sun)
Dopes to Infinity (1995): 3 (Negasonic Teenage Warhead, Third Alternative, Dopes To Infinity)
Powertrip (1998): 4 (Crop Circle, Space Lord, Powertrip, Tractor)
God Says No (2000): 1 (Melt)
Monolithic Baby (2004): 2 (The Right Stuff, Radiation Day)
4-Way Diablo (2007): 0