Motograter

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 and 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 switched to keyboards and samples in 2002 (while sometimes still providing additional vocals both live and in studio) and was replaced by Ivan "Ghost" Moody which led to the release of their first studio album Motograter in 2003. The band went on an indefinite hiatus in 2005, disbanded after playing a one-time reunion show in 2006, and then reformed with 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 late 2013, performing at Slipknot's Knotfest the next year. In December 2014, Woodruff left Motograter, replacing him with James Anthony Legion in early 2015. Motograter began recording of their sophomore album Desolation in January 2016 with Ahrue Luster (Ill Nino, Machine Head, Terror Universal) overseeing production, expected to be released later this year.

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 early years consisted of both experimenting with various sounds and instruments to identify their sound. The initial duo was rounded out into a band with the additions of vocalist Zak "The Waz" Ward and drummer Chris "Crispy" Binns in late 1998, and released their first EP, Hugh Chardon in 1999. Late that year, during the recording of their second EP, Indy, they added Eric Gonzales, who handled electronics and samples. 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.^[4][5]

Motograter, hiatus and breakup (2002-2006)

After a period of inactivity, Motograter was released from Sever Records and later signed on to No Name/Elektra Records in 2002^[6] when guitarist Neil Godfrey introduced label founder Steve Richards to the band. Around that time, Godfrey left the band and was replaced with Matt "Nuke" Nunes.

During development of their debut album later that year, Zak departed from the band due to artistic differences. The band then recruited Ivan "Ghost" Moody and continued work on the album. In early 2003, after recording finished and in preparation of their first nationwide tour on a major label, the band welcomed back Zak Ward, handling electronics/samples in addition to backup vocals, while Nuke entered into rehab, replacing him with JR Swartz.

On June 24, 2003, they released their first major label album debut, Motograter. 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. Motograter was voted the best band of 2003 by Hit Parader.

	"No Name" (2003) 30 second sample of the Motograter song "No Name".
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Motograter then toured on the second stage of Ozzfest 2003. By then, Nuke returned to play the first few dates on the tour but was eventually fired in July, replacing him with Ty Fury.

In the summer of 2004, Ty Fury was to be replaced with Aaron aka "A-Bomb" and the band announced that they began work on a new album. In August 2004, Zak would leave the band again, the band chosing not to replace him. In the fall of 2004, the band toured without Bruce and Smur, due to both under financial obligations. In place of using the motograter, they were accompanied by bassist Jonny Nailz.

In May 2005, Motograter announced their hiatus to give time for side projects.^[7] However, the band played a one time re-union show in 2006 at the Delicious Rox Festival,^[8] with Ivan, JR and Crispy and also 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 San Luis Obispo, California. This lineup also included a bass player, playing alongside the motograter. The lineup was announced as Michael Angel Woodruff on vocals, Matthew "Nuke" Nunes on guitar, Tyler Hole on guitar, Mylon Guy on bass, Jeremy "Twitch" Scheller on drums and Bruce Butler on the motograter.^[9] 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 or consistent members. Around the start of their national tour, the band released their first EP with the new line-up, Pre-Release in 2009.

The new lineup began touring in July 25, 2009, with Orange County metal group, Darksun. The tour was cut short September 28, missing cities such as Seattle, Denver, and Tempe, citing a band member’s sickness was to blame.

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 added to the ticket. 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. On September 6, 2010, the band uploaded a comical studio preview, showing supposed production on the next album. However, the band has since been heard saying the sessions were trashed and 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, accompanied by various regional bands. 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 and 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., one of the many national names involved were pulled off 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.

(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 Motograter announced on their Facebook page that they had disbanded, and would therefore not participate in the tour. The post cited Nukes ongoing drug problem harassing fans for them was to blame. Physical violence towards members was also mentioned.

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.”

(2013-2014)

In November 2013, Motograter reunited under another new lineup, including returning members Angel on vocals, Nuke on guitar and Mylon Guy on bass, in addition to new members Noah "Shark" Robertson on drums, Kery "Venom" Glennon on guitar, and Michael "The Kidd" Stewart on the Motograter.^[10] The band played their first show in two years on February 8, 2014 in Santa Ana, CA, which began a West Coast Reunion Tour which included a string of California and Nevada dates.

On October 26, 2014, the band performed Knotfest at the San Manuel Amphitheater in San Bernardino, CA, alongside notable acts such as Slipknot and Five Finger Death Punch among many others, with Mark Nosler returning to the motograter for this event. In December 2014, Angel and Venom left the band.

Desolation (2015-present)

On April 2, the band announced the arrival of vocalist James Anthony Legion. The following day, the band released a 20-second, pre-production teaser, featuring the new song, "Portrait of Decay", featuring Legion on vocals. The new line up was rounded out with Carlos "Crow" on guitars, Dustin "Skunk" Anderson on the motograter, and Joey Vice on smurs/samples/vocals. In April/May 2015, Motograter completed a US headlining tour, followed by the Civil Unrest Tour, touring with Ill Niño, Straight Line Stitch, Ünloco, and more. Soon after the tour concluded, Skunk and Crow departed from the band.

On August 7, 2015, the band premiered their new track, "Portrait of Decay", through Revolver.^[11] and announced plans to record their second album, with Ill Nino guitarist Ahrue Luster hired to produce the album.^[12]

From May 12 through June 25, 2016, the band embarked on a US tour with American Head Charge with new guitarist Jesse Stamper and returning motograterist Skunk, during which, on June 6, the band revealed cover art and the title of the upcoming album, Desolation, to be released later in 2016.^[13]

Band Personnel

Current members

• Matt "Nuke" Nunes - guitars, backing vocals (2002–2003, 2006, 2008-2011, 2013-present)
• Mylon Guy - bass (2008-2011, 2013–present)
• Noah "Shark" Robertson - drums (2013–present)
• James Anthony Legion - lead vocals (2015–present)
• Dustin "Skunk" Anderson - motograter (2015, 2016–present)
• Jesse Stamper - guitars (2016–present)
• Joey Vice - electronics/samples, percussion, backing vocals (2015, 2016-present)

Former Members

Vocals

• Zak "The Waz" Ward - lead vocals (1998–2002, 2003-2004)
• Ivan "Ghost" Moody - lead vocals (2002–2005, 2006)
• Michael "Angel" Woodruff - lead vocals (2008-2014)

Guitars

• Neil Godfrey - guitars (2001–2002)
• J.R. Swartz - guitars (2003-2005, 2006)
• Ty Fury - guitars (2003–2004)
• Aaron "A-Bomb" Abalos - guitars (2004–2005)
• Tyler Hole - guitars (2008–2011)
• Kery "Venom" Glennon - guitars (2013-2014)

Motograter

• Bruce "Grater" Butler - motograter (1995-2004, 2006, 2008-2009)
• Mark Nosler - motograter (2009–2011, 2014)
• Michael "The Kidd" Stewart - motograter (2013-2014, 2016)

Drums

• Chris "Crispy" Binns - drums (1998–2005, 2006)
• Jeremy "Twitch" Scheller - drums (2008–2011)

Percussion

• Joey "Smur" Krzywonski - percussion, backing vocals (1995–2004)

Electronics/Samples

• Eric Gonzales - electronics/samples (1999–2001)
• Zak "The Waz" Ward - electronics/samples, vocals (2003–2004)
• Casey "KC Kaos" Cahill - electronics/samples, backing vocals (2011)

Touring Members

• Jonny Nailz - bass (2004)
• Lane Steele - percussion, backing vocals (2013 only one show)
• Carlos "Crow" Pagan - guitars (2015)
• Derek Campbell - guitars (2016)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

• Motograter (2003)
• Desolation (2016)

Extended plays

• Hugh Chardon (1998)
• Indy (2000)
• Pre-Release (2009)

Compilations

• The Best of Motograter (2015)^[note]

Singles

Music videos

References

Notes

^{^} Digital-only release exclusive to Bandcamp.com

External links

• Motograter on Facebook
• Motograter at AllMusic