Stuck Mojo

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Stuck Mojo
Origin Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Genres Rap metal
Years active 1989–2000, 2005–present
Labels Century Media, Napalm
Associated acts Fozzy, Sick Speed
Members Rich Ward
Frank Fontsere
Past members Eric Sanders
Lord Nelson
Sean Delson
Mike Martin
Bonz
Corey Lowery

Stuck Mojo is an American rap metal band from Atlanta, Georgia. Formed in 1989 by guitarist Rich Ward, Stuck Mojo is considered to be one of the pioneers of rap metal. They have toured alongside bands such as Machine Head and Slapshot. Stuck Mojo's most successful album, Rising, peaked at No. 48 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart. The band disbanded in 2000, reforming five years later. In 2006, their original vocalist, Bonz, was replaced by rapper Lord Nelson. Their fifth studio album, Southern Born Killers, was initially released without a record label, offered as a free download in addition to being sold on compact disc. To date, they have released six studio albums and one live album.

History

In their early days, Stuck Mojo was criticized for their hip hop influences, while some audiences directed bigotry towards Bonz, their African American lead vocalist/rapper.[1] In 1994, Stuck Mojo signed a deal with Century Media Records, releasing their debut album, Snappin' Necks in 1995. Allmusic's Bret Love wrote that "The group's high testosterone and volume levels, and virtual lack of funkiness, ensure a somewhat limited appeal, but for angry young men with too much pent-up energy, the powerful aggression of Snappin' Necks must be close to heaven."[2] In October 1995, the band joined Machine Head and Slapshot on a ten-week tour while living in a rented van.[1] Stuck Mojo's first European tour followed, and they were named the best live band by MTV Europe.[3]

Their second studio album, Pigwalk, was released on October 8, 1996. Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote that "Pigwalk captures the pummelling power of the band's intense live shows, yet the group doesn't yet have the ability to construct a memorable riff or hook, leaving Pigwalk as an entertaining, but uncompelling, cross of Rage Against the Machine and Pantera."[4] On March 3, 1998, Stuck Mojo released their third studio album, Rising. It peaked at No. 48 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart.[5] Allmusic reviewer Steve Huey wrote that "Rising shows some musical growth from Pigwalk, although Stuck Mojo still lose their musical focus on several occasions over the course of the album."[6]

Stuck Mojo disbanded following the release of a live album, HVY1, and their fourth studio album, Declaration of a Headhunter, reforming in 2005. During the band's period of inactivity, Ward worked on side projects such as Fozzy and Sick Speed.[3][7] In 2006, Stuck Mojo began recording material for a new album with original vocalist Bonz.[8][9] Rapper Lord Nelson was asked to contribute guest vocals to the album.[10] When it was decided that Bonz would not continue as the band's vocalist, Lord Nelson stepped into Bonz' position.[10] The band's fifth studio album, Southern Born Killers, was released directly through the band's website without a label.[3] The album was released as a free download, while the compact disc edition contained a bonus DVD.[11] After signing with Napalm Records, Southern Born Killers was released nationally, with three bonus tracks.[3] On November 28, 2008, Stuck Mojo released their sixth studio album, The Great Revival. It featured what has been described as some of the band's heaviest work, as well as some of the band's most "commercially-tinged songs".[12]

October 7, 2014 it was announced that the band would be playing a reunion show December 26, 2014 at the Masquerade in Atlanta, the venue they recorded their HVY1 album at. This was be the first time Ward, Bonz, Lowery and Fontsere have shared the stage together since 1998. On April 4th 2015 Rich Ward appeared on That Metal Show and announced that the band would be recording a new album in the summer of 2015. On December 29th, 2015, it was announced that Bonz and Lowery had once again left the band. It was also said that two replacement members were already recruited, and the new album was completed, with a release date set for mid-2016.

Music and lyrics

Stuck Mojo fuses Southern-based heavy metal with hip hop influences, and is considered to be one of the pioneers of rap metal.[8][9] Mark Jenkins of The Washington Post noted that one of the band's songs may indicate conservative views, while other songs may indicate more uniformly distributed hostility. Jenkins writes that "the [song] "Crooked Figurehead" does begin with an anti-Clinton rant, which suggests that this Atlanta quartet is the mirror image of leftist agit-metal band Rage Against the Machine. Maybe it's not just the president the Mojos hate, though—maybe it's everyone."[13] The band cites Red Hot Chili Peppers, Run-D.M.C., Faith No More and Black Sabbath as influences.[3]

Discography

Band members

Former band members

  • Bonz – vocals/lyrics - (1989–2006, 2014-2015)
  • Corey Lowery – bass (1996–1998, 2014-2015)
  • Lord Nelson - vocals[3] (2006-2009)
  • Eric Sanders - drums
  • Rodney Beaubouef – drums
  • Sean Delson - bass[3]
  • Dan Dryden – bass
  • Tim Maines - drums
  • Ryan Mallam – guitar
  • Mike Martin - guitar[3](2006–2009)
  • Dwayne Fowler - bass
  • Brent Payne - drums
  • Karman Gossett - drums
  • Steve 'Nailz' Underwood - drums[3]
  • Brad Hasty - drums
  • Scott Spooner - keyboards
  • John Carpenter - drums (currently in Tears Of Rage)
  • Richard Farmer - drums
  • Benjamin Reed - drums

References

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External links