Grotus
Encyclopedia
Grotus was an experimental, politically charged rock
band
from San Francisco, California
, active from 1989 to 1996. Their unique sound incorporated industrial rock
, sampled ethnic instruments, two drummers, two bassists, and angry but humorous lyrics. Their shows included large projected videos sequenced with the songs, and could almost qualify as performance art
, with the singer channeling any number of hideous figures involved in the subjects of the songs. Many of the songs dealt with anger at environmental collapse, but from a cartoonish angle.
S-950 samplers. Having technical difficulties, they asked their friend Lars Fox to help figure out how to use them, and Fox asserted himself as their singer. Their first songs came quickly, and the trio headed to Dancing Dog Studio in Emeryville, to record with David Bryson (soon to be a member of Counting Crows
). A visit to radio station KUSF
's local music show yielded an invite to perform at a showcase within a few weeks of starting. Projected videos, synchronized with the music, were an important part of the band from the beginning, influencing and being influenced by other Bay Area bands including Neurosis
and Consolidated
.
They developed a large dedicated following in San Francisco over the next 2 years, playing with their friends in Consolidated often, and opening for touring industrial bands, including Nine Inch Nails
. New local record label Spirit Music Industries asked them to put out a recording, resulting in Brown
, introducing the group's ethnic industrial stylings. Next, they group added drummer Bruce Boyd (ex Pagan Babies
) to the mix, resulting in a more organic punk feel. The new line up released Luddite
on Spirit, much more a live band now, as opposed to Brown's more classic industrial sequenced machine grooves.
Faith No More
/ Mr Bungle singer Mike Patton
championed the band, asking them to open for his band Mr Bungle, joining them for both band's first US tour, in 1992. This led to Alternative Tentacles
' Jello Biafra
asking the band to join their roster, which they did, releasing what many fans feel to be their best work, Slow Motion Apocalypse
, in 1993.
Grotus toured relentlessly from 1993 to 1996, stopping only to record, essentially living in their van or rehearsal space. Many major labels were signing alternative bands in these heady post-Nirvana
days, and Grotus was wined and dined extensively. They eventually signed with London Records. London released the more "rock" oriented Mass
in 1996, with a remix EP ("Handjob") being released as a touring device in 1995 (for a tour with Korn
, on their first headlining tour).
London was primarily interested in the atypical (for Grotus) song "Hand to Mouth", and when it failed to catch on a single, dropped the band two months after releasing Mass. After seven years, the group decided to call it quits.
to Ashlee Simpson
. He is best known for co-producing Everclear
's last four albums.
[ partial discography]
Tanner, a bluegrass
enthusiast, tours around the U.S. and Europe playing mandolin, fiddle and guitar in various groups.
Boyd moved to the desert, and is metal director and D.J.
at KZMU
, in Moab, Utah
.
Carson lives in Portland, Oregon
works for a musical instrument manufacturer as an electronic technician. His band TV616 disbanded in August 2006. Last show was at Sabalas in Portland.
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
from San Francisco, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, active from 1989 to 1996. Their unique sound incorporated industrial rock
Industrial rock
Industrial rock is a musical genre that fuses industrial music and specific rock subgenres. Industrial rock spawned industrial metal, with which it is often confused...
, sampled ethnic instruments, two drummers, two bassists, and angry but humorous lyrics. Their shows included large projected videos sequenced with the songs, and could almost qualify as performance art
Performance art
In art, performance art is a performance presented to an audience, traditionally interdisciplinary. Performance may be either scripted or unscripted, random or carefully orchestrated; spontaneous or otherwise carefully planned with or without audience participation. The performance can be live or...
, with the singer channeling any number of hideous figures involved in the subjects of the songs. Many of the songs dealt with anger at environmental collapse, but from a cartoonish angle.
Biography
The group started in 1989, when Adam Tanner and John Carson , burned out from failed rock bands, decided to make music for films, and bought 2 AkaiAkai
Akai is a consumer electronics brand, founded by Saburo Akai as , a Japanese manufacturer in 1929. It is now headquartered in Singapore as a subsidiary of Grande Holdings, a Hong Kong-based conglomerate, which also owns the formerly Japanese brands Nakamichi and Sansui. The Akai brand is now used...
S-950 samplers. Having technical difficulties, they asked their friend Lars Fox to help figure out how to use them, and Fox asserted himself as their singer. Their first songs came quickly, and the trio headed to Dancing Dog Studio in Emeryville, to record with David Bryson (soon to be a member of Counting Crows
Counting Crows
Counting Crows is an American rock band originating from Berkeley, California. Formed in 1991, the group gained popularity following the release of its debut album in 1993, August and Everything After, which featured the hit single "Mr. Jones"...
). A visit to radio station KUSF
KUSF
KUSF was a non-commercial radio station licensed to San Francisco, California and owned by the University of San Francisco. From 1963 until 2011, the station broadcast at 90.3 FM MHz....
's local music show yielded an invite to perform at a showcase within a few weeks of starting. Projected videos, synchronized with the music, were an important part of the band from the beginning, influencing and being influenced by other Bay Area bands including Neurosis
Neurosis (band)
Neurosis is a post-metal band, based in Oakland, California. They formed in 1985 as a hardcore punk band, and their sound progressed towards a doom metal style that also included influences from dark ambient and industrial music as well as incorporating elements of folk music...
and Consolidated
Consolidated (band)
Consolidated was an American radical activist recording and performing group, formed in 1988 and best known in the early 1990s as an alternative dance/industrial music band. They were distinguished by left-leaning political activism and politically radical lyrics, as well as their innovative sonic...
.
They developed a large dedicated following in San Francisco over the next 2 years, playing with their friends in Consolidated often, and opening for touring industrial bands, including Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
. New local record label Spirit Music Industries asked them to put out a recording, resulting in Brown
Brown (Grotus album)
-Personnel:*Bruce Boyd - Live Drums*Dave Bryson - Engineering *John Carson - Bass, Sampling*Lars Fox - Vocals, Sampling*John Golden - Mastering*Mark Henry - Drums Programming, Sequencing *Eric Holland - Producer, Engineering...
, introducing the group's ethnic industrial stylings. Next, they group added drummer Bruce Boyd (ex Pagan Babies
Pagan Babies (hardcore punk)
Pagan Babies is an American hardcore punk band from Philadelphia, PA, founded by Michael J. McManus, vocals and lyrics, Eric Squadroni, lead guitar, Mark Pingitore, bass, Dan McGinnis, rhythm guitar, and Bruce Boyd, drums...
) to the mix, resulting in a more organic punk feel. The new line up released Luddite
Luddite (EP)
Luddite is an EP by the Experimental band Grotus.-Track listing:# "Luddite" - 4:32# "Marginal" - 3:12# "Shelf Life" - 3:53# "What In The World" - 3:57# "Brown" - 6:04-Personnel:*Bruce Boyd - Drums...
on Spirit, much more a live band now, as opposed to Brown's more classic industrial sequenced machine grooves.
Faith No More
Faith No More
Faith No More is an American rock band from San Francisco, California, formed originally as Faith No Man in 1981 by bassist Billy Gould, keyboardist Wade Worthington, vocalist Michael Morris and drummer Mike Bordin. A year later when Worthington was replaced by keyboardist Roddy Bottum, and Mike...
/ Mr Bungle singer Mike Patton
Mike Patton
Michael Allan "Mike" Patton is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and actor, best known as the lead singer of the metal/experimental rock band Faith No More. He has also sung for Mr...
championed the band, asking them to open for his band Mr Bungle, joining them for both band's first US tour, in 1992. This led to Alternative Tentacles
Alternative Tentacles
Alternative Tentacles is an independent record label originally based in San Francisco, California and was established in 1979. It was originally used as the label name by the Dead Kennedys for the self-produced single "California Über Alles", and after realizing the potential for an independent...
' Jello Biafra
Jello Biafra
Jello Biafra is an American musician, spoken word artist and leading figure of the Green Party of the United States. Biafra first gained attention as the lead singer and songwriter for San Francisco punk rock band Dead Kennedys...
asking the band to join their roster, which they did, releasing what many fans feel to be their best work, Slow Motion Apocalypse
Slow Motion Apocalypse
Slow Motion Apocalypse is the second full-length album by the Experimental band Grotus. It is usually considered to be the highlight of their career.-Accolades:-Track listing:# "Up Rose The Mountain" - 3:52# "Good Evening" - 1:04...
, in 1993.
Grotus toured relentlessly from 1993 to 1996, stopping only to record, essentially living in their van or rehearsal space. Many major labels were signing alternative bands in these heady post-Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
days, and Grotus was wined and dined extensively. They eventually signed with London Records. London released the more "rock" oriented Mass
Mass (album)
Mass is the third full-length album by the Experimental band Grotus. The album's sound focuses more on alternative and blues rock than industrial and is perhaps their most accessible recording.-Track listing:# "That's Entertainment" - 2:32...
in 1996, with a remix EP ("Handjob") being released as a touring device in 1995 (for a tour with Korn
Korn
Korn is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The current band line up includes four members: Jonathan Davis, James "Munky" Shaffer, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, and Ray Luzier. The band was formed as an expansion of L.A.P.D.The band released their first demo album,...
, on their first headlining tour).
London was primarily interested in the atypical (for Grotus) song "Hand to Mouth", and when it failed to catch on a single, dropped the band two months after releasing Mass. After seven years, the group decided to call it quits.
Studio albums
- BrownBrown (Grotus album)-Personnel:*Bruce Boyd - Live Drums*Dave Bryson - Engineering *John Carson - Bass, Sampling*Lars Fox - Vocals, Sampling*John Golden - Mastering*Mark Henry - Drums Programming, Sequencing *Eric Holland - Producer, Engineering...
(1991) - Slow Motion ApocalypseSlow Motion ApocalypseSlow Motion Apocalypse is the second full-length album by the Experimental band Grotus. It is usually considered to be the highlight of their career.-Accolades:-Track listing:# "Up Rose The Mountain" - 3:52# "Good Evening" - 1:04...
(1993) - MassMass (album)Mass is the third full-length album by the Experimental band Grotus. The album's sound focuses more on alternative and blues rock than industrial and is perhaps their most accessible recording.-Track listing:# "That's Entertainment" - 2:32...
(1996)
EPs
- Brown Club Product (1992)
- LudditeLuddite (EP)Luddite is an EP by the Experimental band Grotus.-Track listing:# "Luddite" - 4:32# "Marginal" - 3:12# "Shelf Life" - 3:53# "What In The World" - 3:57# "Brown" - 6:04-Personnel:*Bruce Boyd - Drums...
(1992) - The Opiate of the MassesThe Opiate of the MassesThe Opiate of the Masses is a remix EP by Industrial rock band Grotus. The EP contains Transglobal Underground remixes of the songs "Kali Yuga", "Shivayanama", and "Sleepwalking".-Track listing:# "Visnu Fulfilment" - 5:30# "Rasa Bliss Mix" - 8:35...
(1994) - Handjob (1995)
To the present
Fox has become a specialized recording engineer "track surgeon" working on artists ranging from Nick CaveNick Cave
Nicholas Edward "Nick" Cave is an Australian musician, songwriter, author, screenwriter, and occasional film actor.He is best known for his work as a frontman of the critically acclaimed rock band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, established in 1984, a group known for its eclectic influences and...
to Ashlee Simpson
Ashlee Simpson
Ashlee Nicole Simpson is an American singer and actress. In 2004, she rose to prominence with the success of her number-one debut album Autobiography and the reality series, The Ashlee Simpson Show. In October 2005, following a North American concert tour and a film appearance, Simpson released...
. He is best known for co-producing Everclear
Everclear (band)
Everclear is a rock band formed in Portland, Oregon in 1992 best known for their radio hits spanning more than a decade. For most of its existence, Everclear has consisted of Art Alexakis , Craig Montoya , and Greg Eklund . Eklund replaced original drummer Scott Cuthbert in 1994...
's last four albums.
[ partial discography]
Tanner, a bluegrass
Bluegrass music
Bluegrass music is a form of American roots music, and a sub-genre of country music. It has mixed roots in Scottish, English, Welsh and Irish traditional music...
enthusiast, tours around the U.S. and Europe playing mandolin, fiddle and guitar in various groups.
Boyd moved to the desert, and is metal director and D.J.
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
at KZMU
KZMU
KZMU is a radio station broadcasting a Variety format. Licensed to Moab, Utah, USA, the station is currently owned by Moab Public Radio, Inc...
, in Moab, Utah
Moab, Utah
Moab is a city in Grand County, in eastern Utah, in the western United States. The population was 4,779 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat and largest city in Grand County. Moab hosts a large number of tourists every year, mostly visitors to the nearby Arches and Canyonlands National Parks...
.
Carson lives in Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
works for a musical instrument manufacturer as an electronic technician. His band TV616 disbanded in August 2006. Last show was at Sabalas in Portland.