Sonny Mayo
Encyclopedia
Sonny Mayo is an American guitarist, songwriter, and music producer. He began playing in a thrash metal band called Silence in the late '80's. Silence (John Mayes, Benjamin Gaither, Louie Denslow, Jason Robinson and Sonny), regularly sold out venues in the DC Metro area including the famous "Bayou" in Georgetown. While with Silence, he released a nine track CD, Vision, and recorded a 3 song tape with Alex Perialas (producer -Anthrax, Overkill, S.O.D.). One of the songs from the tape, "One Race" was made into a black and white video filmed at the Bayou (note, the director of the video was John Brenkus, who now does Sport Science on ESPN).
He then joined M.F. Pitbulls with Shannon Larkin
(Wrathchild America
, Ugly Kid Joe
, Amen
, now Godsmack
) on vocals, Jamie Miller (Snot
, The Start) on drums, and John "Tumor" Fahnestock
(Snot
, Amen
, Noise Within) on bass.
In 1995, Mayo moved to Santa Barbara to join the band Snot. Snot was signed to Geffen Records in 1996 and recorded their only full length release, Get Some - released in May of '97.
Sonny then rejoined Shannon Larkin in the band Amen in 1998 and subsequently recorded and released albums on Roadrunner Records (Amen self-titled) and Virgin Records (We Have Come For Your Parents).
In 2002, he replaced Chad Benekos in Hed PE. Touring in support of the album Blackout.
On January 19, 2005, he got a call from Morgan Rose
to join Sevendust after Clint Lowery
left for Dark New Day
.http://www.craveonline.com/music/articles/00003490/sonny_mayo_interview.html
Sonny co-wrote and recorded three full length releases with Sevendust. "Next" - Winedark Records, released 10/05. "Alpha" - Asylum Records, released 3/06, and Chapter 7: Hope & Sorrow - Asylum, released 4/08. Mayo was replaced by original Sevendust guitarist, Clint Lowery
, in 2008.
Shortly after departing Sevendust, Snot reformed with ex-Divine Heresy
frontman Tommy Vext on vocals. Snot wrote and recorded new material and toured the U.S. supporting Mudvayne
in late 2008. Sonny decided not to continue with Snot in May 2009 and enrolled in the Recording Institute Of Technology program at Musicians Institute in Hollywood CA.
After receiving a certificate in audio engineering and Pro Tools certification, Sonny is producing and engineering bands.
He then joined M.F. Pitbulls with Shannon Larkin
Shannon Larkin
Shannon Larkin, born James Shannon Larkin on April 24, 1967 in Chicago, Illinois, is a musician best known for being the drummer of the heavy metal band Godsmack. He replaced the previous drummer Tommy Stewart in June 2002...
(Wrathchild America
Wrathchild America
Wrathchild America was an American thrash metal band formed in Martinsburg, West Virginia in 1978. They are regarded as the first thrash metal band. They released two studio albums through Atlantic Records, and gained charting success through the Billboard 200...
, Ugly Kid Joe
Ugly Kid Joe
Ugly Kid Joe is an American hard rock band from Isla Vista, California. The band's name spoofs that of another band, Pretty Boy Floyd. Ugly Kid Joe's sound includes a range of styles, including rock, glam metal, hard rock and heavy metal....
, Amen
Amen (band)
Amen is a hardcore punk-influenced band formed in 1994.The band has an almost constantly rotating lineup, with founder Casey Chaos remaining as the only constant member throughout...
, now Godsmack
Godsmack
Godsmack is an American heavy metal band from Lawrence, Massachusetts, formed in 1995. The band is composed of founder, frontman and songwriter Sully Erna, guitarist Tony Rombola, bassist Robbie Merrill, and drummer Shannon Larkin...
) on vocals, Jamie Miller (Snot
Snot (band)
Snot was an American rock band from Santa Barbara, California. Formed in 1995, the band released their debut studio album Get Some with founding vocalist Lynn Strait in 1997 and disbanded after his death in 1998. In 2008, the lineup of guitarists Mike Doling and Sonny Mayo, bassist John Fahnestock...
, The Start) on drums, and John "Tumor" Fahnestock
John Fahnestock
Jonathan Fahnestock AKA Tumor is best known as the bass player for Snot, he later played in Amen and Noise Within. Released an album with Lo-Pro and in 2005 he formed Three Thirteen Merch, a clothing outlet...
(Snot
Snot (band)
Snot was an American rock band from Santa Barbara, California. Formed in 1995, the band released their debut studio album Get Some with founding vocalist Lynn Strait in 1997 and disbanded after his death in 1998. In 2008, the lineup of guitarists Mike Doling and Sonny Mayo, bassist John Fahnestock...
, Amen
Amen (band)
Amen is a hardcore punk-influenced band formed in 1994.The band has an almost constantly rotating lineup, with founder Casey Chaos remaining as the only constant member throughout...
, Noise Within) on bass.
In 1995, Mayo moved to Santa Barbara to join the band Snot. Snot was signed to Geffen Records in 1996 and recorded their only full length release, Get Some - released in May of '97.
Sonny then rejoined Shannon Larkin in the band Amen in 1998 and subsequently recorded and released albums on Roadrunner Records (Amen self-titled) and Virgin Records (We Have Come For Your Parents).
In 2002, he replaced Chad Benekos in Hed PE. Touring in support of the album Blackout.
On January 19, 2005, he got a call from Morgan Rose
Morgan Rose
Morgan Jay Rose is an American drummer, record producer and founding member of the Atlanta-based alternative metal band Sevendust. He is also responsible for much of the background "screaming" vocals.-Career:...
to join Sevendust after Clint Lowery
Clint Lowery
Clint Lowery is an American musician and songwriter, best known as the lead guitarist of the heavy metal band Sevendust. He has also played in Dark New Day and Still Rain and served as the touring guitarist for Korn through most of 2007....
left for Dark New Day
Dark New Day
Dark New Day is an American hard rock supergroup formed in 2004 featuring Brett Hestla of Virgos Merlot, Troy McLawhorn of DoubleDrive, Clint Lowery of Sevendust, Corey Lowery of Stereomud and Stuck Mojo, and Will Hunt of Skrape...
.http://www.craveonline.com/music/articles/00003490/sonny_mayo_interview.html
Sonny co-wrote and recorded three full length releases with Sevendust. "Next" - Winedark Records, released 10/05. "Alpha" - Asylum Records, released 3/06, and Chapter 7: Hope & Sorrow - Asylum, released 4/08. Mayo was replaced by original Sevendust guitarist, Clint Lowery
Clint Lowery
Clint Lowery is an American musician and songwriter, best known as the lead guitarist of the heavy metal band Sevendust. He has also played in Dark New Day and Still Rain and served as the touring guitarist for Korn through most of 2007....
, in 2008.
Shortly after departing Sevendust, Snot reformed with ex-Divine Heresy
Divine Heresy
Divine Heresy is an American metal band formed by founder of Fear Factory, guitarist Dino Cazares and Devolved, drummer John Sankey. Although the band's origins trace back to 2002, Divine Heresy was officially formed in 2006...
frontman Tommy Vext on vocals. Snot wrote and recorded new material and toured the U.S. supporting Mudvayne
Mudvayne
Mudvayne is an American heavy metal band. Their work is marked by the use of sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate visual appearance, which has included face and body paint, masks and uniforms...
in late 2008. Sonny decided not to continue with Snot in May 2009 and enrolled in the Recording Institute Of Technology program at Musicians Institute in Hollywood CA.
After receiving a certificate in audio engineering and Pro Tools certification, Sonny is producing and engineering bands.