Stuck Mojo
is an American heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia. Formed in 1989 by guitarist Rich Ward, the band fuses Southern-based heavy metal with hip hop influences. Stuck Mojo is considered to be one of the pioneers of rap metal. Touring alongside bands such as Machine Head and Slapshot. Stuck Mojo's most successful album, Rising
, peaked at #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.
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History
The band was influenced by performers such as
Red Hot Chili Peppers,
Run-D.M.C. and
Black Sabbath.
[1] The band received criticism from some listeners for their hip hop influences, while others were prejudiced against their
African American vocalist Bonz.
[2] 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."
[3] In October 1995, the band joined
Machine Head and
Slapshot on a ten-week tour while living in a rented van.
Stuck Mojo's first European tour followed, and they were named the best live band by
MTV Europe.
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 #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] Mark Jenkins of
The Washington Post
noted the
conservative viewpoint of the albums songs, writing that "the album-opening "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."
[7]
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.
[8] In 2006, Stuck Mojo began recording material for a new album with original vocalist Bonz.
[9] [10] Rapper Lord Nelson was asked to contribute guest vocals to the album.
[11] When it was decided that Bonz would not continue as the band's vocalist, Lord Nelson stepped into Bonz' position.
The band's fifth studio album,
Southern Born Killers
, was released directly through the band's website without a label.
The album was released as a free download, while the
compact disc edition contained a bonus DVD.
[12] After signing with
Napalm Records,
Southern Born Killers
was released nationally, with three bonus tracks.
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".
[13]
Discography
- Snappin' Necks
(1995)
- Pigwalk
(1996)
- Rising
(1998)
- HVY1
(1999)
- Declaration of a Headhunter
(2000)
- Southern Born Killers
(2007)
- The Great Revival
(2008)
Band members
- Lord Nelson - vocals
- Rich Ward - guitar; vocals
- Mike Martin - guitar
- Sean Delson - bass
- Steve Underwood - drummer
Former band members
- Bonz - vocals
- Dwayne Fowler - bass
- Corey Lowery - bass
- Dan Dryden - bass
- Bud Fontsere - drums
- Rodney Beaubouef - drums
- Eric Sanders - drums
- Benjamin Reed - drums
- Brent Payne - drums
References
- Biography and Discography
- Biography of Stuck Mojo
- Review of ''Snappin' Necks''
- Review of ''Pigwalk''
- Charts and awards for ''Rising''
- Review of ''Rising''
- ''STUCK MOJO "Rising" Century Media; ULTRASPANK "Ultraspank" Epic''
- Biography of Fozzy
- ''Mojo's Working — Rap-rock Pioneers Are Back''
- ''Rap-rock pioneers have their 'Mojo' workin'''
- In His Own Words - Lord Nelson
- ''And don't miss ...''
- Interview: Stuck Mojo