Monster Magnet
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MonsterMagnet_(Powertrip).jpg
Monster Magnet is an American heavy metal band. The band was formed by Dave Wyndorf (formerly of Shrapnel) in 1989; he recruited Tim Cronin (vocals), John McBain (guitar), Joe Calandra (bass guitar) and John Kleiman (drums), all natives of New Jersey, USA.
The band's first release was an EP from Glitterhouse Records of Germany. Wyndorf then moved to take over all vocals from Cronin, while remaining a guitarist for the band. Cronin became a behind-the-scenes consultant for the band. Caroline Records signed the band, who recorded Spine of God in 1991. The next release, 25............Tab, was a strange trip that included a 32 minute track called "Tab...". The band's live talent and prospective future gained them trust from and a deal with A&M Records. McBain was fired soon after, due to personality conflicts between him and Wyndorf. Ed Mundell replaced him on guitar.
Superjudge was the band's debut on A&M Records; the album did not sell very well. The follow-up, a more pop-influenced album, was Dopes to Infinity which had a hit single in "Negasonic Teenage Warhead" but still did only slightly better than Superjudge. Wyndorf moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in order to begin working on Powertrip (1998), a breakthrough hit. Powertrip saw the band departing from its usual lo-fi, stoner rock fare, and enter into an era with more guitar and heavier drum beats. Guitarist Phil Cavaino joined the band in 1998. "Space Lord", the first single, was a major radio hit and the band went on tour with bands like Aerosmith, Metallica and Marilyn Manson. Their last album on A&M was God Says No (2001). After this release, Joe Calandra and Jon Kleiman departed the band due to internal conflicts with Wyndorf, and were replaced by Jim Baglino and Bob Pantella, respectively. In 2003, Monster Magnet signed to the European label, SPV, and in early 2004 released Monolithic Baby throughout Europe. The U.S. release followed in May on SPV America. In March 2005 Phil Cavaino departed after 7 years service in a split described as amicable by chief Bullgod Wyndorf.