Bionic Jive
Encyclopedia
Bionic Jive is an American
rap metal
group founded in Phoenix, Arizona
, in 1998.
A second Bionic Jive lineup soon coalesced in 2000 around Elyea, Gartner and Elsnor (who had moved to drums), with the addition of vocalists Mack and McVay. The band signed to interscope records and released Armageddon Through Your Speaker in October 2001.
The band subsequently hit the road, including short outing with Kottonmouth Kings
and several weeks in 2001 supporting D12
. Bionic Jive landed a prestigious spot in 2002 on Eminem
’s nationwide Anger Management Tour
, and the group organized self-financed national club tours in 2002 and 2003.
Single “Ricochet” from Armageddon Through Your Speaker appeared in commercials for 2002 film The Transporter
, although the song did not appear in the film itself. Bionic Jive music was also heard in movies Resident Evil
(2002) and The Italian Job
(2003). Also during this period, the band achieved some airplay, shot music videos for ATYS songs “Pump” and “I Shot Lucifer,” and had music featured in video games Postal2
and ATV Quad Power Racing 2
.
Success notwithstanding, however, Bionic Jive was weakened by internal struggles and external pressures, and Elyea and Elsnor left the band in 2003. Little happened in the ensuing period, although Armageddon Unrealeased, a collection of early demos, remixes and material that didn’t make it onto ATYS, saw limited release in 2004.
While rumors of the group’s demise circulated, Bionic Jive struggled to replace Elyea and Elsnor. Gartner contacted original guitarist McGregor and original drummer Robbins in 2004 about material for a new Bionic Jive album, originally intending to write with them but to actually perform with a different lineup. The writing team’s renewed chemistry produced strong material, and resulted in McGregor and Robbins officially rejoining Gartner, Mack and McVay in yet another Bionic Jive lineup.
On its own website, Bionic Jive reassured fans in 2005 that the group was indeed alive and well and announced that work was under way on a new album. Recording at former guitarist Elyea’s Mind's Eye Digital Recording Studio in Scottsdale, Arizona, the group achieved a much heavier/focused rapcore sound than any previous incarnation of the band. The resulting disc, Passion Over Politics, was released in 2008.
If you want to contact Ako Mack himself go to http://www.akomack.com/
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rap metal
Rap metal
Rap metal is a subgenre of rap rock which fuses vocal and instrumental elements of hip hop music with heavy metal.-History:Rap metal originated from rap rock, a genre fusing vocal and instrumental elements of hip hop with rock...
group founded in Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, in 1998.
Overview
McGregor and Elyea founded the band in early 1998 by recruiting Gartner and Robbins, vocalist Derrick Burrows and multi-instrumentalist Chris Elsnor “TG1”. This original “funk metal” incarnation of Bionic Jive gigged heavily on the Phoenix-area scene before disbanding shortly after the 1999 release of independent debut disc The Six-Billion Dollar Band.A second Bionic Jive lineup soon coalesced in 2000 around Elyea, Gartner and Elsnor (who had moved to drums), with the addition of vocalists Mack and McVay. The band signed to interscope records and released Armageddon Through Your Speaker in October 2001.
The band subsequently hit the road, including short outing with Kottonmouth Kings
Kottonmouth Kings
Kottonmouth Kings is an American rap rock group from Placentia, Orange County, California. Kottonmouth Kings officially formed in 1994, and describe themselves as "psychedelic hip-hop punk rock"...
and several weeks in 2001 supporting D12
D12
D12, an acronym for The Dirty Dozen, is an American hip hop group from Detroit, Michigan. D12 has had chart-topping albums in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia...
. Bionic Jive landed a prestigious spot in 2002 on Eminem
Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
’s nationwide Anger Management Tour
Anger Management Tour
The inaugural Anger Management Tour was founded and started in the fall 2000 by Limp Bizkit, Papa Roach, and after the release of The Marshall Mathers LP by Eminem. Originally targeted at both rap and rock fans, the first "Anger Management" outing took place in 2000. It had two separate legs.The...
, and the group organized self-financed national club tours in 2002 and 2003.
Single “Ricochet” from Armageddon Through Your Speaker appeared in commercials for 2002 film The Transporter
The Transporter
The Transporter is a 2002 French action film directed by Louis Leterrier and Corey Yuen and written by Luc Besson, who was inspired by BMW Films' The Hire series....
, although the song did not appear in the film itself. Bionic Jive music was also heard in movies Resident Evil
Resident Evil (film)
Resident Evil is a British-German 2002 horror film written and directed by Paul W.S. Anderson. The film stars Milla Jovovich, Michelle Rodriguez, Eric Mabius, and James Purefoy...
(2002) and The Italian Job
The Italian Job (2003 film)
The Italian Job is a 2003 heist film directed by F. Gary Gray. The film stars Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, Edward Norton, Seth Green, Jason Statham, Mos Def, and Donald Sutherland. It is an American remake of a 1969 British film of the same name, and is about a team of thieves who plan to steal...
(2003). Also during this period, the band achieved some airplay, shot music videos for ATYS songs “Pump” and “I Shot Lucifer,” and had music featured in video games Postal2
Postal 2
Postal 2 is a first-person shooter video game by Running with Scissors, and it is the sequel to the 1997 game Postal. Both are intentionally highly controversial due to high levels of violence and stereotyping. Unlike its predecessor, Postal 2 is played completely in first-person based on the...
and ATV Quad Power Racing 2
ATV Quad Power Racing 2
ATV Quad Power Racing 2 is an all-terrain vehicle racing video game released in 2003. It is the sequel to ATV Quad Power Racing. It is available for the GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox. It was developed by Climax Brighton, and published by Acclaim Entertainment.-Game types:Career- Players first...
.
Success notwithstanding, however, Bionic Jive was weakened by internal struggles and external pressures, and Elyea and Elsnor left the band in 2003. Little happened in the ensuing period, although Armageddon Unrealeased, a collection of early demos, remixes and material that didn’t make it onto ATYS, saw limited release in 2004.
While rumors of the group’s demise circulated, Bionic Jive struggled to replace Elyea and Elsnor. Gartner contacted original guitarist McGregor and original drummer Robbins in 2004 about material for a new Bionic Jive album, originally intending to write with them but to actually perform with a different lineup. The writing team’s renewed chemistry produced strong material, and resulted in McGregor and Robbins officially rejoining Gartner, Mack and McVay in yet another Bionic Jive lineup.
On its own website, Bionic Jive reassured fans in 2005 that the group was indeed alive and well and announced that work was under way on a new album. Recording at former guitarist Elyea’s Mind's Eye Digital Recording Studio in Scottsdale, Arizona, the group achieved a much heavier/focused rapcore sound than any previous incarnation of the band. The resulting disc, Passion Over Politics, was released in 2008.
If you want to contact Ako Mack himself go to http://www.akomack.com/
Line up
- Emerg McVay (Mark Moore) - Vocals
- Ako Mack (Asayanda Mack) - Vocals
- Cunni (Richard Gartner) - Bass
- Chris James (James Brown) - Guitar
- Rafe Sweet - Guitar
- Mundo (Raymundo Rascon) - Drums
Former members
- Larry Luv (Larry Elyea) - Guitar
- Stony T (Anthony McLain) - Guitar
- TGI (Chris Elsner) - Drums
- Clancy McCarthy - Drums
- Derrik Burrows- Vocals
- George Robbins- Drums
- Michael McGregor- Guitars
- Cooter (Chris Carlson) - Drums
- Porkchop (Matt Ward) - Guitar
External links
- Bionic Jive's Official Website This web page is not active as of 5/15/2011
- Bionic Jive's MySpace page
- Ako Mack's Official Website
- Bionic Jive's official forum