Dave Wyndorf
Encyclopedia
David "Dave" Albert Wyndorf (born October 28, 1956) is the lead vocalist, guitarist, pianist, trombonist, and songwriter for the American
stoner rock
group Monster Magnet
. He is the frontman and only original member of the band.
, New Jersey
, "Dave Wyndorf is the lead singer of the psychedelic heavy metal band Monster Magnet. He is one of eight children from a lower-middle-class Catholic
family. Early in life, he was influenced greatly by the record collection belonging to his older brother, seeing a UFO
with his mother and two sisters, and by going to a Hawkwind
concert in New York
. He also discovered comic book
s (and worked at a comic book store for part of his 20s) - a medium that continues to provide ideas for his songs. Wyndorf lost his virginity
at 13. At 14, Wyndorf started selling pot
; by 20, he was using LSD and cocaine
regularly. Later, he became an alcoholic. Wyndorf would give up drugs and drinking in 1995. In 1991 Wyndorf had a daughter, Betty.
As a teenager, Wyndorf was invited by Phil Caivano and Daniel Rey
Rabinowitz to become the lead vocalist for his junior high band, Hard Attack. The band soon became Shrapnel (who would later be known as Metal Church), a glam
/punk
/power pop
band that dressed in army camouflage, sang about fighting in Vietnam
, and employed wild stage theatrics. The group played at the legendary punk club CBGB
in New York
and other national venues, was Managed by Noted Punker Eddie Legs McNeil
and released two 45's on Salute Records "Combat Love" b/w "Hey" in 1979 (which featured Joey Ramone
& Arturo Vega on Backgrounds) and "Go Cruising" b/w "Way Out World" in 1981, a track called "Come Back to Me" on the Dirt Records compilation in 1982 and a self-titled EP on Elektra Records
in 1984 before splitting up.
. He picked up a fuzzbox and began writing songs in homage to the distortion-filled rock that he loved as a youngster. Wyndorf started recording his songs and releasing them on cassette under the name Love Monster; some of these tunes later became songs for Monster Magnet
. Wyndorf discovered a local band called Dog of Mystery, an experimental noise outfit fronted by drummer and vocalist Tim Cronin and guitarist John McBain
. Wyndorf was asked to play guitar with Dog of Mystery for some of their live shows. A revolving group of musicians—including a sax player—came and went. The band was finalized with Joe Calandra and Jon Kleiman as its rhythm section.
The band had a few name changes, including Wrath of the Bull God and Airport '75, before settling on Monster Magnet, a name taken from a toy that Wyndorf had owned as a child. Monster Magnet developed a sound that relied heavily on feedback and screaming vocals. While opening for the alternative rock
band Jane's Addiction
in Trenton
, New Jersey, Monster Magnet played a 45-minute instrumental version of a song of called "Paranoid." It remains unclear whether this was a cover of Black Sabbath
's "Paranoid
," Grand Funk Railroad
's song of the same name or one of their own creation. After hearing the jam, a hippie roadie approached Wyndorf and described their music as "drug rock"; the description stuck.
When Tim Cronin decided to retire from singing with Monster Magnet, Wyndorf became their lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist; Cronin stayed on with the band as resident consultant and light-show technician.
, Nevada
, from which he drew inspiration to write the songs for Powertrip
, which would be Monster Magnet's breakthrough album. His life following the release of Powertrip was his inspiration for God Says No
.
, California
to work for the soundtrack
of the movie Torque
, which was entirely composed by him. During his stay on LA, he found inspiration for Monolithic Baby!
, Monster Magnet's 2004 album.
an tour for Monster Magnet
was subsequently canceled. His management released the following statement:
More than a year later, in September 2007, Wyndorf spoke to UK
-based music journalist Dave Ling about his overdose. According to him, everything began because he couldn't sleep on tour. Instead of asking for help from psychologists, he made doctors give him anxiolytic
s which he began to use regularly. He says his medical help just made his mental problems go away for a little while, after which they'd come back strengthened. Feeling very weak one day, he consumed a full bottle of sleeping pills, causing the overdose.
, which was released in November 2007. On some songs of the album he tried to make the listener be able to feel his nasty experience. Other tracks exhibit his optimism and show he still feels healthy.
He currently has plans to enter the studio to record an as yet undisclosed album project. Wyndorf says he's not happy touring so much anymore. Wyndorf wants to apply his creativity to the things he is glad with: music, recording and writing. He has shown an intention to tour again but, apparently, after having released a new album.
In June 2008 Monster Magnet performed at several European festivals, playing six shows in total, and returned to Europe at the end of 2008 to play 35 more dates, with Phil Caivano back in the band. No songs from the new album were played.
Monster Magnet played several shows in Australia at the end of 2009. After having spent half of 2010 working in the studio for their upcoming album entitled Mastermind
, which is going to be released in October, the band is embarking on a massive European tour to promote their eighth studio album.Throughout March 2011 Monster Magnet played Australia once more, playing 35 minute sets at the National Soundwave festival.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
stoner rock
Stoner rock
Stoner rock or stoner metal is a subgenre of heavy metal, combining elements of psychedelic rock, blues rock, traditional heavy metal and doom metal. Stoner rock is typically slow-to-mid tempo and features a bass-heavy sound, melodic vocals, and 'retro' production...
group Monster Magnet
Monster Magnet
Monster Magnet is an American stoner rock band. Hailing from Red Bank, New Jersey, the group was founded by Dave Wyndorf , John McBain and Tim Cronin...
. He is the frontman and only original member of the band.
Early life
Born October 28 ,1956, in Red BankRed Bank, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 11,844 people, 5,201 households, and 2,501 families residing in the borough. The population density was 6,639.1 people per square mile . There were 5,450 housing units at an average density of 3,055.0 per square mile...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, "Dave Wyndorf is the lead singer of the psychedelic heavy metal band Monster Magnet. He is one of eight children from a lower-middle-class Catholic
Catholicism
Catholicism is a broad term for the body of the Catholic faith, its theologies and doctrines, its liturgical, ethical, spiritual, and behavioral characteristics, as well as a religious people as a whole....
family. Early in life, he was influenced greatly by the record collection belonging to his older brother, seeing a UFO
Unidentified flying object
A term originally coined by the military, an unidentified flying object is an unusual apparent anomaly in the sky that is not readily identifiable to the observer as any known object...
with his mother and two sisters, and by going to a Hawkwind
Hawkwind
Hawkwind are an English rock band, one of the earliest space rock groups. Their lyrics favour urban and science fiction themes. They are also a noted precursor to punk rock and now are considered a link between the hippie and punk cultures....
concert in New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He also discovered comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
s (and worked at a comic book store for part of his 20s) - a medium that continues to provide ideas for his songs. Wyndorf lost his virginity
Virginity
Virginity refers to the state of a person who has never engaged in sexual intercourse. There are cultural and religious traditions which place special value and significance on this state, especially in the case of unmarried females, associated with notions of personal purity, honor and worth...
at 13. At 14, Wyndorf started selling pot
Cannabis (drug)
Cannabis, also known as marijuana among many other names, refers to any number of preparations of the Cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug or for medicinal purposes. The English term marijuana comes from the Mexican Spanish word marihuana...
; by 20, he was using LSD and cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
regularly. Later, he became an alcoholic. Wyndorf would give up drugs and drinking in 1995. In 1991 Wyndorf had a daughter, Betty.
As a teenager, Wyndorf was invited by Phil Caivano and Daniel Rey
Daniel Rey
Daniel Rey is an American musician, music producer and songwriter from New York City best known for his work with the Ramones....
Rabinowitz to become the lead vocalist for his junior high band, Hard Attack. The band soon became Shrapnel (who would later be known as Metal Church), a glam
Glam rock
Glam rock is a style of rock and pop music that developed in the UK in the early 1970s, which was performed by singers and musicians who wore outrageous clothes, makeup and hairstyles, particularly platform-soled boots and glitter...
/punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
/power pop
Power pop
Power pop is a popular musical genre that draws its inspiration from 1960s British and American pop and rock music. It typically incorporates a combination of musical devices such as strong melodies, crisp vocal harmonies, economical arrangements, and prominent guitar riffs. Instrumental solos are...
band that dressed in army camouflage, sang about fighting in Vietnam
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
, and employed wild stage theatrics. The group played at the legendary punk club CBGB
CBGB
CBGB was a music club at 315 Bowery at Bleecker Street in the borough of Manhattan in New York City.Founded by Hilly Kristal in 1973, it was originally intended to feature its namesake musical styles, but became a forum for American punk and New Wave bands like Ramones, Misfits, Television, the...
in New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and other national venues, was Managed by Noted Punker Eddie Legs McNeil
Legs McNeil
Roderick Edward "Legs" McNeil is a writer and rock music historian. He is the co-founder and a writer for Punk Magazine; he is also a former senior editor at Spin Magazine, and the founder and editor of Nerve magazine .- Punk Magazine:At the age of 18, McNeil gathered with two high school...
and released two 45's on Salute Records "Combat Love" b/w "Hey" in 1979 (which featured Joey Ramone
Joey Ramone
Joey Ramone was an American vocalist and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist in the punk rock band the Ramones. Joey Ramone's image, voice and tenure as frontman of the Ramones made him a countercultural icon.-Early life:Joey Ramone was born Jeffry Hyman to parents Noel and Charlotte Hyman...
& Arturo Vega on Backgrounds) and "Go Cruising" b/w "Way Out World" in 1981, a track called "Come Back to Me" on the Dirt Records compilation in 1982 and a self-titled EP on Elektra Records
Elektra Records
Elektra Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group. In 2004, it was consolidated into WMG's Atlantic Records Group. After five years of dormancy, the label was revived by Atlantic in 2009....
in 1984 before splitting up.
First years as a member of Monster Magnet
After the demise of Shrapnel, Dave taught himself to play the guitarGuitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
. He picked up a fuzzbox and began writing songs in homage to the distortion-filled rock that he loved as a youngster. Wyndorf started recording his songs and releasing them on cassette under the name Love Monster; some of these tunes later became songs for Monster Magnet
Monster Magnet
Monster Magnet is an American stoner rock band. Hailing from Red Bank, New Jersey, the group was founded by Dave Wyndorf , John McBain and Tim Cronin...
. Wyndorf discovered a local band called Dog of Mystery, an experimental noise outfit fronted by drummer and vocalist Tim Cronin and guitarist John McBain
John McBain (musician)
John Paul McBain was a guitarist for Monster Magnet, Wellwater Conspiracy, his solo work, and has contributed to The Desert Sessions...
. Wyndorf was asked to play guitar with Dog of Mystery for some of their live shows. A revolving group of musicians—including a sax player—came and went. The band was finalized with Joe Calandra and Jon Kleiman as its rhythm section.
The band had a few name changes, including Wrath of the Bull God and Airport '75, before settling on Monster Magnet, a name taken from a toy that Wyndorf had owned as a child. Monster Magnet developed a sound that relied heavily on feedback and screaming vocals. While opening for the alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction
Jane's Addiction is an American alternative rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1985. The band's original line-up featured Perry Farrell , Dave Navarro , Eric Avery and Stephen Perkins . After breaking up in 1991, Jane's Addiction briefly reunited in 1997 and again in 2001, both times...
in Trenton
Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton is the capital of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Trenton had a population of 84,913...
, New Jersey, Monster Magnet played a 45-minute instrumental version of a song of called "Paranoid." It remains unclear whether this was a cover of Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
's "Paranoid
Paranoid (song)
"Paranoid" is a song by the British heavy metal band Black Sabbath, featured on their second album Paranoid . It is the first single from the album, while the B-side is the song "The Wizard". It reached number 4 on the UK Singles Chart and number 61 on the Billboard Hot 100...
," Grand Funk Railroad
Grand Funk Railroad
Grand Funk Railroad is an American rock band that was highly popular during the 1970s. Grand Funk Railroad toured constantly to packed arenas worldwide. A popular take on the band during its heyday was that, although the critics hated them, audiences loved them...
's song of the same name or one of their own creation. After hearing the jam, a hippie roadie approached Wyndorf and described their music as "drug rock"; the description stuck.
When Tim Cronin decided to retire from singing with Monster Magnet, Wyndorf became their lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist; Cronin stayed on with the band as resident consultant and light-show technician.
Short-lived commercial success
During most part of the 1990s, Dave and his band struggled for commercial success which they couldn't obtain because of their highly unfashionable retro-rock style. This changed in 1998, when Dave took a 21 day trip to Las VegasLas Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
, Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
, from which he drew inspiration to write the songs for Powertrip
Powertrip
Powertrip is a studio album by Monster Magnet, released on June 16, 1998. The album was the band's commercial breakthrough, achieving mainstream success due largely to the hit single, "Space Lord". Other hit songs on the album include "Powertrip", "Temple of Your Dreams", and "See You in Hell"...
, which would be Monster Magnet's breakthrough album. His life following the release of Powertrip was his inspiration for God Says No
God Says No
God Says No is a studio album by Monster Magnet, released in 2000 in the UK and 2001 in the US . It was a commercial failure compared to their last album, Powertrip. It was their last release recorded for A&M Records, due to problems with promotion of the album but it reached #17 in Germany...
.
Monolithic Baby!
Wyndorf travelled to Los AngelesLos Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, 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...
to work for the soundtrack
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
of the movie Torque
Torque (film)
-Similarities to The Fast and the Furious:The film has often been called "The Fast and the Furious on Motorcycles", referring to the use of many of the same thematic elements between the two films...
, which was entirely composed by him. During his stay on LA, he found inspiration for Monolithic Baby!
Monolithic Baby!
Monolithic Baby! is the sixth studio album by Monster Magnet, released in 2004. It is a follow up to 2000's God Says No. It would also be the first album featuring bassist Jim Baglino...
, Monster Magnet's 2004 album.
Drug overdose and recovery
On February 27, 2006, Wyndorf overdosed on prescription drugs. An upcoming EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an tour for Monster Magnet
Monster Magnet
Monster Magnet is an American stoner rock band. Hailing from Red Bank, New Jersey, the group was founded by Dave Wyndorf , John McBain and Tim Cronin...
was subsequently canceled. His management released the following statement:
The battle with one’s inner demons is the most personal fight any of us can undertake. The fight is at times a lonely, confusing journey. On the evening of February 27, Dave Wyndorf suffered a setback in his own fight and was hospitalized due to a drug overdose. His full recovery is expected. We ask that all those he has encountered over the years or simply affected by his music to take a moment to think good thoughts of and for him and his family. With the grace of God and those who love him we are all confident that Dave will rebound from this setback and continue to play and make great rock and roll.
More than a year later, in September 2007, Wyndorf spoke to UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
-based music journalist Dave Ling about his overdose. According to him, everything began because he couldn't sleep on tour. Instead of asking for help from psychologists, he made doctors give him anxiolytic
Anxiolytic
An anxiolytic is a drug used for the treatment of anxiety, and its related psychological and physical symptoms...
s which he began to use regularly. He says his medical help just made his mental problems go away for a little while, after which they'd come back strengthened. Feeling very weak one day, he consumed a full bottle of sleeping pills, causing the overdose.
4-Way Diablo
After his overdose, Wyndorf began working on Monster Magnet's newest album, 4-Way Diablo4-Way Diablo
4-Way Diablo is the seventh studio album by American stoner rock band Monster Magnet. It was recorded in different recording studios: Sound City Studios, American Studios, The Sunset Lodge and Hydeaway Studios during 2006 and 2007...
, which was released in November 2007. On some songs of the album he tried to make the listener be able to feel his nasty experience. Other tracks exhibit his optimism and show he still feels healthy.
He currently has plans to enter the studio to record an as yet undisclosed album project. Wyndorf says he's not happy touring so much anymore. Wyndorf wants to apply his creativity to the things he is glad with: music, recording and writing. He has shown an intention to tour again but, apparently, after having released a new album.
In June 2008 Monster Magnet performed at several European festivals, playing six shows in total, and returned to Europe at the end of 2008 to play 35 more dates, with Phil Caivano back in the band. No songs from the new album were played.
Monster Magnet played several shows in Australia at the end of 2009. After having spent half of 2010 working in the studio for their upcoming album entitled Mastermind
Mastermind (Monster Magnet album)
Mastermind is the eighth studio album by the American stoner rock band Monster Magnet. A video for the first single, Gods and Punks, was released on October 1, 2010. The album was released on October 25, 2010.The album debuted at No...
, which is going to be released in October, the band is embarking on a massive European tour to promote their eighth studio album.Throughout March 2011 Monster Magnet played Australia once more, playing 35 minute sets at the National Soundwave festival.