Mentors (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1 May 1976 in Seattle, Washington, United States |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Music albums, singles, live performances |
The Mentors are a heavy metal group from the United States, recognized for their intentionally provocative shock rock content. Originating in Seattle, Washington in May 1976, the band moved to Los Angeles, California by 1979.
They drew notice not only from fellow hard rock musicians but also from pro-censorship organizations such as the Parents Music Resource Center. The unexpected death of drummer and lead vocalist Eldon Hoke ("El Duce") in 1997 brought them significant media attention.
History
Eldon Hoke ("El Duce"), Eric Carlson ("Sickie Wifebeater"), and Steve Broy ("Dr. Heathen Scum")—all alumni of Roosevelt High School in Seattle—began blending punk and heavy metal influences. Their early performances were marked by their distinctive executioner masks and controversial lyrics. To secure gigs, Hoke sometimes used unconventional methods, including impersonating a Kiss tribute act. Broy’s participation was intermittent due to his engineering education; other early bassists included Jeff Dahl, Chris Jacobsen, and Mike Dewey.
Their initial EP, The Trash Bag, was released through Mystic Records in 1983. This was followed by their first live album, Live at the Whiskey/Cathey de Grande, in 1984. In 1985, they signed with Death Records, a subsidiary of Metal Blade, and issued their debut studio album You Axed for It!, featuring Broy back on bass. During this era, Hoke appeared on controversial platforms like The Jerry Springer Show, which amplified the band’s notoriety.
The Mentors became infamous during the 1985 Congressional hearings initiated by Tipper Gore’s PMRC when their track "Golden Shower" was cited as objectionable content. The bassist position saw several changes with Wayne Daddio, Ed Danky, Lucinda Rezabek, and Keith McAdam before Broy’s return. In 1989, they released Sex, Drugs & Rock 'n' Roll, a pseudo-live album that opened doors for tours alongside Revolting Cocks.
Their 1990 release Rock Bible featured Rick Lomas on drums. This was succeeded by To the Max in 1991. Due to Hoke’s struggles with alcoholism, Clark Savage frequently took over drumming duties and eventually became the full-time drummer while Hoke concentrated exclusively on vocals.
Following this period, the band’s activity became irregular; Hoke explored solo projects while Carlson established Jesters of Destiny. In 1997, during an interview for the documentary Kurt and Courtney, Hoke claimed that Courtney Love had offered him money to kill Kurt Cobain. Just two days later, Hoke died after being hit by a freight train while intoxicated; his death was officially ruled accidental or suicide amid various conspiracy theories.
Carlson, Broy, and Savage kept the Mentors active with additions Jeff Solberg and Jake Huber, culminating in the 2005 album Over the Top. In 2006, Marc DeLeon ("Mad Dog") replaced Huber and later took over from Savage. Their eighth studio effort, Ducefixion, arrived in 2009. DeLeon departed in 2014 during production of the documentary The Mentors: Kings of Sleaze Rockumentary.
On May 25, 2017, the Mentors unveiled The Illuminaughty, marking their first studio release in eight years with Broy and Lomas sharing vocal responsibilities.
In 2019, the documentary The El Duce Tapes premiered at film festivals showcasing unreleased interviews with Hoke and exploring the band’s relevance amid contemporary cancel culture debates. It became available on Blu-ray, streaming platforms, and limited edition VHS in 2020.
Eric Carlson passed away from cancer on December 29, 2024 at age 66, leaving Steve Broy as the last surviving member of the original You Axed for It! lineup.
Members
- Present lineup
- Steve Broy (Dr. Heathen Scum) – bass guitar (1976–1979, 1984–1986, 1989–present), lead vocals (2014–present)
- Rick Lomas (Insect On Acid) – keyboards (1989–1990, 2014–present), backing vocals (2014–present), drums (1989–1990)
- Cousin Fister – rhythm guitar (2014–present)
- Mad Dog – lead vocals, drums, and guitar when Don Nutz handles drums (2006–present)
- Don Nutz – The Italian Stallion – percussion for European and extended US tours (2015–present)
- Paul Van Rijswijk – lead guitar for European performances (2009–present)
- Past members
- Eric Carlson (Sickie Wifebeater) – lead guitar (1976–2024, deceased 2024)
- Eldon Hoke (El Duce) – drums and vocals (1976–1997; deceased 1997)
- Jeff Dahl – bass guitar (1979–1980)
- Chris Jacobson (Jack Shit) – bass guitar (1980; deceased 2011)
- Mike Dewey (Heathen Scum Wezda) – bass guitar (1980–1984)
- Ed Danky (Poppa Sneaky Spermshooter) – bass guitar (1986–1989; deceased 1990)
- Lucinda Rezabek (Scumbitch) – bass guitar (1989)
- Keith McAdam (Zippy) – bass guitar (1989)
- Clark Savage (Moosedick) – drums (1991–2008)
- Jeff Solberg (Sickie Jr.) – rhythm guitar (2001–2010)
- Jake Huber (El Rapo) – vocals (2001–2005; deceased 2020)
- Marc DeLeon (Mad Dog) – vocals (2005–2014), drums (2008–2014)
- John Christopher (El Chapo aka Viejo Malo) – drums (2014–2022)
Singles and EPs
- Get Up and Die (1981, Mystic Records)
- Live in Frisco (1987, Mystic Records)
- Mentorhawk (split CD with Dutch metal band Hammerhawk, 1999, HMF Records)
- "Oblivion Train" (2009, Stool Sample Records)
- "Nuthang" (2018) (originally recorded in 1977)
- "Baby You Will Regret Me" (2018)
- "Cornshucker" (2018) (re-recorded version)
- "I Am a Peeping Tom" (2018) (re-recorded version)
Live albums
- Live at the Whisky / Cathay De Grande (1983, Mystic Records)
- Sex, Drugs & Rock 'n' Roll (1989, Ever Rat Records)
Studio albums
- You Axed for It! (1985, Metal Blade/Death Records)
- Up the Dose (1986, Metal Blade/Death Records)
- Rock Bible (1990, Mentor Records)
- To the Max (1991, Mentor Records)
- Over the Top (2005, Mentor Records)
- Ducefixion (2009, Mentor Records)
- The Illuminaughty (2017, Mentor Records)
Compilation albums
- Up the Dose / You Axed for It! (1989, Metal Blade/Death Records)
- Houses of the Horny (1994, Mentor Records)
- West Coast Debauchery (2008, Mentor Records; a collection of live recordings)
Videography
- 1983: Get Up & Die
- 1987: Fuck Movie
- 1990: A Piece of Sinema
- 1990: The Wretched World of the Mentors
- 1991: Hollywood Head Bash
- 1991: Tour De Max '91
- 1993: El Duce: The Man. The Myth. The Video
- 2007: El Duce Vita
- 2010: Perverted Movie
- 2017: The Kings of Sleaze (documentary film)
- 2019: The El Duce Tapes (documentary film)
See also
External links
- Mentors (band)
- American musical quintets
- Hard rock musical groups from Washington (state)
- Heavy metal musical groups from Washington (state)
- Musical groups established in 1976
- Metal Blade Records artists
- Musical groups disbanded in 1997
- Musical groups reunited in 2000
- Obscenity controversies in music
- Musical groups disestablished in 1997