Monster Voodoo Machine

Monster Voodoo Machine

Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1991 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Founder	Adam Sewell
Defunct	1998 (hiatus), reunited 2007–2014
Headquarters	Toronto , Canada
Products	Music albums, EPs

Monster Voodoo Machine originated as a Canadian metal ensemble established in 1991 in Toronto, Ontario. Throughout the 1990s, they produced two full-length albums and three extended plays before disbanding in 1998. The group later reunited sporadically for performances between 2007 and 2014.

History

Initiated by Toronto-based vocalist and musician Adam Sewell, Monster Voodoo Machine’s sound was shaped by influences such as Quicksand, Black Flag, and Discharge. The founding members comprised guitarist Mark Gibson, bassist Terry Landry, and drummer Drew Gauley. Within half a year, they recorded the EP Burn (1992) under Epidemic Records along with an unreleased album titled Turbine and produced two promotional videos. They also collaborated on a remix with the techno group BTK.

The band’s lineup expanded to incorporate guitarist Dave Rose and keyboardist Stacey Hoskin; however, rigorous touring schedules led to personnel changes. Gibson and Rose were succeeded by Jason Cuddy (formerly of Mundane) and Darren Quinn, while Gauley was replaced first by Dylan Huziak and later by Dean Dallas Bentley.

In late 1993, their major-label debut EP State Voodoo/State Control was recorded for RCA Records with producers Paul Raven and Walter Sobczak. This release marked a transition toward a heavier style reminiscent of White Zombie and Ministry, featuring remixes from producers including Danny Saber.

January 1994 saw the recording of their debut full-length album Suffersystem at Chicago Trax Studios, produced by Critter and Howie Beno. The album included guest contributions from Roddy Bottum of Faith No More and Leslie Rankin of Silverfish. After completing the album, the band embarked on an extensive tour, performing approximately 500 shows alongside acts like Carcass, Life of Agony, and Marilyn Manson during the early 1995 "Portrait of an American Family Tour."

Suffersystem earned the 1995 Juno Award for Best Hard Rock Album. Singles from this period featured remixes by artists such as Biohazard, DJ Muggs, KMFDM, and Pigface. Sewell sought renowned producers like the Chemical Brothers or Liam Howlett for their subsequent album; however, RCA declined these requests and proposed Butch Vig instead. Disheartened by this decision, Sewell pursued an exit from RCA, resulting in the band being placed on indefinite hiatus in late 1995.

In 1996, with new additions Nick Sagias on keyboards and Chris Harris on bass, Monster Voodoo Machine released a limited edition of 1,000 copies of Pirate Satellite. Shortly thereafter, they announced their dissolution and performed a farewell concert on October 4, 1996, in Kitchener, Ontario.

While touring with def.con.sound.system. in 1997, Sewell secured a contract with Dr. Dream Records (a Polygram/Mercury subsidiary), reviving the Monster Voodoo Machine name. The lineup featured Sewell, Cuddy, Sagias, Harris, Quinn, and Bentley. For this phase, they abandoned samplers and keyboards to reimagine def.con.sound.system.’s material into rock arrangements for the album Direct Reaction Now!, released in early 1998. Unfortunately, Dr. Dream ceased operations due to the Polygram-Universal merger just as the band was invited to perform at Ozzfest. Guitarist Jason "Junior" Smith replaced Quinn while Dan Cornelius took over drums from Bentley. Following brief tours supporting Queens of the Stone Age and Sevendust, they concluded with their final show in Montreal.

In 2007, Monster Voodoo Machine reassembled featuring Sewell, Landry, Cuddy, Quinn, Bentley, and keyboardist Victor Rebelo for select live appearances. In October 2013, original guitarist Mark Gibson died at age 42.

Studio Albums

• Burn (1992, Epidemic)
• State Voodoo/State Control (1994, BMG/D-Tribe)
• Suffersystem (1994, BMG/D-Tribe)
• Pirate Satellite (1996, 45 Revolutions)
• Direct Reaction Now (1998, Doctor Dream)

Final Lineup

• Adam "Doom" Sewell – lead vocals (1991–1998, 2007–2014)
• Terry Landry – bass guitar (1991–1995, 2007–2014)
• Jason Cuddy – guitar (1993–1998, 2007–2014)
• Darren Quinn – guitar (1993–1998, 2007–2014)
• Dean "Dallas" Bentley – drums (1993–1998, 2007–2014)
• Victor Rebelo – keyboards (2007–2014)

Previous Members

• Mark "Gibson" Klucznyk – guitar (1991–1993; deceased 2013)
• Drew Gauley – drums (1991–1993)
• Stacey Hoskin – keyboards (1992–1995)
• Dave Rose – guitar (1992–1993)
• Dylan Huziak – drums (1993)
• Nick Sagias – keyboards (1995–1998)
• Chris Harris – bass guitar (1995–1998)
• Jason "Junior" Smith – guitar (1998)
• Dan Cornelius – drums (1998)

Member Timeline

Colors represent primary live performance roles.

See also

• Canadian rock
• List of Canadian musicians
• List of bands from Canada