The Workhorse Movement Explained

Origin:Mount Pleasant, Michigan, U.S.
Years Active:1994–2000
Spinoffs:Dirty Americans
Past Members:
  • Myron
  • Freedom
  • Jay Vondoloski
  • Joe Mackie
  • Grady
  • Cornbread
  • Pete Bever

The Workhorse Movement was an American alternative metal band from Mount Pleasant, Michigan.

History

The Workhorse Movement was formed in August 1994 by singer Myron (born Matt Kozuch-Rea), guitarist Freedom (Jeff Piper), bassist Jay Vondoloski, and drummer Joe Mackie, who were all attending Central Michigan University (CMU).[1] [2] [3] The band took its name from a section in Tom Wolfe's The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test (1968).[4] After performing several local shows, the band released their self-financed debut album, Dopamine, in 1995. The band relocated to Detroit, Michigan soon after at the urging of Joe Mackie, so they could pursue the band seriously. After touring with the likes of Sevendust, Skinlab and Vanilla Ice, The Workhorse Movement recruited a second vocalist, Cornbread (Chris Sparks), and signed with the local Detroit label Overcore Records. The label issued the band's only EP, Rhythm and Soul Cartel, in 1998.

Following additional touring for the EP, the Workhorse Movement came to the attention of Roadrunner Records. After signing to the label, the band replaced the recently departed Jay Vondoloski (who had moved back to CMU) with Grady (Jeff Wright). The band's Roadrunner debut album, Sons of the Pioneers (2000), was recorded and produced by Overcore Records owner Scott Santos.[5] It was finished by October 1999.[6] Before the release of the album, the Workhorse Movement were featured on British music magazine Kerrang! "Hot 100" list for 2000. Leading up to the album's release, the band toured the United States with Kittie, Sevendust and Fishbone. Although the album garnered little attention in the United States, Sons of the Pioneers was well received by the British music press, and appeared on the best-of year lists for Kerrang!, Metal Hammer and Rock Sound.[7] [8] [9] [10] The band gained further attention in the United Kingdom while touring as a supporting act for Pitchshifter.

In late December 2000, Myron announced that The Workhorse Movement had disbanded, citing a lack of promotional and touring support from Roadrunner in the United States and their lack of enthusiasm for a third album.[11] [12] [13] The band performed their last show on December 23, 2000, at the Harpos Concert Theatre in Detroit. Myron, Freedom and Pete soon joined up with drummer Jeremiah Pillbean to form the Dirty Americans in April 2001.[14]

Musical style and influences

The Workhorse Movement have been described as alternative metal, rap metal,[15] funk rock[16] and stoner rock.[17] [18] Kerrang! described the band's sound as "stoner rap". The band was heavily influenced by the works of The Doors, Santana and Black Sabbath.

Band members

Final lineup

Former members

Timeline

Discography

Studio Albums

Title! scope="col" style="width:18em;"
Album details
Dopamine
  • Released: 1995
  • Label: Master Cylinder
  • Format: CD
Sons of the Pioneers
  • Released: June 6, 2000
  • Label: Roadrunner
  • Format: CD
EPs

Singles

References

  1. Web site: The Workhorse Movement Biography, Songs, & Albums . 2023-05-03 . AllMusic . en.
  2. Web site: History . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20001017225124/http://www.workhorsemovement.com:80/history/history.html . 2000-10-17 . 2023-05-03 . www.workhorsemovement.com.
  3. Rees . Paul . January 8, 2000 . Noise 2000: The Workhorse Movement . . . 783 . 15.
  4. Web site: October 9, 2000 . Interview with The Workhorse Movement . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20010417003020/http://www.theprp.com/interviews/workhorse.html . 2001-04-17 . 2024-01-10 . theprp.com.
  5. Ewing . Jerry . July 2000 . Future Classics: The Workhorse Movement . . UK . . 16 . 21 . 1464-7834.
  6. Web site: What . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20001017115609/http://www.workhorsemovement.com:80/what/what.html . 2000-10-17 . 2023-05-03 . www.workhorsemovement.com.
  7. Web site: Kerrang! Albums of the Year 2000 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20170116163103/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/kerrang.html . January 16, 2017 . February 25, 2023 . Kerrang!. Original print: Everly . Dave . December 23, 2000 . The Hot List Kerrang! Critics' Albums of 2000 . . . 62–63.
  8. Web site: Rocklist.net...Metal Hammer Albums The Year . 2023-05-02 . www.rocklistmusic.co.uk.
  9. Web site: Rocklist.net...Steve Parker...Rocksound lists.. . 2023-05-02 . www.rocklistmusic.co.uk.
  10. January 13, 2001 . Rees . Paul . Workhorse Split . . . 835 . 6–7.
  11. Web site: Blabbermouth . 2001-06-07 . Archive News Jun 07, 2001 . 2023-05-03 . BLABBERMOUTH.NET . en.
  12. Web site: The Workhorse Movement Roadrunner UK Website . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20010224092934/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.co.uk/newsupdates/workhorse.html . 2001-02-24 . 2023-05-03 . roadrunnerrecords.co.uk.
  13. February 2001 . Ingham . Chris . Workhorse Movement R.I.P . . UK . . 83 . 7.
  14. Web site: Blabbermouth . 2001-04-11 . Archive News Apr 11, 2001 - update 2 . 2023-05-03 . BLABBERMOUTH.NET . en.
  15. Web site: NME . 2005-09-12 . Sons Of The Pioneers . 2023-05-03 . . en-GB.
  16. Mörat . June 3, 2000 . Albums . . . 804 . 47 . 0262-6624.
  17. Web site: Sokal . Roman . September 1, 2000 . Workhorse Movement: Sons of the Pioneers . May 3, 2023 . Exclaim!.
  18. Web site: updated . Stephen Hilllast . 2016-09-21 . 10 obscure Roadrunner Records albums that should have been massive . 2023-05-03 . louder . en.
  19. Web site: Zywietz, Tobias . Chart Log UK: Kristine W – Tammy Wynette . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20160324150539/http://zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_K.HTM . March 24, 2016 . February 8, 2013 . zobbel.de . Tobias Zywietz.

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