MASSACRE MACHINE - THE BAND
Based out of MEMPHIS, TN, the band know early on in the mid 80's by such names as "Minas Morgul", "Jeremiah Weed" and "Shocker" got it's start when Chuck Gordon got together with Mike Atkinson to help him get started playing bass. Along with various drummers and singers, the band finally found it's permanent drummer, Brice Hamrick. These 3 guys have been playing music together for over 25 years. That's quite an accomplishment even for a signed band. The band has always been a relatively tight knit group with only a handful of other players involved at various points (see "history" below). With the addition of new vocalist Steph, the band is on a determined mission to bring original material to the masses, the band has amassed an impressive roster of 22+ songs completely their own. The band prides itself on not playing any covers. As Chuck often says, "You wouldn't go to see Metallica and ask them to play some AC/DC".
QUOTE: "The world ain't Burger King, so you ain't gettin' life YOUR WAY...Just deal with it, get over it and get on with it. Want something your way ?
..............................GO ORDER A FUKKIN' WHOPPER !!!"
DVERGER~Steph Sims - LEAD VOCALS
This little hellion was rocking to the likes of Pantera and Def Leppard before she was even out of the womb! Brought up with the sounds of AC/DC, Metallica and other heavy bands she was bred to eventually be a rocker. From a young age she spent her time in numerous chorus classes, church choirs and other random gigs but it turned out not to be quite HARD enough. Eventually stumbling upon the music of L7, Bratmobile, Bikini Kill and other Riot Grrrl influential bands she finally found her place. A couple years later HEAVY METAL would come into play... Finding solace from the powerful female fronted bands like KITTIE, Lacuna Coil, Nightwish and of course ARCH ENEMY she knew she needed to learn how to belt it out. Spending time with vocal coaches and instructors and grueling hours just sweating it out her self she managed to learn the technique of screaming and growling. With a grungey, heavy sound obtained she set out to find further instruction and happened to cross paths with the then current singer of MASSACRE MACHINE. After a short meeting the band began conjuring an idea... Thus a reworked MASSACRE MACHINE was born geared toward creating a new sound and bringing hardcore METAL back to the Memphis music scene.
BIG DADDY SHRED~Chuck Gordon - GUITAR & VOCALS
Chuck began playing after hearing the likes of Rush, Kiss, Led Zeppelin and British metal bands like Saxon and Judas Priest. After a few lessons early on, everything else was learned by ear. Falling under the influence of Randy Rhoads, Criss Oliva and neo-classical shredders the likes of Yngwie Malmsteen, Tony MacAlpine, Vinnie Moore and Steve Vai, Chuck has developed his own unique style that is immediately recognizeable as "Big Daddy Shred". Give a listen to "Tortured Strings" or "String of Solos" and decide for yourself. From Skynyrd to Savatage, from southern rock to savage metal, Chuck combines all these components to breathe life into composing the majority of the band's music and all but a handful of the song lyrics which were penned by the band's original lead singer, Rod Tolar and our newest material from current drummer, Brice Hamrick.
QUOTE: "Fish Have Scales, Brooms Sweep...I Just Play The Damn Thing...Nuff Said"
RICHARD HEAD~Brice Hamrick - DRUMS
Brice began playing when he was 7 after his sister gave him his first Kiss and Black Sabbath records. At that time he knew he had to be a drummer. His love for music drove him to learn to play other musical instruments as well. Later on with the influences of Savatage, Helstar, and Pantera he knew he wanted to be a drummer. And now a drummer he is. With the influences from many music styles from rock to hard core, from blues to power metal with even a little country thrown in. He gives his drumming style a one of a kind sound that will leave no doubt as to why the band refers to him as "Sir Richard Head".
QUOTE: "Hell yeah...I'm fixin' to punch you in the neck. Now good day...I said GOOD DAY !!!"
MACHINE FINGERS~Mike Atkinson - BASS & VOCALS
Mike began playing when he was 14 after inspiring amounts of Pink Floyd, Blue Oyster Cult and Thin Lizzy were instilled in him at an early age, credited to his older brother, Johnny. Then Chuck, a great friend as well as guitar player introduced Mike to a "no holds barred" metal onslaught of original material that was subsequently ahead of it's time. Mike's technique progressed into a complex, yet original style of playing having been influenced by such renowned bass-oriented rock icons as the 80's shock 'em rockers Warrior Soul, Black Sabbath & Iron Maiden. Numerous people on many different occasions have called him Steve Harris' illegitimate son earning Mike his band nickname of "Machine Fingers".
QUOTE: "Now I'm really fukkin' pissed, so it's on like a pot of neck bones."
PAST MEMBERS - MASSACRE HISTORY 101
We want to THANK the past members of the band for their contributions while they were an active member of MASSACRE MACHINE. All of these guys were a very big part of the success we have had and they are all exceptional musicians and people. We wish them nothing but the best with their families, their music and in their personal lives...THANKS for being a part of the history of MASSACRE MACHINE !!! ROCK ON, BROTHERS...Brice, Mike & Chuck
ROD TOLAR - VOCALS (Founding Member)
On Crowley's Ridge at the Mississippi river, in the back of the metal shop Rod cut his teeth doing covers with a band called "Guilty" which later evolved in the heavy metal band "Genocide". On an otherwise gloomy day, Rod noticed an article in the local paper stating "Lead singer wanted if you can cut it" and then wandered to Chuck's door stating that "he could" !!! Rod is responsible for the lyrics to some of the band's "classic" songs including "Judge Sez Guilty", "Docktur Nick" and "Unholy Night".
HYPE - DRUMS MARCH 08-NOV 08
Hype began playing drums at the age of 5 after getting his first drum kit for Christmas. His father was a hippie who was into bands like Led Zeppelin, MC5, Cream and Jimi Hendrix and he was exposed to this music always being played very loud around the house. Hype cut his teeth listening to such influential drummers as John Bonham and Buddy Miles and drew inspiration to play with power, flash and in pocket. It all really kicked into gear for Hype when he got his first KISS record and fell under Peter Criss' spell. From this point forward, he knew he was going to be a rock drummer hitting the skins hard, loud and with precision and punch.
QUOTE: "If it doesn't groove and make you move, why play it ?"
PATRICK MOSELEY - DRUMS MAY 07-OCT 07 (Temp)
We were fortunate enough to enlist Patrick of our fellow Memphis band "Detriment" to help us out for a while and get us through a number of already booked shows. We were honored to get to play with such an awesome drummer and really want to thank him for getting us through all of our committed shows...You're the best, Brother !!!...MM
CONTACT: MY SPACE
GARY DACUS - DRUMS NOV 05-MARCH 07
Gary began playing drums at 15 after listening to Kiss & Black Sabbath. By the time he was 19, he was playing old school metal the likes of Slayer, Metallica, Megadeth and Anthrax. An original native of Jonesboro, AR, he ended up by way of the US Military in Watertown, NY where he gained recognition with local favorite "SPUN". An ex-soldier with a past only made for HBO, Gary promises to bring "The Blast Beat Beast" (Vinnie Paul comes to mind) alive, take him to your house and then jump down your throat. Gary has been reviewed as one of NY's heaviest drummers and will continue to prove why that is...show after show. NOTE: Gary's playing is featured on our current demos of "Shadow of Death" and "World Spinning".
CONTACT: MY SPACE
JEREMY "JROB" ROBERSON - GUITAR JAN 06-APRIL 06
Jeremy began playing around the age of 16 while listening to the likes of AC/DC & Lynyrd Skynyrd. Self taught on guitar and deep rooted in hard southern rock, he and Shane Cardwell formed the band "Moses Crow" . After hearing Zakk Wylde on Black Label Society's "Alcohol Fueled Brewtality" for the first time there was no stopping the desire to to play metal music. This opened the doors to other influences such as Darrell "Dimebag" Abbott & Tony Iommi. While playing the Memphis, TN scene with "Moses Crow" , JRob found some great friends in the guys from Massacre Machine who shared a common interest in face melting, brutal metal! Now having been asked to bring a 2nd guitar into the band, JRob is determined to help Massacre Machine dominate the heavy metal scene!
CONTACT: MY SPACE
MARVIN MORGAN - DRUMS FEB 03-NOV 05
Marvin first realized that he wanted to be a drummer at the age of 4 when given a set of drumsticks by a family member. Before he could formulate sentences he was formulating music. The dream was realized in middle school as a drummer for the jazz, concert and marching band and then to leader for the percussion section. In Jr. High his determination led him to primary drummer and finally being given the opportunity to write for the percussion section. In High School an unwavering drive lead him to compete in advanced competitions across the country. Where he was awarded excellent ratings by professional music judges and critics in performance, sight reading, and ultimately earning the most outstanding musician award. He has won numerous awards for his musical accomplishments, formulated a family band and performed with famous local artists such as Kevin Page. His love for music ranges from jazz to R&B, from pop to rock. His philosophy focuses on the power of individuality and style to create his own musical explosion and to turn his dreams into reality.
CONTACT: WEBSITE