Multi Purpose Chemical
Encyclopedia
Multi Purpose Chemical (MPC) is an alternative metal
band from Liverpool
, England
. The band has had two changes to the line-up to date; in 2006 Ross McFarlane left his role of drummer
and was replaced by Mel Stewart, and since August 2007, Rob Hoey no longer holds his role of guitarist. Obsessive Compulsive's "Giz" took over guitar duties until May 2008 when Adam Lucas became the band's new full time guitarist.
-inspired song, "Hop Skip Jump"), earned the band a record deal with Liverpool's Honey Records. MPC went on to record a 4-track EP, "Cult EP", produced by Ace (Skunk Anansie
), containing new recordings of "Hate Magnet", "Death For Sale", "Embrace" and "Cult", with their first music video of "Cult" that appeared on MTV2 Europe's 120 Minutes (UK TV series)
. The EP was released on November 28, 2005, by Honey Records.
n 2006, MPC recorded their album ...And Four More Ways To Fight. It was originally expected to be released in late 2006, but after being set back a number of times, it was finally released on October 29, 2007.
Before the release of the full-length album came their first official single, "Human", which appeared on MTV2 Europe's 120 Minutes (UK TV series)
and is only available as an Internet download through iTunes and IndieStore.com. The 'zebra head' and animal images associated with "Human" will no longer be used but are heavily featured in the song's accompanying music video (based on Falling Down
).
MPC played their final gig at Liverpool's Hub Festival on the 24 May 2009.
This is in spite of the fact that Lefevre is actually American and of Peruvian descent.
MPC has twice toured the Isle of Man, and has performed on tours with bands such as Skindred
, Johnny Truant
, Sikth
and Trashlight Vision
as well as support slots for OPM
, Mad Capsule Markets and Will Haven
.
Alternative metal
Alternative metal is a genre of alternative rock and heavy metal that gained popularity in the early 1990s. Most notably, alternative metal bands are characterized by heavy guitar riffs and experimental approaches to heavy music.-Origins:...
band from Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The band has had two changes to the line-up to date; in 2006 Ross McFarlane left his role of drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
and was replaced by Mel Stewart, and since August 2007, Rob Hoey no longer holds his role of guitarist. Obsessive Compulsive's "Giz" took over guitar duties until May 2008 when Adam Lucas became the band's new full time guitarist.
History
In early 2004 MPC's first recording of a 3-track demo CD, containing recordings of "Cult," "Death For Sale" and "Hate Magnet" (with a bonus track of their Cypress HillCypress Hill
Cypress Hill is an American hip hop group from South Gate, California. Cypress Hill was the first Latino hip-hop group to have platinum and multi-platinum albums, selling over 18 million albums worldwide...
-inspired song, "Hop Skip Jump"), earned the band a record deal with Liverpool's Honey Records. MPC went on to record a 4-track EP, "Cult EP", produced by Ace (Skunk Anansie
Skunk Anansie
Skunk Anansie is an English rock band whose members include Skin , Cass , Ace and Mark Richardson .Skunk Anansie formed in March 1994, disbanded in 2001 and reformed in 2009...
), containing new recordings of "Hate Magnet", "Death For Sale", "Embrace" and "Cult", with their first music video of "Cult" that appeared on MTV2 Europe's 120 Minutes (UK TV series)
120 Minutes (UK TV series)
120 Minutes is a show on MTV Two that was broadcast nightly at 1am. In the tradition of the US show of the same name, it showcased music videos from "the newest, most innovative acts in rock, left field and electronic music"....
. The EP was released on November 28, 2005, by Honey Records.
n 2006, MPC recorded their album ...And Four More Ways To Fight. It was originally expected to be released in late 2006, but after being set back a number of times, it was finally released on October 29, 2007.
Before the release of the full-length album came their first official single, "Human", which appeared on MTV2 Europe's 120 Minutes (UK TV series)
120 Minutes (UK TV series)
120 Minutes is a show on MTV Two that was broadcast nightly at 1am. In the tradition of the US show of the same name, it showcased music videos from "the newest, most innovative acts in rock, left field and electronic music"....
and is only available as an Internet download through iTunes and IndieStore.com. The 'zebra head' and animal images associated with "Human" will no longer be used but are heavily featured in the song's accompanying music video (based on Falling Down
Falling Down
Falling Down is a 1993 crime-drama film directed by Joel Schumacher. The film stars Michael Douglas in the lead role of William Foster , a divorcee and unemployed former defense engineer...
).
MPC played their final gig at Liverpool's Hub Festival on the 24 May 2009.
Members
- Andres (Dreza/Dre) Lefevre - vocals
- Jim (Big Jim) Wilson - bass guitar
- Mel (Diablo) Stewart - drums
- Adam Lucas - lead guitar
Discography
- Demo CD (2004)
- Cult EP (2005)
- Human Single (2006)
- ...And Four More Ways To Fight Debut album (2007)
Media interest
- MPC was picked by Planet Loud as its "Hot Pick for 2006"
"We interviewed these guys a few months ago as they'd just finished a mammoth trek around the UK toilets. Mixing the eclectism of System Of A Down with the mental ragga-rock of Skindred, we think these guys are going to be huge in 2006."
- Planet Loud entry for Multi Purpose Chemical.
- Alternative-Zine interview with MPC's bassist, Jim Wilson
- Gigwise, another review of MPC Live
- Drowned in Sound Review of MPC's Cult EP
- Manx Bands Review of MPC
- Gigwise review of MPC Live
- Get Ready to Rocks review of MPC's Cult E.P.
- MPC's first music video, Cult, has been shown a few times on the music channel MTV2MTV2MTV2 is a cable network that is widely available in the United States on digital cable and satellite television, and is progressively being added to analogue cable lineups across the nation...
. - MPC was mentioned in Kerrang magazine, in an article based on the Dog Eat Dog UK tour on which MPC were scheduled to play
- The release of ...And Four More Ways To Fight saw generally positive reviews including features in Total GuitarTotal GuitarTotal Guitar is a monthly magazine based in the United Kingdom. The magazine is the best selling guitar magazine in Europe.The magazine is owned by Future Publishing, who publish many other magazines ranging from drums and video games to mountain bikes and knitting magazines.Total Guitar regularly...
and Big Cheese magazines. - In a review of ...And Four More Ways To Fight Rock Sound magazine compared Andres Lefevre's vocal style to Serj TankianSerj TankianSerj Tankian is a Lebanese-born Armenian-American singer–songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, playwright, record producer, poet, and political activist...
:
A catalogue of strange noises and words spew from Andres Lefevre's mouth, as if he's System Of A Down man Serj TankianSerj TankianSerj Tankian is a Lebanese-born Armenian-American singer–songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, playwright, record producer, poet, and political activist...
's distant English cousin.
This is in spite of the fact that Lefevre is actually American and of Peruvian descent.
Live/tours
Multi Purpose Chemical have performed hundreds of small shows around the UK, including in Liverpool, Manchester and London, and smaller towns such as Winnington in Cheshire.MPC has twice toured the Isle of Man, and has performed on tours with bands such as Skindred
Skindred
Skindred is a Welsh rock band from Newport. The band was formed in 1998 following the disbandment of vocalist Benji Webbe's previous band, Dub War. Skindred's musical style mixes alternative rock, heavy metal, punk rock and reggae...
, Johnny Truant
Johnny Truant
Johnny Truant was a British, Brighton-based metalcore band, formed in 2000 under the name Severance. The band recorded 3 demos under this moniker before renaming themselves after the lead character of Mark Z. Danielewski's novel House of Leaves...
, Sikth
SikTh
Sikth were a progressive metal band from Watford, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom.-Early days:SikTh formed in late 1999, but consolidated their line-up in March 2001...
and Trashlight Vision
Trashlight Vision
Trashlight Vision was a trash punk band from the United States. They featured the guitarist from Murderdolls, Acey Slade and Steve Haley from the Philadelphia based rock band HALEY....
as well as support slots for OPM
OPM (band)
OPM is a Southern California based ska punk band. OPM has a distinctive sound, combining hip hop, rock music, and pop with laid-back reggae.-Band history:...
, Mad Capsule Markets and Will Haven
Will Haven
Will Haven is a noise metal band from Sacramento, California, USA.-History:In 1995, Will Haven, named after a fictional, self-created character, formed and released a six-track demo. The band was formed from members of Sock, a band that was formed with Shaun Lopez of Far. Will Haven's debut...
.