Opiate For The Masses
Encyclopedia
Opiate for the Masses was a post-hardcore
band from Arizona
. They formed in Phoenix
in 1999 by Ron Underwood, Elias Mallin
, Dustin Lyon and Jim Kaufman. The meaning of their name comes from the Karl Marx
quote that says the organized religion is nothing but an opiate for the masses
. In June 2009, they posted on their MySpace page that they had broken up and gone their separate ways. Ron is currently singing for 9 Electric.
After quitting their respective bands, Kaufman, Mallin and Underwood began writing and structuring song ideas on a computer in a basement studio. They realized they needed to expand the lineup in order to give them greater musical flexibility. Kaufman's close friend Dustin Lyon was recruited as lead guitarist. The final piece fell into place when their high school friend Ryan Head joined as bass guitarist. Song ideas came fast and furious to Opiate for the Masses.by julius ankomah.
"When I first started playing with Jim, Ron and Elias, they had two songs and some riffs put together. I laid down some solos for them, which was great because Jim wanted me to be strictly a lead guitarist," says Lyon. "I do play rhythm guitar on some of my song ideas I bring in, but I'm primarily playing lead. As for Jim and I, our playing falls together naturally."
"I grew up playing drums, and then I moved on to guitar. I didn't start playing bass until I joined this band. They were having trouble finding a bassist, and so they asked me. In just a couple of days, I learned the songs they'd already written," says Head. "It's been a great experience and it's worked out really well."
One of the most important things to happen to the band was Underwood's decision to take voice lessons. His voice has become richer and stronger as a result.
"I sounded like a kid on our first recording attempts, but my voice sounds more free and open on these new demos. Even after just my first voice lesson I noticed the difference, even in my speaking voice," says Underwood.
The band—which routinely headlined Phoenix-area shows drawing more than 1,500 people—released a six-song demo to secure a record deal. The songs include: "The Carried," "Running From Yourself," "Heaven," "Goodbye," "Shadows" and "Illusions." The demo was produced and mixed by Nine Inch Nails keyboardist Charlie Clouser. These six are part of the more than 45 original songs in Opiate for the Masses' repertoire.
In the wake of The Spore
album release, the band has played with such big names as Marilyn Manson
, Static-X, The Bled
, Orgy
, Avenged Sevenfold
and Drowning Pool
, and played on both the Warped Tour
and the Taste of Chaos
tour. Opiate For The Masses is also featured in the Van's Warped Tour documentary, Wake Up Screaming.
The band, taking influence from Nine Inch Nails
, Tool
, and Ministry
is gaining popularity and is gearing up for a tour with Bobaflex after initially touring with Filter in support of Manifesto.
Their song "Burn You Down" is featured as a downloadable track in Rock Band 2
.
Opiate for the masses has broken up!
The members have decided to go separate ways and are individually pursuing new projects. "We thank you all for all the support you've showed over the years. We had a blast hanging with you all on tour and thank you for all the good times!"
Jimmy is producing records under his label American Voodoo Records with a distribution deal through E.M.I and scoring movies in his studio in Hollywood, CA. Most recently, Jimmy has signed Hellflower, which includes band members Church (TV Personality), Stephen Perkins
, and Paige Haley
.
Ronny moved back to his hometown of Phoenix, AZ, then moved back to LA when he got involved with his new band, 9 Electric."
Current Projects:
Ron Underwood is the lead singer of 9 Electric
Elias Mallin is the drummer for Kill Hannah and most recently toured with Hollywood Undead
Andrew Gerold is the current live bassist for Marilyn Manson
Dustin Lyon is the guitarist for The Glory Stompers
Post-hardcore
Post-hardcore is a genre of music that developed from hardcore punk, itself an offshoot of the broader punk rock movement. Like post-punk, post-hardcore is a term for a broad constellation of groups...
band from Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
. They formed in Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
in 1999 by Ron Underwood, Elias Mallin
Elias Mallin
Elias Mallin, from Phoenix, Arizona, played drums for metal/post-hardcore band Opiate for the Masses from 1999 until 2005. He was one of the founding members of My Darling Murder, a metal band formed with friends Andy Gerold and Tim Kelleher .My Darling Murder broke up in 2006, according to a...
, Dustin Lyon and Jim Kaufman. The meaning of their name comes from the Karl Marx
Karl Marx
Karl Heinrich Marx was a German philosopher, economist, sociologist, historian, journalist, and revolutionary socialist. His ideas played a significant role in the development of social science and the socialist political movement...
quote that says the organized religion is nothing but an opiate for the masses
Opium of the People
"Religion is the opium of the people" is one of the most frequently paraphrased statements of Karl Marx. It was translated from the German original, "Die Religion .....
. In June 2009, they posted on their MySpace page that they had broken up and gone their separate ways. Ron is currently singing for 9 Electric.
Background
Opiate for the Masses formed in 1999, and the name was derived from a concept that philosopher Karl Marx used to describe organized religion. Guitarist and songwriter Jim Kaufman was in a band called Projex when he approached drummer Elias Mallin and vocalist Ron Underwood of 5 on 1 about forming a new band. The three young men had actually attended the same performing arts school.After quitting their respective bands, Kaufman, Mallin and Underwood began writing and structuring song ideas on a computer in a basement studio. They realized they needed to expand the lineup in order to give them greater musical flexibility. Kaufman's close friend Dustin Lyon was recruited as lead guitarist. The final piece fell into place when their high school friend Ryan Head joined as bass guitarist. Song ideas came fast and furious to Opiate for the Masses.by julius ankomah.
"When I first started playing with Jim, Ron and Elias, they had two songs and some riffs put together. I laid down some solos for them, which was great because Jim wanted me to be strictly a lead guitarist," says Lyon. "I do play rhythm guitar on some of my song ideas I bring in, but I'm primarily playing lead. As for Jim and I, our playing falls together naturally."
"I grew up playing drums, and then I moved on to guitar. I didn't start playing bass until I joined this band. They were having trouble finding a bassist, and so they asked me. In just a couple of days, I learned the songs they'd already written," says Head. "It's been a great experience and it's worked out really well."
One of the most important things to happen to the band was Underwood's decision to take voice lessons. His voice has become richer and stronger as a result.
"I sounded like a kid on our first recording attempts, but my voice sounds more free and open on these new demos. Even after just my first voice lesson I noticed the difference, even in my speaking voice," says Underwood.
The band—which routinely headlined Phoenix-area shows drawing more than 1,500 people—released a six-song demo to secure a record deal. The songs include: "The Carried," "Running From Yourself," "Heaven," "Goodbye," "Shadows" and "Illusions." The demo was produced and mixed by Nine Inch Nails keyboardist Charlie Clouser. These six are part of the more than 45 original songs in Opiate for the Masses' repertoire.
In the wake of The Spore
The Spore
The Spore is Opiate for the Masses's fourth full-length release. It was released on April 26, 2005 by Jim Kaufman's own Voodoo Records. The CD comes with a Warcon DVD featuring videos from OFM, Eighteen Visions, Queens of the Stone Age, Drowning Pool, El Pus, Stutterfly and Bleed The Dream...
album release, the band has played with such big names as Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson (band)
Marilyn Manson is an American metal band from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Formed in 1989 by Brian Warner and Scott Putesky, the group was originally named Marilyn Manson & the Spooky Kids with their uniquely theatrical performances gathering a local cult following in the early '90s. This attention...
, Static-X, The Bled
The Bled
The Bled is a hardcore band from Tucson, Arizona. The group formed in 2001, originally under the name "The Radiation Defiance Theory", but changed it because of its length...
, Orgy
Orgy (band)
Orgy is an American synth rock band formed in 1996, from Los Angeles, California. Orgy described their music as "death pop".-History:Orgy was formed in 1996 by vocalist Jay Gordon and guitarist Ryan Shuck. Bassist Paige Haley, guitarist Amir Derakh, and drummer Bobby Hewitt soon completed the line-up...
, Avenged Sevenfold
Avenged Sevenfold
Avenged Sevenfold is an American heavy metal band from Huntington Beach, California. Formed in 1999, the group consists of vocalist M. Shadows, lead guitarist Synyster Gates, rhythm guitarist Zacky Vengeance, bassist Johnny Christ....
and Drowning Pool
Drowning Pool
Drowning Pool is a four-piece alternative metal band from Dallas, Texas.-Early days :Drowning Pool rose to fame while playing along with Ozzy Osbourne during an Ozzfest tour. Their 2001 debut album, Sinner was certified platinum within six weeks...
, and played on both the Warped Tour
Warped Tour
The Warped Tour is a touring music and extreme sports festival. The tour is held in venues such as parking lots or fields upon which the stages and other structures are erected. The BMX/skateboarding shoe manufacturer Vans, among others, has sponsored the tour every year since 1995, and it is...
and the Taste of Chaos
Taste of Chaos
Taste of Chaos is a hardcore tour that was started in the winter of 2005 by Kevin Lyman, the creator of the successful Warped Tour along with friend and business partner, John Reese. The Taste Of Chaos tour caters for fans of the post-hardcore, screamo, and metal genres, while offering the same...
tour. Opiate For The Masses is also featured in the Van's Warped Tour documentary, Wake Up Screaming.
The band, taking influence from Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
, Tool
Tool (band)
Tool is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1990, the group's line-up has included drummer Danny Carey, guitarist Adam Jones, and vocalist Maynard James Keenan. Since 1995, Justin Chancellor has been the band's bassist, replacing their original bassist Paul D'Amour...
, and Ministry
Ministry (band)
Ministry is an American industrial metal band founded by lead singer Al Jourgensen in 1981. Originally a synthpop outfit, Ministry changed its style to industrial metal in the late 1980s. Ministry found mainstream success in the early 1990s with its most successful album Psalm 69: The Way to...
is gaining popularity and is gearing up for a tour with Bobaflex after initially touring with Filter in support of Manifesto.
Their song "Burn You Down" is featured as a downloadable track in Rock Band 2
Rock Band 2
Rock Band 2 is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems. It is the sequel to Rock Band and is the second title in the series. The game allows up to four players to simulate the performance of popular songs by playing with controllers modeled after musical instruments...
.
Break-up Announcement
In June 2009, they posted on their MySpace pageOpiate for the masses has broken up!
The members have decided to go separate ways and are individually pursuing new projects. "We thank you all for all the support you've showed over the years. We had a blast hanging with you all on tour and thank you for all the good times!"
Jimmy is producing records under his label American Voodoo Records with a distribution deal through E.M.I and scoring movies in his studio in Hollywood, CA. Most recently, Jimmy has signed Hellflower, which includes band members Church (TV Personality), Stephen Perkins
Stephen Perkins
Stephen Andrew Perkins is an American musician and songwriter. A drummer and percussionist, he currently plays with Jane's Addiction and Hellflower....
, and Paige Haley
Paige Haley
Paige Haley is a musician and producer.Born in Oakland, California in the United States as Brad Armstrong. He grew up in Alameda. He is close friends with Jay Gordon, another member of their band Orgy. He used to paint houses for a living, and play gigs for local bands until eventually joining Orgy...
.
Ronny moved back to his hometown of Phoenix, AZ, then moved back to LA when he got involved with his new band, 9 Electric."
Reunion
Original members of Opiate for the Masses, Ron Underwood, Elias Mallin, Dustin Lyon, Ryan Head and former guitarist Andy Gerold reunited on February 4, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona for a 5 song reunion at a benefit concert. Videos of the concert can be found on YouTube.Current Projects:
Ron Underwood is the lead singer of 9 Electric
Elias Mallin is the drummer for Kill Hannah and most recently toured with Hollywood Undead
Hollywood Undead
Hollywood Undead is an American rap rock band from Los Angeles, California. They released their debut album, Swan Songs, on September 2, 2008, and their live CD/DVD Desperate Measures, on November 10, 2009. Their second studio album, American Tragedy, was released April 5, 2011...
Andrew Gerold is the current live bassist for Marilyn Manson
Dustin Lyon is the guitarist for The Glory Stompers
Original members
- Ron Underwood (Vocals) (1999–2009)
- Elias MallinElias MallinElias Mallin, from Phoenix, Arizona, played drums for metal/post-hardcore band Opiate for the Masses from 1999 until 2005. He was one of the founding members of My Darling Murder, a metal band formed with friends Andy Gerold and Tim Kelleher .My Darling Murder broke up in 2006, according to a...
(Drums) (1999–2005) - Ryan Head (Bass) (1999–2007)
- Dustin Lyon (Guitar) (1999–2003)
- Jim Kaufman (Guitar, Synths and Programming) (1999–2009)
Past members
- Andy GeroldAndy GeroldAndy Gerold is a professional multi-instrumentalist and is best known as a former bassist of Marilyn Manson.-Early life:...
(Guitar, Synths and Programming) (2003–2005) - Seven AntonopoulosSeven AntonopoulosChris Antonopoulos is Greek-American rock drummer, who played on Sabian Cymbals forOpiate for the Masses-Career:...
(2005–2008) - Anna Kjellberg (Bass) (2008–2009)
Studio albums
- New Machines and the Wasted Life (2000)
- Seven [EP] (2001)
- Goodbye [EP] (2002)
- The SporeThe SporeThe Spore is Opiate for the Masses's fourth full-length release. It was released on April 26, 2005 by Jim Kaufman's own Voodoo Records. The CD comes with a Warcon DVD featuring videos from OFM, Eighteen Visions, Queens of the Stone Age, Drowning Pool, El Pus, Stutterfly and Bleed The Dream...
(2005) - ManifestoManifesto (Opiate For The Masses album)Manifesto is Opiate for the Masses's fifth release and first release on Century Media Records. "Wandering Star" is a cover of Portishead from their album Dummy. The track "Burn You Down" is a downloadable song for Rock Band 2...
(2008)
Compilations
- Jägermeister Music TourJägermeister Music TourThe Jägermeister Music Tour is a hard rock, hardcore punk, and heavy metal music tour that has been held twice a year in the United States since 2002. It is owned by the American importer of Jägermeister, Sidney Frank Importing.-History:...
(2006) - Taste of Christmas (2005)
- Saw II soundtrack
- Saw III soundtrackSaw III (soundtrack)Saw III: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the soundtrack for the film Saw III. It was released on October 24, 2006 by Artists Addiction...
- The Best of Taste of ChaosThe Best of Taste of ChaosThe Best of Taste of Chaos is an album of songs by bands that appeared on the Taste of Chaos tour.-Track listing:...
- The Best of Taste of Chaos Two.The Best of Taste of Chaos Two.The Best of Taste of Chaos Two. is a compilation album of material by bands that played in the Taste of Chaos tour.-Disc 1:#Underoath – "In Regards to Myself"#Thursday – "At This Velocity"#Bullet for My Valentine – "4 Words "...