The Mentors
Encyclopedia
The Mentors are an American heavy metal
band noted for its deliberately sexist shock rock
lyrics.
They formed in 1977 in Seattle, Washington
and relocated to Los Angeles, California
in 1979, where their irreverent attitude aligned them with the city's punk rock
scene. Their music has developed stylistically over the years from garage
metal
to hardcore punk
to experimental
thrash metal
. They bill themselves as the inventors of "rape rock," essentially an early 1970s-style heavy metal and punk rock fusion with extremely chauvinistic and perverse lyrics about degrading women.
Although they garnered attention both from noted hard rock acts and pro-censorship movements such as the PMRC, the high profile death of drummer and lead singer Eldon Hoke
("El Duce") in 1997 brought them unprecedented attention. They remain active with a retooled lineup.
("Sickie Wifebeater"; guitar) and Steve Broy
("Dr. Heathen Scum"; bass) attended Roosevelt High School together in Seattle, and began experimenting together with crude protopunk
and primitive heavy metal. Upon formation, The Mentors began to tour the Northwest, playing shows with their trademark executioner hoods and bawdy lyrics. Broy was in and out of the band during its early career due to his preoccupation while pursuing a degree in engineering. Other bassists from this era include Jeff Dahl, Chris Jacobsen (Jack Shit), and Mike Dewey (Heathen Scum Wezda).
Through Mystic Records, The Mentors released their first EP, The Trash Bag, in 1983. Their first live album, Live at the Whiskey/Cathey de Grande
, came out the following year; both records were produced by Phillip (Philco) Raves. In 1985, they signed to Death Records, a subsidiary of Metal Blade
, and released their debut studio LP, You Axed for It!
, with Broy returning on the bass. During this time, Hoke maintained a strong public presence, making a controversial appearance alongside fellow metal band GWAR
on The Jerry Springer Show
, who criticized Hoke's band, beliefs, and public image. In another controversial interview, on Hot Seat with Wally George, Hoke claimed that The Mentors and their fans "want rape rock!" This term would eventually come into use by similar shock rock bands such as The Murder Junkies
and The MILF Hunters.
Broy was briefly replaced by bassists Wayne Daddio ("Ripper"), Scott Weinrich
(who played anonymously), Ed Danky ("Poppa Sneaky Spermshooter") and Zippy, but later returned to the group. In 1989, The Mentors released their third album, Sex, Drugs & Rock 'n' Roll, a faux-live record. This album caught the attention of the hard rock band Revolting Cocks
, who invited The Mentors on tour with them.
They released Rock Bible
in 1990, with Rick Lomas ("Insect On Acid") sitting in on drums. To the Max
followed the next year. Clark "Moosedick" Savage often filled in for Hoke on drums at live shows, as Hoke's alcoholism had made it difficult for him to play drums and sing simultaneously.
The Mentors remained sporadically active thereafter. Hoke began a solo career, while Carlson formed the band Jesters of Destiny. In the mid 1990s, Hoke claimed that Courtney Love
had offered him $50,000 to kill her husband Kurt Cobain
, whose death was ruled a suicide. In 1997, days after being interviewed for the documentary film
Kurt and Courtney, Hoke died after being struck by a freight train while intoxicated. His death was alternately described as an accident and a suicide, while some have pointed to evidence suggesting foul play.
Carlson, Broy and Savage continued the band and were joined by guitarist Sickie J and vocalist El Rapo in 2001, releasing Over the Top in 2005. 2006 Singer and drummer Marc DeLeon ("Mad Dog"), of the Mentors tribute band The Mantors, replaced El Rapo and, later, Savage. 2009 saw the release of Ducefixion
, their eighth full-length record.
Former members
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band noted for its deliberately sexist shock rock
Shock rock
Shock rock is an umbrella term for artists who combine rock music with elements of theatrical shock value in live performances.-History:Screamin' Jay Hawkins was arguably the first shock rocker...
lyrics.
They formed in 1977 in Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
and relocated to Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
in 1979, where their irreverent attitude aligned them with the city's punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
scene. Their music has developed stylistically over the years from garage
Garage rock
Garage rock is a raw form of rock and roll that was first popular in the United States and Canada from about 1963 to 1967. During the 1960s, it was not recognized as a separate music genre and had no specific name...
metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
to hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
to experimental
Experimental rock
Experimental rock or avant-garde rock is a type of music based on rock which experiments with the basic elements of the genre, or which pushes the boundaries of common composition and performance technique....
thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
. They bill themselves as the inventors of "rape rock," essentially an early 1970s-style heavy metal and punk rock fusion with extremely chauvinistic and perverse lyrics about degrading women.
Although they garnered attention both from noted hard rock acts and pro-censorship movements such as the PMRC, the high profile death of drummer and lead singer Eldon Hoke
Eldon Hoke
El Duce redirects here. The Italian dictator Benito Mussolini was known as "Il Duce."Eldon Wayne Hoke was an American musician. Nicknamed El Duce, he was best known as the drummer and lead singer of the self-described "rape rock" band The Mentors...
("El Duce") in 1997 brought them unprecedented attention. They remain active with a retooled lineup.
History
Founding members Hoke, Eric CarlsonEric Carlson (musician)
Eric Carlson is a founding member and lead guitarist of American heavy metal band The Mentors. Under the stage name Sickie Wifebeater, Carlson started The Mentors in Seattle in 1976 with bass guitarist Steve Broy Eric Carlson (born May 22, 1958, in Seattle, Washington) is a founding member and...
("Sickie Wifebeater"; guitar) and Steve Broy
Steve Broy
Steven Broy is an American musician, best known as a founding member and current bassist of the heavy metal band The Mentors. Broy has also collaborated in related bands and released solo records under the Dr...
("Dr. Heathen Scum"; bass) attended Roosevelt High School together in Seattle, and began experimenting together with crude protopunk
Protopunk
Protopunk is a term used retrospectively to describe a number of musicians who were important precursors of punk rock in the late 1960s to mid-1970s, or who have been cited by early punk musicians as influential...
and primitive heavy metal. Upon formation, The Mentors began to tour the Northwest, playing shows with their trademark executioner hoods and bawdy lyrics. Broy was in and out of the band during its early career due to his preoccupation while pursuing a degree in engineering. Other bassists from this era include Jeff Dahl, Chris Jacobsen (Jack Shit), and Mike Dewey (Heathen Scum Wezda).
Through Mystic Records, The Mentors released their first EP, The Trash Bag, in 1983. Their first live album, Live at the Whiskey/Cathey de Grande
Live at the Whiskey (1983 album)
-Track listing:#"Adultery"#"Going Through Your Purse" #"Free Fix for a Fuck" #"Rock'em Sock'em" #"Get Up and Die" #"Peepin' Tom" #"Woman from Sodom" #"Baby You'll Regret Me" #"Get Up and Die"-Line-Up:* El Duce — drums, lead vocals...
, came out the following year; both records were produced by Phillip (Philco) Raves. In 1985, they signed to Death Records, a subsidiary of Metal Blade
Metal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records is a record label which was founded by Brian Slagel in 1982. The U.S. corporate office for Metal Blade is located in Agoura Hills, California. It also has offices in Arizona, Germany, Japan, Canada, and the UK. The label is distributed in the U.S. by Sony BMG Music...
, and released their debut studio LP, You Axed for It!
You Axed For It!
You Axed For It! is the first album by American "rape rock" band The Mentors.-Track listing:#"Sandwich of Love" - 4:22#"Shocked and Grossed" - 3:42#"Four F Club" - 5:35#"Herpes Two" - 5:21#"Judgement Day" - 4:56 #"Sleep Bandits" - 4:35...
, with Broy returning on the bass. During this time, Hoke maintained a strong public presence, making a controversial appearance alongside fellow metal band GWAR
GWAR
Gwar is a satirical heavy metal band formed in Richmond, Virginia, United States, in 1984. The band is best known for its elaborate science fiction/horror film inspired costumes, obscene lyrics and graphic stage performances, which feature humorous enactments of politically and morally taboo...
on The Jerry Springer Show
The Jerry Springer Show
The Jerry Springer Show is a syndicated television tabloid talk show hosted by Jerry Springer, a former politician, broadcast in the United States and other countries...
, who criticized Hoke's band, beliefs, and public image. In another controversial interview, on Hot Seat with Wally George, Hoke claimed that The Mentors and their fans "want rape rock!" This term would eventually come into use by similar shock rock bands such as The Murder Junkies
The Murder Junkies
The Murder Junkies are a GG Allin tribute band, most known for being the actual backing band of deceased punk rock performer GG Allin. They are the third GG Allin backing band to bear the name....
and The MILF Hunters.
Broy was briefly replaced by bassists Wayne Daddio ("Ripper"), Scott Weinrich
Scott Weinrich
Robert Scott "Wino" Weinrich is a doom metal guitarist and vocalist. Active since 1976, when he started his first band War Horse, Weinrich is best known for being the frontman and guitarist of the doom metal bands The Obsessed and Saint Vitus...
(who played anonymously), Ed Danky ("Poppa Sneaky Spermshooter") and Zippy, but later returned to the group. In 1989, The Mentors released their third album, Sex, Drugs & Rock 'n' Roll, a faux-live record. This album caught the attention of the hard rock band Revolting Cocks
Revolting Cocks
Revolting Cocks, also known as RevCo, is an American–Belgian industrial rock band and sometime supergroup that began as a musical side-project for Richard 23 of Front 242, Luc Van Acker, and Al Jourgensen of Ministry.-History:...
, who invited The Mentors on tour with them.
They released Rock Bible
Rock Bible
Rock Bible is the fourth album by American "rape rock" band the Mentors.Was only available on cassette on its original release. Rick Lomas plays drums on most tracks due to El Duce's inability to control his alcohol intake....
in 1990, with Rick Lomas ("Insect On Acid") sitting in on drums. To the Max
To The Max (album)
To The Max is American "rape rock" band The Mentors fifth album and final album with lead singer El Duce.-Track listing:#"When You're Horny, You're Horny" - 2:41#"God's Gift to Women"- 2:57#"Donkey Dick" - 3:18#"Forty Ouncer" - 2:52...
followed the next year. Clark "Moosedick" Savage often filled in for Hoke on drums at live shows, as Hoke's alcoholism had made it difficult for him to play drums and sing simultaneously.
The Mentors remained sporadically active thereafter. Hoke began a solo career, while Carlson formed the band Jesters of Destiny. In the mid 1990s, Hoke claimed that Courtney Love
Courtney Love
Courtney Michelle Love is an American rock musician. Love is the lead vocalist, lyricist, and rhythm guitarist for alternative rock band Hole, which she formed in 1989, and is an actress who has moved from bit parts in Alex Cox films to significant and acclaimed roles in The People vs...
had offered him $50,000 to kill her husband Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain
Kurt Donald Cobain was an American singer-songwriter, musician and artist, best known as the lead singer and guitarist of the grunge band Nirvana...
, whose death was ruled a suicide. In 1997, days after being interviewed for the documentary film
Documentary film
Documentary films constitute a broad category of nonfictional motion pictures intended to document some aspect of reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction or maintaining a historical record...
Kurt and Courtney, Hoke died after being struck by a freight train while intoxicated. His death was alternately described as an accident and a suicide, while some have pointed to evidence suggesting foul play.
Carlson, Broy and Savage continued the band and were joined by guitarist Sickie J and vocalist El Rapo in 2001, releasing Over the Top in 2005. 2006 Singer and drummer Marc DeLeon ("Mad Dog"), of the Mentors tribute band The Mantors, replaced El Rapo and, later, Savage. 2009 saw the release of Ducefixion
Ducefixion
Ducefixion is an album released in summer 2009 by the American rape rock group The Mentors.The last track of the album "Masturbation Illness" features El Duce on vocals and was recorded in the 1990s.-Track listing:#"Black Snatch" - 5:17...
, their eighth full-length record.
Members
Current members- Eric CarlsonEric Carlson (musician)Eric Carlson is a founding member and lead guitarist of American heavy metal band The Mentors. Under the stage name Sickie Wifebeater, Carlson started The Mentors in Seattle in 1976 with bass guitarist Steve Broy Eric Carlson (born May 22, 1958, in Seattle, Washington) is a founding member and...
(Sickie Wifebeater) – guitar (1977–present) - Steve BroySteve BroySteven Broy is an American musician, best known as a founding member and current bassist of the heavy metal band The Mentors. Broy has also collaborated in related bands and released solo records under the Dr...
(Dr. Heathen Scum) – bass (1977–1979, 1984–1986, 1989–present) - Marc Deleon (Mad Dog Duce) – drums, lead vocals (2005–present)
Former members
- Eldon HokeEldon HokeEl Duce redirects here. The Italian dictator Benito Mussolini was known as "Il Duce."Eldon Wayne Hoke was an American musician. Nicknamed El Duce, he was best known as the drummer and lead singer of the self-described "rape rock" band The Mentors...
(El Duce; deceased) – drums, lead vocals (1977–1997) - Jeff Dahl – bass (1979–1980)
- Chris Jacobson (Jack Shit; deceased) – bass (1980)
- Mike Dewey (Heathen Scum Wezda) – bass (1980–1984)
- Wayne Daddio (Ripper) – bass (1984–1985)
- Scott "Wino" Weinrich - bass (1986)
- Ed Danky (Poppa Sneaky Spermshooter; deceased) – bass (1986–1987)
- Zippy – bass (1987–1989)
- Rick Lomas (Insect On Acid) – drums (1989)
- Clark Savage (Moosedick) – drums (1991–2008)
- Sickie J – rhythm guitar (2001–2010)
- El Rapo – vocals (2002–2004)
Discography
- Get Up and DieGet Up and DieGet Up and Die is an EP released by the American rape rock group The Mentors.Get Up and Die was later repackaged as Trash Bag with different track order in 1982, and again as Value Pack and another different track order.-Track listing:#"Peepin' Tom" #"Get Up and Die" #"Woman From Sodom" #"Going...
(1981 Mystic Records) - Live at the Whiskey/Cathey de GrandeLive at the Whiskey (1983 album)-Track listing:#"Adultery"#"Going Through Your Purse" #"Free Fix for a Fuck" #"Rock'em Sock'em" #"Get Up and Die" #"Peepin' Tom" #"Woman from Sodom" #"Baby You'll Regret Me" #"Get Up and Die"-Line-Up:* El Duce — drums, lead vocals...
(1981 Mystic Records) - You Axed for It!You Axed For It!You Axed For It! is the first album by American "rape rock" band The Mentors.-Track listing:#"Sandwich of Love" - 4:22#"Shocked and Grossed" - 3:42#"Four F Club" - 5:35#"Herpes Two" - 5:21#"Judgement Day" - 4:56 #"Sleep Bandits" - 4:35...
(1985 Metal Blade/Death Records) - Up the Dose (1986 Metal Blade/Death Records)
- Sex Drugs and Rock 'n' RollSex Drugs and Rock 'n' RollSex, Drugs & Rock 'n' Roll is the third album by American "rape rock" band the Mentors.Tracks 1 to 9 were recorded in Seattle in the late '70s.-Track listing:#"Northwest Breeder" - 3:09 #"Big Baby Boy" - 1:59#"Oblivion Train" - 1:59...
(1989 Ever Rat Records) - Rock BibleRock BibleRock Bible is the fourth album by American "rape rock" band the Mentors.Was only available on cassette on its original release. Rick Lomas plays drums on most tracks due to El Duce's inability to control his alcohol intake....
(1990 Mentor Records) - To The MaxTo The Max (album)To The Max is American "rape rock" band The Mentors fifth album and final album with lead singer El Duce.-Track listing:#"When You're Horny, You're Horny" - 2:41#"God's Gift to Women"- 2:57#"Donkey Dick" - 3:18#"Forty Ouncer" - 2:52...
(1991 Mentor Records) - Over The Top (2005 Mentor Records)
- DucefixionDucefixionDucefixion is an album released in summer 2009 by the American rape rock group The Mentors.The last track of the album "Masturbation Illness" features El Duce on vocals and was recorded in the 1990s.-Track listing:#"Black Snatch" - 5:17...
(2009 Mentor Records)
Videography
- Get Up and Die (1983)
- Mentors Fuck Movie (1987)
- A Piece Of Sinema (1990)
- The Wretched World of The Mentors (1990)
- Mentors Tour De Max '91 (1991)
- El Duce, The Man. The Myth. The Video. (1993)
- Mentors - El Duce Vita DVD (2007)
External links
- Official Website
- The Church Of El Duce
- Fan Site
- The Mentors at Encyclopedia Metallum
- Wanker Records
- The Mantors Bakersfield
- Rape Rock .net