Biography
Gargamel! emerged from Orlando, FL in 1992 as a hard rock outfit whose sound draws together heavy metal, hip-hop, funk, progressive rock, reggae, and alternative rock while threading in a steady stream of offbeat humor. The group, whose name comes from a Smurfs character, was started by frontman Mandaddy, a longtime supporter of the area’s music community who also produces the weekly local-music program Bootleg Television. The initial roster included guitarists Headless Spawn and Skyjak, bassist Boy Howdy, and drummer Webb; together they cut the band’s debut, Revulva, issued in 1997.
By the arrival of Touch My Fun in 2000, Mandaddy and Webb remained the sole holdovers after three founding members departed, and the lineup now featured El Diablo Guapo on guitar, Crazy Hector on bass, and Servobeonic Man handling keyboards and samplers. The album moved briskly in the region and earned CD of the Year honors at the 2001 Orlando Weekly Music Awards, even as the band drew criticism for performing in masks; reviewers accused them of copying Slipknot, yet Gargamel! had already adopted the look well before that group appeared. The act built a strong regional following, regularly topping bills at major Florida venues and supporting GWAR, Anthrax, and Mushroomhead on the road.
The New Tenderness, released in 2003, introduced guitarist Professor Knuckles, while Fields of Happy in 2007 marked the last recording with Webb, who exited shortly afterward and was succeeded by percussionist Mas.
By the arrival of Touch My Fun in 2000, Mandaddy and Webb remained the sole holdovers after three founding members departed, and the lineup now featured El Diablo Guapo on guitar, Crazy Hector on bass, and Servobeonic Man handling keyboards and samplers. The album moved briskly in the region and earned CD of the Year honors at the 2001 Orlando Weekly Music Awards, even as the band drew criticism for performing in masks; reviewers accused them of copying Slipknot, yet Gargamel! had already adopted the look well before that group appeared. The act built a strong regional following, regularly topping bills at major Florida venues and supporting GWAR, Anthrax, and Mushroomhead on the road.
The New Tenderness, released in 2003, introduced guitarist Professor Knuckles, while Fields of Happy in 2007 marked the last recording with Webb, who exited shortly afterward and was succeeded by percussionist Mas.
Albums
