Motograter

Motograter originated as a shape-shifting metal collective launched in Santa Barbara, California, before relocating its base to Austin, Texas. The group derived its moniker from the motograter, a custom-built percussive device fashioned from industrial cable, cranks, and gears. Its sound fused industrial textures, rap cadences, and experimental nu-metal aggression into an angsty whole. Bruce “Grater” Butler, the instrument’s creator, and percussionist Joey “Smur” Krzywonski assembled the project in 1995. Vocalist Zak “The Waz” Ward and primary drummer Chris “Crispy” Binns entered in 1998, after which the band issued its first EP, Hugh Chardon, in 1999. Electronics and sampling specialist Eric Gonzales arrived later that year and contributed to the follow-up EP Indy in 2000. A contract with Elektra Records materialized in 2002, paving the way for the self-titled debut album the next year; that release incorporated vocalist Ivan “Ghost” Moody and guitarist Matt “Nuke” Nunes. Persistent personnel shifts culminated in a 2005 hiatus intended to accommodate the members’ various outside endeavors. Activity resumed in 2009 without any founding participants, yielding the EP Pre-Release performed by Michael “Angel” Woodruff on vocals, Matt “Nuke” Nunes on guitar, Tyler Hole on guitar, Mylon Guy on bass, Jeremy “Twitch” Scheller on drums, and Mark Nosler on motograter. Further road work ensued, augmented by the addition of electronics and samples player KC Kaos, until the lineup dissolved once more in 2011. James Anthony Legion assumed vocal duties upon the 2015 regrouping. Two years later the band aligned with EMP Label Group, the imprint run by Megadeth bassist Dave Ellefson, and delivered its second studio album, Desolation, featuring Nunes, Legion, Guy, Noah “Shark” Robertson, Dustin “Skunk” Anderson, and Jesse Stamper.