Fu Manchu
Fu Manchu is an American stoner rock band that originated in Orange County, California. The group was originally formed in 1985 under the name Virulence, a hardcore punk band, and later adopted the name Fu Manchu in 1990 following changes in lineup and musical direction. The band underwent multiple personnel changes during the 1980s and 1990s, and has maintained a stable lineup since 2001. As of that period, the band consists of founding guitarist and later lead vocalist Scott Hill, bassist Brad Davis, lead guitarist Bob Balch, and drummer Scott Reeder.
Fu Manchu has been associated with the Palm Desert music scene, alongside bands such as Queens of the Stone Age, Kyuss, and Mondo Generator. Their music has also been described by external sources as influential within the stoner rock genre.
Virulence initially consisted of vocalist Ken Pucci, guitarist Scott Hill, bassist Mark Abshire, and drummer Ruben Romano. After Abshire's departure in 1987, Greg McCaughey joined on bass. The band released "If This Isn't a Dream..." in 1988, which was issued in 1989. In 1990, Pucci left and was replaced by vocalist Glenn Chivens, at which point the band changed its name to Fu Manchu. They released the single "Kept Between Trees" and experienced further lineup changes, including the return of Mark Abshire on bass. Chivens later left the band, after which Scott Hill took over lead vocals and Scott Votaw joined as lead guitarist. During 1992, the band released the singles "Senioritis", "Pick Up Summer", and "Don't Bother Knockin' (If This Vans Rockin')". Votaw departed in 1993 and was replaced by Eddie Glass, who had previously been the drummer for Olivelawn.
The band's first full-length album, "No One Rides for Free" (1994), was released through Bong Load Custom Records. Its themes included automotive culture, which would continue to appear in later releases. Abshire left before the recording of the second album, "Daredevil" (1995), and was replaced by Brad Davis. The band toured extensively in North America in support of the album, including performances alongside Monster Magnet.
After the release of the third album, "In Search of..." (1996), both Eddie Glass and Ruben Romano left the band, along with earlier bassist Mark Abshire. They were replaced by Bob Balch on guitar and Brant Bjork on drums. Glass, Romano, and Abshire later formed the band Nebula.
Subsequent albums included "The Action Is Go" (1997), "Godzilla's/Eatin' Dust" (1999), and "King of the Road" (2000). The band continued to tour with various acts including Kyuss, Monster Magnet, Marilyn Manson, Clutch, Corrosion of Conformity, White Zombie, Sevendust, and P.O.D.
In 2001, Fu Manchu released "California Crossing". Brant Bjork left the band shortly afterward and was replaced by Scott Reeder, who is a drummer and should not be confused with bassist Scott Reeder, known for his work with Kyuss, Unida, and Goatsnake. The band released "Start the Machine" in 2004.
"We Must Obey" was released in 2007, followed by extensive touring in North America and Europe during 2007 and 2008. In 2008, the track "Mongoose" from "California Crossing" was used in a commercial for the Toyota Sequoia. "Signs of Infinite Power" was released in 2009.
In 2014, the band released "Gigantoid". In 2018, they released "Clone of the Universe". In 2024, Fu Manchu announced their thirteenth studio album, "The Return of Tomorrow", a double album released in June of that year, with the single "Hands of the Zodiac" issued at the same time. Scott Hill described the album as being divided conceptually between heavier and more subdued material.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fu_Manchu_(band)
Studio albums
No One Rides for Free (1994)
Daredevil (1995)
In Search of... (1996)
The Action Is Go (1997)
Godzilla's/Eatin' Dust (1999)
King of the Road (2000)
California Crossing (2001)
Start the Machine (2004)
We Must Obey (2007)
Signs of Infinite Power (2009)
Gigantoid (2014)
Clone of the Universe (2018)
The Return of Tomorrow (2024)
Fu Manchu has been associated with the Palm Desert music scene, alongside bands such as Queens of the Stone Age, Kyuss, and Mondo Generator. Their music has also been described by external sources as influential within the stoner rock genre.
Virulence initially consisted of vocalist Ken Pucci, guitarist Scott Hill, bassist Mark Abshire, and drummer Ruben Romano. After Abshire's departure in 1987, Greg McCaughey joined on bass. The band released "If This Isn't a Dream..." in 1988, which was issued in 1989. In 1990, Pucci left and was replaced by vocalist Glenn Chivens, at which point the band changed its name to Fu Manchu. They released the single "Kept Between Trees" and experienced further lineup changes, including the return of Mark Abshire on bass. Chivens later left the band, after which Scott Hill took over lead vocals and Scott Votaw joined as lead guitarist. During 1992, the band released the singles "Senioritis", "Pick Up Summer", and "Don't Bother Knockin' (If This Vans Rockin')". Votaw departed in 1993 and was replaced by Eddie Glass, who had previously been the drummer for Olivelawn.
The band's first full-length album, "No One Rides for Free" (1994), was released through Bong Load Custom Records. Its themes included automotive culture, which would continue to appear in later releases. Abshire left before the recording of the second album, "Daredevil" (1995), and was replaced by Brad Davis. The band toured extensively in North America in support of the album, including performances alongside Monster Magnet.
After the release of the third album, "In Search of..." (1996), both Eddie Glass and Ruben Romano left the band, along with earlier bassist Mark Abshire. They were replaced by Bob Balch on guitar and Brant Bjork on drums. Glass, Romano, and Abshire later formed the band Nebula.
Subsequent albums included "The Action Is Go" (1997), "Godzilla's/Eatin' Dust" (1999), and "King of the Road" (2000). The band continued to tour with various acts including Kyuss, Monster Magnet, Marilyn Manson, Clutch, Corrosion of Conformity, White Zombie, Sevendust, and P.O.D.
In 2001, Fu Manchu released "California Crossing". Brant Bjork left the band shortly afterward and was replaced by Scott Reeder, who is a drummer and should not be confused with bassist Scott Reeder, known for his work with Kyuss, Unida, and Goatsnake. The band released "Start the Machine" in 2004.
"We Must Obey" was released in 2007, followed by extensive touring in North America and Europe during 2007 and 2008. In 2008, the track "Mongoose" from "California Crossing" was used in a commercial for the Toyota Sequoia. "Signs of Infinite Power" was released in 2009.
In 2014, the band released "Gigantoid". In 2018, they released "Clone of the Universe". In 2024, Fu Manchu announced their thirteenth studio album, "The Return of Tomorrow", a double album released in June of that year, with the single "Hands of the Zodiac" issued at the same time. Scott Hill described the album as being divided conceptually between heavier and more subdued material.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fu_Manchu_(band)
Studio albums
No One Rides for Free (1994)
Daredevil (1995)
In Search of... (1996)
The Action Is Go (1997)
Godzilla's/Eatin' Dust (1999)
King of the Road (2000)
California Crossing (2001)
Start the Machine (2004)
We Must Obey (2007)
Signs of Infinite Power (2009)
Gigantoid (2014)
Clone of the Universe (2018)
The Return of Tomorrow (2024)
