Powerman

The band initially consisted of one member, Michael David Cummings – aka Spider One, who has been the core member of the band throughout its formation. Spider One formed the band after he dropped at of art school and began recording music on a 4-track recorder. Spider One is also highly notable for being the brother of fellow metal musician, Rob Zombie. Spider One soon recruited Adam Williams – aka Adam 12 – to be the lead guitarist in the band. Bassist Dorian 27 and drummer Al 3 would later complete the original lineup.

In 1994 the band released their debut EP “True Force”. Just one year after the band released their EP they independently released their debut album “The Blood-Splat Rating System”. The album was a great success in their hometown and sold out of its initial pressing. The success of the album garnered the band a major label contract with DreamWorks Records. The label later reissued the album under the title “Mega!! Kung Fu Radio”.

In 1999 the band enlisted M.33 on guitars and released their highly successful album “Tonight the Stars Revolt!”. The album helped the band break into the mainstream and conveyed a unique mixture of science fiction and rock. The album contained the singles “Tonight the Stars Revolt!”, “Supernova Goes Pop”, “Nobody’s Real”, and “When Worlds Collide”. The album also did quite well on the Billboard chart reaching No. 29 on the Billboard 200. The album contained elements of campy science fiction influences as well as a cover of “Good Times Roll” by The Cars.

In the early 2000s Dorian 27 and Al3 would leave the band and were replaced by Ad7 and Siggy Sjursen. The band also gained buzz for their cover version of “Relax” by Frankie Goes to Hollywood. The cover song gained huge exposure when it was used in the 2001 film Zoolander. In 2003 the band released the album “Transform”, which took a more direct punk approach as opposed to the heavy industrial metal that the band was used to producing. The album reached the No. 27 position on the Billboard 200 and contained the singles “Free” and “Action”.

In 2006 the band released their fifth studio album “Destroy What You Enjoy”. The album contained the single “Wild World” and showed the band further shifting from industrial rock to punk rock. In 2009 the band released an album called “Somewhere on the Other Side of Nowhere”, which showed the band returning to their more industrial roots. The album contained the singles “Super Villain” and “V Is for Vampire”. In 2014 Powerman 5000 released the album “Builders of the Future”, which reached the No. 2 position on Billboard’s Top Hard Rock Albums. The album also featured the single “How to be a Human”, which placed on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Tracks.

The band is also known for their live performances and has played many headlining shows as well as performed at major festivals such as Ozzfest. Powerman 5000 has also been featured on many soundtracks including “Bride of Chucky”, “End of Days”, “Little Nicky”, and “Scream 3”.

The band originally formed in 1994 and their unique psychedelic hip-hop punk rock sound has gained them attention from fans and critics alike since. Their varied sound could be down to the mix in influence, they have cited Fishbone, Rage Against the Machine, The Notorious B.I.G, Tupac, N.W.A, 311, Cypress Hill, Ice-T, Snoop Dogg, The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Beastie Boys and Public Enemy as major inspirations. They received a commercial break of sorts when the track 'Suburban Life' was chosen to appear on the soundtrack to the film Scream 2.

Their debut album 'Royal Highness' was released in 1998 on Capitol Records and although it missed commercial success, the foundations were set for the band to become an established name in US hip hop.

The next album 'High Society' charted at #65 on the US Billboard 200, a huge improvement for the band and their record label.

They achieved their peak chart positions following the release of 'Long Live The Kings' in 2010 which reached #26 on the Billboard chart and #3 on the US Rap chart. All but one of their albums have debuted within the top 50 on the Billboard and the top 20 on the US Rap chart. Their next album titled 'Krown Power' is currently set for release in 2015.