MASSACRE MACHINE - THE BAND
Based out of MEMPHIS, TN, the band know early on in the later 80's by such names as "Minas Morgul", "Jeremiah Weed" and "Shocker" got it's start when Chuck Gordon got together with Mike Atkinson to help him get started playing bass. Along with various singers and drummers (current vocalist Brice Hamrick among them), the band set out to craft a unique metal style that cannot be pinned down to sounding like any other band. These 3 guys have been playing music together for over 25 years. That's quite an accomplishment even for a signed band. The band has always been a relatively tight knit group with only a handful of other players involved at various points (see "BAND HISTORY"). Now in 2010 with Brice back on the vocals and Gary back on the drums, the band is on a determined mission to bring original material to the masses, the band has amassed an impressive roster of 30+ songs completely their own. The band prides itself on not playing any covers. As Chuck often says, "You wouldn't go to see Metallica and ask them to play some AC/DC".
QUOTE: "The world ain't Burger King, so you ain't gettin' life YOUR WAY...Just deal with it, get over it and get on with it. Want something your way ?
..............................GO ORDER A FUKKIN' WHOPPER !!!"
BIG DADDY SHRED~Chuck Gordon - GUITAR & VOCALS
Chuck began playing after hearing the likes of Rush, Kiss, Led Zeppelin and British metal bands like Saxon and Judas Priest. After a few lessons early on, everything else was learned by ear. Falling under the influence of Randy Rhoads, Criss Oliva and neo-classical shredders the likes of Yngwie Malmsteen, Tony MacAlpine, Vinnie Moore and Steve Vai, Chuck has developed his own unique style that is immediately recognizeable as "Big Daddy Shred". Give a listen to "Tortured Strings" or "String of Solos" and decide for yourself. From Skynyrd to Savatage, from southern rock to savage metal, Chuck combines all these components to breathe life into composing the majority of the band's music and all but a handful of the song lyrics which were penned by the band's original lead singer, Rod Tolar and our newest material from current vocalist, Brice Hamrick.
QUOTE: "Fish Have Scales, Brooms Sweep...I Just Play The Damn Thing...Nuff Said"
RICHARD HEAD~Brice Hamrick - LEAD VOCALS
Brice began playing when he was 7 after his sister gave him his first Kiss and Black Sabbath records. At that time he knew he had to be a singer. His love for music drove him to learn to play other musical instruments as well. Later on with the influences of Savatage, Helstar, and Pantera he knew he wanted to be a singer. And now a singer he is. With the influences from many music styles from rock to hard core, from blues to power metal with even a little country thrown in. He gives his vocal style a one of a kind sound that will leave no doubt as to why the band refers to him as "Sir Richard Head".
QUOTE: "Hell yeah...I'm fixin' to punch you in the neck. Now good day...I said GOOD DAY !!!"
MACHINE FINGERS~Mike Atkinson - BASS & VOCALS
Mike began playing when he was 14 after inspiring amounts of Pink Floyd, Blue Oyster Cult and Thin Lizzy were instilled in him at an early age, credited to his older brother, Johnny. Then Chuck, a great friend as well as guitar player introduced Mike to a "no holds barred" metal onslaught of original material that was subsequently ahead of it's time. Mike's technique progressed into a complex, yet original style of playing having been influenced by such renowned bass-oriented rock icons as the 80's shock 'em rockers Warrior Soul, Black Sabbath & Iron Maiden. Numerous people on many different occasions have called him Steve Harris' illegitimate son earning Mike his band nickname of "Machine Fingers".
QUOTE: "Now I'm really fukkin' pissed, so it's on like a pot of neck bones."
BEAST~Gary Dacus - DRUMS
Gary began playing drums at 15 after listening to Kiss & Black Sabbath. By the time he was 19, he was playing old school metal the likes of Slayer, Metallica, Megadeth and Anthrax. An original native of Jonesboro, AR, he ended up by way of the US Military in Watertown, NY where he gained recognition with local favorite "SPUN". An ex-soldier with a past only made for HBO, Gary promises to bring "The Beast" (Vinnie Paul comes to mind) alive, take him to your house and then jump down your throat. Gary has been reviewed as one of NY's heaviest drummers and will continue to prove why that is...show after show. NOTE: Gary's playing is featured on our current demos of "Shadow of Death" and "World Spinning".
CONTACT: MY SPACE
NOTE: Gary played with MASSACRE MACHINE's "Classic" Lineup Between NOV 05-MARCH 07 and has returned to rejoin the band in APRIL 2010.