Powerman 5000, sometimes abbreviated as PM5K, is an American rock band formed in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1991. The group has released eleven studio albums and achieved its greatest commercial success with the 1999 album "Tonight the Stars Revolt!", which reached number 29 on the Billboard 200. The album included the singles "When Worlds Collide", "Nobody's Real", and "Supernova Goes Pop". Vocalist Spider One, the younger brother of musician Rob Zombie, has been the band's only constant member since its formation. Over the course of its career, Powerman 5000 has incorporated elements of rap rock, industrial metal, punk rock, nu metal, electronic rock, and science fiction-inspired themes into its music and visual style.
In 1990, Spider One recorded the 12-inch single "Much Evil" with producer Lamar Lowder. Following local recognition, including winning the Boston Phoenix/WFNX Readers' Poll award for "Best Rap Act" and receiving a Boston Music Award nomination, he founded Powerman 5000 in 1991. Early members included drummer Al Pahanish Jr., bassist Dorian Heartsong, guitarist Adam 12, percussionist Jordan Cohen, and briefly turntablist Brian Collymoore. In 1993, the band independently released the EP "A Private Little War", which was limited to 500 copies and sold primarily at live performances. Additional independent releases followed with the EP "True Force" and the full-length album "The Blood-Splat Rating System" in 1994 and 1995.
In 1996, Powerman 5000 performed on the second stage of Ozzfest and appeared in an episode of the television series "Beverly Hills, 90210". That same year, the band signed with DreamWorks Records and released a remastered version of "The Blood-Splat Rating System" under the title "Mega!! Kung Fu Radio". The group later appeared on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and performed on the main stage of Ozzfest in 1997. Singles released during this period included "Tokyo Vigilante #1" and "Organizized". In 1998, guitarist M.33, also known as Mike Tempesta, joined the lineup following the departure of Jordan Cohen.
Powerman 5000 released "Tonight the Stars Revolt!" in 1999, produced by Sylvia Massy. The album sold more than one million copies and received platinum certification. The group received nominations from the Boston Music Awards, including "Album of the Year" and "Best Rock Band", and won the "Rising Star Award". During this period, the band toured internationally and performed alongside acts including Metallica, Korn, Kid Rock, and System of a Down on the Summer Sanitarium Tour.
A follow-up album titled "Anyone for Doomsday?" was completed in 2001, and the single "Bombshell" was distributed to radio stations before the album's planned release. The album was ultimately canceled prior to release, although it was later issued through Spider One's label, Megatronic Records. Spider One later stated that the album was shelved because it was considered too similar in style to "Tonight the Stars Revolt!". Following internal conflicts, longtime members Dorian Heartsong and Al Pahanish Jr. left the band and were replaced by Siggy Sjursen and Adrian Ost. Around the same period, the band's cover of Frankie Goes to Hollywood's "Relax" appeared in the 2001 comedy film "Zoolander".
In 2003, Powerman 5000 released "Transform", which featured a more punk-oriented sound and marked a departure from the visual style associated with the "Tonight the Stars Revolt!" era. Singles from the album included "Free" and "Action". The band promoted the release through tours and television appearances, including performances on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and "The Late Late Show". Following the acquisition of DreamWorks Records by Interscope Records, Powerman 5000 was no longer promoted by the label. Spider One subsequently continued operating Megatronic Records independently. In 2004, the band released the compilation "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Vol. 1".
During the mid-2000s, several lineup changes occurred. Guitarists M.33 and Adam 12 departed, while Terry Corso and Johnny Rock Heatley joined for touring purposes. In 2005, Powerman 5000 performed at the Gathering of the Juggalos festival. The band later signed with DRT Entertainment and released "Destroy What You Enjoy" in 2006. The album's single "Wild World" was accompanied by a music video. The group continued touring throughout the United States and appeared on the television program "Attack of the Show!".
In 2007, Evan Rodaniche joined as guitarist, later followed by Dave Pino. Bassist Gustavo Aued and drummer Gordon Heckaman joined in 2008, establishing a lineup that would record the band's next studio album. During this period, Powerman 5000 announced plans for new material through online posts on Myspace.
In 2009, the band released "Somewhere on the Other Side of Nowhere". Prior to the album's release, tracks such as "Super Villain", "V Is for Vampire", and "Do Your Thing" were made available online. The album was supported by a national tour. The music video for "Super Villain", directed by Spider One, featured actor Johnathon Schaech. Powerman 5000 also performed at events including U-Fest in Phoenix, Arizona.
In 2011, the band announced work on another album and released several cover songs online, including versions of Devo's "Whip It", David Bowie's "Space Oddity", and Van Halen's "Jump". These recordings appeared on the album "Copies, Clones & Replicants", released by Cleopatra Records. Additional covers on the album included songs originally performed by The Fixx and Eddy Grant.
Powerman 5000 released "Builders of the Future" in 2014. The album was co-produced and co-written by former guitarist Nick Quijano, with additional production work by Evan Rodaniche. The band planned a co-headlining tour with Wayne Static and American Head Charge, although Wayne Static died before the tour began.
In 2016, the band announced plans to release new material. Their album "New Wave" was released in 2017, featuring the single "Sid Vicious in a Dress". Powerman 5000 toured extensively in support of the album through 2018. The band was also scheduled to participate in the "Summer of Screams" tour alongside Mushroomhead and The Browning, although several performances were canceled because of vocal issues affecting Spider One.
In 2020, Powerman 5000 signed with Cleopatra Records and released the album "The Noble Rot". The lead single, "Black Lipstick", was accompanied by a music video directed by Spider One. The album also featured a remixed version of "When Worlds Collide".
The band's eleventh studio album, "Abandon Ship", was released on May 10, 2024. Physical editions included a remixed version of the 2001 single "Bombshell" as a bonus track. In February 2026, Powerman 5000 was announced as part of the lineup for the Louder Than Life festival scheduled to take place in Louisville, Kentucky, in September 2026.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powerman_5000
Studio albums
The Blood-Splat Rating System (1995)
Tonight the Stars Revolt! (1999)
Anyone for Doomsday? (2001)
Transform (2003)
Destroy What You Enjoy (2006)
Somewhere on the Other Side of Nowhere (2009)
Copies, Clones & Replicants (2011)
Builders of the Future (2014)
New Wave (2017)
The Noble Rot (2020)
Abandon Ship (2024)
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…shrink me down again