A Tribute To Monster Magnet

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1991, only 19 years away from the total destruction of planet Galactus and as if this wasn’t enough two originals were getting troubles with their implants. First Tim Cronin started to show signs of rejection. Weird enough only during on stage performances … apart from Dave Wyndorf who apparently went through a more advanced sequence of modification back at the spaceship both Tim

and John were equipped with a rather primitive version of the Galactian implant. The devices later on used on Joe Calandra and Jon Kleiman were much more advanced. Problem was it was way to late to remove the antiquated piece of high tech machinery without risking severe brain damage, not that it would matter much but you never know. The high council decided unanimously it was time for Tim Cronin to take a step back, flew him over to the mothership and crowned him “Centre of the Universe”. On more earthly bases they made him “Master of Lights” and “Dope Provider”. Tim felt good in his new position and the longer he worked behind the scenes the less his body rejected the implant, problem solved, time to move on.

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Monster Magnet, now extended to a solid five piece psychedelic shitstorm retires towards the rehearsal cellar for a while and starts to write masterpiece “Spine of God”, a mostly nightly activity, naturally. In the meantime a highly trained team of Galactians start to make plans about artwork, merchandise and selecting crew members for an inevitable world tour. First “Spine of God” gets released in the US through Primo Scree / Caroline shortly followed by a Glitterhouse release in Europe. On the front sleeve a rather frightening piece of artwork showing the BullGod, who’s Galactus’s equivalent to our God, speared upon a human spine. Seems as the former peace loving colony is getting hostile. Common theme on the album seems to be the first Galactian attempt to establish a colony on planet Earth back in the late 60’s, a sad failure known as the “Manson Family” case. The back cover shows a stoned bandpicture as seen through the lens of a modified camera, operated by Samantha Muccini, an early convertee, along with the wise words “It’s A Satanic Drug Thing You Wouldn’t Understand” in order to exclude all misunderstandings. The band starts a series of local shows in the New Jersey / New York area when also John McBain starts to show signs of implant rejection. His rather weird behaviour, diagnosed as a case of drug paranoia at first, is getting worse by the day and for some reason all contact with the mothership seems to be lost and no one knows exactly what’s going on. More shows outside the NJ / NY area are booked and poor McBain seems to lose all control, not that he’s the only one for that matter but for good observers it’s perfectly clear there’s more going on with the guitarist than your average rock band debauchery. Early 1992 Monster Magnet decides to leave for Europe anyway.

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Dredging through the European continent like a stoned mule on the lose Monster Magnet succeeds where many failed before, converting many freaks wherever their kerosene fuelled tour-van decides to stop. John McBain somehow managed to keep his head above water, mostly because of the fact his and his bandmates behaviour doesn’t differs that much compared to your average European rock-fan. Places like Frankfurt, Vienna, Munich, Zurich, Paris and Amsterdam are crushed in swirling psychedelic pools of decay leaving a black hole in both the band members and the watching spectators heads. Support acts like Sister Double Happiness and Helmet, and headliners like Prong, are blown away and mumbling space heads wearing “Spine Of God” shirts become a frequent picture in many cities across the continent. Although Dave Wyndorf’s voice was shot on most nights due to the fact he forgot his inhaler containing Galactian air back home, which resulted in lots of strictly instrumental shows, this doesn’t change a thing. Mission accomplished … “It’s A Satanic Drug Thing You Wouldn’t Understand” seemed not to apply in Europe, at least not completely.

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In the meantime a certain Ben Shepherd, bass player in Seattle based band Soundgarden, picks up the “Spine Of God” album and plays it for his band mates. Totally unaware of the disastrous side effects they decide unanimously that this is the band they want to support them on their upcoming US tour. No rest for the wicked, Monster Magnet floats from Holland to London without the help of any third parties such as airplanes etc. As a matter of fact they lift off leaving a smoke screen of hashish and never looked back. Arriving in London all that was left to do was catching a flight towards the US and get on with the craziness. Portland, San Francisco, Tijuana, Hollywood, Austin, Dallas, Chicago, Toronto and many places in between are witnessing Soundgarden in front of a totally numb audience, crushed by the sheer psychedelic impact of the support act … when suddenly the wandering caravan of insanity comes to an abrupt end on may 12^th 1992 at the Avalon in Boston. Backstage the Monster Magnet members are having an encounter with an emissary from Galactus’s high council. The loss of contact with the mothership which lasted for the past couple of months seemed to be caused by John McBain’s damaged implant. The worn out guitarist who just about had it with music at that point is called back by the high council in order to get a well done overhaul at the mothership. A dream coming true for him as up until then he never had been invited to the sacred place. Time had come for him to visit the place which was the closest he’d ever get to the planet he worshipped so much for the past couple of years. Exit John McBain.