Pitchshifter (band)

Pitchshifter are an English industrial rock band from Nottingham, formed in 1989. The band was started by lead guitarist and programmer Johnny A. Carter, and bassist and vocalist Mark Clayden. The band’s early material was characterized for its gritty industrial metal sound with downtuned guitars and the use of drum machines, and has been cited as one of the originators of the genre along with Godflesh. With later albums the group's music became increasingly more melodic and strongly influenced by nu metal and drum and bass; particularly evident of their 1998 release '' www.pitchshifter.com'', which has been compared with groups like The Prodigy.

Although Pitchshifter has found little mainstream success, the band managed to gain a platinum with the release of the '' Mortal Kombat: Annihilation'' soundtrack. Since its formation, the band has released six studio albums, three EPs and eight music videos. The band has played in various festivals around the world including Ozzfest, Phoenix Festival and Damnation Festival.

History

Formation and ''Industrial'' (1989–1991)

Pitchshifter was formed in 1989 (initially spelled Pitch Shifter) by guitarist and programmer Johnny Carter and bassist Mark Clayden, later joined by Stu Toolin, and then Jon "JS" Clayden (Mark Clayden's brother). During this time, the band played with local bands and soon gained attention of the Peaceville Records. During this time, JS went to live in France to sell paintings.

They have cited major influences as Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Metallica, Nine Inch Nails, Led Zeppelin, The Cure, The Doors, The Sex Pistols, The Ramones, and Ministry.

During 1990, the band started recording their début album, '' Industrial'', with the main vocalist being Mark Clayden instead of JS, who contributed with backing vocals. The band later went on a small tour with bands like Napalm Death.

''Submit'', ''Desensitized'' and Phoenix Festival (1992–1995)

The band later joined the British label Earache Records where they released their EP '' Submit''. Later, Stuart Toolin left the band, and the band hired Matt Godfrey to fill his place for some shows. Matt later left the band and they hired drummer D.J. Walters, now being a four-piece band. Later, the band released their second album, '' Desensitized''.

The band played at the Phoenix Festival in Long Marston, England, in 1995. The band's manager, armed with a tractor, arranged for an enormous crop circle replica of the band's famous "eye" symbol to appear in the adjoining field to the festival site during the night prior to their performance there. The crowd's enthusiasm for the band when they performed was so high that they rushed the stage, making Pitchshifter's performance the first in the history of the festival to be stopped early.

''The Remix War'' and ''Infotainment?'' (1995–1996)

The band later released the remix album '' The Remix War'', which had appearances from other groups like Biohazard, Therapy? and Gunshot. The band then started working on the third album, '' Infotainment?'' and later played at the Dynamo Open Air. The band later left Earache and joined Geffen Records.

Spelling change and ''www.pitchshifter.com'' (1997–1999)

During this time, the band changed the spelling of their name from 'Pitch Shifter' to 'Pitchshifter', and recruited former The Prodigy live guitarist Jim Davies, with the band returning to their five-piece form. The band later released their single "Genius", which was later included in ''Test Drive 5'' and the '' Mortal Kombat: Annihilation'' soundtrack, which helped the band to gain platinum recognition.

In 1998, the band released their fourth album '' www.pitchshifter.com'', which is their best selling album, selling around 60,000 copies in the U.S. The band later played in Ozzfest 1998 and Livid in support of their album. During 1999, they played on Reading Festival and again at Dynamo.

A few songs were featured in '' Twisted Metal 3''.

''Deviant'' (2000–2001)

In 2000, founder Johnny Carter and drummer D.J. Walters left the band, and the band hired guitarist Matt Grundy and drummer Jason Bowld. The band later released their fifth album '' Deviant'', which had appearances from drummer John Stanier and Jello Biafra. The band played in that year's Ozzfest. The cover used a picture of one of Gee Vaucher's Paintings, who did artwork for Crass and Carcass. The painting shows a cross between the Pope John Paul II and Queen Elizabeth II. Due to outrage over the use of a caricature of the Pope, the album was banned in Poland. The band apologized for the artwork and changed it.

''PSI'' and hiatus (2002–2003)

Live rhythm guitarist Matt Grundy announced his departure from the band in January 2002. The following month, Pitchshifter played their first show of the year at Ministry of Sound (London). This show marked the debut for guitarist Dan Rayner whom, along with his brother Tim, had previously worked with the band in 2001 as an additional programmer for the album ''PSI''. This time serving as the group's touring rhythm guitar player (switching to live lead guitar in 2003). PSI - the sixth studio album was released on May 7th 2002. The band then went to a few more shows until their last show in 2003 when the band went on an "indefinite hiatus".

Side projects (2003–2006)

During this time, Jim Davies returned to The Prodigy, while Dan went to work on Drawbacks, with his brother Tim Rayner, who later joined Pitchshifter as well. Jon formed the alternative rock group Doheny with former The Cult guitarist Billy Morrison. Mark later left The Blueprint and with Jason, they formed This Is Menace, a supergroup featuring members from various other bands including Carcass, Napalm Death, Sikth, Send More Paramedics, Funeral for a Friend and earthtone9.

Doheny later broke up and JS went to form his own label, ''PSI Records'', and in 2003 released the compilation album '' Bootlegged, Distorted, Remixed and Uploaded'' and the DVD '' P.S.I.entology''. In 2005, This Is Menace released their début album ''No End in Sight'' through PSI Records.

During this time as well, Jon worked as a teacher at the Los Angeles Recording School teaching Music Business Communications and was a featured guest for a U.S. Pigface tour where he performed vocals for songs including Pigface's "Insect/Suspect" and Pitchshifter's classic "Genius."

Return and ''None for All and All for One'' (2006–2008)

During late 2006, there were rumours that band was going to return, which were later confirmed and the band announced the "Back From the Dead" tour, supported by various bands including Funeral for a Friend. Davies did not return to the band to pursue a solo career, and was replaced by Tim Rayner. The band released the ''None for All and All for One'' EP, with some copies given away for free in certain shows. There were some rumours that the band was working on a new album, but the band has denied.

In 2008, the band along with Carcass and Cathedral, headlined the Damnation Festival.

Hiatus (2009–2018)

In 2009, the band announced in their official website that they were working on a new album. Frontman JS Clayden stated that "It's been refreshing to get back in the demo studio. We are taking this record in a few places we haven't been before in terms of guitar work. Brian Harrah /nowiki>Professional_Murder_Music_and_Tura_Satana_(band).html" "title="Professional_Murder_Music.html" ;"title="/nowiki>Professional Murder Music">/nowiki>Professional Murder Music and Tura Satana (band)">Tura Satana