The original incarnation of POWERMAN 5000 took shape in Boston
Massachusetts, where the group racked up a multitude of local gigs and produced
two independent CD releases, 1994’s True Force and 95’s The Blood Splat Rating
System. An unrivaled work ethic and growing legion of fans helped secure the
band’s dominance in the Boston rock scene, as well as creating a must-have
commodity for many major labels.
1997 was a big year for Spider and company; it saw them sign with DreamWorks
Records, relocate to Los Angeles and release their major label debut, Mega!!
Kung Fu Radio. A year of touring with the likes of Marilyn Manson, Korn and
Ozzfest followed, giving them national exposure and further strengthening the
bands fan base. Their follow up, 1999’s Tonight The Stars Revolt!, featuring the
hits “When Worlds Collide” and "Nobody's Real" went on to sell more than a
million copies . “Tonight The Stars Revolt! changed everything.” Spider recalls.
“Suddenly we went from being this weird little underground band to having our
faces on MTV and our songs played nationwide.”
Anyone For Doomsday?, the band’s third outing for Dreamworks, was recorded in
2001 and was shelved just weeks prior to release. “From a creative standpoint,
the record didn’t feel ready,” explains Spider of his choice to put the brakes
on the album’s release. When the dust settled, Powerman emerged with a new
line-up and a new album. 2003's Transform stripped away a lot of the band’s
electronic elements and delivered on a much more punk rock, Clash-inspired
sound. The album launched Powerman back onto the charts, debuting at number 25
on Billboard Top 200 and spawning the Top 10 Rock hit “Free”. All the pieces
seemed to be falling into place for PM5K until their longtime label, DreamWorks,
was essentially dissolved midway through the Transform campaign.
Spider, by now the only remaining original member of the band reflects, “ This
was a tough time but I knew it wasn’t over. In fact, this was an opportunity to
do it all over again, to tap into that undeniable reckless energy that only a
new band has.” Not soon after this revelation guitarists Johnny Heatley and
Terry Corso joined remaining Transform-era rhythm section Siggy Sjursen and
Adrian Ost. A year long trek of back-to-basics rock shows followed. With this
brash, new electrifying live band in tow the question still remained, could this
line-up now write a great album?
One listen to the latest offering, Destroy What You Enjoy, and the question is
answered. From the T Rex meets Sex Pistols stomp of title track “Destroy What
You Enjoy” to the pure thrashed out fun of “Now That’s Rock ‘n Roll” to the
unapologetic pop hooks of “Wild World” and “Murder”, the answer is a resounding
YES! Powerman 5000 has reinvented and revitalized beyond expectation. Destroy
What You Enjoy marks the beginning of yet another unpredictable and no doubt
anarchic chapter in the story of a band that seems to thrive and grow stronger
with each passing rock ‘n roll cataclysm. Main man Spider wouldn’t have it any
other way, “ The entire history of this band has been filled with chaos and
uncertainty, I’ve seen the highest of highs and lowest of lows. I’ve seen long
time members disappear and record companies crumble. Though, through it all, the
result has always been loud, obnoxious, uncompromising rock ‘n roll. If all the
bullshit and drama helped me create this new record then I don’t regret a moment
of it. Destroy What You Enjoy is our best yet.”