Opiate for the Masses

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Opiate for the Masses was a post-hardcore band from Arizona. They formed in Phoenix in 1999 by Ron Underwood, Elias Mallin, Dustin Lyon and Jim Kaufman. The meaning of their name comes from the supposed Karl Marx quote that says the organized religion is nothing but an opiate for the masses. In June 2009, they posted on their MySpace page that they have now broken up and went their separate ways.

Background

In 1999, Opiate For The Masses was formed by guitarist and songwriter Kaufman. Kaufman, formerly in the band Projex, left shortly after he and Underwood got together with intentions of starting a band. The duo began writing songs together adding members and Underwood even took vocal lessons. The band moved members around finally settling on their current lineup. After long touring schedules and releasing The Spore on Kevin Lyman and Bob Chiappardi's record label Warcon Enterprises

In the wake of The Spore album release, the band has played with such big names as Marilyn Manson, Static-X, The Bled, Orgy, Avenged Sevenfold and Drowning Pool, and played on both the Warped Tour and the Taste of Chaos tour. Opiate For The Masses is also featured in the Van's Warped Tour documentary, Wake Up Screaming. The band, taking influence from Nine Inch Nails, Tool, and Ministry is gaining popularity and is gearing up for a tour with Bobaflex after initially touring with Filter in support of Manifesto.

Their song "Burn You Down" is featured as a downloadable track in Rock Band 2.

In June 2009, they posted on their MySpace page

Opiate for the masses has broken up!

The members have decided to go separate ways and are individually pursuing new projects. "We thank you all for all the support you've showed over the years. We had a blast hanging with you all on tour and thank you for all the good times!"

Jimmy is producing bands and scoring movies in his studio in Hollywood, CA. Ronny is back in his hometown of Phoenix, AZ.

Seven is currently playing with the German metalbands ¨Leaves Eyes¨ and ¨Atrocity¨ aswell [sic] as performing drum clinics around the world.

Anna K is writing music for a yet undisclosed new project."

In an ever-changing and volatile music industry, it remains a constant challenge for new bands to break out and make a name for themselves on their own. However, one quartet from Los Angeles that simply refuses to let the state of the industry deter them is OPIATE FOR THE MASSES, whose undying, unparalleled work ethic and captivating live performances ultimately caught the attention of Century Media Records. The label has never seen anything quite like OPIATE FOR THE MASSES, whose sheer collective talents and hunger to succeed is refreshing to find in this day and age. Century Media quickly signed the band to a worldwide deal and are beyond ecstatic to bring something this innovative to the forefront of the scene.

Band members

Past members

• Ron Underwood (Vocals) (1999-2009)
• Jim Kaufman (Guitar, Synths and Programming) (1999-2009)
• Anna Kjellberg (Bass) (2008-2009)^[1]
• Dustin Lyon (Guitar) (1999-2003)
• Andy Gerold (Guitar, Synths and Programming) (2003-2005)
• Elias Mallin (Drums) (1999-2005)
• Ryan Head (Bass) (1999-2007)
• Dave Gentry (Drums) (2004)
• Seven Antonopoulos (2005-2008)

Discography

Studio albums

• New Machines and the Wasted Life (2000)
• Seven [EP] (2001)
• Goodbye [EP] (2002)
• The Spore (2005)
• Manifesto (2008)

Compilations

• Jagermeister Music Tour (2006)
• Taste of Christmas (2005)
• Saw II soundtrack
• Saw III soundtrack
• The Best of Taste of Chaos
• The Best of Taste of Chaos Two.

External links

• Official Website
• Opiate for the Masses's website
• Opiate for the Masses at MySpace
• Interview on MT

References

1. ^ The Guantlet