The Workhorse Movement

The Workhorse Movement was formed in August 1994 by singer Myron (born Matt Kozuch-Rea), guitarist Freedom (Jeff Piper), bassist Jay Vondoloski, and drummer Joe Mackie, who were all attending Central Michigan University (CMU).{{Cite web |title=The Workhorse Movement Biography, Songs, & Albums |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-workhorse-movement-mn0000582233/biography |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=AllMusic |language=en}}{{Cite web |date= |title=History |url=http://www.workhorsemovement.com:80/history/history.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001017225124/http://www.workhorsemovement.com:80/history/history.html |archive-date=2000-10-17 |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=www.workhorsemovement.com}}{{Cite magazine |last=Rees |first=Paul |date=January 8, 2000 |title=Noise 2000: The Workhorse Movement |magazine=Kerrang! |publisher=EMAP |issue=783 |page=15}} The band took its name from a section in Tom Wolfe's The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test (1968).{{Cite web |date=October 9, 2000 |title=Interview with The Workhorse Movement |url=http://www.theprp.com/interviews/workhorse.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010417003020/http://www.theprp.com/interviews/workhorse.html |archive-date=2001-04-17 |access-date=2024-01-10 |website=theprp.com}} After performing several local shows, the band released their self-financed debut album, Dopamine, in 1995. The band relocated to Detroit, Michigan soon after at the urging of Joe Mackie, so they could pursue the band seriously. After touring with the likes of Sevendust, Skinlab and Vanilla Ice, The Workhorse Movement recruited a second vocalist, Cornbread (Chris Sparks), and signed with the local Detroit label Overcore Records. The label issued the band's only EP, Rhythm and Soul Cartel, in 1998.{{Citation |title=The Workhorse Movement - Rhythm & Soul Cartel Album Reviews, Songs & More {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/rhythm-soul-cartel-mw0000922814 |access-date=2023-05-03 |language=en}}

Following additional touring for the EP, the Workhorse Movement came to the attention of Roadrunner Records. After signing to the label, the band replaced the recently departed Jay Vondoloski (who had moved back to CMU) with Grady (Jeff Wright). The band's Roadrunner debut album, Sons of the Pioneers (2000), was recorded and produced by Overcore Records owner Scott Santos.{{Citation |title=The Workhorse Movement - Sons of the Pioneers Album Reviews, Songs & More {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/sons-of-the-pioneers-mw0000066841 |access-date=2023-05-03 |language=en}}{{Cite magazine |last=Ewing |first=Jerry |date=July 2000 |title=Future Classics: The Workhorse Movement |magazine=Classic Rock |location=UK |publisher=Future plc |issue=16 |page=21 |issn=1464-7834}} It was finished by October 1999.{{Cite web |date= |title=What |url=http://www.workhorsemovement.com:80/what/what.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001017115609/http://www.workhorsemovement.com:80/what/what.html |archive-date=2000-10-17 |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=www.workhorsemovement.com}} Before the release of the album, the Workhorse Movement were featured on British music magazine Kerrang!{{'s}} "Hot 100" list for 2000. Leading up to the album's release, the band toured the United States with Kittie, Sevendust and Fishbone. Although the album garnered little attention in the United States, Sons of the Pioneers was well received by the British music press, and appeared on the best-of year lists for Kerrang!, Metal Hammer and Rock Sound.{{cite web |title=Kerrang! Albums of the Year 2000 |url=http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/kerrang.html |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116163103/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/kerrang.html |archive-date=January 16, 2017 |access-date=February 25, 2023 |work=Kerrang!}}Original print: {{Cite magazine |last=Everly |first=Dave |date=December 23, 2000 |title=The Hot List {{!}} Kerrang! Critics' Albums of 2000 |magazine=Kerrang! |publisher=EMAP |pages=62–63}}{{Cite web |title=Rocklist.net...Metal Hammer Albums The Year |url=https://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/metal.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060224140538/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/metal.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-date=February 24, 2006 |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=www.rocklistmusic.co.uk}}{{Cite web |title=Rocklist.net...Steve Parker...Rocksound lists.. |url=https://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/steveparker/rocksound.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070616025434/http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/steveparker/rocksound.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-date=June 16, 2007 |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=www.rocklistmusic.co.uk}}{{Cite magazine |date=January 13, 2001 |editor-last=Rees |editor-first=Paul |title=Workhorse Split |magazine=Kerrang! |publisher=EMAP |issue=835 |pages=6–7}} The band gained further attention in the United Kingdom while touring as a supporting act for Pitchshifter.

In late December 2000, Myron announced that The Workhorse Movement had disbanded, citing a lack of promotional and touring support from Roadrunner in the United States and their lack of enthusiasm for a third album.{{Cite web |last=Blabbermouth |date=2001-06-07 |title=Archive News Jun 07, 2001 |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/archive-news-jun-07-2001/ |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}{{Cite web |date= |title=The Workhorse Movement {{!}} Roadrunner UK Website |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.co.uk/newsupdates/workhorse.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010224092934/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.co.uk/newsupdates/workhorse.html |archive-date=2001-02-24 |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=roadrunnerrecords.co.uk}}{{Cite magazine |date=February 2001 |editor-last=Ingham |editor-first=Chris |title=Workhorse Movement R.I.P |magazine=Metal Hammer |location=UK |publisher=Future plc |issue=83 |page=7}} The band performed their last show on December 23, 2000, at the Harpos Concert Theatre in Detroit. Myron, Freedom and Pete soon joined up with drummer Jeremiah Pillbean to form the Dirty Americans in April 2001.{{Cite web |last=Blabbermouth |date=2001-04-11 |title=Archive News Apr 11, 2001 - update 2 |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/archive-news-apr-11-2001-2/ |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}

The Workhorse Movement have been described as alternative metal, rap metal,{{Cite web |last=NME |date=2005-09-12 |title=Sons Of The Pioneers |url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-nme-2458-333430 |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=NME |language=en-GB}} funk rock{{Cite magazine |last=Mörat |first= |date=June 3, 2000 |title=Albums |magazine=Kerrang! |publisher=EMAP |issue=804 |page=47 |issn=0262-6624}} and stoner rock.{{Cite web |last=Sokal |first=Roman |date=September 1, 2000 |title=Workhorse Movement: Sons of the Pioneers |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/workhorse_movement-sons_of_pioneers |access-date=May 3, 2023 |website=Exclaim!}}{{Cite web |last=updated |first=Stephen Hilllast |date=2016-09-21 |title=10 obscure Roadrunner Records albums that should have been massive |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-10-most-underrated-roadrunner-records-albums |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=louder |language=en}} Kerrang! described the band's sound as "stoner rap". The band was heavily influenced by the works of The Doors, Santana and Black Sabbath.

Final lineup

• Myron – vocals (1994–2000)
• Cornbread – vocals (1995–2000)
• Freedom – guitar (1994–2000)
• Pete Bever – bass (1999–2000)
• Joe Mackie – drums (1994–2000)

Former members

• Jay Vondoloski – bass (1994–1997)
• Grady – bass (1997–1999)

Timeline{{#tag:timeline|ImageSize=width:1000 height:auto barincrement:20

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Studio Albums

EPs

• Rhythm and Soul Cartel (1998)

Singles

• "Keep the Sabbath Dream Alive" (2000) (UK Singles Chart: #196){{cite web |author=Zywietz, Tobias |title=Chart Log UK: Kristine W – Tammy Wynette |url=http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_W.HTM |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324150539/http://zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_K.HTM |archive-date=March 24, 2016 |access-date=February 8, 2013 |work=zobbel.de |publisher=Tobias Zywietz}}

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Category:Musical groups established in 1994

Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2000

Category:Roadrunner Records artists

Category:Musical groups from Michigan