Motograter, which has undergone numerous starts and stops and many lineup changes since initially forming in 1995, is set for a reunion performance at this year’s Blue Ridge Rock Festival, scheduled for Sept. 7 to 10, 2023, in Virginia. The band, named for its self-made instrument consisting of industrial cable and guitar parts, featured future Five Finger Death Punch vocalist Ivan Moody on its self-titled debut album released in 2003 and has been on indefinite hiatus since 2018, the year after releasing its long-awaited second album, “Desolation.”
Drummer Noah “Shark” Robertson, a band member from 2013 to 2017, has released a statement on the upcoming reunion via his Swimming with Sharks Entertainment website.
According to Robertson, the other members participating in the reunion are James Anthony Legion (vocals), Mylon Guy (bass) and Dustin “Skunk” Anderson (Motograter), all of whom contributed to the “Desolation” album. They also have been in talks with guitarists J.R. Swartz and Jesse Stamper. Swartz was in Motograter during its 2003 Ozzfest run.
Robertson did not mention guitarist Matt “Nuke” Nunes by name in his statement. Nunes was the longest tenured member of the band’s most recent incarnation.
Robertson did say that the band has secured the trademark to the Motograter name, purchased the rights to the band’s music and built an entirely new Motograter instrument.
“First and foremost, this was done for the fans,” Robertson said. “We are constantly being asked if the band is going to continue; over and over again. It’s been a few years since anyone has heard from Motograter; moreover, it’s been a few years since anyone has seen or heard from one member in particular. I would like to point out that we aren’t here to drag anyone’s name through the mud or make anyone look bad. That’s not what this is about at all. What this IS about, is the hope that the band could continue without violent, abusive behavior. Perhaps, the band could exist without the toxicity that has plagued the band for far too many years. Maybe, the band could continue without rampant substance abuse. Anyone close to Motograter at all knows there has always been one thing that has stopped this band from prospering … Yes, there is always the prospect that certain past members have changed their lives for the better or have rehabilitated themselves, but the chances are highly unlikely.
“It’s true that Blue Ridge Rock Festival has announced Motograter as one of the acts on the 2023 lineup; alongside Pantera, Shinedown, Limp Bizkit, Lamb of God, Megadeth, and many, many more. Before this announcement was made, a number of steps were taken in order to ensure Motograter’s future, whatever that may be. The trademark to the Motograter name was secured, through assistance from entertainment lawyers and other councils. The rights to the Motograter music were purchased and acquired. And finally, a brand new Motograter instrument was built from scratch; a new design if you will. We are not currently in control of the Motograter Facebook page.
“I’m going to leave it up to the fans to decide if they want the band to continue in this new direction or not. The Motograter machine is bigger than us all and as everyone is aware, it has undergone many line-up changes and has taken on several iterations over the years. This ever-evolving tribe just won’t seem to go away. 2023 marks 20 years since the original Motograter album was released featuring Ivan Moody (Five Finger Death Punch). As cliché as it is to say, many of the current members poured their blood, sweat, and tears into making a second album happen. A lot of sacrifices were made, lives were changed, and we’d like to see this thing continue …”
For more information the Blue Ridge Rock Festival, visit www.blueridgerockfest.com.
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