Biography

Jeff Ham, singer, songwriter and drummer of Minneapolis "Fleshrock" band Detroit, and guitarist, Grant Eull, formed Manplanet late in 1998, playing their first show in February 1999. They took their name from a song by Minneapolis concept band (they never actually played, recorded or practiced), Life Size Voodoo Dolls. Jeff Ham moved from playing drums to guitar, while continuing to sing, recruited longtime friend, Tim Holly (Tim Crimson) to join as their bass player and Jeff's cousin Pete (Pete Green) to play drums. Soon after, they recruited Silver Fox keyboardist Mark Fox (Mach Fox) to round out the group. Playing themes ranging from a robot who isn't very well designed, the largest ball of twine and the disillusion of the reality of what 50s Sci-fi futurism actually became, the band built upon their existing fanbase from previous bands and gained new fans with their highly-stylized stage performances and accessible Pop stylings. With exciting (if not death defying) stage shows, which require the use of various stage props, pyrotechnics, brightly-dyed hairdos and custom made Crayola-colored stretch vinyl jumpsuits, the band quickly became favorites in the local music scene.

Working with Bryan Hanna of Terrarium Studios in Minneapolis, MN they released their highly acclaimed first EP, Skylab, in the summer of 2000. In August of the same year, both Grant Eull and Mark Fox left the band to pursue other opportunities. Mark (Cobalt-27) was asked to join the group and played both guitar and keyboards. The band toured extensively in both the East Coast and West Coast in late 1999 and throughout 2000. Mark left the band after only six months and was replaced with Adam Prince (Adam Blutron), who assumed guitar and keyboard duties. The quartet released their second EP in the fall of 2001, entitled An Introductory to Musicianship, produced by Jeremy Ylvisaker, keyboardist for Detroit and producer at Soliton studios.

Begining 2002, Manplanet continued to tour in support of their latest EP and have delighted audiences throughout the US.

 

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