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The Gauntlet: Lawnmower Deth |
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Originally known as SCRAWM with a line-up of Dogg Bower (vocals / guitar), Dudd Hallam (bass) and drummer Chris Flint, this Mansfield based group released the 1987 demo 'Demented Genius'. SCRAWM then changed the name to LAWNMOWER DETH, with the premise that putting the fun into Thrash and Death Metal music with a madcap slant was the way to fame and fortune.
Now fronted by Qualcast Mutilator, a mild-mannered employee in the Nottingham branch of HMV Records by day, the rejuvenated band began to make plans for world domination, or at least jobs as groundsmen at Nottingham Forest's City Ground. The First LAWNMOWER DETH demo, 'It's A Lot Less Bovver Than A Hovver', featured a cover of FLEETWOOD MAC's 'The Chain' (for many years the theme tune to BBC TV coverage of Formula One motor racing) retitled 'Lawn Mower Grand Prix' and produced by SABBAT's Andy Sneap. The tape was followed by a further demo, this one entitled 'Mowdeer'.
The Nottingham nutters made their vinyl debut on RTK records in 1989 on a split LP with Liverpool's METAL DUCK, with the LAWNMOWER DETH slice entitled 'Mower Liberation Front'. The following year Earache Records signed the band and unleashed the 'Viz' inspired 'Ooh Crikey It's...Lawnmower Deth' album featuring the track 'Do Do Doe' dedicated to Metal Forces editor Bernard Doe, set up as the band's nemesis and fiercest critic at the time .
ACID REIGN guitarist Kev joined the band in mid 1991 following the dismissal of Schizo Rotary Sprintmaster (a.k.a. Paddy), who wound up in forming a short-lived band project with bassist Iain Reynolds and ex SLEEZE PATROL drummer Ian 'Mole' Etheridge. Whilst Etheridge later worked with Andy Sneap in GODSEND, Reynolds formed NIGHTSHIFT.
A 1992 side project from LAWNMOWER DETH men Pete Lee and Chris Parkes and LITTLE ANGELS producer Steve Harris (no relation to the Maiden mainman) resulted in the SIX YARD BOX band, which recored for Earache also. The SIX YARD BOX track 'Pictures Of Matchstick Men', released as a single, was a cover of the early STATUS QUO hit.
LAWNMOWER DETH attempted to project a new serious image with 1993's well executed poppy punk 'Billy' album ( released before Green Day got massive), but reaction from fans was lukewarm. After a series of poorly attended British shows the band split in late 1994. Mutilator (a.k.a. Koffee Perkulator, real name Peter Lee) held down a day job as press officer for Earache Records before starting Cottage Industry Records with ex LITTLE ANGELS manager Kevin Nixon. LAWNMOWER DETH performed their farewell gig supporting SPUDMONSTERS at London's Marquee in April 1995
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