Cradle of Thorns
Background information
Also known asVideodrone (1998-2000)
OriginBakersfield, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active1988–2000, 2006–2015
Labels
MembersTy Elam
Steve Thiriot
Matt Wilkinson
Past membersDavid File
Kris Kohls
Rohan Cowden
Tamera Slayton
Jay Caruso
Scat Elis
Chris Goodsell
Mavis
Marianne Ray
Chris O'Brian

Cradle of Thorns was an American rock band. Formed in 1988 in Bakersfield, California by singer Ty Elam, the band was initially defined by their gothic rock style. After releasing their debut album, Remember It Day, independently in 1990, the band signed with Triple X Records, and would come to be defined by a more dance music-oriented style influenced by heavy metal and industrial rock. In 1998, the band changed their name to Videodrone and signed with Korn's vanity label Elementree Records, releasing their self titled fourth album, Videodrone the following year, which featured a mix of industrial music and nu metal. Videodrone disbanded two years later, but reformed under their original name from 2007 to 2015.

History

Formation and Remember It Day (1988–1990)

In 1988 vocalist Ty Elam formed Cradle of Thorns. They toured extensively and earned an underground following. They released an independent record entitled Remember It Day in 1990.

Feed-Us (1994–1995)

The band signed with Triple X Records (label of Jane's Addiction and Social Distortion) and in 1994 released Feed-Us, produced by Ross Robinson.

Download This! (1996–1998)

1996's Download This! saw the departure of female vocalist Tamera Slayton and bassist Scat Elis. New bassist Purdy Spackle joined the group. The song "Bulimia Blowjob" features an appearance by vocalist Aimee Echo of Human Waste Project and TheSTART, and Jeff Schartoff, of Human Waste Project and Professional Murder Music.

Name change and Videodrone (1998–2000)

For their fourth album, bassist Purdy Spackle was replaced by Mavis. They renamed themselves Videodrone, as a play on the film Videodrome, because the band wanted a name that sounded futuristic and retro at the same time, evoking the 1980s, the decade in which the film was released.[1] Their twelve-track, self-titled CD was released in 1999 with appearances from Korn's Jonathan Davis on "Ty Jonathan Down", Limp Bizkit's Fred Durst and DJ Lethal on "Human Piñata", and Psycho Realm on "Pig in a Blanket". Also from Korn, Head played guitar on "Power Tools for Girls" and Fieldy produced the album.

Break up and post-Videodrone projects (2000–2006)

After touring with Korn, Rob Zombie, Orgy, and Machine Head, lack of label support and drug problems spelled the end for Videodrone (as detailed in the interview with Elam on the "All Over Again" maxi-single). Drummer Kris Kohls went on to play for Adema and vocalist Ty Elam would go on to play in local Bakersfield bands Karmahitlist, Three Chord Whore, and Arrival of Fawn after Videodrone's demise in 2000.

Reformation (2007–2015)

In 2007, Ty Elam resurrected the band under its original moniker Cradle of Thorns with all new members. The song "All Over Again" was released as a single, which can be heard on the band's official MySpace page. Elam later appeared on metal band Mastiv's album, End of the Silence, released in 2011. By 2015, Cradle of Thorns's official homepage ceased, and nothing has been stated regarding the group's future since.

Style and influences

Cradle of Thorns initially began as a gothic rock band before shifting to a "heavy, but dark dance" style[2] that fuses heavy metal,[3][4] industrial rock[3][4] and hard rock[4] with genres such as funk, gothic rock, jazz, opera[4] and hip hop.[3] This style has been classified as industrial and nu metal.[5] The band's influences include horror film scores and Korn.[1] They have been described as a cross between Korn, Orgy and Marilyn Manson.[5]

Members

Current

  • Ty Elam – vocals (1988–2000), drums (2006–2015)
  • Steve Thiriot – guitar, synthesizers, screams (2007–2015)
  • Matt Wilkinson – bass (2007–2015)

Former

  • David File – guitar (1988–2000)
  • Kris Kohls – drums (1988–2000)
  • Rohan Cowden – keyboards (1988–2000)
  • Tamera Slayton – vocals (1988–1995)
  • Jay Caruso – bass (1988–1992)
  • Scat Elis – bass (1992–1995)
  • Purdy Spackle – bass (1995–1997)
  • Mavis – bass (1997–2000)
Timeline

Discography

Cradle of Thorns

  • Remember It Day (1990)
  • Feed-Us (1994)
  • Download This! (1996)

Videodrone

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
Dance
[6]
"Faceplant" 1999 15 Videodrone
"All Over Again"[7] 2008 — Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Music videos

List of music videos, showing year released and director
Title Year Director(s)
"Ty Jonathan Down"
(featuring Jonathan Davis)		 2000 Jonathan Davis[8]

References

  1. 1 2 Byrkit, Becky. "Videodrone Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Korn Plans Include Tour, Its Label's Releases". Billboard. July 18, 1998. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 Gallucci, Michael. "Videodrone Review". AllMusic. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Yeske, Katherine. "Cradle of Thorns". Trouser Press. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  5. 1 2 Katz, Daniel J (March 19, 1999). "Videodrone OFTEN SLOPPY BUT SHOWS POTENTIAL". The Tech. Archived from the original on October 18, 2022. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Videodrone – Chart History: Dance/Club Play Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 31, 2013.
  7. ↑ All Over Again (track listing). Cradle of Thorns. Riot, Inc. Media. 2006. RIM-0001.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ↑ Johnson, Tina (January 25, 2000). "Korn Frontman Shoots Videodrone Clip; Family Values CD/Video on Way". MTV News. Viacom Media Networks. Retrieved January 31, 2013.
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