Artists
Brett Fugate
Affiliation:
Brett Fugate
Musser
Chicago State University
Idiom
The Musser Quartet
HeXaH
Artist's Biography
...Brett Fugate...
Brett Fugate is the world's first heavy metal marimba, vibraphone, xylophone player. He started out as a drummer that played in multiple metal bands throughout the midwestern United States. Ultimately he became the mastermind behind the pioneering metal band Idiom and the founder of The Musser Quartet. Currently, Fugate spends time at the Musser factory as the head of the tuning department, does research as a graduate student at Chicago State University, marimba and vibe playing in Idiom, xylophone playing in The Musser Quartet, and drumming for HeXaH.
...Musser...
Musser is the tuning capitol of the world and the cutting edge of marimba technology. The Musser tuning department strives for excellence and pays close attention to detail in their work. The company does not try to trick people by playing on language. Yes, it is a corporate culture with vast resources that have been developed primarily to serve our customer base. We are good at what we do and we back up our products.
The instruments manufactured by Musser are world class. Musser manufactures professional and student grade instruments. Both lines are subject to quality control and the end result is an excellent product.
...Chicago State University...
At the university, Mr. Fugate is working toward a Master of Science in Molecular Engineering. He is currently studying the DNA structure of the Legume family through the model organism Alfalfa. The primary woods that Musser uses to manufacture its instruments (Honduras Rosewood and Padauk) are also Legumes. The above image is a scanning electron micrograph of a radial section of Honduras Rosewood.
As a graduate student Fugate is studying promoters. Promoters are sequences of DNA that trigger the expression of genes. The model he is building is for the "Beta-amylase" gene. Using the public gene bank and primary literature he designed primers and amplified them using gradient polymerase chain reaction (PCR). After subjecting the PCR products to analysis using gel electrophoresis he pinpointed which samples best amplify the gene in question. Subsequently, he did a Southern transfer with his best samples. The next step will be to make a probe to figure out if these samples are statistically significant and therefore probable promoters.
Fugate's goal will then be to enter into a Ph.D program. For this phase of his academic career he will begin to study specifically the DNA structure of the Honduras Rosewood that is used for manufacturing marimbas. The ultimate goal will be to develop a hybrid wood that grows fast in a wet/dry subtropical climate and has the same acoustical properties as the tropical hard woods currently used. The current idea is to more closely examine the "Root Cold Acclimation" gene. Fugate believes that if we can regulate this gene it should be possible to grow trees that are homozygous for this allele and therefore will grow in a Chicago type climate.
...Idiom...
Idiom integrates scientific principles with non-standard instrumentation to write modern metal music.
The current Idiom line up is:
Brett Fugate: Tuned Percussion, Vocals
Michelle Akin: Bass
Chris Komos: Drums, Cymbals
Fred Krubel: Guitar
The style of Idiom can be described as completely cerebral, totally imaginative, and some of the most brutal music on the planet. Idiom relies purely on their talent. They do not use costumes, or childish antics but they do convey just pure, unadulterated hardcore original music and interpretations of other peoples music(s). The clarity of the tuned percussion instruments, an infectious drummer may only be rivaled by their guitarist's speed and bassists accuracy. The vocalist's style is similar that of Bon Scott, King Diamond on certain levels. Furthermore it may be more accurate to compare the singer Corporate Death of Macabre or Dave Mustaine of Megadeth because he screaming out tunes while beating on a 6'x3' xylorimba board. Now factor in the uncanny accents and complex harmonies and you have an act that simply cannot missed! Without doubt Idiom is the most original band in the world! They draw sardine-packed crowds with both curious spectators and die-hard fans alike. Often people are just drawn in by the equipment during their set-up. Who would have ever suspected that a marimba, vibe, xylophone, and a complete set of chimes would ever dare make its presence on a metal stage in such a dominating fashion? Serious extra credit goes to these guys for having the balls to even attempt such an oddity! (Review by Lori Dake).
All I can say Idiom is that the singer has a huge marimba that he plays with onstage, confusing many metalheads. Idiom are fiercely unique, something that is sometimes not easily accepted by a crowd bent on seeing more traditional faire. While they are heavy as hell when they want to be they are also quite accomplished in the musicianship department as well. It was apparent that the band cared not for the narrow mindedness certain sectors of the crowd were displaying. Others were completely won over by this unit of sheer metallic brilliance. (Review by Anonymous).
...The Musser Quartet...
On the other hand, The Musser Quartet strives to understand the repetoire of classical string quartets in the same way that some scholars understand Shakespear.
The Musser Quartet is:
Brett Fugate: 1st Xylophone
Mark Grondy: 2nd Xylophone
Sarah Basel: Tenor Marimba
Ken Kaye: Bass Marimba
Classical music drips from the mallets of The Musser Quartet like honey.
...HeXaH...
Current line up:
Brett Fugate: Drums and Cymbals
Freddy Ranteria: Bass
Simon Rubinstein: Guitar
Hailing from all corners of the world, the members of HeXaH decided to create a metal band with no limitations. Empowered by the name itself that belongs to an ancient tribe of barbarian kings that took over ancient Egypt, HeXaH uses these tactics in the music they write. Feeding from its diverse multi-cultural background this band creates powerfull sounds that resonate throughout time and space. This band blends the elements old school thrash to current hardcore music while simultaneously blending in sounds from melodic, power, and death metal, as well as classical, blues, country western, and flamenco music(s).
Influences
...Brett Fugate is currently influenced by ???...
...Musser is currently influenced by the sculpture of sound...
...Idiom is currently influenced by Sex, Drums, and Metallurgy...
...The Musser Quartet is currently influenced by Franz Joseph Haydn...
...HeXaH is currently influenced by Heavy Metal...
Appearances/Venues
• No events currently scheduled!
Discography
...Fugate Studio Recordings...
2009...Idiom...The Latin Album (unreleased)
2005...Idiom....The Principles of the Human Metronomy
Brett Fugate...Marimba, Vibraphone, Xylophone, Vocals, Trombone
Orville Kline...Guitars, Vocals
Dan Leonard...Violin, Vocals
Ken Kaye...Bass Guitar, Tubular Bells
Andy Mirs...Drums, Cymbals
Blakk...Guest Vocals
Hatice Fugate...Castanets
2005...Java...Unreleased Album
Brett Fugate...Drums, Cymbals
Mike Lyon...Bass Guitar, Vocals
Ryan Logsdon...Guitar, Vocals
Alan Russell...Guitar, Vocals
2003...Java...Trypticko
Brett Fugate...Drums, Cymbals
Mike Lyon...Bass Guitar, Vocals
Ryan Logsdon...Guitar, Vocals
Alan Russell...Guitar, Vocals
Paul Herzog...Guest Vocals
Corporate Death...Guest Guitar
2002...Java...Magma
Brett Fugate...Drums, Cymbals
Mike Lyon...Bass Guitar, Vocals
Ryan Logsdon...Guitar, Vocals
Alan Russell...Guitar, Vocals
Paul Herzog...Guest Vocals
Corporate Death...Guest Guitar
2002...Idiom....Kaptain Ken and the Broken Node Tuning Machine
Brett Fugate...Marimba, Vibraphone, Xylophone, Vocals, Free Floating Drumset, Cymbals
Ken Kaye...Bass Guitar
Alan Russell...Eclectic Guitar
Andy Mirs...Drums, Cymbals
Aaron Krafthefer...Guest Vocals
Mike Downing...Timpani, Free Floating Drums
2001...Java...The Ethereal Android
Brett Fugate...Drums, Cymbals
Mike Lyon...Bass Guitar, Vocals
Ryan Logsdon...Guitar, Vocals
Alan Russell...Guitar, Vocals
1998...Idiom....Idiom
Brett Fugate...Marimba, Vibraphone, Xylophone, Drums, Cymbals, Vocals, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Trombone, Steel Drum
Peggy Weiss...Violin
Cassie Smith...Soprano Sax
Lisa Leathers...Guest Vocals
Jerry Devore...Contrabass
1996...Altered Existence...To Darkened Depths of Imagination
Brett Fugate...Drums, Cymbals, Vocals
Mark Ellsworth...Bass Guitar, Vocals
Joey McCoy...Guitar, Vocals
1995...Molotov...Unreleased Album
Brett Fugate...Drums, Cymbals
Butch Branson...Guitar
Jeff Bachman...Bass Guitar
Blakk...Guest Vocals
1994...Insomnia...Time Wounds All Heels
Brett Fugate...Drums, Cymbals
Stevo St. Vitus...Vocals
Neil Hardesty...Guitar
Shayson V. Clay...Guitar
Nick Murray...Bass Guitar
1993...Church of Misery...Unreleased Album
Brett Fugate...Drums, Cymbals
Stevo...Guitar, Vocals
Neil Hardesty...Guitar
Tom Kirk...Bass Guitar
1993...Church of Misery...Live by Candlelight
Brett Fugate...Drums, Cymbals
Stevo...Guitar, Vocals
Neil Hardesty...Guitar
Tom Kirk...Bass Guitar
1992...Church of Misery...Sorrows of the Moon
Brett Fugate...Drums, Cymbals
Stevo...Guitar, Bass Guitar, Drums, Cymbals, Vocals
Neil Hardesty, Guitar
1992...Angelkill...Garden of Crosses
Brett Fugate...Drums, Cymbals
Blakk...Vocals
Mike Kore...Guitar
Steve Swyers...Guitar
Norm Sales...Bass Guitar
1991...Coma...Cryogenic Torments
Brett Fugate...Drums, Cymbals, Vocals
Jeff Bachman...Bass Guitar, Vocals
Chad Prince...Guitar
Joey McCoy...Guitar, Vocals
1990...Terata...Mourning Glory
Brett Fugate...Drums, Cymbals, Vocals
Curt Piethman...Guitar, Vocals
Paul Gentile...Guitar, Vocals
Norm Sales...Bass Guitar
...More Fugate bands...
The Casey Jones Express
Leviathan
Mortuary Oath
Impetigo
Arsonick Scum
The Lake Shore Symphony Orchestra
Petting Zoo
The Neil Hardesty Experience/Orchestra
Necropolis
Redrum
The ICC Jazz Band
ICC Philharmonic Chorale
The Kyle Campbell Band
Exoskeleton
Spawn
Joe Fro and the Tune Ups
First Jason
...Honorary Membership...
2001...Forgotten Silence
...Musical Theatre...
2006...Godspell
2003...Aspects of Love
...Movies...
2004...Sociological Perception of Hybrid Music (A Documentary of Marimbas)
2001...Gentle Dentle
...Compilations...
2000...Chruch of the Devil...A King Diamond Tribute
1998...Concrete and Cornfields 2
1998...Concrete and Cornfields 1
...Books...
1996...Drumset: The Owner's Manual
Contact Information
E-mail Address: idiobrett@hotmail.com
Website: www.idiomusic.com
www.myspace.com/idiomusic
www.myspace.com/themusserquartet
www.musserquartet.com
www.myspace.com/hexahmusic
