The Minor League of Nu Metal Trivia Quiz

Answer: Skrape

Skrape got their start performing under the moniker Jojo in the 90s. They changed it to Skrape when they released their RCA debut. "New Killer America" sold over 100,000 copies and charted #157 on the Billboard 200. "Waste" and "Isolated" were the singles. "Waste" features a video as well, with the band members in different poses and covering their arms in latex.

This video was played once on MTV. "Up the Dose" charted #19 on Top Heatseekers. "Stand Up(Summer Song)" was the album's only single. Due to lack of promotion from their label, the band was dropped from it and broke up. Lead singer Billy Keeton went on to independent music projects Blessed in Black and Florida cover band Money Shot. Guitarist Brian Milner joined Dope as bassist. Drummer Will Hunt became a part of Evanescence as well as a member of the supergroup Dark New Day, also featuring members of Stereomud. Skrape's sound is comparable to Deftones and Pantera.

Answer: Simon Says

Simon Says hail from Sacramento, California. The band formed during the 90s' as school kids playing at other high school's. They were signed to Hollywood Records with the assistance of Cake's producer Mark Needham in 1998. They released their major label debut "Jump Start" in 1999.

It yielded two rock radio hits "Life Jacket" and "Slider". They followed this up in 2001 with "Shut Your Breath", a much heavier fare. This album produced the hit single "Blister(Nothing)." Promotion issues forced the group to leave Hollywood Records in 2001. They renamed themselves Key to Arson then drummer Mike Johnson quit.

He was replaced by Dave Stixx in 2004. They had completed an album "Light it Up", only to disband shortly after.

Answer: Professional Murder Music

Professional Murder Music hails from LA, California. They are independently signed to their own label, Wormhole Records. Their band members include Roman Marasak on vocals, Tom Hatziemanuoel on guitar, William Hudson on bass, and Kevin Jackson on drums.

Their self titled debut features "Fall Away" that's on the "Valentine" film soundtrack. "Slow" is featured on "The End of Days" film soundtrack. Professional Murder Music recently got back together to record an album for 2011 release. They also released tracks exclusively for "MTV Cribs", and "Jet Grind Radio", a Sega Dreamcast game.

Answer: The Clay People

The Clay People are from Albany, NY. Among their indie EPs released were "Toybox EP" in 1991, "Firetribe" in 1993, "Strange Day" in 1996, and "Stone Ten Inches" in 1997. Upon releasing their self titled debut, they added "The" to their name for a more complete sound.

The line-up for this release includes Brian McGarvey and Mike Guzzardi on guitar, Patrick Walsh on bass, and Dan Dinsmore on drums. Daniel Neet does vocals and electronics for the band and has been the only regular member during their line-up changes.

The album was produced by Neil Kernon of Slipdisc records. He also produced Queensryche and David Bowie. Tracks were also on film soundtracks for "Strangeland" and "Universal Soldiers the Return." This is the groups biggest selling release.

Their follow up "The Headhunter Demos" commercially sank, resulting in the group's demise. In 2007, they returned with the release "Waking the Dead", and a video for the single "Supersonic Overdrive". Their sound is industrial Nu Metal with gothic influences.

Answer: Dust to Dust

Dust to Dust hails from Brooklyn, NY. Rob Traynor handles vocal, guitar, bass, and keyboard duties. Steve Tobin does electronics and plays drums. Rob sent a demo of songs to Sanctuary Records that got them signed immediately. Their self titled debut had positive critical reviews and Metal Hammer magazine named them band of the year for 2001. Album singles "New Low" and "Submission" received lots of college radio airlpay.

In spite of the lack of promotion from the record label the band carried on. Rob released their follow up "Sick" through his own label Psyclone Records.

It once again was praised well through magazines like Hit Parader. "Rot" was the album's single. By 2006 the band was on indefinite haitius. Rob assembled a new band Black Water Rising through his indie label.

Its ironic Peter Steele from Type O Negative had the band open up for them several times, as their sound is a perfect combination of Pantera and Type O Negative goth. Its a shame this band never got huge as they have such a distict keyboard laced sound.

A truly one off band!

Answer: Down the Sun

Down the Sun are a six member group from Kansas City, Missouri. During their many live shows opening for Slipknot, band member Shawn "Clown" Crahan helped to get them signed. Before they became Down the Sun they went through many different members. Their official members when the self titled album was released were Satone and Aaron Peltz sharing dual vocal duties, Lance Collier on bass, Nathan Church on electronics and background vocals, Neil Godfrey on guitar, and Danny Spain on drums. During their album promotion they released a video for "Medicated" that got play on MTV2 and Fuse TV. During 2003, the band members all departed and went on to other bands like Motograter and Lo Pro. The band decided on their name from the Wicca ritual Drawing Down the Sun.

They were praised by critics for their unique cryptic style, as their song "Lucas Toole" was about 70s' serial killers Henry Lee Lucas and Ottis Toole. They reunited in 2010 to release new music.

Answer: Reveille

Reville are from both Harvard, Chelmsford, and Shirley, Massachusetts. Their six track demo got the notices of music labels. They played from the CBGB where they were signed. They also utilized the Warped Tour, Woodstock 1999, and Ozzfest to great success.

Their debut "Laced" had vocals from B Real of Cypress Hill. Their follow up "Bleed the Sky" was popular and featured appearances from Scooter Ward of Cold, and Stephen Richards of Taproot. They both contributed to "Inside Out" and was awarded "Rising Star" at the Boston Music Awards.

It also spawned another hit "What You Got" and a video as well. The guitarist left in 2003 citing "creative differences." The band pressed on, planned to release a third album but parted ways instead. In 2008, they reunited for a one night gig in Massachusetts titled "Reville Reborn." The venue was a huge success with over 2000 attending. One of my all time favorite bands.

There's no album out there like "Bleed the Sky." Such a unique fusion of colorful sounds. Hope they decide to release more music!

Answer: Sev

Sev formed in Washington, D.C. They started out as a live band in 1995. Due to radio exposure from winning a big break contest, they were able to break through to the midwest. Website/T.V promoters Farmclub sponsored their live shows. Their first ever single "Stand Straight" won a song pick contest off Farmclub.com.

In 2001 They released their major label breakthrough "All These Dreams" in 2001. Geffen had to push 2 years to get the band on their roster with no support from Farmclub. The single "Same Old Song" became the official theme song for the launch of Pepsi Blue products.

It charted at 25 on Billboard as well. They still do shows around their D.C. home area. An extreme stunt show DVD was released with mixed versions of "Same Old Song" in 2006.

The lineup for All These Dreams consists of Danny Schools and Phil Clayman on vocals, Danny Schools and Max Alley on guitars, Matt Hughes on drums, and Matt Waller on bass.

Answer: The Blank Theory

The Blank Theory is a five member group from Chicago. Their EP albums were self released alternative rock. The song "Nevermind" from "Catalyst" was played during "MTV Road Rules." They formed a more metallic sound for their indie debut "Beyond the Calm of the Corridor" in 2002.

The single for "Sour Times" was previously done by Portishead and is on the film trailer for "Wicker Park." Their second single "Middle of Nowhere" appeared on the film soundtracks for "Freddy Versus Jason" and "Final Destination 2." Michael Feodera, both founding member and guitarist, left in May 2003.

His replacement was Mateo Camergo, the guitarist in the band Reforma. Drummer James Knight and keyboardist Shawn Currie parted ways as well. Madina Lake was formed in 2007 by vocalist Nathan Leone and bassist Matthew Leonge.

Answer: From Zero

From Zero hail from Chicago. Their self titled EP, also called "The Green Album", resulted in them opening for acts like Nickelback, Amen, and Dsturbed. Their next two albums were released through Arista Records. "One Nation Under" features less hip hop elements than bands associated with them and better vocal harmonies. Singles "Check Ya" and "Smack" features hi tech videos.

After they released "My So Called Life" increasing demands from lead singer Jet's family life set him back. He couldn't finish the lyrics properly and quit.

The other members followed suit. Tracks from their final album "Middle of the Road" and "My Own Destiny" can be streamed online. The "Real World" TV show helped the band get noticed. In 2007, vocalist Jet, and guitarist Pete Capizza resurfaced in a new band Diem with Pete on drums this time.

In 2009, Jet worked with another musician Aaron Bright on Fate Accomplis, a new band. They released a full length CD in 2010.