The Atomic Bitchwax

The Atomic Bitchwax
The Atomic Bitchwax in 2020
The Atomic Bitchwax in 2020
Background information
OriginNeptune, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres
Years active1992–present
LabelsTee Pee, MeteorCity
Members
  • Chris Kosnik
  • Bob Pantella
  • Garrett Sweeny
Past members

The Atomic Bitchwax is an American stoner rock band from New Jersey, formed in 1992 by bassist/singer/songwriter Chris Kosnik, guitarist Ed Mundell, and drummer Keith Ackerman.[1] They did not release their first full-length album until 1999, upon signing with Tee Pee Records. Mixing elements of 1960s psychedelic rock and 1970s riff rock filtered through modern progressive rock,[2] their music has appeared in TV shows such as Jackass, Homewrecker, and various Fox Sports broadcasts.

The first version of the group became a local jam band playing the New Jersey and New York area. This lineup released two full-length records, a self-titled debut in 1999, and Atomic Bitchwax II in 2000. In addition, they released the Spit Blood EP in 2002 via the MeteorCity label.[1] In 2004, Mundell was unable to keep up with the planned tour schedule and replaced by guitarist/vocalist Finn Ryan (formerly of Core).[3] Since then, the band has released nine studio albums and has performed 1,500 live concerts. Their 2006 EP Boxriff was engineered by Jack Endino.[4]

Current Monster Magnet drummer Bob Pantella joined the band in 2007, and the album TAB4 was released the following year.[1] In 2011, they released the album The Local Fuzz, which consisted of one 42-minute track of 50 riffs back-to-back.[5] In the following years, the band toured throughout the world. Kosnik became a member of Monster Magnet in 2013 in addition to his duties with The Atomic Bitchwax.[1] The album Gravitron was released in 2015,[6] followed by Force Field in 2017.[7] Ryan left the band after 15 years in 2018,[3] and was replaced by Monster Magnet guitarist Garrett Sweeny who appears on the band's 2020 release Scorpio.

  1. ^ a b c d Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Biography: The Atomic Bitchwax". AllMusic. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  2. ^ "The Atomic Bitchwax". Sound of Liberation. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Finn Ryan Announces Departure from The Atomic Bitchwax". The Obelisk. December 11, 2018. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  4. ^ "The Atomic Bitchwax: 'So Come On' Video Posted Online". Blabbermouth. December 31, 2006. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  5. ^ Colgan, Chris (July 26, 2011). "The Atomic Bitchwax: The Local Fuzz". Pop Matters. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  6. ^ "Album Review: The Atomic Bitchwax – 'Gravitron'". New Noise. May 8, 2015. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  7. ^ "The Atomic Bithcwax to Release 'Force Field' Album In December". Blabbermouth. October 12, 2017. Retrieved March 14, 2019.