Mind over Four

Mind over Four (occasionally written as Mind over 4) was an American heavy metal group based out of Orange County, California. They started life as a sort of psychedelic punk band but eventually began creating their own unique brand of fierce prog/metal. In interviews they often referred to their music as "experimetal". BNR Metal Pages describes them as "occupy[ing] that gray area between metal and uncommercial hard rock, but with a quirkiness in the songwriting that makes them difficult to describe or categorize".[1] During the course of the band, they recorded six albums and brought their electrifying live show to 14 countries and many national U.S. tours.

Mind over Four
OriginOrange County, California, United States
GenresAlternative metal, progressive metal
Years active1983–1995
Associated actsCorporate Avenger, Humble Gods, Mindfunk, KMFDM, Overbreaker
MembersSpike Xavier
Mike Jensen
Mark Fullerton
Rich Castillo
Past membersJeff Koegel
Dave Hamilton
"Dan"
Steve Crow
Lou Gaez
Dan Colburn

In 1993, Xavier was invited to audition as the lead singer of Anthrax after they fired Joey Belladonna; however, Anthrax ultimately hired John Bush.[2]

Mind over Four dissolved shortly after the release of their 1995 album, Empty Hands. Singer Spike Xavier went on to play bass in his brother's band Humble Gods. He also played bass for the funk/metal band Mindfunk and eventually founded Corporate Avenger with Mindfunk vocalist Pat Dubar. Mike Jensen toured with KMFDM as guitar player and later joined the short lived band Overbreaker. Mike has released solo material under the name of Michael Fordays. Rich Castillo released an eclectic mix of solo material ranging from Zappa influenced comedy to smooth jazz instrumentals. Mark Fullerton worked on the production side of the film industry in Los Angeles for 15 years before moving to Utah. He now plays drums in a classic rock cover band called Mesozoic.

In the August 21, 1993 issue of Kerrang magazine, a review of Mind Over Four's The Goddess album read: "At their best, they're untouchable, unbelievable, perhaps the metal discovery of the '90s...utter perfection".

On the back cover photo of the Pantera album Vulgar Display of Power, Phil Anselmo can be seen wearing one of the band's T-shirts.

Members

Previous members
  • Jeff Koegel - bass
  • Dave Hamilton - bass
  • Dean R - drums
  • "Dan" - drums
  • Steve Crow - guitar (Desperate Expression - Self release '83)
  • Lou Gaez - drums (Desperate Expression - Self release '83)
  • Dan Colburn - bass
  • Sean Elliott - bass

Discography
  • Desperate Expression (1983) (self-released)
  • Out Here (1987) (XXX records)
  • Mind Over Four (1989) (Destiny Records)
  • The Goddess (1990) (Caroline)
  • Half Way Down (1993) (Restless)
  • Empty Hands (1995) (Fierce)

References
  1. "Mind Over Four at the BNR Metal Pages". Bnrmetal.com. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  2. Scott Ian and Jon Weiderhorn (2014). I'm the Man: The Story of that Guy from Anthrax. Da Capo Press, p. 177


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