Monster Voodoo Machine was formed in Canada in 1991 by Toronto musician and vocalist Adam Sewell, inspired by bands like Quicksand, Black Flag and Discharge. The original line-up included guitarist Mark Gibson, bassist Terry Landry and drummer Drew Gauley. In their first six months together the band recorded one EP and one full-length album and filmed two promotional videos: "3 Year Plan" and "Bastard Child". The band also collaborated with techno group BTK and begin recording sessions with soul singers. Over the next year the band added second guitarist Dave Rose and keyboardist Stacey Hoskin to the line-up, but the intense pace of touring and writing led to both guitarists Gibson and Rose leaving, replaced by Jason Cuddy and Darren Quinn. Gauley also left after several tours, later himself joining Mundane, and was replaced on drums by Dean Dallas Bentley. In late 1993 the band recorded their second EP and major-label debut "State Voodoo/State Control". Produced by Paul Raven and Walter Sobczak, the EP's title was a reference to the Discharge track "State Violence State Control". Musically, the EP saw the band move in a heavier and darker direction, similar to bands like White Zombie and Ministry. The EP also featured remixes from producers including Danny Saber. In late January 1994 the band relocated to Chicago to record their first full-length album Suffersystem, produced by Critter and Howie Beno at Chicago Trax studios. The album featured several guest appearances including Roddy Bottum of Faith No More, Leslie Rankin of Silverfish and Ruby, and Wesley Willis. On completing the album in the late spring, the band set out on a tour of around 500 shows, touring with Carcass, Life of Agony, Skrew, and Fight, before touring with Marilyn Manson in early 1995, on the two and a half month "Portrait of an American Family Tour". Suffersystem won the 1995 Juno Award for "Best Hard Rock Album Of The Year". Around this time, the band also released a number of singles and EPs featuring remixes by artists such as Biohazard, DJ Muggs, KMFDM and Pigface. Sewell asked RCA to have the Chemical Brothers or Liam Howlett of The Prodigy produce the next album, but RCA declined, asking the band instead to consider Butch Vig. Disillusioned with RCA, Sewell asked to be released from their recording contract. In late 1995, the band was put "on hold" for the next year. The band returned in 1996 joined by Soulstorm members Nick Sagias and bassist Chris Harris. They released 1,000 numbered copies of "Pirate Satellite". However, shortly after that, the band announced that they were breaking up, and on October 4, 1996 they played a farewell show at the Volcano Club in Kitchener, Ontario. Less than a year later, while on tour with def.con.sound.system. in 1997, Sewell was offered a record deal by Dr. Dream Records who suggested that the group use the Monster Voodoo Machine name. At the time def.con.sound.system. featured Sewell, Cuddy, Sagias, Harris and occasionally Quinn and Bentley, so the agreed and began planning a new album. As the group began working on new material, Sewell decided to record the album without the use of samplers, keyboards or drum loops. The resulting album Direct Reaction Now! featured several def.con.sound.system. songs reworked into a rock format. The album was released in early 1998 just as Dr. Dream Records was shut down due to the Polygram / Universal Records merger, and the band had been invited to play the side stage on the Ozzfest Tour that year. After a few short tours with Queens of the Stone Age and Sevendust, the band played their final show in Montreal, Quebec.
