Ballistic

**Ballistic** is a American rock band formed in Glendale, Arizona in 1993 by Luke Maddox and JJ Winslow. The band broke up in 2004 and got back together in 2009.

## Ballistic

### Genres

Noise rock, Hard rock, Nu metal, Alternative metal, Pop punk, Emo

## Members

### Current members

Luke Maddox, Nick Brantley, Miranda Jordyn "MJ" Strong, JJ Winslow, Jake Novo

## History

Luke and JJ met each other at a Glendale Peter Piper Pizza in March 1993 and thought of forming a band. The two later met future bassist Nick Brantley, future rhythm guitarist Miranda Jordyn "MJ" Strong and future drummer Jake Novo. The five formed a band together after hearing a clean version of the Korn song Predictable in the arcade. The band were signed to a record deal at eOne Music. And shortly after the band began working with Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell on their debut album *Guilt Pleasure* which released in 1994 to very good reviews. In late 1994 the band played at the Celebrating Scott Ryker: A Show by Nexus tribute event, performing covers of Deep Purple's *Smoke on the Water*, Scorpions' *Pictured Life* Green Day's *When I Come Around*, Bad Religion's *Anxiety*, Gun's N Roses' *Mr Brownstone* and Tool's *Sweat*, which were all praised (coming at 21:46). In 1995 the band recorded their sophomore release. This album, 1997's *Here and Now* featured a more stronger nu metal sounding which that was praised for. Here and Now is the last album to be one eOne Music as the band would get signed to Artemis Records in 1998. In 1999 the band released their third album *Livid Mind* which the band toured for and were one of the openers at the controversial Jamfest 1999. In 2000 the band recorded their fourth album *Molested Life* which got acclaimed from critics and fans alike, saying that the band is "always making new ideas to make banging classics". They released their fifth album in 2002 called *Neon Lead*. However in 2003, nu metal started to take a decline and in 2004, the band broke up. The members went on to other projects, Luke formed a side project called "Avian Garden" with Bob Zilla from Damageplan, Head from Korn, Fallon Bowman from Kittie and Joey Jordison from Slipknot. Nick focused on his emo side project My Broken Heart, MJ Strong and Jake Novo formed a metalcore band with Jared Hahn and Tyler England called Hell's Gate and JJ Winslow formed his solo project. In 2008, rumors started buzzing that the band would get back together on January 1st 2009, getting picked up by Williams Street Records, these rumors were confirmed as the band signed a record deal with Williams Street and started recording their sixth album War Wizard which released in July of that year. In 2010 the band went on tour with Damnation as the supporting act which included a stop at Summerfest 2010 in Milwaukee. In 2012 the band released their seventh self titled album which was panned by critics but loved by fans. In 2013 the band went on tour with Hatbox as the opening act which concluded in late 2013. On December 28th 2013, the band recorded their eighth effort. 2014's *Raised by Bison* which featured a more biker metal influence. Raised by Bison is the first album with Horse Lick Records as they were signed in January 2014. Raised by Bison was also the first album to be produced by Post Malone, as he would go on to produce all of their albums to this very day. In 2017 the band kept quiet about a new album. In 2021 the ninth album *No One Can Hear You Scream, My Dove* would release in that year just in time for the 2nd anniversary of the Helluva Boss pilot. In 2022 the band released their tenth album Major Tom (which was named after the Bluey character, not the David Bowie song).

## Members

Luke Maddox-lead vocals (1993-2004, 2009-present) \*currently has 10 different Rode microphones\*

Nick Brantley-bass (1993-2004, 2009-present) \*currently plays a Jackson Nick Brantley Signature Rhoads Black Satin bass\*

MJ Strong-rhythm guitar (1993-2004, 2009-present) \*currently plays a Ibanez MJ Strong signature Xiphos Jewel Blue guitar with Digitech Grunge pedal\*

JJ Winslow-lead guitar (1993-2004, 2009-present) \*currently plays a ESP JJ Winslow Signature 7 String F Black Metal guitar with BOSS Mega Distortion pedal\*

Jake Novo-drums (1993-2004, 2009-present) \*currently plays a quadruple bass 20 piece drum set by Ludwig and Meinl\*

## Musical style and influences

Ballistic are considered Noise rock, Hard rock, Nu metal, Alternative metal, Pop punk and Emo. They're also labeled as Hypermetal. The band is influenced by Sonic Youth, Boredoms, Deep Purple, Motley Crue, Korn, Sepultura Machine Head, Jane's Addiction, Green Day, Rancid, Fugazi and AFI.

## Discography

*Guilt Pleasure (1994)*

*Here and Now (1997)*

*Livid Mind (1999)*

*Molested Life (2000)*

*Neon Lead (2002)*

*War Wizard (2009)*

*Ballistic (2012)*

*Raised by Bison (2014)*

*No One Can Hear You Scream, My Dove (2021)*

*Major Tom (2022)*

*Ballistic: 3 Decades of Being the Least Modest (2023)*