Infectious Grooves
High-octane slap bass meets skate-punk attitude. It is heavy, hilarious, and rhythmically relentless music for people who want to move and headbang simultaneously.
High-octane slap bass meets skate-punk attitude. It is heavy, hilarious, and rhythmically relentless music for people who want to move and headbang simultaneously.
Imagine a world where the technical precision of funk-fusion is hijacked by the raw, snotty energy of Venice Beach hardcore. This is music that prioritizes the 'pocket' as much as the 'pit,' anchored by some of the most influential bass playing in modern rock history. It is bright, aggressive, and unapologetically loud, characterized by a rhythmic elasticity that makes even the heaviest metal riffs feel like they are bouncing.
What truly sets this sound apart is the juxtaposition of Mike Muir's distinctively nasal, rhythmic vocal delivery against Robert Trujillo's thunderous, percussive bass lines. While many funk-metal acts of the era leaned into earnestness, this project leaned into the absurd, populating their albums with bizarre characters and comedy skits that provide a surreal, humorous counterpoint to the high-level musicianship on display.
Newcomers should dive into their debut, 'The Plague That Makes Your Booty Move,' to hear the blueprint. It captures the frantic energy of a supergroup having more fun than they probably should, blending complex syncopation with the kind of hooks that defined the early 90s alternative explosion.
Infectious Grooves is an American funk metal supergroup led by vocalist Mike Muir and initially a side project from his group Suicidal Tendencies. The current lineup also includes guitarists Dean Pleasants and Dave Kushner, bassist Robert Trujillo, and drummer Jay Weinberg. To date, the project released four albums between 1991 and 2000. Muir and the band appear in the 1992 film Encino Man, playing the song "Feed The Monkey" during the film's prom scene finale. Though Muir's sense of humor was often obvious with Suicidal Tendencies, Infectious Grooves often brought out a goofier type of humor, incorporating comedy skits involving an anthropomorphic reptile named Sarsippius. A mascot costume of Sarsippius was later created and often appeared during the band's live performances. The Infectious Grooves were on hiatus between the release of their fourth album, 2000's Mas Borracho, and 2007, while the band's personnel were busy with other projects. According to Muir, Infectious Grooves had been working on new material. In April 2008 the band began a one-month tour across Europe, featuring Stephen Bruner on bass, Eric Moore on drums, Dean Pleasants, and Tim Stewart on guitars. Most of the band's original lineup reunited for the Orion Music + More festival in June 2013, with ex-Faith No More guitarist Jim Martin filling in for Adam Siegel. The band toured in 2024 with Dave Kushner on guitar and Jay Weinberg on drums. At the time, Weinberg filled in for Wackerman during his assignment with Avenged Sevenfold. Wackerman joined that band on November 4, 2015, replacing Arin Ilejay.
Shares alternative metal, hardcore punk (subgenres); analog warmth, live recording, studio polished (production style)
Shares alternative metal (subgenres); energetic, rebellious, playful (moods)
Shares analog warmth, live recording, studio polished (production style); playful, rebellious, energetic (moods)
Shares alternative metal (subgenres); basement show, festival (atmosphere)
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