Mojo Filter

Artist Information

Biography

In the final days of the last century, Mojo Filter was born. Forgoing popular music trends, Mojo Filter set out to create their own voice in a musical landscape littered with vanilla songwriting and copycat bands.

Mojo Filter draws from a vast and varied well of influences to create their sound, a blend of late 60's classic rock and modern metal, affectionately dubbed, "Dumbfist". From their own mouths, Mojo Filter describes their music as, "what rock-n-roll
would sound like if it hadn't died already".

Mojo Filter is comprised of Chris Booth (vocals and guitar), Jason Sichi (guitar), Chris Ruane (Drums)
and John McCallough (bass)

Released Mojo Filter October 2003
Released How Long is a Dutchman February 2006
Currently working on a third release

Stump voted #1 song on:
PA Exposure(web radio) 3 weeks
Rocket Radio (web radio) 1 week
100.1 WCLG Homegrown Show 1 week (WV)

Featured on:
102.5 WDVE Morning Show (PA)
105.9 The X /Edge of the X/ Homegrown Show (PA)
100.1 WCLG Homegrown Show (WV)
U92 WVU Radio The Morgantown Sound (WV)
LSU College Radio (LA)
93.7 KOOJ (LA)
106.7 Homegrown Show (NC)

2004 Eastcoast Showcase Winner (SC)

Voted Best Overall Talent & Best Modern rock Band
2004 Eastcoast Showcase Awards (won 7 in all)

Selected to Showcase:
M.E.A.N.Y. Fest (NY,NY)
Atlantis Music Conference (Atlanta, GA_2005 & 2006)
Motor City Music Conference (Detroit,MI)
Millenium Music Conference (PA)

Instrumentation

Chris Booth- Vocals and guitar
Jason Sichi- Guitar
Chris Ruane- Drums
John McCallough- Bass

Discography

"Mojo Filter" released 2003
produced by Mojo Filter and James Ahfeld
engineered and mixed by James Ahfeld

"How Long is a Dutchman" released 2006
produced by Mojo Filter
engineered by Chris Ruane and Mojo Filter
mixed and mastered by Eric Klinger (Pro-pain)

Audio

Lyrics

• How Long is a Dutchman
• Gagger
• Edison's Belt
• Stump

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Review: How Long is a Dutchman [+ Show ]
  

  February's cover band Mojo Filter officially released their sophomore album to a rousing success at ...February's cover band Mojo Filter officially released their sophomore album to a rousing success at the Red Star last month. The purveyor's of "dumbfist"-dubbed by the band as the drunken shaking of fists in the air to their loud, pounding rock style-have nearly put together a masterpiece. If I had a designated rating system, How Long is a Dutchman would come close to achieving the top honor.
  
  Produced by the band in drummer Chris Ruane's studio, the production quality is top notch. Singer Chris Booth's growl is crystal clear, with each verse and chorus tearing through the air with jet engine force. Jason Sichi's detuned guitar riffs are all over the fretboard on tracks "Lo-Hi", "Gagger", and the title cut. The music and beats are steady, fusing a swinging bluesy style with bleeding ear distortion.
  
  This is a heavy rock album-one of the best I've heard in a long time. Definitely one you'll be shaking your fist to.

• MOJO FILTER WINS EAST COAST SHOWCASE [+ Show ]
  

  PITTSBURGH ROCK BAND WINS EAST COAST COMPETITION Local rock band MOJO FILTER was named the 2004 E...PITTSBURGH ROCK BAND WINS EAST COAST COMPETITION
  
  Local rock band MOJO FILTER was named the 2004 East Coast Showcase winnerst this past weekend.
  
  The competition, which is held in Rock Hill, SC, showcased over 200 bands from across the country, each with the hope of claiming a prize package worth $15,000 and a chance to play for various major and independent label reps.
  
  MOJO earned their way into the finals by claiming each of their rounds, dating back to March of this year, and were crowned the winners this past Saturday (12-11). They recieved a cash prize in addition to studio time, a music video, Sam Ash gift certificates and other items.
  
  MOJO FILTER was also recognized at the East Coast Showcase Awards, picking up 7 in all. They included , best overall talent, best modern rock band, best guitar, best drums, best bass, and best attitude.
  
  They also recieved the first annual "FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH" award, presented by Blackstar Production's Debbie Jet Jennings. Jenning's is known for her work as a freelance writer with
  Hit Parader Magazine, having interviewed rock icons Aerosmith, Ozzy Osbourne, and Kiss.
  
  This was the third installment of the annual showcase. It is hosted by The Money, a popular local night club known for hosting national acts and was actually where Hootie and The Blowfish got their start.
  
  

• Heavy, Really Heavy... [+ Show ]
  

  Heavy. Really heavy! Full of enthusiasm and dissonance. Massive and wrought with angst. The lo...
  Heavy. Really heavy! Full of enthusiasm and dissonance. Massive and wrought with angst.
  
  The long awaited MOJO FILTER CD has arrived, and in loud fashion. This self titled CD was produced by James Ahlfeld & MOJO FILTER. The recordings were engineered & mixed by James Ahlfeld. Mastered by Mark Rajakovic.
  
  
  This is really sonic adrenaline. The production, the repertoire, the performances are all first rate. Chris Booth (lead vocals) sounds downright mighty on this CD. Jason Sichi's (guitar) riffs are as twisting, low and heavy as Schwartzennegger is unqualified to be governor of California. A plethera of dissonant harmonic figures pepper MOJO FILTER. Johnny Metal (John McCallough, bass) unites the rhythmic foundation with RuDogg (Chris Ruane, drums). I listened to this CD really loud. This ain't no Celine Dion. Children were traumatized, and strong men fainted!!!!
  
  My sources have just informed me that the first of run of CDs have completely sold out! I got mine at the CD release party at Nick's Fat City in Pittsburgh's Southside on Friday, October 17th. I also must mention that Stone Slinger (Canton, OH) played before MOJO FILTER and really got the crowd going. Look out for Stone Slinger!
  
  The release party was a great spectacle, complete with elaborate multimedic atmosphere.
  
  Additional & clarified information regarding this CD:
  Chris Booth - vocals, rhythm guitar
  Jason Sichi - lead & rhythm guitar, organ
  John McCallough - bass
  Chris Ruane - drums.
  The CD was recorded at Soundscape Studios, Studio 28 and the Leaning Studio of Greene
  
  This is a crushing new CD that is well worth owning, discussing and enjoying. But don't take my word for... go to the band's web site: mojofilteronline.com.
  
  Dorian Scott, contributing writer
  

• CD Review [+ Show ]
  

  From the USA, MOJO FILTER presents us with their debut musical cd. The band hails from Pittsburgh...From the USA, MOJO FILTER presents us with their debut musical cd.
  
  The band hails from Pittsburgh and their sound is a mixture of Kyuss and Black Sabbath, which sounds great together. Add in a pinch of Soundgarden, singer Chris Booth sounds very similar to Mr. Cornell, especially in certain songs.
  
  The music itself can be categorized as the Stoner genre, which sounds like the mirror-image of Kyuss, already mentioned, up to the Spiritual Beggars. I found the song "DBOMD" to be particularly cool, it's a really good song, which hits you in the pit of the stomach.
  
  This debut rocks from the first to the last minute, without consideration of trends or any connection with a certain scene.
  
  Hopefully MOJO FILTER, with their nevertheless self-made sound can leave the depths of the undergrounds and develop their fame on a broader scale.
  
  MOJO FILTER have that certain something and good songwriting. These American gentleman definitely have something to offer. We will be waiting to see whether this release can secure the band a record deal.

• Filter your fun through a bit of mojo sound [+ Show ]
  

  Mojo Filter has strong musical magic working for it. This Pittsburgh, Pa.-based four-piece outfit...Mojo Filter has strong musical magic working for it.
  
  This Pittsburgh, Pa.-based four-piece outfit bested more than 200 competing bands during the yearlong competition to take top honors, money and prizes in the 2004 East Coast Showcase at The Money in Rock Hill.
  
  Now, the band returns Saturday night to the scene of that victory for a full-on concert. Along with the self-titled debut CD, Mojo Filter has staked a claim as an uncompromising, straight-ahead and powerful hard-rockin' entity. Formed in 1999, the band features Chris Booth, vocals/rhythm guitar; Jason Sichi, lead guitar; Chris Ruane -- aka RuDogg -- drums; and John McCallough, bass. Winning the showcase was a big bonus, even though it was a big undertaking considering the distance traveled for each level of the 2004 competition. "It was what we needed," McCallough says. "We drove all the way down there (to Rock Hill) just hoping people would pay attention. Then, to win it all was a chance to realize that people dig us and maybe we are not wasting our time after all."
  
  Meanwhile guitarist Sichi sees Mojo Filter as the "best unknown rock band that you will ever see live."
  
  "I'm in my own world when we're on stage. I love it," he says. "The best nights are when there are a lot of people out in the crowd. You can feel the energy that they're giving you. We feed off of that and then give it back. We've also done great shows with five people. Those are the shows where we try out new songs and just jam without trying to rush through a set."
  
  Booth seeks to shed light on the method behind the Mojo Filter madness. "The sound has evolved quite naturally," he says. "It's loud, it's certainly abrasive, but I think we achieve that emotional dynamic necessary for a song to reach its true potential.
  
  "We draw a lot of influence from classic rock metal and grunge. I guess if you combined those elements and then threw all common sense out the window you'd have us. We're a pretty intense band -- not over the top, it's a controlled intensity -- outwardly calm yet brooding and exploding internally."
  
  

• Filter the mojo, enjoy the music [+ Show ]
  

  Those hard-rocking, heavy-thumping, full-tilt stumping Mojo Filter fellows from Pittsburg return to ...Those hard-rocking, heavy-thumping, full-tilt stumping Mojo Filter fellows from Pittsburg return to put the rock into Rock Hill Saturday night at The Money.
  Since their last visit south, members of Mojo Filter have been traveling from Michigan to Ohio, criss-crossing their home state of Pennsylvania and venturing into New York City to treat audiences to their signature sound that's "really heavy, full of enthusiasm . . . massive and wrought with angst," as one reviewer put it. They also have been picked to participate in some competitive, high-profile and sought-after multiple band events.
  
  Mojo Filter was chosen for one of the coveted showcase spots in the Atlantis Music Conference and Festival Aug. 10 through 13 in Atlanta. Online voting put Mojo Filter into the semi-finals round for a berth in the multi-city national Zippo Hot Tour.
  
  Kudos to these organizations for recognizing such uncompromising rock power. But area fans knew that, since this region is a fan stronghold. It's the site of the band's major musical triumph. Mojo Filter -- with members Chris Booth on vocals and rhythm guitar; Jason Sichi on lead guitar; Chris Ruane, aka RuDogg, on drums; and John McCallough, aka Johnny Metal, on bass -- took top honors in the 2004 East Coast Showcase, a battle royal of bands in Rock Hill.
  
  
  

Setlist

set changes from night to night, but typically it includes the following songs

Stump
Resolution
Punter
Muerte Marcha
Chug
Shiner
Bon Scott
Kell Varnson
How Long is a Dutchman
Droppin a Deuce
Full Cotton Jacket
Lo-Hi
Bowlscraper
Buckels
Hungry Mancini
Edison's Belt
Pardon
The Canadian Song
Crippin
Kneel
Whole Lotta Rosie (ACDC)
What is and What Should Never Be (Led Zeppelin)
Come Together (Beatles)
Sweet Leaf (Black Sabbath)
It Aint Like That (Alice In Chains)
Song For The Dead (QOTSA)
Small Hours (Holocaust)/Am I Evil (Diamondhead)
Heart Shaped Box (Nirvana)
Breed (Nirvana)

Basic Requirements

Calendar