Fu Manchu (band)

Fu Manchu
Fu Manchu vocalist/guitarist Scott Hill performing live with the band
Background information
Also known as	Virulence
Origin	Orange County, California, United States
Genres	Stoner metal
Years active	1985–present
Labels	DRT, Liquor and Poker Music, Mammoth, Bong Load, Man's Ruin, Slap-a-Ham
Associated acts	Nebula, Beefsore, Sun and Sail Club
Website	Official Site
Members	Scott Hill Brad Davis Bob Balch Scott Reeder
Past members	Ruben Romano Ken Pucci Mark Abshire Greg McCaughey Glenn Chivens Scott Votaw Eddie Glass Brant Bjork

Fu Manchu is an American, Southern California-based stoner rock band that formed in 1985.

Fu Manchu originally formed in 1985 as a hardcore punk band called Virulence. The line up was vocalist Ken Pucci, guitarist Scott Hill, bassist Mark Abshire, and drummer Ruben Romano. In 1987 Abshire left the band and was replaced by Greg McCaughey. They recorded their debut LP If This Isn't a Dream... in 1988, which was released on Alchemy Records (1989). In 1990, Pucci left the band and was replaced by vocalist Glenn Chivens, and they changed their name to Fu Manchu. Soon after they released the "Kept Between Trees" 7 inch single on Slap A Ham Records. McCaughey was replaced by Mark Abshire. Chivens also left the band around this time for unknown reasons. Rather than search for a new vocalist, Scott Hill added lead vocalist to his guitar duties. To compensate, Scott Votaw was recruited as lead guitarist. In 1992, Fu Manchu released three 7 inch singles: "Senioritis," "Pick Up Summer," and "Don't Bother Knockin' (If This Vans Rockin')". In 1993, Votaw left the band and was replaced by lead guitarist Eddie Glass, who had previously played drums in the band Olivelawn.

Fu Manchu’s first album, No One Rides for Free (1994), was released by Bong Load Custom Records, an independent label.

Abshire left Fu Manchu before they recorded their second album, Daredevil, in 1995. He was replaced by Brad Davis. The band promoted Daredevil with extensive touring throughout the USA and Canada, and reached a wider audience thanks to an opening slot with Monster Magnet, who at the time were the commercial darlings of the stoner rock genre.

Romano and Glass left shortly after the release of Fu Manchu's third album, In Search Of... (1996), citing personal and musical differences with Hill. They were replaced by Brant Bjork and Bob Balch, respectively. Glass, Romano and Abshire soon regrouped to form Nebula, a power trio that took the jam-influenced side of Fu Manchu and expanded on it. Members of Nebula have commented that "we're all family" to fans wearing Fu Manchu shirts at their concerts.