Fu Manchu

Although initially formed as a hardcore punk band called Virulence, Fu Manchu eventually adopted a new name and a new sound, becoming one of the most revered names in stoner rock. The group came together in 1985 in Orange County, California, with its original lineup featuring singer Ken Pucci, bassist Mark Abshire, guitarist Scott Hill, and drummer Ruben Romano. This roster appeared on Virulence's 1988 debut, If This Isn't a Dream…, although an ongoing series of lineup changes began shortly after the album's release. Scott Hill eventually took over the frontman role, and the group transformed itself into a stoner rock act with 1994's No One Rides for Free. Albums like Daredevil, In Search Of…, The Action Is Go, and Godzilla's/Eatin' Dust all followed during the remainder of the 1990s. Although Fu Manchu's lineup continued to undergo frequent changes, Scott Hill remained at the helm as the band's frontman, and shows alongside hard-hitting acts like Marilyn Manson, White Zombie, and P.O.D. helped Fu Manchu establish itself not only within the stoner rock community, but also in America's heavy metal scene. The band's release schedule began to slow down during the 2010s and beyond, but Fu Manchu's sound remained as colossal as ever on releases like 2014's Gigantoid, 2018's Clone of the Universe, and 2024's The Return of Tomorrow, the latter of which charted at number 199 in France.

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