The Motherload

2014 single by Mastodon

"The Motherload"

Single by Mastodon
from the album  Once More 'Round the Sun
Released| September 29, 2014
Recorded| Rock Falcon Studios, Franklin, Tennessee
Genre| Progressive metal[1]
Length| 4:59
Label| Reprise
Songwriter(s)| Brann Dailor, Brent Hinds, Bill Kelliher, Troy Sanders
Producer(s)| Nick Raskulinecz
Mastodon singles chronology
| "Chimes at Midnight"
(2014)  | "The Motherload"
(2014)  | "Show Yourself"
(2017)

|
|

"The Motherload" is a song by American progressive metal band Mastodon. The song was released as the third and final single from the band's sixth studio album, Once More 'Round the Sun.

## Music video

[edit]

The song's music video shows several women twerking in front of a group of men inter-cut with footage of the band performing the song. During the solo, the women start dancing in front of the band. Another woman enters and as she dances, psychedelic images appear, with the others cheering her on. They all begin dancing again as the song ends.[2]

### Controversy

[edit]

The video caused some controversy as it featured many women twerking. Dom Lawson of The Guardian criticized the video, calling it "blatant, idiotic and utterly pointless sexism."[3]

Brann Dailor defended the video, saying it was meant to be a parody of "esoteric", "creepy" '90s rock and metal videos and the videos for Nicki Minaj's "Anaconda", Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off" and Iggy Azalea's "Booty". The video was also meant as an homage to the band's hometown, Atlanta, which was one of the cities pivotal to early hip hop music.[4] One of the dancers in the video, Jade, defended it, saying "it's not a satirical video, but rather one with an inclusive message."[5]

The video received a positive response from publications such as The Huffington Post and The Independent.[6][7]

## Track listing

[edit]

Digital single

No.| Title| Length

|
|

1.| "The Motherload"| 4:59

12" single

Side ANo.| Title| Length

|
|

1.| "The Motherload"| 4:59

Side BNo.| Title| Length

|
|

1.| "Halloween" (instrumental)| 4:39

## Chart positions

[edit]

Chart (2014)  | Peak
position

|

US Main. Rock | 24[8]
MEX. Air | 43[9]

## Personnel

[edit]

* Troy Sanders – bass, lead vocals (refrain)
* Brent Hinds – lead guitar
* Brann Dailor – drums, lead vocals (verses and chorus)
* Bill Kelliher – rhythm guitar

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Jurek, Thom. "Once More 'Round the Sun - Mastodon". AllMusic. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
2. ^ "Mastodon - The Motherload [Official Video]". YouTube. 29 September 2014. Retrieved April 12, 2015.
3. ^ Lawson, Dom (September 30, 2014). "Rock bottom: why Mastodon's misogynistic new video misfires". The Guardian. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
4. ^ Gordon, Jeremy (September 30, 2014). "Mastodon's Brann Dailor Talks "The Motherload Video: "It's Not to Be Taken So Seriously"". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved April 12, 2015.
5. ^ Minsker, Evan (October 5, 2014). "Dancer in Mastodon's "The Motherload" Video Defends Band, Details Behind-the-Scenes Experience". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
6. ^ Kristobak, Ryan (September 29, 2014). "Mastodon's 'The Motherload' Video Proves It Is Possible To Twerk To Metal". The Huffington Post. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
7. ^ Hooton, Christopher (September 30, 2014). "Metalheads are confused as to why Mastodon's 'The Motherload' music video is full of twerking asses". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2022-06-18. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
8. ^ "Mastodon – Chart History: Mainstream Rock Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 12, 2015.
9. ^ "Mastodon – Chart History: Mexico Ingles Airplay". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 12, 2015.

* v
* t
* e

Mastodon

* Brann Dailor
* Bill Kelliher
* Troy Sanders

* Eric Saner
* Brent Hinds

Studio albums|

* Remission
* Leviathan
* Blood Mountain
* Crack the Skye
* The Hunter
* Once More 'Round the Sun
* Emperor of Sand
* Hushed and Grim

Live albums|

* Live at the Aragon
* Live at Brixton

Compilation albums|

* Call of the Mastodon
* Mastodon box set
* Medium Rarities

Video albums|

* The Workhorse Chronicles

Extended plays|

* Lifesblood
* March of the Fire Ants EP
* Oblivion EP
* Jonah Hex: Revenge Gets Ugly
* Cold Dark Place

Singles|

* "March of the Fire Ants"
* "Colony of Birchmen"
* "Oblivion"
* "Curl of the Burl"
* "High Road"
* "The Motherload"
* "Show Yourself"
* "Steambreather"

Concert tours|

* The Unholy Alliance Tour
* Blackdiamondskye
* Heritage Hunter Tour

Personnel|

* Matt Bayles
* Brendan O'Brien
* Mike Elizondo
* Nick Raskulinecz

Related articles|

* Discography
* Reprise Records
* Relapse Records

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