Named after a Japanese monster movie, stoner metallists Gammera -- Scott Selfridge (guitars/vocals), Clint Ragsdale (bass), and Vadim Canby (drums) -- hail from San Anselmo, CA; they formed in 1996. Although the members were first attracted to the West Coast hardcore scene, Gammera built their sound upon the heavy and muddy riffs of Black Sabbath, Soundgarden, and Danzig, fitting in perfectly with the influx of late-'90s stoner bands (Fu Manchu, Queens of the Stone Age, Orange Goblin). 2001 saw the release of their full-length debut, titled Smoke and Mirrors. ~ Greg Prato, Rovi