Gargamel! (named for a character from the Smurfs) was formed in 1992 by lead singer Mandaddy, a longtime booster of the local music scene who also hosts Bootleg Television, a weekly TV show devoted to regional music. Joining Mandaddy in the first lineup were guitarists Headless Spawn and Skyjak, bassist Boy Howdy, and drummer Webb. This version recorded Gargamel!'s first album, 1997's Revulva, but by the time 2000's Touch My Fun was released, three of the original members had left and Mandaddy and Webb were joined by El Diablo Guapo on guitar, Crazy Hector on bass, and Servobeonic Man on keyboards and samplers. Touch My Fun sold well locally and was named CD of the Year at the 2001 Orlando Weekly Music Awards, though the group had to deal with negative press for their habit of wearing masks on-stage; some critics felt the band was modeling their look after Slipknot, though Gargamel! were wearing masks years before Slipknot debuted. Gargamel! became a popular live attraction, headlining major clubs in Florida and opening for the likes of GWAR, Anthrax, and Mushroomhead. 2003's The New Tenderness featured new guitarist Professor Knuckles, and 2007's Fields of Happy was the band's final album with drummer Webb, who left the group and was replaced by percussionist Mas. ~ Mark Deming