Drew Fortier

Drew Fortier
Fortier in 2022
Fortier in 2022
Background information
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • filmmaker
InstrumentGuitar
Years active2011-present
LabelSpoiler Head Records
Member ofThe Lucid
Formerly ofBang Tango

Drew Fortier is an American musician and filmmaker. He is a co-founder and guitarist of the rock band the Lucid, alongside Vinnie Dombroski, David Ellefson, and Mike Heller, and has previously performed with Bang Tango and Chuck Mosley.

As a filmmaker, Fortier directed Attack of Life: The Bang Tango Movie and wrote, directed, and starred in the horror films Dwellers and Bunker Heights.

Film career

Attack of Life: The Bang Tango Movie

Fortier began filming Attack of Life: The Bang Tango Movie, a documentary about the hard rock band Bang Tango, after initially planning a studio documentary about the recording of the band's album Pistol Whipped in the Bible Belt. The project expanded to cover the band's history. A commercial release was prevented by music-clearance issues involving Bang Tango's back catalogue.

The film received a public screening in Chicago in April 2015, shortly before Fortier joined Bang Tango as the band's second guitarist. It was released for free on YouTube in 2016. In 2026, a restored HD and 4K edition was released on YouTube for the film's tenth anniversary.

Dwellers

In 2019, Fortier was announced as the writer, director, and star of the found-footage horror film Dwellers, produced by David Ellefson and Thom Hazaert through Ellefson Films. The film was conceived as a documentary that develops into a horror story and was influenced by The Blair Witch Project and C.H.U.D..

Dwellers was screened at several film festivals and received multiple awards. The film was released on Blu-ray, DVD, and streaming platforms on October 12, 2021.

Bunker Heights

Fortier wrote, directed, and stars as Derek Tucker in the horror film Bunker Heights. Dread Central described the film as a spiritual successor to the 1984 film C.H.U.D.. The film is scheduled to be released worldwide on Blu-ray, DVD, and digital by MVD Entertainment Group on October 13, 2026.

Music career

Bang Tango

Fortier performing in 2017

In 2011, Fortier contributed additional guitar and backing vocals to Bang Tango's album Pistol Whipped in the Bible Belt, which was released the following year.

After completing Attack of Life: The Bang Tango Movie, Fortier performed with Bang Tango at a show in Chicago in April 2015. He was subsequently invited to perform with the band at the M3 Rock Festival in Maryland and joined the group as its second guitarist.

Fortier performed alongside guitarist Rowan Robertson, who said that adding a second guitarist helped fill out the band's sound.

ZFM

In 2015, Fortier co-founded ZFM with Chip Z'Nuff of Enuff Z'Nuff, Brynn Arens of Flipp, Mike Heller of Fear Factory, Stephen Shareaux of Kik Tracee, and K. L. Doty. Beginning in May 2025, the band released a series of singles and music videos, followed by the album Anthology in July.

Chuck Mosley

In 2017, Fortier joined former Faith No More vocalist Chuck Mosley's solo band as guitarist. During his time with the band, Fortier and Mosley discussed plans for a documentary about Mosley's life. Following Mosley's death in November 2017, the project was announced in 2018 as Thanks. And Sorry: The Chuck Mosley Movie.

The Lucid

In 2021, Fortier co-founded The Lucid with Sponge vocalist Vinnie Dombroski, former Megadeth bassist David Ellefson, and Fear Factory drummer Mike Heller. The band released its debut album, The Lucid, in October 2021, preceded by the singles "Maggot Wind", "Damned", and "Hair".

In 2023, the Lucid released the EP Saddle Up and Ride. Violent J of Insane Clown Posse appeared on the title track and "Sweet Toof", a reworking of Faith No More's "Epic".

Acting career

Fortier made his acting debut as Nick Perkins in James L. Edwards' horror film Her Name Was Christa, released in 2020. He subsequently appeared in Dwellers and the horror anthology Brimstone Incorporated (2021), portraying Gregory Asmodeus in the latter.

In 2024, Fortier appeared as Brian Sands in Trivial and as Jack Murray in Side Effects May Vary. He later starred as Derek Tucker in the horror film Bunker Heights, which he also wrote and directed.

Writing career

Fortier published the autobiography Dark, Depressing, and Hilarious in 2018. In 2020, he co-wrote the thriller novel Rock Star Hitman with David Ellefson, which was released through the Ellefson Book Co.

Filmography

As filmmaker

Year Title Credited as Notes
Director Writer Editor
2016 Attack of Life: The Bang Tango Movie Yes Yes Yes Documentary
2021 Dwellers Yes Yes Yes
2026 Bunker Heights Yes Yes Yes

Acting roles

Year Title Role
2020 Her Name Was Christa Nick Perkins
2021 Dwellers Drew
Brimstone Incorporated Gregory Asmodeus
2024 Trivial Brian Sands
2024 Side Effects May Vary Jack Murray
2026 Bunker Heights Derek Tucker
2026 Satan's Peak Noel Campbell
TBA Deadly Endings The Angel

Music videos

Year Title Artist Credited as Notes
Director Writer Editor
2011 "Live Life" Bang Tango Yes Yes Yes
2012 "I Like It" Bang Tango Yes Yes Yes
"Suck It Up" Bang Tango Yes Yes Yes
"Bring on the World" Bang Tango Yes Yes Yes
2013 "Lies" Mark Knight and the Unsung Heroes Yes Yes Yes
"Sink Your Teeth Into" Mark Knight and the Unsung Heroes Yes Yes Yes
2016 "How at the Moon" Green Denim Yes Yes Yes Intro by Lloyd Kaufman
2021 "Stitch" Sponge No Yes No Directed by James L. Edwards
2022 "Deaths of Despair" The Lucid Yes Yes Yes
"Hair" The Lucid No Yes Yes Directed by Hannah Fierman
2024 "The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get" Sponge Yes No Yes Morrissey cover
"Fade into You" Sponge Yes Yes Yes Co-directed with Hannah Fierman, Mazzy Star cover
"No Excuses" Sponge Yes Yes Yes Alice in Chains cover

Discography

With Bang Tango

With Obszön Geschöpf

With Ellefson

With The Lucid

With Ellefson Z'Nuff

With ZFM

Bibliography

Accolades

Dwellers received multiple awards on the film festival circuit, including Best Horror Film at Mad Monster Film Fest, Best Actor at the LA Sci-Fi & Horror Festival, Best Director at The Thing in the Basement Horror Fest, and Best Microbudget Film from the National Independent Film Association.

The Lucid's music video for "Hair" also received several awards in 2022, including Best Music Video at the Dreamachine International Film Festival and Best Song at the Vegas Movie Awards.

References

  1. 1 2 Miska, Brad (2026-08-25). "Exclusive: 'Bunker Heights' Trailer Unleashes Crime, Comedy and Creatures". Dread Central. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  2. ↑ "Attack Of Life: The Bang Tango Movie Streaming For Free". bravewords.com. Retrieved 2018-02-24.
  3. ↑ "Attack of Life: The Bang Tango Movie Tells the Story of an Unappreciated Classic Band! – ZRockR Magazine". Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  4. ↑ "Bang Tango - Band Members To Attend Screening Of The Bang Tango Movie". bravewords.com. Retrieved 2018-02-24.
  5. 1 2 "Bang Tango Moviemaker Joins Band As Second Guitarist". bravewords.com. Retrieved 2018-02-24.
  6. ↑ Team, Editorial (2016-01-19). "Attack Of Life: The BANG TANGO Movie Streaming For Free". BraveWords - Where Music Lives. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  7. ↑ Blabbermouth (2026-01-29). "BANG TANGO: 'Attack Of Life' Movie Upgraded To 4K For 10th Anniversary". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  8. ↑ "Megadeth Bassist David Ellefson To Produce Horror Film 'Dwellers'". blabbermouth.net. 2019-05-31. Retrieved 2019-06-03.
  9. ↑ Miska, Brad (2019-11-15). "Trailer for 'Dwellers', Produced by Megadeth's David Ellefson [Video]". Bloody Disgusting!. Retrieved 2019-11-18.
  10. ↑ "Megadeth Bassist David Ellefson's Award Winning Horror Film, 'Dwellers' Arrives on Blu-ray/DVD/Digital October 12th". Entertainment Rocks. 2021-03-17. Retrieved 2021-10-21.
  11. ↑ "DWELLERS, AWARD WINNING FOUND FOOTAGE HORROR FILM, Now Available for PRE-ORDER". Horror News | HNN. 2021-08-28. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  12. ↑ Julian, Giallo (2024-01-22). "Crime and Creatures Galore in 'Bunker Heights' [New Blood News]". Dread Central. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  13. ↑ LaMontagne, Graham (2015-06-30). "Bang Tango – Pistol Whipped In The Bible Belt - Sleaze Roxx". Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  14. ↑ "Joe Lesté of Bang Tango Interview – Sleaze Roxx". sleazeroxx.com. 27 October 2015. Retrieved 2018-03-01.
  15. ↑ Blabbermouth (2016-08-09). "KIK TRACEE, ENUFF Z'NUFF, FEAR FACTORY Members Join Forces In ZEN FROM MARS Project". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 2021-10-21.
  16. ↑ Team, Editorial (2025-05-30). "ZFM Feat. KIK TRACEE, ENUFF Z'NUFF, RAVEN, THE LUCID Members To Release anthology Album In July; "Poppy" Single Streaming (Audio)". BraveWords - Where Music Lives. Retrieved 2025-06-02.
  17. ↑ Team, Editorial (2017-06-16). "Former FAITH NO MORE Singer CHUCK MOSLEY To Be Joined By BANG TANGO Guitarist DREW FORTIER On Select Dates". BraveWords - Where Music Lives. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  18. ↑ "There's A Documentary On Ex-Faith No More Frontman Chuck Mosley Coming - Metal Injection". Metal Injection. 2018-02-07. Retrieved 2018-02-24.
  19. ↑ revealed, Scott MunroFilm documenting the life of late Faith No More vocalist Chuck Mosley has been (2018-02-07). "Chuck Mosley documentary announced". Louder. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  20. ↑ Blabbermouth (2021-10-06). "DAVID ELLEFSON's Post-MEGADETH Project THE LUCID Releases Third Single, 'Hair'". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 2021-10-21.
  21. ↑ "Ex-Megadeth David Ellefson Releases New Music Video With Band The Lucid". www.ultimate-guitar.com. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  22. ↑ Blabbermouth (2023-01-25). "DAVID ELLEFSON's THE LUCID Collaborates With INSANE CLOWN POSSE's VIOLENT J On 'Re-Imagining' Of FAITH NO MORE's 'Epic'". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  23. ↑ collaboration?, Metal HammerAre you ready for 2023's first WTF (2023-01-20). "Ex-Megadeth man David Ellefson has hooked up with Insane Clown Posse's Violent J to cover Faith No More and... wait, it's not April 1 already, is it?". Louder. Retrieved 2026-08-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  24. ↑ "Bang Tango, ZFM Guitarist Drew Fortier To Star In New Horror Film, Her Name Was Christa". bravewords.com. Retrieved 2018-02-24.
  25. ↑ "Brimstone Incorporated (Review)". Horror Society. 2021-04-12. Retrieved 2021-10-21.
  26. ↑ "J.R. Bookwalter's medical shocker "SIDE EFFECTS MAY VARY" releases trailer, sets roadshow theatrical dates - RUE MORGUE". 2024-01-02. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  27. ↑ "Creatures and Crime Collide in Trailer For The Genre-Bending Film BUNKER HEIGHTS". GeekTyrant. 2024-01-12. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  28. ↑ BraveWords. "BANG TANGO Guitarist DREW FORTIER Shares Excerpt From Dark, Depressing, And Hilarious Autobiography". bravewords.com. Retrieved 2021-10-21.
  29. ↑ BraveWords. "MEGADETH Bassist DAVID ELLEFSON, ZEN FROM MARS Guitarist DREW FORTIER Collaborate On New Book, Rock Star Hitman". bravewords.com. Retrieved 2020-12-03.
  30. ↑ Blacktooth (2026-07-07). "James L. Edwards' SATAN'S PEAK Available on Blu". Horror Society. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  31. ↑ "Exclusive photos & synopsis: Indie anthology horror "DEADLY ENDINGS" - RUE MORGUE". 2024-07-09. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  32. ↑ Staff, antiMusic (2024-09-21). "Sponge Cover Morrissey's 'The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get'". www.antimusic.com. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
  33. ↑ "Sponge Share Cover Of Mazzy Star's "Fade Into You": Listen". Stereogum. 2024-10-10. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
  34. ↑ Blabbermouth (2024-11-08). "SPONGE Shares Music Video For Cover Of ALICE IN CHAINS' 'No Excuses' Feat. TAPROOT's STEPHEN RICHARDS". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
  35. ↑ Downed (feat. Chip Z'Nuff & Drew Fortier), retrieved 2020-12-03
  36. ↑ Blabbermouth (2024-12-27). "DAVID ELLEFSON Teams Up With CHIP Z'NUFF And STEPHEN SHAREAUX For Cover Of DONNIE IRIS's 'Ah! Leah!'". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 2025-01-03.
  37. ↑ Childers, Chad (8 September 2021). "David Ellefson Launches New Band The Lucid, Reveal First Song + Album Details". Loudwire. Retrieved 2021-10-06.
  38. ↑ Blabbermouth (2022-12-23). "DAVID ELLEFSON's THE LUCID Collaborates With INSANE CLOWN POSSE's VIOLENT J On 'Saddle Up And Ride' EP". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 2023-01-10.
  39. ↑ Blabbermouth (2025-03-28). "DAVID ELLEFSON Teams Up With CHIP Z'NUFF For Cover Of CHEAP TRICK's 'Downed'". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 2025-04-01.
  40. ↑ Olivier (2025-05-30). "ZFM featuring members of Kik Tracee & Enuff Z'Nuff unveil single "Poppy" from upcoming debut album - Sleaze Roxx". Retrieved 2025-06-02.
  41. ↑ "DWELLERS, AWARD WINNING FOUND FOOTAGE HORROR FILM, Now Available for PRE-ORDER". Horror News | HNN. 2021-08-28. Retrieved 2021-10-21.
  42. ↑ "NOVEMBER 2022 EDITION". VegasMovieAwards. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
  43. ↑ Festival, Dreamachine International Film. "Dreamachine International Film Festival". Dreamachine International Film Festival. Retrieved 2022-11-14.