Editing Monster Magnet (section)

=== Beginnings and ''Spine of God'' (1989–1992) ===
Original names considered for the band included Dog of Mystery, Airport 75, Triple Bad Acid, and King Fuzz before they ultimately settled on Monster Magnet, a name taken from a 1960s toy made by [[Wham-O]], which Wyndorf liked as a child.<ref name="net bio">{{cite web
| title = Biography
| url=http://www.monstermagnet.net/bio.htm
|work=monstermagnet.net
| access-date = June 17, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070403035815/http://www.monstermagnet.net/bio.htm |archive-date = April 3, 2007}}</ref>

In 1989, Monster Magnet released two demo cassettes: ''Forget About Life, I'm High on Dope'' and ''I'm Stoned, What Ya Gonna Do About It?'' The band's first "official" release was the single "Lizard Johnny/Freakshop USA" on Long Island-based Circuit Records. The first demo and single were recorded as a three-piece (McBain on bass, Wyndorf on guitar and vocals, and Cronin on drums and vocals). Before the second demo, Tom Diello joined on drums, and McBain and Cronin switched to guitar and bass, respectively. This new lineup featured McBain on guitar, Wyndorf on guitar and vocals, Cronin on bass and vocals, and Diello on drums. The [[Extended play|EP]] ''[[Monster Magnet (album)|Monster Magnet]]'' followed on [[Glitterhouse Records]] of [[Germany]], containing the songs "Snake Dance" and "Nod Scene" (both of which would appear again on ''[[Spine of God]]''), and "Tractor" (which would be re-recorded later for ''[[Powertrip]]'').

In 1990, the band signed with [[Caroline Records (U.S.)|Caroline Records]] and released the single "Murder/Tractor." Cronin left shortly after, although he would remain involved in the background, particularly at live shows, contributing to auditory effects, lights, and visuals for many years. After Cronin's departure, Joe Calandra joined on bass. In 1991, Monster Magnet released their first full-length album, ''[[Spine of God]]'', on the labels Go Get Organized/[[Atypeek Music]], Primo Scree, [[Glitterhouse Records]], and Caroline Records. Shortly afterward, drummer Tom Diello left the band and was replaced by Jon Kleiman. Although not a commercial success, ''Spine of God'' was praised by critics and is hailed as one of the classics of the stoner rock genre. It is also considered a major influence on the genre.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tepedelen |first=Adem |date=2017-12-04 |title=Monster Magnet - "Spine of God" |url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2017/12/04/monster-magnet/ |access-date=2024-07-03 |website=Decibel Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> The album included the single "Medicine" (which would be re-recorded 10 years later on ''[[God Says No]]''), which was also the band's first [[music video]]. The band followed with a tour alongside rising [[grunge]] band [[Soundgarden]].<ref name="The Great Rock Discography">{{cite book |last=Strong |first=Martin C. |title=The Great Rock Discography |publisher=Mojo Books |year=2000 |isbn=1-84195-017-3 |edition=5th |location=Edinburgh |page=656}}</ref> The [[concert tour|tour]] helped the band secure a [[recording contract]] with major [[record label]] [[A&M Records]].

Their final release with Caroline Records was an [[Extended play|EP]] titled ''[[Tab (album)|Tab]]'', which included, among two other marathon-length songs, a 32-minute track called "Tab...." The ''Tab'' EP was recorded before ''Spine of God'', yet released afterward. McBain left the band soon after and was replaced by [[Atomic Bitchwax]] guitarist [[Ed Mundell]].<ref name="The Great Rock Discography"/>