We Are TMX

“If you asked me why I want to be a rock star...it’s not about the fame or money,” guitarist/ songwriter Brandon Mendenhall states. “I have a unique opportunity to inspire people and kids with disabilities with my playing, my music, and my story. I truly believe that's what I was put on this earth to do.”

Born with Cerebral Palsy, an incurable neurological disorder affecting movement, coordination, and balance, Brandon Mendenhall faces numerous challenges. With limited movement on his left side and zero mobility in his left hand, the odds were stacked against him from birth.

However, inspired by acts such as Korn and Pantera, Brandon taught himself how to play guitar at the age of 19, rehabilitating his left hand without surgical intervention. “Once I was able to get a guitar in my hands, it changed my life,” he says. That passion for music sparked something in his soul, and a dream began to form...a dream that was thought to be impossible: Brandon wanted to play guitar and form a band. He recalls, “My grandfather told me, ‘You’ll never be a guitarist. Don’t even try.’ And that crushed me. Those words lit a fire in me. I was determined that I could do this.”

The Mendenhall Experiment was born from Brandon Mendenhall’s unrelenting vision to build a touring rock band while living with Cerebral Palsy. Refusing to accept the odds or the doubt of an industry hesitant to look past his disability, Brandon visited Los Angeles and never left, pursuing his dream with fierce determination. Driven by the core belief that failure was not an option, he turned personal struggle into the foundation of TMX.

Formed in 2008, The Mendenhall Experiment also features bass player Nathan Stockton, who has mastered his craft while navigating Usher syndrome, a rare genetic condition affecting both hearing and sight. On lead guitar, Logan Manser refuses to let autism limit his ambition, shattering expectations every time he steps on stage. Together with frontman Mario Valadez and founder Brandon Mendenhall, TMX stands as living proof that no barrier is permanent and that physical and neurological limits exist only to be broken.

Based in Southern California, TMX has been regularly performing on the infamous Sunset Strip in addition to gigs throughout the region, opening for the likes of such metal mainstays as John 5, POD, Alien Ant Farm, Kill Devil Hill, Fear Factory, Prong, Flaw, Metal Allegiance, Smile Empty Soul, Cold, and more. In 2013, the five-piece performed at the Monster Energy Aftershock Festival in Sacramento, California, sharing the stage with Korn, Megadeth, and Five Finger Death Punch.

A breakthrough occurred on June 17, 2014, when TMX made it to the final round of The Battle of the Bands for Warped Tour. After an electrifying performance that left the audience screaming for more, The Mendenhall Experiment took second place. The subsequent buzz reached the discerning ears at Liquid Bit Music Productions, and in August 2014 TMX inked a publishing deal with the company, six years to the day after the initial incarnation of The Mendenhall Experiment performed its first show in Brandon's hometown of Kankakee, Illinois. Shortly thereafter, the quintet put pen to paper again to sign their first development deal with Lucent Records, including national digital distribution through Universal Music Group.

TMX’s high-energy performances bring an uncompromising message of resilience and empowerment to every stage. Championing disability awareness and proving that personal limits are meant to be broken, founder Brandon Mendenhall observes: “At our shows, we are starting to see the impact of our mission to inspire others consistently. Our fans and supporters come to us and give their personal testimonies and praise about how we are touching their lives, and the lives of others with disabilities.” Ultimately, TMX’s music resonates far beyond any diagnosis, inspiring listeners to push past their own boundaries and seize every day.

TMX’s self-titled EP featured high-profile guest appearances by James “Munky” Shaffer (Korn) and Danny Lohner (Nine Inch Nails / A Perfect Circle). Available on all major streaming platforms, the release was anchored by the breakout single “Seize the Day,” which accumulated over 30,000 views on YouTube/Vevo and set the foundation for their subsequent releases.

In 2015, TMX won Video of the Year at the LRT Music Video Awards, while Brandon was named UCP’s Trailblazer of the Year and a celebrity ambassador for UK charity Daytrippers. Their story was captured in the 2019 feature documentary Mind Over Matter, directed by Sébastien Paquet (Korn). Across six headlining and national tours, TMX hit main stages at major festivals like Aftershock and Rocklahoma, released acclaimed singles like "Unwanted," and collaborated with Korn’s Munky on "Prosthetic." The band has earned endorsements from Monster Energy, Ibanez Guitars, EMG Pickups, and InTune Guitar Picks.

Brandon maintains a vision for TMX that some may deem unrealistic: “I am confident that as The Mendenhall Experiment brand continues to grow and see greater success, we can begin to inspire people on a global scale with our music, touching not only the lives of individuals but also changing the global perception of people with disabilities.” But considering all that he's overcome thus far, it would be difficult to bet against Brandon and “The Experiment” that bears his name fulfilling those goals!

The Mendenhall Experiment is:

Brandon Mendenhall - Guitar

Nathan Stockton - Bass

Logan Manser - Lead Guitar

Mario Valadez - Vocals