Brighton Rock (band)
Encyclopedia
Brighton Rock are a Canadian glam metal
band who released three albums in their home country during the 1980s and 90s. They broke up in 1991 before reuniting and releasing a live album in 2002.
by guitarist Greg Fraser and bassist Stevie Skreebs in 1982, the band also included vocalist Gerry McGhee
, keyboardist Martin Victor and drummer Mark Cavarzan. After their song "Barricade" was selected for CILQ
's Q107 Homegrown album in 1984, they independently released a self-titled EP
the following year.
They subsequently signed to WEA
for their full-length debut, Young, Wild and Free
, in 1986, adding Johnny Rogers on keyboards replacing Martin Victor. That album spawned the Canadian hit singles "We Came to Rock" and "Can't Wait for the Night". The band followed up with Take a Deep Breath
in 1988 which sold 70,000 copies in Canada. While writing for 1991's Love Machine
, Rogers left the band. Gerry McGhee stated, "We didn't really feel that keyboards were part of us anymore. There's really no place for them in our musical direction now." Rogers was replaced for touring purposes by a second guitar player, Greg Bioleau, who previously played with McGhee in his first band, The Rockers. The band broke up after the tour to support Love Machine.
In 1992, guitarist Greg Fraser joined Helix
, replacing Paul Hackman. Fraser remained with Helix for four years. Also in 1992, McGhee auditioned for Mötley Crüe
who were replacing their departed singer, Vince Neil
. The band regrouped for a reunion tour in 2001, releasing the live album A Room for Five Live in 2002. In 2006 a greatest hits package was released titled The Essentials. In January 2007, Fraser and Skreebs formed a new project known as Fraze Gang. The album Jackhammer came out in early 2008. An EP called Don't Call Us was released in late 2009.
The band regrouped again Thursday October 30, 2008 at the Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto for a benefit concert for fellow Canadian rocker Carl Dixon
who was injured in a car crash.
Glam metal
Glam metal is a subgenre of hard rock and heavy metal that arose in the late 1970s and early 1980s in the United States, particularly on the Los Angeles Sunset Strip music scene...
band who released three albums in their home country during the 1980s and 90s. They broke up in 1991 before reuniting and releasing a live album in 2002.
Biography
Formed in Niagara FallsNiagara Falls, Ontario
Niagara Falls is a Canadian city on the Niagara River in the Golden Horseshoe region of Southern Ontario. The municipality was incorporated on June 12, 1903...
by guitarist Greg Fraser and bassist Stevie Skreebs in 1982, the band also included vocalist Gerry McGhee
Gerry McGhee
Gerry McGhee is a Scottish singer who is most famous for singing for the Canadian glam metal band Brighton Rock. He later went on to own a music distributor called Isotope Music Inc. based out of Burlington, Ontario....
, keyboardist Martin Victor and drummer Mark Cavarzan. After their song "Barricade" was selected for CILQ
CILQ-FM
CILQ-FM is a radio station, broadcasting at 107.1 FM in Toronto, Ontario. The station broadcasts a classic rock format branded as Q107 and is also available through streaming audio....
's Q107 Homegrown album in 1984, they independently released a self-titled EP
Brighton Rock (album)
Brighton Rock is a self-titled EP by the Canadian glam metal band, of the same name. The EP was released in 1985. The EP caught the attention of Bob Roper who signed the band to WEA Records in Canada...
the following year.
They subsequently signed to WEA
Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group is the third largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry, making it one of the big four record companies...
for their full-length debut, Young, Wild and Free
Young, Wild and Free
Young, Wild and Free is the first full length album by Canadian glam metal band, Brighton Rock. The album was released in 1986, and spawned the Canadian hit singles; "We Came to Rock" and "Can't Wait for the Night"...
, in 1986, adding Johnny Rogers on keyboards replacing Martin Victor. That album spawned the Canadian hit singles "We Came to Rock" and "Can't Wait for the Night". The band followed up with Take a Deep Breath
Take a Deep Breath (Brighton Rock album)
Take a Deep Breath is the second full length album by Canadian glam metal band, Brighton Rock. The album was released in 1988. Take a Deep Breath is Brighton Rock's most commercially successful album, peaking at #22 on the Canadian album chart...
in 1988 which sold 70,000 copies in Canada. While writing for 1991's Love Machine
Love Machine (Brighton Rock album)
Love Machine is the third full length album by Canadian glam metal band, Brighton Rock. The album was released in 1991.-History:Before the album was recorded, the band's keyboardist, Johnny Rogers, departed the band. Brighton Rock wanted a harder sound, with lead vocalist Gerry McGhee stating, "We...
, Rogers left the band. Gerry McGhee stated, "We didn't really feel that keyboards were part of us anymore. There's really no place for them in our musical direction now." Rogers was replaced for touring purposes by a second guitar player, Greg Bioleau, who previously played with McGhee in his first band, The Rockers. The band broke up after the tour to support Love Machine.
In 1992, guitarist Greg Fraser joined Helix
Helix (band)
Helix are a Canadian hard rock/heavy metal band. They formed in 1974, and are best known for their 1984 single "Rock You". The original lineup was formed by drummer Bruce Arnold, and consisted of lead vocalist Brian Vollmer, guitarists Ron Watson and Rick "Minstrel" Trembley, keyboardist Don...
, replacing Paul Hackman. Fraser remained with Helix for four years. Also in 1992, McGhee auditioned for Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1981. The group was founded by bass guitarist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, who were later joined by lead guitarist Mick Mars and lead singer Vince Neil...
who were replacing their departed singer, Vince Neil
Vince Neil
Vincent Neil Wharton is an American vocalist and musician, best known as the lead vocalist of heavy metal band Mötley Crüe.-Early life:Neil was born in Hollywood, California to Odie and Shirley Wharton...
. The band regrouped for a reunion tour in 2001, releasing the live album A Room for Five Live in 2002. In 2006 a greatest hits package was released titled The Essentials. In January 2007, Fraser and Skreebs formed a new project known as Fraze Gang. The album Jackhammer came out in early 2008. An EP called Don't Call Us was released in late 2009.
The band regrouped again Thursday October 30, 2008 at the Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto for a benefit concert for fellow Canadian rocker Carl Dixon
Carl Dixon
Carl Dixon is a Canadian rock singer, keyboardist and guitarist. He has been a member of the bands Coney Hatch, April Wine and The Guess Who.-Biography:Dixon was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario...
who was injured in a car crash.
Members
- Gerry McGheeGerry McGheeGerry McGhee is a Scottish singer who is most famous for singing for the Canadian glam metal band Brighton Rock. He later went on to own a music distributor called Isotope Music Inc. based out of Burlington, Ontario....
– Vocals (1982–1992) (2001–present) - Greg Fraser – Guitar (1982–1992) (2001–present)
- Steve Skreebs - Bass guitar (1982–1992) (2001–present)
- Johnny Rogers - Keyboards (1985–1991) (2001–present)
- Mark Cavarzan - Drums (1982–1992) (2001–present)
- Martin Victor - Keyboards (1982–1985)
- Greg Boileau - Touring Guitar (1991–1992)
Albums
- Young, Wild and FreeYoung, Wild and FreeYoung, Wild and Free is the first full length album by Canadian glam metal band, Brighton Rock. The album was released in 1986, and spawned the Canadian hit singles; "We Came to Rock" and "Can't Wait for the Night"...
(1986) - Take a Deep BreathTake a Deep Breath (Brighton Rock album)Take a Deep Breath is the second full length album by Canadian glam metal band, Brighton Rock. The album was released in 1988. Take a Deep Breath is Brighton Rock's most commercially successful album, peaking at #22 on the Canadian album chart...
(1988) - Love MachineLove Machine (Brighton Rock album)Love Machine is the third full length album by Canadian glam metal band, Brighton Rock. The album was released in 1991.-History:Before the album was recorded, the band's keyboardist, Johnny Rogers, departed the band. Brighton Rock wanted a harder sound, with lead vocalist Gerry McGhee stating, "We...
(1991) - A Room for Five Live (2002) (live albumLive albumA live album is a recording consisting of material recorded during stage performances using remote recording techniques, commonly contrasted with a studio album...
) - The Essentials (2006) (compilation albumCompilation albumA compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
)
Singles
- "We Came to Rock" (1986)
- "Can't Wait for the Night" (1986)
- "One More TryOne More Try (Brighton Rock song)"One More Try" is a hit single, released in 1988 by Canadian glam metal band Brighton Rock. The song appears on their 1988 album Take a Deep Breath. "One More Try" is Brighton Rock's most successful single, with heavy airplay on Canadian radio and a chart position of #38 in Canadian charts...
" (1988) - "Hangin' High 'N' DryHangin' High 'n' DryHangin' High 'N' Dry is a single, released in 1988 by Canadian glam metal band Brighton Rock. The song appears on their 1988 album Take a Deep Breath. The song managed to chart at #77 on the Canadian singles chart and #22 on the Cancon singles chart....
" (1988) - "Can't Stop the Earth From Shaking" (1989)
- "Hollywood Shuffle" (1991)