Built to Perform
Encyclopedia
Built to Perform is the second full-length album by American heavy metal
band Phantom Blue
. In contrast to the first album's glam metal
sound, Built to Perform displays a more raw, heavy metal sound. It also features songwriting credits by all five of the band members plus former member Nicole Couch
, who left prior to the album's release. The album includes the band's cover of Thin Lizzy
's "Bad Reputation."
Veteran producer Max Norman
oversaw the album's production, while Marty Friedman
(who was then with Megadeth
) and John Norum
(of Europe
) contributed as guest guitarists. Norum and guitarist Michelle Meldrum
eventually married in 1995. "My Misery" was co-written by the late West Arkeen
, known for his collaborations with Guns N' Roses
.
Released by Geffen Records
, this was the band's only album under a major record label.
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band Phantom Blue
Phantom blue
Phantom Blue was an all-female American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1987. Phantom Blue were the first and only female artists to be signed to Mike Varney's Shrapnel Records, only three months after forming....
. In contrast to the first album's glam metal
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...
sound, Built to Perform displays a more raw, heavy metal sound. It also features songwriting credits by all five of the band members plus former member Nicole Couch
Nicole Couch
Nicole Couch is a female American musician and songwriter, and founding member of the all-female heavy metal band Phantom Blue.-Biography:Nicole Couch was born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in rural Mississippi and Memphis, Tennessee....
, who left prior to the album's release. The album includes the band's cover of Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy are an Irish hard rock band formed in Dublin in 1969. Two of the founding members, drummer Brian Downey and bass guitarist/vocalist Phil Lynott met while still in school. Lynott assumed the role of frontman and led them throughout their recording career of thirteen studio albums...
's "Bad Reputation."
Veteran producer Max Norman
Max Norman
Max Norman is a retired record producer and recording engineer in the 1980s and 1990s. He produced many acclaimed heavy metal releases, and was renowned for his top notch production. Max got his "big break" while he was the resident engineer at Ridge Farm Studios in London, England...
oversaw the album's production, while Marty Friedman
Marty Friedman (guitarist)
Marty Friedman is a guitarist, well known for his tenure as the lead/rhythm guitarist for thrash metal band Megadeth, which lasted almost a decade...
(who was then with Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
) and John Norum
John Norum
John Norum is a rock music guitarist and founder of the Swedish band Europe . Concurrent to his role with Europe, he also maintains a side solo project...
(of Europe
Europe (band)
Europe is a Swedish rock band formed in Upplands Väsby in 1979 under the name Force by vocalist Joey Tempest, guitarist John Norum and drummer Tony Reno. Although widely associated with glam metal, the band's sound incorporates heavy metal and hard rock elements...
) contributed as guest guitarists. Norum and guitarist Michelle Meldrum
Michelle Meldrum
Michelle Meldrum-Norum was an American hard rock guitarist known for being a member of the bands Phantom Blue and Meldrum.-Biography:...
eventually married in 1995. "My Misery" was co-written by the late West Arkeen
West Arkeen
Aaron West Arkeen , better known as West Arkeen, was an American musician best-known for co-writing several Guns N' Roses songs. He died in Los Angeles as a result of a drug overdose.-Biography:...
, known for his collaborations with Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band, formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in 1985. The band has released six studio albums, three EPs, and one live album...
.
Released by Geffen Records
Geffen Records
Geffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:...
, this was the band's only album under a major record label.
Track listing
- "Nothing Good" (Michelle MeldrumMichelle MeldrumMichelle Meldrum-Norum was an American hard rock guitarist known for being a member of the bands Phantom Blue and Meldrum.-Biography:...
, Linda McDonaldLinda McDonaldLinda McDonald is the drummer of the all-female tribute band The Iron Maidens . In addition, she is a member of the Ozzy Osbourne tribute band The Little Dolls and the cover bands Valley Dolls, Crabby Patty and Unholy Pink...
, Kim NielsenKim Nielsen-ParsonsKim Nielsen-Parsons is an American hard rock bassist known for being a member of the all-female band Phantom Blue.-Biography:Kim Nielsen first picked up the bass guitar at the age of 12. In the years to come, she played with local bands in Los Angeles, California, while taking lessons from Racer X...
, Nicole CouchNicole CouchNicole Couch is a female American musician and songwriter, and founding member of the all-female heavy metal band Phantom Blue.-Biography:Nicole Couch was born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in rural Mississippi and Memphis, Tennessee....
) - 3:28 - "Time to Run" (Meldrum, Karen Kreutzer, Gigi HangachGigi HangachGigi Hangach is an American female singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of the all-female heavy metal band Phantom Blue. From 1989 to 1997, Hangach recorded three studio albums and a live album with Phantom Blue....
, John NorumJohn NorumJohn Norum is a rock music guitarist and founder of the Swedish band Europe . Concurrent to his role with Europe, he also maintains a side solo project...
, Glenn Hughes) - 4:18 - "Bad Reputation" (Phil LynottPhil LynottPhilip Parris "Phil" Lynott was an Irish musician who first came to prominence as a founding member, principal songwriter, and frontman of the Irish rock band Thin Lizzy....
, Brian Downey, Scott GorhamScott GorhamScott Gorham is an American guitarist and songwriter who rose to international recognition as one of the "twin lead guitarists" of the Irish-formed rock band, Thin Lizzy...
) - 2:31 - "My Misery" (Meldrum, Couch, West ArkeenWest ArkeenAaron West Arkeen , better known as West Arkeen, was an American musician best-known for co-writing several Guns N' Roses songs. He died in Los Angeles as a result of a drug overdose.-Biography:...
) - 3:44 - "Little Man" (McDonald, Couch) - 3:29
- "Better Off Dead" (Meldrum, Kreutzer, McDonald) - 3:48
- "Anti Love Crunch" (McDonald, Kreutzer, Hangach) - 3:07
- "Loved Ya to Pieces" (Meldrum, Couch) - 3:12
- "So Easy" (Couch, Meldrum) - 3:32
- "Lied to Me" (Meldrum, Couch) - 3:15
- "A Little Evil" (Meldrum, McDonald, Nielsen, Couch) - 3:05
- "You're Free" (Meldrum, Couch) - 4:26
Band members
- Gigi HangachGigi HangachGigi Hangach is an American female singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of the all-female heavy metal band Phantom Blue. From 1989 to 1997, Hangach recorded three studio albums and a live album with Phantom Blue....
– vocals - Michelle MeldrumMichelle MeldrumMichelle Meldrum-Norum was an American hard rock guitarist known for being a member of the bands Phantom Blue and Meldrum.-Biography:...
– guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... - Karen Kreutzer – guitar
- Kim NielsenKim Nielsen-ParsonsKim Nielsen-Parsons is an American hard rock bassist known for being a member of the all-female band Phantom Blue.-Biography:Kim Nielsen first picked up the bass guitar at the age of 12. In the years to come, she played with local bands in Los Angeles, California, while taking lessons from Racer X...
– bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Linda McDonaldLinda McDonaldLinda McDonald is the drummer of the all-female tribute band The Iron Maidens . In addition, she is a member of the Ozzy Osbourne tribute band The Little Dolls and the cover bands Valley Dolls, Crabby Patty and Unholy Pink...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Additional musicians
- Marty FriedmanMarty Friedman (guitarist)Marty Friedman is a guitarist, well known for his tenure as the lead/rhythm guitarist for thrash metal band Megadeth, which lasted almost a decade...
- guitar on "A Little Evil" - John NorumJohn NorumJohn Norum is a rock music guitarist and founder of the Swedish band Europe . Concurrent to his role with Europe, he also maintains a side solo project...
- guitar on "Better Off Dead"