BulletBoys
Encyclopedia
BulletBoys is an American
hard rock
group formed in Los Angeles
, California
, in 1987. The group's original lineup was composed of former Ratt
guitarist/King Kobra lead vocalist Marq Torien
(vocals), former King Kobra
guitarist Mick Sweda
, Lonnie Vencent (bass) and Jimmy D'Anda
(drums, percussion). The group released two moderately successful albums and had a number of singles featured on MTV
between 1988 and 1991. From the 90's onward, the group went through numerous lineup changes, with the exception of Torien who remained the only consistent member, which featured musicians such as Steven Adler
(formerly of Guns N' Roses
, later of Adler's Appetite
) and DJ Ashba
(later of Beautiful Creatures
, Sixx:A.M.
and Guns N' Roses) among others.
To date, BulletBoys have released seven studio albums, BulletBoys
(1988); Freakshow
(1991); Za-Za
(1993); Acid Monkey
(1995); Sophie
(2003); 10c Billionaire
(2009), and Rocked and Ripped (2011) as well as the live album Behind the Orange Curtain
(2007).
, California
by former King Kobra
members Marq Torien
(also formerly of Ratt
) on vocals, Mick Sweda
on guitar, Lonnie Vencent on bass and Jimmy D'Anda
on drums. The group were strongly influenced by AC/DC
and Van Halen
with Torien drawing comparisons to Van Halen singer David Lee Roth
. After signing a deal with Warner Bros.
, the group released their debut album BulletBoys
in 1988 with the album peaking at number 34 on the Billboard 200
. The group released two singles, "For the Love of Money" (which peaked at number 30 on the Mainstream Rock Chart and number 78 on the Billboard Hot 100
) and "Smooth up in Ya" (which peaked at number 23 on the Mainstream Rock Chart and number 71 on the Billboard Hot 100) with both receiving airplay on MTV
. They released their second album, Freakshow
, in 1991 however the album only peaked at number 69 on the Billboard 200. The single "Hang on St. Christopher" peaked at number 22 on the Mainstream Rock Chart. The group released their final album with Warner Bros., titled Za-Za
, a name suggested by guitarist Anthony Gallo
taken from The Godfather Part III
character Joey Zasa
, in 1993 however it failed to chart, as well as the album's singles, while both Sweda and D'Anda left the group the same year. The group continued and released Acid Monkey
in 1995 through Swordholio/Perris Records however they disbanded soon after.
In 1998, the group reformed, with Torien and Vencent adding former Guns N' Roses
drummer Steven Adler
and guitarist DJ Ashba
briefly with a tour of the US planned with Faster Pussycat
, Bang Tango
and Enuff Z'nuff
. In 1999, Ashba left the group to form Beautiful Creatures
with Bang Tango singer Joe Lesté while Adler left also sometime after, going on to form Adler's Appetite
in 2003. A compilation album
, titled Burning Cats and Amputees
, was released in 2000, through Deadline Records.
In 2002, Vencent was rumoured to be involved tour of Europe with former Anthrax
members Joey Belladonna
, Dan Spitz
and former W.A.S.P.
drummer Stet Howland
while former drummer Jimmy D'Anda formed the group Zen Lunatic with John Corabi
(formerly of The Scream
and Mötley Crüe
) and [tevo Bruno (formerly of Revel 8). D'Anda went on to tour with George Lynch as part of Lynch Mob and opening up for Dio around the states during 2001.. In 2009 D'Anda played drums for former Warrant singer Jani Lane doing shows in California, New Mexico and Nevada. In September 2010, Jimmy was a selected drummer to perform at the Groove Remains the Same, Tribute to John Bonham show where he played with other great drummers such as: Chad Smith
, Vinny Appice
, Kenny Aronoff
, Stephen Perkins
, Fred Coury
, Abe Laboriel Jr.
and of course Jason Bonham
. The entire Bonham family was in attendance. Read about it in Modern Drummer.
The BulletBoys cover of The O'Jay's R&B song from 1973 entitled "For the Love of Money
" appears briefly in the 2003 TV movie "Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of 'Three's Company'".
Remaining members Torien and Vencent, released the group's fifth album (their first in 7 years), titled Sophie
, in 2003 which featured a guest appearance by former Skid Row singer Sebastian Bach
. A tour was to follow, with L.A. Guns
, however this was soon cancelled after an incident with the group's bus driver. Guitarist Keri Kelli
, who was filling for Tracii Guns
in L.A. Guns, performed with BulletBoys before leaving at the insistence of L.A. Guns drummer Steve Riley. Jason Hook
was briefly a member of BulletBoys during this time. In 2004, Torien toured with Stephen Pearcy
(formerly of Ratt), Joey Belladonna (formerly of Anthrax), Ron Keel
(Keel
, Iron Horse
) and Jason McMaster (Dangerous Toys
, Watchtower
) as part of the "Bastards of Metal" tour.
In January 2006, the group were announced as support, along with Bang Tango
, to Stephen Pearcy on his tour, however they soon pulled out while they performed at the Raven's Heart benefit concert, which featured members of Guns N' Roses
, Queens of the Stone Age
and Dio
among others performing also. Torien also announced that BulletBoys were to reunite and record a new album stating:
Drummer Jimmy D'Anda stated that none of the original members were involved in the reunion album soon after, while Torien stated that only D'Anda was "resistant to the idea" with the other former members (Sweda and Vencent) willing to return. However a reunion failed to materialise. BulletBoys went on to tour with the Tracii Guns led L.A. Guns and announced plans for a live album as well as an album of new material in 2007. The group released the live album, titled Behind the Orange Curtain
, on April 3, 2007 through Crash Music while they were one of the confirmed acts for Rocklahoma
in July of the same year. Also in 2006, the song "Hard As A Rock" appeared briefly in the movie Beerfest
.
In 2009, they released their sixth album, titled 10c Billionaire
, on Chavis Records. The material was originally written in 2006 with plans, by Torien, for a new project using the same name, however they eventually released it under the BulletBoys moniker. In October, original bassist Lonnie Vincent returned to the group while guitarist Tony Marcus (XYZ, Arcade
, Vicious Delite
) was also added to the lineup with a tour of the US announced soon after.
In January 2010, the group were confirmed to play the Stockholm Rock Out Festival on April 30 of the same year. In March, the song "Smooth Up In Ya" appeared briefly in the movie Hot Tub Time Machine
. In April, the group were confirmed to play another Festival, Rock N America, that took place July 23–25.
A new rehearsal of Bulletboys took place in July 2010, in Los Angeles with Mick Sweda, Jimmy D'Anda, Lonnie Vencent and vocalist Andrew Freeman
.
On August 29, 2011; Former drummer Johnny Giosa died in a car accident in Los Angeles at the age of 42. http://www.noisecreep.com/2011/08/29/bulletboys-drummer-johnny-giosa-dies-in-car-accident/?ref=mostpopular
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
group formed in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, in 1987. The group's original lineup was composed of former Ratt
Ratt
Ratt is an American heavy metal band that had significant commercial success in the 1980s. The band is best known for songs such as "Round and Round," "Wanted Man," "Lay It Down," "You're in Love", "Slip of the Lip", "Back For More", "Dance", "Body Talk", "I Want a Woman", and "Way Cool Jr." Ratt...
guitarist/King Kobra lead vocalist Marq Torien
Marq Torien
Marq Torien is the lead singer of the hard rock act BulletBoys. He is the only member to have remained with the group since the release of their self-titled debut album in 1988....
(vocals), former King Kobra
King Kobra
King Kobra is a glam metal group founded by drummer Carmine Appice after his tenure with Ozzy Osbourne in 1984. The band during the time of their first two albums included four relatively unknown musicians: vocalist Mark Free, guitarist David Michael-Philips, guitarist Mick Sweda, and bassist...
guitarist Mick Sweda
Mick Sweda
Mick Sweda is a songwriter, guitarist and singer born in Gowanda, NY on April 18, 1960.After attending college on a drama scholarship and touring the east coast with various bands, Sweda moved to Los Angeles where he spent time in various musical projects....
, Lonnie Vencent (bass) and Jimmy D'Anda
Jimmy D'Anda
Jimmy D'Anda was born and raised in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California and began playing drums at the age of 13. He created a daily drum-regimen for himself in his make-shift music room which also doubled as his bedroom. Over the next few years, D'Anda played in bands around East L.A...
(drums, percussion). The group released two moderately successful albums and had a number of singles featured on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
between 1988 and 1991. From the 90's onward, the group went through numerous lineup changes, with the exception of Torien who remained the only consistent member, which featured musicians such as Steven Adler
Steven Adler
Steven Adler is an American musician. He is best known as the former drummer of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he achieved worldwide success in the late 1980s...
(formerly of 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...
, later of Adler's Appetite
Adler's Appetite
Adler's Appetite, previously Suki Jones, is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 2003. As of 2011, the lineup consists of Patrick Stone , Michael Thomas , Lonnie Paul , Chip Z'nuff and Steven Adler...
) and DJ Ashba
DJ Ashba
Daren Jay "DJ" Ashba is an American musician, producer, songwriter and CEO of Ashba Media. He is the lead guitarist in Guns N' Roses and Sixx:A.M. He is also known for his work with hard rock bands BulletBoys and Beautiful Creatures...
(later of Beautiful Creatures
Beautiful Creatures (band)
Beautiful Creatures are a hard rock band formed in 1999 by guitarist DJ Ashba, formerly of BulletBoys, and singer Joe Lesté of Bang Tango. The group's current lineup is composed of Lesté , Delta Starr , Anthony Focx , Lance Eric and Justin Sandler...
, Sixx:A.M.
Sixx:A.M.
Sixx:A.M. is a hard rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 2007 by Nikki Sixx, DJ Ashba, and James Michael, and is the side project of Sixx, who is also the bass guitarist for Mötley Crüe. The group is best known for their songs "Life Is Beautiful" and "Lies of the Beautiful People". The...
and Guns N' Roses) among others.
To date, BulletBoys have released seven studio albums, BulletBoys
BulletBoys (album)
BulletBoys is the self-titled first album from the American glam metal band BulletBoys, released in 1988. It features the hit "Smooth Up in Ya" as well as a cover of The O'Jay's song "For the Love of Money". The album reached No...
(1988); Freakshow
Freakshow (BulletBoys album)
Freakshow is the second album from the hard rock band BulletBoys, released in 1991 by Warner Bros. Records.-Track listing:# Hell Yeah! - 3:19# THC Groove - 3:33# Thrill That Kills - 3:06# Hang On St...
(1991); Za-Za
Za-Za
Za-Za is the third album from the hard rock band BulletBoys, released in 1993. This was the last album released by Warner Bros. Records.-Track listing:#"When Pigs Fly"#"Slow and Easy"#"The Rising"#"Sing a Song"#"Mine"#"1-800-Goodbye"#"The Show"...
(1993); Acid Monkey
Acid Monkey
Acid Monkey is the fourth album from the hair metal band BulletBoys, released in 1995. The album marks a change in direction and style after the breakup of the band in 1993, with singer Marq Torien and bassist Lonnie Vencent continuing to release albums under the BulletBoys name...
(1995); Sophie
Sophie (album)
-Tracklist:...
(2003); 10c Billionaire
10c Billionaire
10c Billionaire is the sixth album released by the hard rock band BulletBoys. It was released in 2009 on the now-defunct Chavis Records.- Track listing :# Asteroid# Blessed By Your Touch# Born To Breed# Bringing Home The Gun# Girls Kissin' Girls...
(2009), and Rocked and Ripped (2011) as well as the live album Behind the Orange Curtain
Behind the Orange Curtain
Behind the Orange Curtain is a live album by heavy metal band BulletBoys. It was recorded in 2002 or 2003.- Tracklist :- Personnel :* Carlos Bernal - Executive Producer* Ryan Hafer - Engineer, Mixing* Pete Newman - Drums...
(2007).
History
BulletBoys were formed in 1987 in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
by former King Kobra
King Kobra
King Kobra is a glam metal group founded by drummer Carmine Appice after his tenure with Ozzy Osbourne in 1984. The band during the time of their first two albums included four relatively unknown musicians: vocalist Mark Free, guitarist David Michael-Philips, guitarist Mick Sweda, and bassist...
members Marq Torien
Marq Torien
Marq Torien is the lead singer of the hard rock act BulletBoys. He is the only member to have remained with the group since the release of their self-titled debut album in 1988....
(also formerly of Ratt
Ratt
Ratt is an American heavy metal band that had significant commercial success in the 1980s. The band is best known for songs such as "Round and Round," "Wanted Man," "Lay It Down," "You're in Love", "Slip of the Lip", "Back For More", "Dance", "Body Talk", "I Want a Woman", and "Way Cool Jr." Ratt...
) on vocals, Mick Sweda
Mick Sweda
Mick Sweda is a songwriter, guitarist and singer born in Gowanda, NY on April 18, 1960.After attending college on a drama scholarship and touring the east coast with various bands, Sweda moved to Los Angeles where he spent time in various musical projects....
on guitar, Lonnie Vencent on bass and Jimmy D'Anda
Jimmy D'Anda
Jimmy D'Anda was born and raised in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California and began playing drums at the age of 13. He created a daily drum-regimen for himself in his make-shift music room which also doubled as his bedroom. Over the next few years, D'Anda played in bands around East L.A...
on drums. The group were strongly influenced by AC/DC
AC/DC
AC/DC are an Australian rock band, formed in 1973 by brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. Commonly classified as hard rock, they are considered pioneers of heavy metal, though they themselves have always classified their music as simply "rock and roll"...
and Van Halen
Van Halen
Van Halen is an American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. The band has enjoyed success since the release of its debut album, Van Halen, . As of 2007 Van Halen has sold 80 million albums worldwide and has had the most #1 hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart...
with Torien drawing comparisons to Van Halen singer David Lee Roth
David Lee Roth
David Lee Roth is an American rock vocalist, songwriter, actor, author, and former radio personality. Roth was ranked nineteenth by Hit Parader on their list of the 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Singers of All Time....
. After signing a deal with Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
, the group released their debut album BulletBoys
BulletBoys (album)
BulletBoys is the self-titled first album from the American glam metal band BulletBoys, released in 1988. It features the hit "Smooth Up in Ya" as well as a cover of The O'Jay's song "For the Love of Money". The album reached No...
in 1988 with the album peaking at number 34 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
. The group released two singles, "For the Love of Money" (which peaked at number 30 on the Mainstream Rock Chart and number 78 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
) and "Smooth up in Ya" (which peaked at number 23 on the Mainstream Rock Chart and number 71 on the Billboard Hot 100) with both receiving airplay on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
. They released their second album, Freakshow
Freakshow (BulletBoys album)
Freakshow is the second album from the hard rock band BulletBoys, released in 1991 by Warner Bros. Records.-Track listing:# Hell Yeah! - 3:19# THC Groove - 3:33# Thrill That Kills - 3:06# Hang On St...
, in 1991 however the album only peaked at number 69 on the Billboard 200. The single "Hang on St. Christopher" peaked at number 22 on the Mainstream Rock Chart. The group released their final album with Warner Bros., titled Za-Za
Za-Za
Za-Za is the third album from the hard rock band BulletBoys, released in 1993. This was the last album released by Warner Bros. Records.-Track listing:#"When Pigs Fly"#"Slow and Easy"#"The Rising"#"Sing a Song"#"Mine"#"1-800-Goodbye"#"The Show"...
, a name suggested by guitarist Anthony Gallo
Anthony Gallo
Anthony "Bob" Gallo is an American lead and rhythm guitarist. He started out at age 16 in the early eighties punk scene and progressed into heavy metal and rock. His career has spanned over 30 years, playing and recording with Megadeth drummer Nick Menza, L.A...
taken from The Godfather Part III
The Godfather Part III
The Godfather Part III is a 1990 American gangster film written by Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola, and directed by Coppola. It completes the story of Michael Corleone, a Mafia kingpin who tries to legitimize his criminal empire...
character Joey Zasa
Joey Zasa
Joey Zasa is a fictional character appearing in The Godfather Part III. He was portrayed by Joe Mantegna. He is based on a mix of three real Mafia members: Joseph Colombo, Joe Gallo and John Gotti.-Character overview:...
, in 1993 however it failed to chart, as well as the album's singles, while both Sweda and D'Anda left the group the same year. The group continued and released Acid Monkey
Acid Monkey
Acid Monkey is the fourth album from the hair metal band BulletBoys, released in 1995. The album marks a change in direction and style after the breakup of the band in 1993, with singer Marq Torien and bassist Lonnie Vencent continuing to release albums under the BulletBoys name...
in 1995 through Swordholio/Perris Records however they disbanded soon after.
In 1998, the group reformed, with Torien and Vencent adding former 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...
drummer Steven Adler
Steven Adler
Steven Adler is an American musician. He is best known as the former drummer of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he achieved worldwide success in the late 1980s...
and guitarist DJ Ashba
DJ Ashba
Daren Jay "DJ" Ashba is an American musician, producer, songwriter and CEO of Ashba Media. He is the lead guitarist in Guns N' Roses and Sixx:A.M. He is also known for his work with hard rock bands BulletBoys and Beautiful Creatures...
briefly with a tour of the US planned with Faster Pussycat
Faster Pussycat
Faster Pussycat is an American hard rock band from Los Angeles, California formed in 1986. The group was most successful during the late 1980s with their self-titled debut album, their 1989 gold album Wake Me When It's Over and the 80,000 selling Whipped! in 1992.-The roots of Faster Pussycat...
, Bang Tango
Bang Tango
Bang Tango is an American funk-infused hard rock and glam metal band.-Biography:The band formed in 1987 in Los Angeles, California and were signed to MCA Records that same year. The band's line-up has fluctuated since its inception, with the one mainstay of the group being frontman Joe Lesté...
and Enuff Z'nuff
Enuff Z'nuff
Enuff Z'Nuff, pronounced "enough's enough," is an American glam rock band from Blue Island, Illinois. Founded by singer Donnie Vie and bassist Chip Z'Nuff, this Chicago area band is best known for their charting singles "Fly High Michelle" and "New Thing." Enuff Z'Nuff has continually recorded and...
. In 1999, Ashba left the group to form Beautiful Creatures
Beautiful Creatures (band)
Beautiful Creatures are a hard rock band formed in 1999 by guitarist DJ Ashba, formerly of BulletBoys, and singer Joe Lesté of Bang Tango. The group's current lineup is composed of Lesté , Delta Starr , Anthony Focx , Lance Eric and Justin Sandler...
with Bang Tango singer Joe Lesté while Adler left also sometime after, going on to form Adler's Appetite
Adler's Appetite
Adler's Appetite, previously Suki Jones, is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 2003. As of 2011, the lineup consists of Patrick Stone , Michael Thomas , Lonnie Paul , Chip Z'nuff and Steven Adler...
in 2003. A compilation album
Compilation album
A 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...
, titled Burning Cats and Amputees
Burning Cats and Amputees
-Personnel:*BulletBoys - producer*Barry Conley - engineering, mixing*Mick Sweda - CD Layout...
, was released in 2000, through Deadline Records.
In 2002, Vencent was rumoured to be involved tour of Europe with former Anthrax
Anthrax (band)
Anthrax is an American heavy metal band from New York City, formed in 1981. Founded by guitarists Scott Ian and Danny Lilker, the band has since released ten studio albums and 20 singles, and an EP featuring Public Enemy. The band was one of the most popular of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
members Joey Belladonna
Joey Belladonna
Joey Belladonna is a heavy metal singer and drummer, best known as the lead singer for the heavy metal band Anthrax...
, Dan Spitz
Dan Spitz
Dan Spitz is a musician best known for his work as the lead guitarist of the heavy metal band Anthrax from 1983–1995 and from 2005 to 2007. He is the brother of former White Lion and Black Sabbath bassist Dave Spitz.-Personal life:...
and former W.A.S.P.
W.A.S.P.
W.A.S.P. is an American heavy metal band formed in 1982. They emerged from the same Los Angeles scene that spawned Mötley Crüe, Ratt, Quiet Riot and others. The band's popularity peaked in the 1980s, yet they continue to record and tour, making them one of the most enduring of the West Coast heavy...
drummer Stet Howland
Stet Howland
Stet Howland is a Professional drummer, was born August 14, 1958 is from Plymouth, Massachusetts graduated high school in 1978 from Duxbury High School. Started playing drums at age 7, he has been teaching and playing for a living since age 13...
while former drummer Jimmy D'Anda formed the group Zen Lunatic with John Corabi
John Corabi
John Corabi is a heavy metal singer and guitarist who has worked with such bands as Angora, The Scream, Mötley Crüe, Union and ESP , Ratt , Twenty 4 Seven , Zen Lunatic, Brides of Destruction, and Angel City Outlaws John Corabi (born on April 26, 1959 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a heavy...
(formerly of The Scream
The Scream (band)
The Scream was a Los Angeles-based hard rock band formed in 1989 as Saints Or Sinners. The band originally featured former Angora singer John Corabi and former Racer X members guitarist Bruce Bouillet, bassist Juan Alderete, and drummer Scott Travis. However, Scott Travis quickly left to join Judas...
and 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...
) and [tevo Bruno (formerly of Revel 8). D'Anda went on to tour with George Lynch as part of Lynch Mob and opening up for Dio around the states during 2001.. In 2009 D'Anda played drums for former Warrant singer Jani Lane doing shows in California, New Mexico and Nevada. In September 2010, Jimmy was a selected drummer to perform at the Groove Remains the Same, Tribute to John Bonham show where he played with other great drummers such as: Chad Smith
Chad Smith
Chad Smith is an American musician, best known as the longtime and current drummer of Red Hot Chili Peppers. Smith is also the drummer of the hard rock supergroup Chickenfoot which includes Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani, and Michael Anthony, former Deep Purple vocalist Glenn Hughes' backing band and...
, Vinny Appice
Vinny Appice
Vincent Samson Appice , also known as Vinny Appice is a rock drummer of American Italian descent and the younger brother of drummer Carmine Appice...
, Kenny Aronoff
Kenny Aronoff
Kenny Aronoff is an American drummer. He has played drums for many musicians, including John Mellencamp, Bob Seger, Belinda Carlisle, Elton John, John Fogerty, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Meat Loaf, The BoDeans, Gregg Alexander, The Smashing Pumpkins, Tony Iommi, Jon Bon Jovi, Vasco Rossi, Cinderella and...
, Stephen Perkins
Stephen Perkins
Stephen Andrew Perkins is an American musician and songwriter. A drummer and percussionist, he currently plays with Jane's Addiction and Hellflower....
, Fred Coury
Fred Coury
Fred Coury is best known as the drummer for the glam metal band Cinderella. Coury lists Neil Peart, Peter Criss, Bobby Blotzer, Eric Carr, Tommy Lee and Tommy Aldridge as his drumming inspirations....
, Abe Laboriel Jr.
Abe Laboriel Jr.
Abe Laboriel Jr. is an American session drummer. He is the son of Mexican bassist Abraham Laboriel, Sr. and brother of producer, songwriter, and film composer Mateo Laboriel....
and of course Jason Bonham
Jason Bonham
Jason John Bonham is an English drummer. Jason's parents are Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham and his wife Pat Phillips. After his father's death in 1980, he has played with Led Zeppelin on different occasions, including the Ahmet Ertegün Tribute Concert at The O2 Arena in London in...
. The entire Bonham family was in attendance. Read about it in Modern Drummer.
The BulletBoys cover of The O'Jay's R&B song from 1973 entitled "For the Love of Money
For the Love of Money
"For the Love of Money" is a soul/funk song written by Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff, and Anthony Jackson; and recorded by Philadelphia soul group The O'Jays for the album Ship Ahoy. Produced by Gamble and Huff for Philadelphia International Records, "For the Love of Money" was issued as a single in...
" appears briefly in the 2003 TV movie "Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of 'Three's Company'".
Remaining members Torien and Vencent, released the group's fifth album (their first in 7 years), titled Sophie
Sophie (album)
-Tracklist:...
, in 2003 which featured a guest appearance by former Skid Row singer Sebastian Bach
Sebastian Bach
Sebastian Bach is a Canadian heavy metal singer who achieved mainstream success as frontman of Skid Row from 1987 to 1996. Since his departure from Skid Row, he has had many television roles, acted within Broadway plays, and leads a successful solo career.-Early life:Bach was born Sebastian...
. A tour was to follow, with L.A. Guns
L.A. Guns
L.A. Guns is the name of a hard rock group formed in Los Angeles, California, of which two rival incarnations currently exist due to numerous line-up changes. The first incarnation of the group was formed, by Tracii Guns, in 1983 but disbanded in 1985 following its merger with fellow Los Angeles...
, however this was soon cancelled after an incident with the group's bus driver. Guitarist Keri Kelli
Keri Kelli
Keri Kelli is an American hard rock guitarist, until recently playing for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legend Alice Cooper. He occasionally also plays with Skid Row. He played guitar and co-wrote songs on the 2008 Alice Cooper studio album, Along Came A Spider, released worldwide July 29...
, who was filling for Tracii Guns
Tracii Guns
Tracii Guns is an American guitarist best known as the founder of glam metal group L.A. Guns as well as the supergroups Brides of Destruction and Contraband. He was also involved in the formation of the first lineup of Guns N' Roses but eventually left the group and was replaced by guitarist...
in L.A. Guns, performed with BulletBoys before leaving at the insistence of L.A. Guns drummer Steve Riley. Jason Hook
Jason Hook
Jason Hook is a Canadian guitarist, record producer, songwriter and session musician.-Biography and Career:...
was briefly a member of BulletBoys during this time. In 2004, Torien toured with Stephen Pearcy
Stephen Pearcy
Stephen Erica Pearcy is the lead singer of the 80's metal band Ratt. He has also been in the bands Arcade, Vicious Delite, Vertex, Nitronic, and Band From Hell...
(formerly of Ratt), Joey Belladonna (formerly of Anthrax), Ron Keel
Ron Keel
Ron Keel is a Heavy metal vocalist and guitarist for a number of bands from the 1980s to the modern day, including the glam metal band Keel.-Biography:...
(Keel
Keel (band)
Keel is an American heavy metal band founded in 1984 in Los Angeles, California. They were known for their rock anthem "The Right to Rock." The band was active until 1989, with a brief reunion in 1998. Keel reunited in 2008 and is currently touring for their 25th anniversary.-History:Keel was...
, Iron Horse
Iron horse
An Iron horse is an iconic literary term originating in the early Victorian culture when horses still powered most machinery, excepting windmills and stationary steam engines, the term was common and popular in both British and North American literary articles.Iron Horse was used admiringly when...
) and Jason McMaster (Dangerous Toys
Dangerous Toys
Dangerous Toys is an Austin, Texas-based hard rock band with often humorous lyrics. Founded in 1987, Dangerous Toys put out four full-length albums and one live album before unofficially disbanding at the turn of the millennium....
, Watchtower
Watchtower (band)
WatchTower is an American progressive metal band based in Austin, Texas. The band were influenced by late 1970s progressive rock and acts such as Rush and UK as well as the burgeoning New Wave of British Heavy Metal...
) as part of the "Bastards of Metal" tour.
In January 2006, the group were announced as support, along with Bang Tango
Bang Tango
Bang Tango is an American funk-infused hard rock and glam metal band.-Biography:The band formed in 1987 in Los Angeles, California and were signed to MCA Records that same year. The band's line-up has fluctuated since its inception, with the one mainstay of the group being frontman Joe Lesté...
, to Stephen Pearcy on his tour, however they soon pulled out while they performed at the Raven's Heart benefit concert, which featured members of 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...
, Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age is an American rock band from Palm Desert, California, United States, formed in 1997. The band's line-up has always included founding member Josh Homme , with the current line-up including longtime members Troy Van Leeuwen and Joey Castillo , alongside Michael Shuman and...
and Dio
Dio (band)
Dio was an American heavy metal band from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Formed in 1982 and led by vocalist Ronnie James Dio, after he left Black Sabbath with intentions to form a new band with fellow former Black Sabbath member, drummer Vinny Appice. Naming the band Dio made sense from a commercial...
among others performing also. Torien also announced that BulletBoys were to reunite and record a new album stating:
Drummer Jimmy D'Anda stated that none of the original members were involved in the reunion album soon after, while Torien stated that only D'Anda was "resistant to the idea" with the other former members (Sweda and Vencent) willing to return. However a reunion failed to materialise. BulletBoys went on to tour with the Tracii Guns led L.A. Guns and announced plans for a live album as well as an album of new material in 2007. The group released the live album, titled Behind the Orange Curtain
Behind the Orange Curtain
Behind the Orange Curtain is a live album by heavy metal band BulletBoys. It was recorded in 2002 or 2003.- Tracklist :- Personnel :* Carlos Bernal - Executive Producer* Ryan Hafer - Engineer, Mixing* Pete Newman - Drums...
, on April 3, 2007 through Crash Music while they were one of the confirmed acts for Rocklahoma
Rocklahoma
Rocklahoma is an annual hard rock music festival held in Pryor, Oklahoma...
in July of the same year. Also in 2006, the song "Hard As A Rock" appeared briefly in the movie Beerfest
Beerfest
Beerfest is a 2006 beer-themed comedy film by the comedy group Broken Lizard. Along with the regular members of Broken Lizard, other actors who appear in the movie include Will Forte, M. C. Gainey, Cloris Leachman, Kendra C...
.
In 2009, they released their sixth album, titled 10c Billionaire
10c Billionaire
10c Billionaire is the sixth album released by the hard rock band BulletBoys. It was released in 2009 on the now-defunct Chavis Records.- Track listing :# Asteroid# Blessed By Your Touch# Born To Breed# Bringing Home The Gun# Girls Kissin' Girls...
, on Chavis Records. The material was originally written in 2006 with plans, by Torien, for a new project using the same name, however they eventually released it under the BulletBoys moniker. In October, original bassist Lonnie Vincent returned to the group while guitarist Tony Marcus (XYZ, Arcade
Arcade (band)
Arcade is a rock band formed in 1991 by ex-Ratt vocalist Stephen Pearcy, ex-Sea Hags guitarist Frankie Wilsex , ex-Talas/Michael Monroe guitarist Johnny Angel, and Cinderella drummer Fred Coury. Its originally proposed name was to be Taboo....
, Vicious Delite
Vicious Delite
Vicious Delite was an alternative metal band formed by Stephen Pearcy in 1995 after Arcade. They released a limited self-titled EP in 1995 followed by a full length version...
) was also added to the lineup with a tour of the US announced soon after.
In January 2010, the group were confirmed to play the Stockholm Rock Out Festival on April 30 of the same year. In March, the song "Smooth Up In Ya" appeared briefly in the movie Hot Tub Time Machine
Hot Tub Time Machine
Hot Tub Time Machine is a 2010 American science fiction adult comedy film directed by Steve Pink. Four men, all of them bored with their adult lives, travel back to their 1980s teen-hood, courtesy of a time-shifting hot tub. It stars John Cusack, Craig Robinson, Clark Duke, Kellee Stewart, Rob...
. In April, the group were confirmed to play another Festival, Rock N America, that took place July 23–25.
A new rehearsal of Bulletboys took place in July 2010, in Los Angeles with Mick Sweda, Jimmy D'Anda, Lonnie Vencent and vocalist Andrew Freeman
Andrew Freeman (musician)
Andrew Freeman is a vocalist and guitarist who has played for a number of bands. Most notably for the punk rock group, The Offspring, and for hard rock guitarist George Lynch's Lynch Mob.- The Offspring :...
.
On August 29, 2011; Former drummer Johnny Giosa died in a car accident in Los Angeles at the age of 42. http://www.noisecreep.com/2011/08/29/bulletboys-drummer-johnny-giosa-dies-in-car-accident/?ref=mostpopular
Band members
Current lineup- Marq TorienMarq TorienMarq Torien is the lead singer of the hard rock act BulletBoys. He is the only member to have remained with the group since the release of their self-titled debut album in 1988....
- vocalsLead vocalistThe lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
and guitar - Nick Rozz - guitar
- Lonnie Vencent - bass
- Don Bish - drums
Former members
- Mick SwedaMick SwedaMick Sweda is a songwriter, guitarist and singer born in Gowanda, NY on April 18, 1960.After attending college on a drama scholarship and touring the east coast with various bands, Sweda moved to Los Angeles where he spent time in various musical projects....
- guitar - Jimmy D'AndaJimmy D'AndaJimmy D'Anda was born and raised in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California and began playing drums at the age of 13. He created a daily drum-regimen for himself in his make-shift music room which also doubled as his bedroom. Over the next few years, D'Anda played in bands around East L.A...
- drums, percussion - Lonnie Vencent - bass
- Tony Marcus - guitar
- Marc Danzeisen - drums
- Tommy Pittam - guitar
- Robby Karras - drums, percussion
- DJ AshbaDJ AshbaDaren Jay "DJ" Ashba is an American musician, producer, songwriter and CEO of Ashba Media. He is the lead guitarist in Guns N' Roses and Sixx:A.M. He is also known for his work with hard rock bands BulletBoys and Beautiful Creatures...
- guitar - Steven AdlerSteven AdlerSteven Adler is an American musician. He is best known as the former drummer of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he achieved worldwide success in the late 1980s...
- drums, percussion - Jason HookJason HookJason Hook is a Canadian guitarist, record producer, songwriter and session musician.-Biography and Career:...
- guitar - Vik Foxx - drums, percussion
- Brent FitzBrent FitzBrent Fitz is a Canadian-born musician and recording artist known best known as a drummer, but also a multi-instrumentalist having worked with Slash, Theory of a Deadman, Alice Cooper, Vince Neil, Union, The Guess Who, Lamya, Streetheart, Harlequin, Econoline Crush, Eagle & Hawk and Indigenous.-...
- drums, percussion - Melvin Brannon II - bass
- Scott Taylor - bass
- Pete Newman - drums, percussion
- Keri KelliKeri KelliKeri Kelli is an American hard rock guitarist, until recently playing for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legend Alice Cooper. He occasionally also plays with Skid Row. He played guitar and co-wrote songs on the 2008 Alice Cooper studio album, Along Came A Spider, released worldwide July 29...
- guitar - Denny Johnson - guitar
- Scott McKinley- guitar
- Michael Thomas - guitar
- Ryche Green - drums, percussion
- David Weeks - bass
- Scott GriffinScott Griffin (bassist)Scott Griffin is an American musician who is best known as the bassist for L.A. Guns. In 2007, Griffin was announced as the bassist for L.A. Guns, having previously played in Dizzy Reed's cover band Hookers N' Blow, replacing Adam Hamilton....
- bass - Tory Stoffregen - guitar
- Danny Seven - drums, percussion
- Stephen Allan - bass
- Danny Watts - guitar
- Charlie Wayne Morrill - guitar
- Rob Lane - bass
- Chris HolmesChris Holmes (musician)Chris Holmes is a musician who was born June 23, 1958 in Glendale, California and grew up in La Canada, California...
- guitar - Johnny Giosa - drums, percussion (deceased)
Discography
| Year | Album | US Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
Certification | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | BulletBoys BulletBoys (album) BulletBoys is the self-titled first album from the American glam metal band BulletBoys, released in 1988. It features the hit "Smooth Up in Ya" as well as a cover of The O'Jay's song "For the Love of Money". The album reached No... |
34 | Gold | Warner Bros. Warner Bros. Records Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies... |
| 1991 | Freakshow Freakshow (BulletBoys album) Freakshow is the second album from the hard rock band BulletBoys, released in 1991 by Warner Bros. Records.-Track listing:# Hell Yeah! - 3:19# THC Groove - 3:33# Thrill That Kills - 3:06# Hang On St... |
69 | - | Warner Bros. |
| 1993 | Za-Za Za-Za Za-Za is the third album from the hard rock band BulletBoys, released in 1993. This was the last album released by Warner Bros. Records.-Track listing:#"When Pigs Fly"#"Slow and Easy"#"The Rising"#"Sing a Song"#"Mine"#"1-800-Goodbye"#"The Show"... |
- | - | Warner Bros. |
| 1995 | Acid Monkey Acid Monkey Acid Monkey is the fourth album from the hair metal band BulletBoys, released in 1995. The album marks a change in direction and style after the breakup of the band in 1993, with singer Marq Torien and bassist Lonnie Vencent continuing to release albums under the BulletBoys name... |
- | - | Swordholio/Perris |
| 2000 | Burning Cats and Amputees Burning Cats and Amputees -Personnel:*BulletBoys - producer*Barry Conley - engineering, mixing*Mick Sweda - CD Layout... |
- | - | Deadline |
| 2003 | Sophie Sophie (album) -Tracklist:... |
- | - | Bulletboys |
| 2006 | Smooth Up in Ya: The Best of the Bulletboys Smooth Up in Ya: The Best of the Bulletboys Smooth Up in Ya: The Best of the Bulletboys is the second greatest hits album by heavy metal band BulletBoys.-Tracklist:... |
- | - | Deadline |
| 2007 | Behind the Orange Curtain Behind the Orange Curtain Behind the Orange Curtain is a live album by heavy metal band BulletBoys. It was recorded in 2002 or 2003.- Tracklist :- Personnel :* Carlos Bernal - Executive Producer* Ryan Hafer - Engineer, Mixing* Pete Newman - Drums... |
- | - | Crash Music |
| 2009 | 10c Billionaire 10c Billionaire 10c Billionaire is the sixth album released by the hard rock band BulletBoys. It was released in 2009 on the now-defunct Chavis Records.- Track listing :# Asteroid# Blessed By Your Touch# Born To Breed# Bringing Home The Gun# Girls Kissin' Girls... |
- | - | Chavis |
| 2011 | Rocked and Ripped | - | - | Deadline/Cleopatra |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
US Main Rock | ||
| 1989 | "Smooth Up In Ya" | 71 | 23 |
| "For the Love of Money For the Love of Money "For the Love of Money" is a soul/funk song written by Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff, and Anthony Jackson; and recorded by Philadelphia soul group The O'Jays for the album Ship Ahoy. Produced by Gamble and Huff for Philadelphia International Records, "For the Love of Money" was issued as a single in... " |
78 | 30 | |
| 1991 | "Hang on St. Christopher" | - | 22 |
| "THC Groove" | - | - | |
| "Talk To Your Daughter" | - | - | |
| 1993 | "Mine" | - | - |
| 2009 | "Road To Nowhere" | - | - |