Nitro (band)
Encyclopedia
Nitro was an American glam metal
band that formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
in 1987. Formed by vocalist Jim Gillette
and guitarist Michael Angelo Batio
, the band released two studio albums – O.F.R.
(1989) and Nitro II: H.W.D.W.S. (1991).
performed. Drummer Bobby Rock
, previously of Vinnie Vincent Invasion
, was recruited and the band began recording material for their debut album. Signed with Rhino Entertainment
, Nitro released O.F.R.
in 1989. Rock left the band after the recording of the album, and was replaced with K. C. Comet for the subsequent promotional tour.
After the O.F.R. Tour, Comet and founding bassist Racer departed from the band, leaving Gillette and Batio to find new members. Ralph Carter and Johnny Thunder were brought in on bass and drums respectively, and the band proceeded to record the follow-up to their debut album. Nitro II: H.W.D.W.S. was released in March 1992, after which the band broke up in 1993.
Post-Nitro, Gillette married hard rock
musician Lita Ford
and became a bodybuilder and Batio began and pursued a long solo career. In 1998, a collection of Nitro demos were featured on a compilation album entitled Gunnin' for Glory
, which also included three songs by The Michael Angelo Band.
When asked at a Lita Ford gig if Nitro would ever get back together, Jim Gillette responded with "It would be great to do; maybe next year. It would take about six months to get back to where I would like it to be vocally."
Former members
Timeline
Compilation albums
Singles
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 that formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
Hollywood is a famous district in Los Angeles, California, United States situated west-northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Due to its fame and cultural identity as the historical center of movie studios and movie stars, the word Hollywood is often used as a metonym of American cinema...
in 1987. Formed by vocalist Jim Gillette
Jim Gillette
*2001: Carnivore Soundtrack#"Freight Train Demo" – 4:27*2003: Hollywood Hairspray Volume 2#"B.O.M.B. Also Called " – 3:20-with Organ Donor:*2001: The Ultra Violent#"Organ Donor" – 3:36#"Ultra Violent" – 5:55...
and guitarist Michael Angelo Batio
Michael Angelo Batio
Michael Angelo Batio also known as Mike Batio or MAB, is a guitarist and columnist from Chicago, Illinois. His work has encompassed many genres, notably metal and its subgenres. Batio was voted the "No. 1 Shredder of All Time" by Guitar One Magazine in 2003...
, the band released two studio albums – O.F.R.
O.F.R.
O.F.R. is the 1989 debut album by American glam metal band Nitro. Two singles were released from the album: "Freight Train" and "Long Way From Home". The band became famous for the music video to the former, which featured guitarist Michael Angelo Batio playing his famous "Quad Guitar"...
(1989) and Nitro II: H.W.D.W.S. (1991).
History
Nitro was officially formed in 1987 after the release of Jim Gillette's solo album Proud to Be Loud, on which Michael Angelo Batio and bassist T. J. RacerT. J. Racer
T.J. Racer is a bassist born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.Racer was the original bass player for glam metal band Nitro, and appeared their first album, O.F.R.. Racer appeared in their first two videos for the songs Freight Train and Long Way From Home...
performed. Drummer Bobby Rock
Bobby Rock
Bob Brock is a Los Angeles based rock drummer. He was a student of the Berklee School of Music in Boston, Massachusetts and has worked with several bands....
, previously of Vinnie Vincent Invasion
Vinnie Vincent Invasion
Vinnie Vincent Invasion was an American heavy metal/glam metal band formed in 1984 by former KISS guitarist Vinnie Vincent.-Biography:Initially forming the band in the mid-80's, Vincent recruited bassist Dana Strum, who had also served as a talent scout of sorts in L.A., recruiting band members for...
, was recruited and the band began recording material for their debut album. Signed with Rhino Entertainment
Rhino Entertainment
Rhino Entertainment Company is an American specialty record label and production company. It is owned by Warner Music Group.-History:Rhino was originally a novelty song and reissue company during the 1970s and 1980s, releasing compilation albums of pop, rock & roll, and rhythm & blues successes...
, Nitro released O.F.R.
O.F.R.
O.F.R. is the 1989 debut album by American glam metal band Nitro. Two singles were released from the album: "Freight Train" and "Long Way From Home". The band became famous for the music video to the former, which featured guitarist Michael Angelo Batio playing his famous "Quad Guitar"...
in 1989. Rock left the band after the recording of the album, and was replaced with K. C. Comet for the subsequent promotional tour.
After the O.F.R. Tour, Comet and founding bassist Racer departed from the band, leaving Gillette and Batio to find new members. Ralph Carter and Johnny Thunder were brought in on bass and drums respectively, and the band proceeded to record the follow-up to their debut album. Nitro II: H.W.D.W.S. was released in March 1992, after which the band broke up in 1993.
Post-Nitro, Gillette married 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...
musician Lita Ford
Lita Ford
Lita Ford is a British-born, American rock musician and singer who was the lead guitarist for The Runaways and achieved popularity for her solo career between the 1980s and late 2000s.-Early life:...
and became a bodybuilder and Batio began and pursued a long solo career. In 1998, a collection of Nitro demos were featured on a compilation album entitled Gunnin' for Glory
Gunnin' for Glory
-Personnel:Nitro*Jim Gillette – vocals*Michael Angelo – guitars, bass, backing vocals, production, executive production*T.J. Racer – bass*Paul Cammarata – drums*Bobby Rock – drums on "Freight Train"...
, which also included three songs by The Michael Angelo Band.
When asked at a Lita Ford gig if Nitro would ever get back together, Jim Gillette responded with "It would be great to do; maybe next year. It would take about six months to get back to where I would like it to be vocally."
Band members
Final lineup- Jim GilletteJim Gillette*2001: Carnivore Soundtrack#"Freight Train Demo" – 4:27*2003: Hollywood Hairspray Volume 2#"B.O.M.B. Also Called " – 3:20-with Organ Donor:*2001: The Ultra Violent#"Organ Donor" – 3:36#"Ultra Violent" – 5:55...
– Vocals - Michael Angelo BatioMichael Angelo BatioMichael Angelo Batio also known as Mike Batio or MAB, is a guitarist and columnist from Chicago, Illinois. His work has encompassed many genres, notably metal and its subgenres. Batio was voted the "No. 1 Shredder of All Time" by Guitar One Magazine in 2003...
– Guitar, backing vocals, keyboards - Ralph Carter – Bass guitar
- Johnny Thunder – Drums
Former members
- Bobby RockBobby RockBob Brock is a Los Angeles based rock drummer. He was a student of the Berklee School of Music in Boston, Massachusetts and has worked with several bands....
– Drums - T. J. RacerT. J. RacerT.J. Racer is a bassist born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.Racer was the original bass player for glam metal band Nitro, and appeared their first album, O.F.R.. Racer appeared in their first two videos for the songs Freight Train and Long Way From Home...
– Bass guitar - K. C. Comet – Drums
Timeline
Discography
Studio albums- O.F.R.O.F.R.O.F.R. is the 1989 debut album by American glam metal band Nitro. Two singles were released from the album: "Freight Train" and "Long Way From Home". The band became famous for the music video to the former, which featured guitarist Michael Angelo Batio playing his famous "Quad Guitar"...
(1989) - Nitro II: H.W.D.W.S. (1992)
Compilation albums
- Gunnin' for GloryGunnin' for Glory-Personnel:Nitro*Jim Gillette – vocals*Michael Angelo – guitars, bass, backing vocals, production, executive production*T.J. Racer – bass*Paul Cammarata – drums*Bobby Rock – drums on "Freight Train"...
(1999)
Singles
- "Freight Train" (1989)
- "Long Way from Home" (1989)