Paul Black
Encyclopedia
Paul Michael Eaton Black (born Paul Black March 27, 1965 in Dundee
, Scotland
) was originally a singer and drummer. Most notable for his time as lead vocalist in L.A. Guns
, with whom he wrote most of their self-titled debut album.
. In the seventies his high school rock band was called Your Mother. He also played in several jazz cover bands. In 1978 he was a percussion major at San Jose State University.
He moved to Los Angeles in May 1980 still using his given name Paul Martin Marmorstein. His first L.A. band was Mad Captions who played CBGBs in New York and The Hot Club in Philadelphia with The Dead Boys. In 1981 Paul joined The Mau Maus, a famous LA punk band which was fronted by Rick Wilder of The Berlin Brats. During Paul's time with The Mau Maus he shortened his name to Paul Mars. Paul played drums for a Mau Maus record produced by Robbie Krieger of The Doors which was never released. In 1984 Paul Mars Joined the Joneses and recorded the drums for Keeping Up With The Joneses. Paul also began putting together a side project for his songs to be called Faster Pussycat
with guitarist Mick Cripps
. Paul switched to lead vocals, Mick switched to bass, and the two joined guitarist Tracii Guns
and drummer Nickey "Beat" Alexander and later on guitarist Robert Stoddard to complete this line up.
The name was switched to L.A. Guns
because the owner of the name, Raz, offered to back the band if this line up would re-use L.A. Guns, a name which had been abandoned over a year prior by a former band of Tracii's. Paul changed his name again to Paul Black. From 1985 to March 1987 Paul Black wrote and co-wrote a number of songs which led L.A. Guns to a record deal with Polygram Records. However, Paul left before the record was finished and before the deal was signed. Paul Black was replaced by Phil Lewis
. These songs became the foundation of the group's success which helped them stand apart from the repetitive glam metal
scene of the time. Paul Black has recently been acknowledged for his contributions to L.A. Guns self titled debut.
After leaving L.A. Guns, Paul Black formed Black Cherry, which quickly became one of the most popular and sought after bands in L.A. But, a law suit filed by Black against his former band L.A. Guns and Polygram Records kept Black Cherry from signing a deal. One of the original members of Black Cherry was the artist now known as Ukulele Bartt, who at the time was a guitarist and singer. Paul Black retired in 1993 and seldom played shows. In 2000 Paul Black wrote and recorded an album with Jo Almeida of Dogs D'Amour
called Jo & Paul's Sonic Boom, Sun Down And Yellow Moon. The band itself did about 8 shows with different rhythm sections. The record received great reviews but only a few were made. Paul is working on a solo record and at the end of 2005 plans were made to reform Paul Black's L.A. Guns line up for a tour in 2006.
Paul Black released CDs of L.A. Guns with himself on lead vocals called Black City Breakdown (1985-1986)
and Black List and a CD of Sonic Boom Sun Down And Yellow Moon on his own label " Black City Records (www.blackcitymusic.com). In the making are plans to release Black Cherry, The Mau Maus, The Joneses and a solo record.
Dundee
Dundee is the fourth-largest city in Scotland and the 39th most populous settlement in the United Kingdom. It lies within the eastern central Lowlands on the north bank of the Firth of Tay, which feeds into the North Sea...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
) was originally a singer and drummer. Most notable for his time as lead vocalist in 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...
, with whom he wrote most of their self-titled debut album.
Biography
His roots were in bluegrassBluegrass music
Bluegrass music is a form of American roots music, and a sub-genre of country music. It has mixed roots in Scottish, English, Welsh and Irish traditional music...
. In the seventies his high school rock band was called Your Mother. He also played in several jazz cover bands. In 1978 he was a percussion major at San Jose State University.
He moved to Los Angeles in May 1980 still using his given name Paul Martin Marmorstein. His first L.A. band was Mad Captions who played CBGBs in New York and The Hot Club in Philadelphia with The Dead Boys. In 1981 Paul joined The Mau Maus, a famous LA punk band which was fronted by Rick Wilder of The Berlin Brats. During Paul's time with The Mau Maus he shortened his name to Paul Mars. Paul played drums for a Mau Maus record produced by Robbie Krieger of The Doors which was never released. In 1984 Paul Mars Joined the Joneses and recorded the drums for Keeping Up With The Joneses. Paul also began putting together a side project for his songs to be called 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...
with guitarist Mick Cripps
Mick Cripps
Mick Cripps is a musician who has played both as a bass guitarist and as a guitarist. He has played in Faster Pussycat, L.A. Guns, Burning Retna, and several other bands.With L.A...
. Paul switched to lead vocals, Mick switched to bass, and the two joined guitarist 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...
and drummer Nickey "Beat" Alexander and later on guitarist Robert Stoddard to complete this line up.
The name was switched to 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...
because the owner of the name, Raz, offered to back the band if this line up would re-use L.A. Guns, a name which had been abandoned over a year prior by a former band of Tracii's. Paul changed his name again to Paul Black. From 1985 to March 1987 Paul Black wrote and co-wrote a number of songs which led L.A. Guns to a record deal with Polygram Records. However, Paul left before the record was finished and before the deal was signed. Paul Black was replaced by Phil Lewis
Phil Lewis
Phil Lewis is an English vocalist for the American glam metal band named L.A. Guns, He was born on January 9, 1957 in London, England.Prior to joining L.A. Guns Lewis also worked with Girl , New Torpedos, and Tormé. While temporarily out of L.A...
. These songs became the foundation of the group's success which helped them stand apart from the repetitive 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...
scene of the time. Paul Black has recently been acknowledged for his contributions to L.A. Guns self titled debut.
After leaving L.A. Guns, Paul Black formed Black Cherry, which quickly became one of the most popular and sought after bands in L.A. But, a law suit filed by Black against his former band L.A. Guns and Polygram Records kept Black Cherry from signing a deal. One of the original members of Black Cherry was the artist now known as Ukulele Bartt, who at the time was a guitarist and singer. Paul Black retired in 1993 and seldom played shows. In 2000 Paul Black wrote and recorded an album with Jo Almeida of Dogs D'Amour
Dogs D'Amour
The Dogs D'Amour were a rock and roll band formed in 1983 in London, England. Over the years the band has had various line-ups, the only constant being vocalist Tyla....
called Jo & Paul's Sonic Boom, Sun Down And Yellow Moon. The band itself did about 8 shows with different rhythm sections. The record received great reviews but only a few were made. Paul is working on a solo record and at the end of 2005 plans were made to reform Paul Black's L.A. Guns line up for a tour in 2006.
Paul Black released CDs of L.A. Guns with himself on lead vocals called Black City Breakdown (1985-1986)
Black City Breakdown (1985-1986)
Black City Breakdown is the first of two L.A. Guns compilation albums featuring their third singer Paul Black.-Track listing:#"Everything I Do"#"L.A.P.D."#"Roll the Dice"#"On & On"#"Name Your Poison"#"Winter's Fool"#"Stranded"...
and Black List and a CD of Sonic Boom Sun Down And Yellow Moon on his own label " Black City Records (www.blackcitymusic.com). In the making are plans to release Black Cherry, The Mau Maus, The Joneses and a solo record.