TKO (band)
Encyclopedia
TKO was a hard rock/heavy metal band from Seattle, Washington. The group's leader and only consistent member was singer Brad Sinsel. TKO lasted from approximately 1977-2001.
Brad Sinsel came to Seattle from his hometown, Yakima, Washington
in the early 70's. He joined a local group called Mojo Hand. As other members of the group moved on Brad replaced them with musician friends he knew back home from his high school days. Eventually all of the members of Mojo Hand were replaced. Among these members was Rick Pierce, who later joined Q5 and found major success in Europe, especially Germany.
Line-up changes continued. Eventually the group settled on a stable line-up and came to the attention of managers who also represented Heart
. This soon led to a major label recording contract.
The group released their first album Let It Roll on the Infinity Records
division of MCA
in 1979 (INF-9005). During this time the group had basically a Glam rock
sound and image. They toured the U.S. extensively and sold roughly 150,000 copies of the first album. TKO planned to record a second album when Infinity was absorbed by MCA in the spring of 1980. The second Infinity album was never recorded.
A different lineup of the group released In Your Face on Combat Records
in 1984. The band found a new audience with the growing Heavy metal
audience. The album became a cult classic but again record company troubles prevented them from recording a follow up. At this time the group was part of a very vibrant Seattle metal scene which included Metal Church
, Queensrÿche
, Rail
and Culprit, among many others.
Changing lineups again they later released Below the Belt, their first album to appear on CD in 1986. This was their most successful release.
Brad Sinsel later formed the short lived band War Babies
which released a self-titled album on Columbia Records
in 1992.
A version of TKO formed to play the at the opening ceremonies at the Experience Music Project
in Seattle in 2001. Clips of this performance have recently been spotted on YouTube.
The first CD issues of the first 2 TKO albums were unauthorized by the group. The musicians have not received any compensation for these two discs. "Let It Roll" and "In Your Face" have since been reissued via North Carolina's Divebomb Records (a new division of metal/hardcore label, Tribunal Records) with full participation of TKO vocalist, Brad Sinsel. Both issues feature bonus tracks and new essays written by Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles Editor In Chief, Martin Popoff. The master tapes for "Let It Roll' were not available, so all CD versions have been remastered from a cleaned up LP. But bonus tracks on the "Let It Roll" CD were taken from a tape of in studio live performance that was broadcast on Seattle rock radio station KZOK-FM
.
Robert Ambrosen of Yakima and Las Vegas always had some input.
Brad Sinsel came to Seattle from his hometown, Yakima, Washington
Yakima, Washington
Yakima is an American city southeast of Mount Rainier National Park and the county seat of Yakima County, Washington, United States, and the eighth largest city by population in the state itself. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 91,196 and a metropolitan population of...
in the early 70's. He joined a local group called Mojo Hand. As other members of the group moved on Brad replaced them with musician friends he knew back home from his high school days. Eventually all of the members of Mojo Hand were replaced. Among these members was Rick Pierce, who later joined Q5 and found major success in Europe, especially Germany.
Line-up changes continued. Eventually the group settled on a stable line-up and came to the attention of managers who also represented Heart
Heart (band)
Heart is an American rock band who first found success in Canada. Throughout several lineup changes, the only two members remaining constant are sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson. The group rose to fame in the 1970s with their music being influenced by hard rock as well as folk music...
. This soon led to a major label recording contract.
The group released their first album Let It Roll on the Infinity Records
Infinity Records
Infinity Records was a short-lived subsidiary of MCA Records established in New York City in 1977. The label was conceived by MCA president Sidney Sheinberg as a way for the Los Angeles-based entertainment conglomerate to improve its presence on the East Coast...
division of MCA
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
in 1979 (INF-9005). During this time the group had basically a Glam rock
Glam rock
Glam rock is a style of rock and pop music that developed in the UK in the early 1970s, which was performed by singers and musicians who wore outrageous clothes, makeup and hairstyles, particularly platform-soled boots and glitter...
sound and image. They toured the U.S. extensively and sold roughly 150,000 copies of the first album. TKO planned to record a second album when Infinity was absorbed by MCA in the spring of 1980. The second Infinity album was never recorded.
A different lineup of the group released In Your Face on Combat Records
Combat Records
Combat Records was an independent record label from New York City. The label was home to predominantly metal and punk rock acts including Megadeth, Circle Jerks, Nuclear Assault, Death, Dead Brain Cells, Possessed, Crumbsuckers, Agnostic Front, Agent Steel, Dark Angel, Heathen, Zoetrope and...
in 1984. The band found a new audience with the growing Heavy metal
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...
audience. The album became a cult classic but again record company troubles prevented them from recording a follow up. At this time the group was part of a very vibrant Seattle metal scene which included Metal Church
Metal Church
Metal Church was an American heavy metal band. They originally formed in Seattle, Washington as Shrapnel in 1980. Their first album was released in 1984, and the band's most recent work, This Present Wasteland, was released in 2008....
, Queensrÿche
Queensrÿche
thumb|250px|right|Queensrÿche's classic line-up performing at the [[Sauna Open Air Metal Festival]] 2011 in [[Tampere]], [[Finland]]. Left to right: bass Eddie Jackson, lead vocals Geoff Tate, drums Scott Rockenfield and guitars Michael Wilton....
, Rail
Rail (band)
Rail is an American rock band that briefly achieved national fame after winning the grand prize of MTV's Basement Tapes competition in 1983. Before starting their recording career the group was well known in the Seattle area under the names "Rail & Company" and "Rail & Co."The band was formed by...
and Culprit, among many others.
Changing lineups again they later released Below the Belt, their first album to appear on CD in 1986. This was their most successful release.
Brad Sinsel later formed the short lived band War Babies
War Babies (band)
War Babies was an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington in 1988 by former TKOguitarist Tommy "Gun" McMullin and vocalist Brad Sinsel. Although associated with hard rock, the band's sound incorporated some elements of grunge music...
which released a self-titled album on Columbia Records
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
in 1992.
A version of TKO formed to play the at the opening ceremonies at the Experience Music Project
Experience Music Project
The EMP Museum is a museum dedicated to the history and exploration of both popular music and science fiction located in Seattle, Washington...
in Seattle in 2001. Clips of this performance have recently been spotted on YouTube.
The first CD issues of the first 2 TKO albums were unauthorized by the group. The musicians have not received any compensation for these two discs. "Let It Roll" and "In Your Face" have since been reissued via North Carolina's Divebomb Records (a new division of metal/hardcore label, Tribunal Records) with full participation of TKO vocalist, Brad Sinsel. Both issues feature bonus tracks and new essays written by Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles Editor In Chief, Martin Popoff. The master tapes for "Let It Roll' were not available, so all CD versions have been remastered from a cleaned up LP. But bonus tracks on the "Let It Roll" CD were taken from a tape of in studio live performance that was broadcast on Seattle rock radio station KZOK-FM
KZOK-FM
KZOK-FM is a commercial radio station located in Seattle, Washington, broadcasting on 102.5 FM. It is owned by CBS Radio and airs a classic rock music format.-History:KZOK signed on in 1964 as KTW-FM and simulcasted KTW-AM...
.
External links
http://divebombrecords.bigcartel.comRobert Ambrosen of Yakima and Las Vegas always had some input.