BulletBoys
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BulletBoys |
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BulletBoys is an American Glam metal band whose original line-up consisted of vocalist Marq Torien (born Mark Maytorena), guitarist Mick Sweda, bassist Lonnie Vencent (born Lonnie Miller), and drummer James D'Anda.
History
The BulletBoys were formed in 1987 in Los Angeles, California, after Marq Torien, Mick Sweda and Lonnie Vencent left King Kobra. Drummer Marc Danzeisen rounded out the band but was fired and replaced with new young rock drummer Jimmy D'Anda and the band was signed to Warner Brothers. The band’s first two albums (BulletBoys, released on September 16, 1988 by Warner Brother Records/WEA and Freakshow, released on March 12, 1991, by Warner Brothers Records/WEA) were well received and the band sold over 1 million copies worldwide. From their album Freakshow, the band was in heavy rotation on the cable music channel MTV with its music video for the song 'Hang on St. Christopher' which capitalized on the band's good looks in a black and white dreamy car wreck sequence with religious undertones.
Critics compared the band's lead singer to David Lee Roth from Van Halen, as Torien's vocal performances and long blonde hair, at that time, were similar. That argument was furthered by the fact that Ted Templeman produced both the Roth-era Van Halen albums as well as the first three albums by the BulletBoys. In addition, both bands were signed to Warner Bros. Records.
Mick Sweda and Jimmy D'Anda left the BulletBoys in 1993 after recording the BulletBoys third release Za-Za[1], returning to the band sporadically.
Marq Torien and Lonnie Vencent continued to use the BulletBoys name and in 1995, released Acid Monkey, on the indy label Swordholio/Perris Records, a heavily alternative rock inspired album that was a major departure from the band’s usual hard rock style.[2]
Mick finally quit for good in 2000 after members got together to record the album titled Greatest Hits: Burning Cats And Amputees, which was released on April 11, 2000.
Marq and Lonnie released an album, Sophie in 2003 under the BulletBoys name. This album featured a guest co-vocal performance from former Skid Row lead singer Sebastian Bach on one song.
The BulletBoys cover of The O'Jay's distinctive 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'"[3]
The BulletBoys Greatest Hits compilation was released in 2005 on Cleopatra/Deadline Records.
In 2006, the BulletBoys song "Hard As A Rock" appeared briefly in the movie Beerfest.
In March 2010, the song "Smooth Up In Ya" appeared briefly in the movie Hot Tub Time Machine.
Original members
- Marq Torien- Vocals
- Mick Sweda- Guitar
- Lonnie Vencent- Bass
- James D'Anda- Drums
Discography
| Year | Album | US | US Int. | Certification | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | BulletBoys | 34 | - | Gold | Warner Bros. |
| 1991 | Freakshow | 69 | - | - | Warner Bros. |
| 1993 | Za-Za | - | - | - | Warner Bros. |
| 1995 | Acid Monkey | - | - | - | Swordholio/Perris |
| 2000 | Burning Cats and Amputees | - | - | - | Deadline |
| 2003 | Sophie | - | - | - | Bulletboys |
| 2006 | Smooth Up in Ya: The Best of the Bulletboys | - | - | - | Deadline |
| 2007 | Behind the Orange Curtain | - | - | - | Crash Music Classic |
| 2009 | 10c Billionaire | - | - | - | Chavis |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Hot 100 | US Main Rock | ||
| 1989 | "Smooth Up In Ya" | 71 | 23 |
| "For the Love of Money" | 78 | 30 | |
| 1991 | "Hang on St. Christopher" | - | 22 |
| "THC Groove" | - | - | |
| "Talk To Your Daughter" | - | - | |
| 1993 | "Mine" | - | - |
| 2009 | "Road To Nowhere" | - | - |
External links
- BulletBoys at MySpace
- BulletBoys at Chavis Records
- BulletBoys at Musiclight