Lynch Mob (band)
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Lynch Mob | |
|---|---|
| Origin | California, US |
| Genres | Heavy metal, glam metal |
| Years active | 1989–1994, 1998–1999, 2003–2006, 2008- |
| Labels | Elektra, CMC, Deadline,Frontiers, Rat Pak Records, Sacred Groove |
| Members | George Lynch Oni Logan Brian Tichy Robbie Crane |
Lynch Mob is an American band featuring former Dokken guitarist George Lynch, who has been the band's only permanent member. The rest of the original band which featured Oni Logan, Anthony Esposito and Mick Brown have come and gone, and in some cases, come back.
1989 Formation
Lynch Mob was formed in 1989, from the remains of Lynch's former band, Dokken. The band original line-up also features Dokken's drummer, Mick Brown. The first Lynch Mob album was released in 1990, titled Wicked Sensation, and it is highly regarded as the group's best work.
Many feel that songs such as the title track, "River of Love," "She's Evil But She's Mine," and "For a Million Years" would have done very well in the 80's hair metal scene. However, with the waning popularity of "hair metal," the album didn't make much of an impact but reached gold status in the United States. Vocalist Oni Logan was fired shortly after the tour, as his life style had negatively impacted his ability to perform. But accordingly to a Rockshowmagazine interview with former bassist Anthony Esposito he explained that since Logan wasn't a great performer live Lynch decided to go with a different singer on their follow up, self-titled album.
The next album Lynch Mob (released in 1992), which fared even worse upon its release due to the explosion of grunge. The album sported many great rock anthems such as "Tangled in the Web" and a cover of Queen's Tie Your Mother Down. Despite attempts to re-unite with Oni Logan, the album features the vocals of new vocalist Robert Mason.
Lynch Mob disbanded after the tour for the album and in 1995, Lynch and drummer Mick Brown reunited with Dokken.
1998 Reunion
In 1998, when Lynch and Don could not put the past behind them over control and money. Consequently, Lynch attempted to reform the original Lynch Mob line-up. The band broke-up again after a single writing session. The fruits of this session was a three song demo which ended being released as Syzygy. A Lynch Mob tour of 13 U.S. cities was realised in 1998 featuring vocalist John West, and bassist Anthony Esposito.
"Smoke This" era and second break-up
Lynch then formed the third incarnation of the group, with all new unknown members taking the music into a rap metal direction, though the sound was entirely distinct from nu metal bands such as Limp Bizkit and Linkin Park. In 1999, Smoke This was released to disappointed fans and critics. According to Lynch, fans referred to the "Smoke This" album as "Lynch Bizkit". A tour followed the album and the group disbanded again.
2003 Reunion and third break-up
In 2003, second vocalist Robert Mason, original bassist Anthony Esposito, and Lynch reformed to record modernized Lynch Mob and Dokken material. Mick Brown stayed with Dokken and Michael Frowein was hired as the drummer. The new recordings on the album titled REvolution were heavier and faster than the originals. Frowein was replaced by Chas Stumbo (ex-Earshot) for the 2003 REvolution Tour. A live CD/DVD package of the final show of that tour was later released, strangely the audio was from a different performance and often does not match the images.
George Lynch toured Europe in 2006 under his own name and focused on his 'Guitar Dojo' online lessons. In 2007, George and his solo band performed a marathon 26 show/30 day tour, which included a much talked about feature on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. The line-up was: George Lynch - guitars, Andrew Freeman - vocals, Vinny Appice (Black Sabbath/Dio) - drums and Marten Andersson (Lizzy Borden) - bass.
Lynch also started a new band, Souls of We.
2008 Reunion to present
The popular lineup of Dokken was set to reunite to play Rocklahoma 2008 in Pryor, Oklahoma and tour during the summer, however those plans fell apart. George used this chance to reunite Lynch Mob (with vocalist Oni Logan) to play at Rocklahoma 2008 sans Esposito and Brown. As of January 2010, Oni Logan and George Lynch have tried another incarnation of the Lynch Mob. Releasing Smoke and Mirrors in 2009, featuring Marco Mendoza on bass. A tour followed, with Fred Coury on drums. Drummer Brian Tichy joined Lynch Mob in 2010.
Anthony Esposito plays bass on tour with former Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley and is featured on his 2009 release Anomaly, Mick Brown is still doing shows playing drums with Dokken and Ted Nugent and Robert Mason is currently Warrant's lead singer.
Lynch Mob is set to tour worldwide in 2010.
Bassist James Lomenzo joined Lynch Mob in late July 2010, replacing Marco Mendoza. James previously jammed with Lynch Mob drummer Brian Tichy in both Pride & Glory and Slash's Snakepit. Two recent shows (August 26, 2010 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and August 27, 2010 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada) saw Marq Torien (Bullet Boys) handle the vocal duties.
Keith St. John (Montrose and Burning Rain) replaced Marq Torien on vocals for the last two US dates on the tour... October 15, 2010 @ Feelgoods (now Count's Vamp'd) in Las Vegas, NV. and October 16, 2010 @ The Ramona Mainstage in Ramona, CA.
Bassist Robbie Crane of Ratt joined the touring line up of Lynch Mob for the band's fall of 2010 European tour. Crane become the permanent bassist of Lynch Mob thereafter, but on September 17, 2012 a press release stated that after 2 years he'd resigned from the band.(Little known fact: Robbie was the first bassist for Lynch Mob before Anthony Esposito filled the spot)
Dokken drummer Mick Brown reunited with Lynch Mob for the first time in 15 years and is set to do a full US tour in January 2011.
George Lynch stated on Eddie Trunk's radio show that a new Lynch Mob album will be recorded with Oni Logan, Mick Brown, and Jeff Pilson. No release date has been set. On "That Metal Show" in April 2012, George stated the new Lynch Mob album would be entitled I Am Weapon and was close to being finished.
On June 6, Scot Coogan, then current Lynch Mob drummer, posted that he would be the drummer for Lita Ford on her upcoming tour. It was then announced that Lynch Mob had tapped Brian Tichy(Whitesnake) as its new touring drummer for the upcoming summer shows in support of the band's new release.
On June 19, Deadline Music/Cleopatra Records will release a special three-disc audio/video deluxe collection of Lynch Mob's REvolution. The set features the full-length studio album REvolution with killer, supercharged renditions of classic Dokken/Lynch Mob tracks such as "Tooth And Nail", "Breaking The Chains", "Wicked Sensation" and more. It also includes professionally filmed live performances recorded during the 2005 REvolution tour, mixed in 5.1 Surround Sound. These have been previously released, as separate packages, in 2003 and 2004 respectively.
Coming off a great and highly praised performance at this year's M3 Rock Festival in May, Lynch Mob entered the studio energized and ready to rock! Sound Mountain Sessions will be released in July with the first single, "Slow Drag", hitting the airwaves in the upcoming weeks.
Current members
- Oni Logan - Lead vocals, tambourine, maracas, percussion (1989-1991, 1998, 2008-2011, 2012-present)
- George Lynch - Lead guitar (1989–1994, 1998–1999, 2003–2006, 2008-present)
- Robbie Crane - Bass guitar (1989, 2010-present)
- Brian Tichy - Drums (2012-present)
Former members
- Mick Brown - Drums (1989-1994 1998, 2011)
- Robert Mason - Lead vocals (1991-1994, 2003-2006)
- John West - Lead vocals (1998-1999)
- Anthony Esposito - Bass guitar (1989-1993, 1998-1999, 2003-2006)
- Michael Frowein - Drums (2003)
- Chas Stumbo - Drums (2003-2006)
- Marco Mendoza - Bass guitar (2008-2010)
- Fred Coury - Drums (2008-2009)
- James LoMenzo - Bass guitar (2010)
- Scot Coogan - Drums (2009-2012)
- Chas West - Lead vocals (2011-2012)
Discography
Studio Albums
- Wicked Sensation (1990) US #46
- Lynch Mob (1992) US #56
- Smoke This (1999)
- REvolution (2003)
- Smoke And Mirrors (2009)
Live Albums
- Evil: Live (2003)
- REvolution: Live! (2006)
EPs
- Syzygy (1998)
- Sound Mountain Sessions (2012)
- Unplugged: Live From Sugarhill Studios (2013)
Charted singles
| Title | Rock Chart | Album |
|---|---|---|
| Dream Until Tomorrow | #23 | Lynch Mob |
| Tangled In the Web | #13 | Lynch Mob |
| River of Love | #19 | Wicked Sensation |
| Wicked Sensation | #31 | Wicked Sensation |