50SHR #49: Dizzy Lane (Wisconsin)

50 STATES OF HARD ROCK #49: WISCONSIN

Band: Dizzy Lane
Release: It Ain't Easy
Year: 1990
Line-up: Scott Williams (vocals, guitar), Nick Summers (guitar), Brian Lemay (bass), Rob E Dee (drums)

Track Listing:

01. Shot of Your Love 02. Summer Vacation 03. I've Had Enough 04. It Ain't Easy 05. D.W.I. 06. Outlaw Kid

Fletchanator's comment: The penultimate entry in our 50 States of Hard Rock countdown comes to us from the city of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, home of obscure melodic hard rock band Dizzy Lane. Formed in 1988, they sold around 3000 copies of this, their debut album. Five years later they released a second album, Cheap Thrills, which goes for big money if you can get your hands on it.
The band most people compare Dizzy Lane to is Enuff Z'Nuff, mainly due to Scott Williams' voice sounding a lot like Chip Z'Nuff. Overall their sound is a bit glam, a bit sleazy and a whole lot of great hard rock guitar licks. This album won't necessarily blow you away, but it's good stuff and it's as rare as hen's teeth so check it out!

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50SHR #28: Jillson (Nevada)

 
50 STATES OF HARD ROCK #28: NEVADA

Band: Jillson
Release: Deadly Girl
Year: 1990
Line-up: Don Jillson (vocals), Terry Ripley (guitars), Dale Borden (bass), Jamie Warren Borden (drums)

Track Listing:
1.  It's Emotion
2.  Deadly Girl
3.  Goodbye
4.  Make Love
5.  Bad Side
6.  All I Can
7.  Again
8.  Take Me
9.  One Thing   
10.  On My Own
11.  Mean What You Say
12.  The End
Fletchanator's comment: Jillson were a four-piece out of Las Vegas who originally released a four-track EP and then this, their only album. It originally came out in 1990 and more recently received a Retrospect Records reissue.
The name of frontman Don Jillson may not mean anything to you, but if you're a diehard hair metal fan you've no doubt heard of Tommy Paris, who replaced Dean Davidson in the band Britny Fox and recorded two studio albums with that band - 1991's Bite Down Hard and 2003's Springhead Motorshark. Why do I mention this? Well, Don Jillson and Tommy Paris are one in the same person.
If you're familiar with Tommy Paris/Don Jillson's singing with Britny Fox (or his solo album, 2009) you know that he has a great voice. Musically Jillson is quite similar to Bite Down Hard-era Britny Fox as well, playing a catchy brand of glammy hard rock. On the ballads Goodbye, Take Me and Mean What You Say they stray into definite AOR territory, ala Chicago or Journey.
It should be noted that this is the original CD release, which doesn't have the three bonus live tracks that Retrospect Records' reissue has.

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50SHR #18: Baton Rouge (Louisiana)

50 STATES OF HARD ROCK #18: LOUISIANA

 

Band: Baton Rouge
Release: Shake Your Soul
Year: 1990
Line-up: Kelly Keeling (vocals), Lance Bullen (guitars), Scott Bender (bass), Corky McClellan (drums), David Cremin (keyboards, guitar)

Track Listing:

1.	Doctor	3:44
2.	Walks Like a Woman	3:54
3.	Big Trouble	3:24
4.	It's About Time	3:58
5.	Bad Time Comin' Down	3:54
6.	The Midge instrumental	0:57
7.	Baby's So Cool	3:38
8.	Young Hearts	4:15
9.	Melenie	3:37
10.	There Was a Time (The Storm)	4:11
11.	Hot Blood Movin'	3:30
12.	Spread Like Fire	3:16

Fletchanator's comment: Despite their name, Baton Rouge weren't actually from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, instead hailing from the small town of Pearl River in the same state. I guess Pearl River just didn't have the same ring to it as a name. In fact they were called Cheetah when they first left the Bayou State and headed to Hollywood in 1987, but changed their name upon being signed to Atlantic Records in 1989.
Baton Rouge released one album after this - Lights out on the Playground in 1991 - before succumbing to the changing music landscape, although they reunited briefly to play Rocklahoma in 2009. Singer Kelly Keeling has had a successful career post-Baton Rouge, appearing on solo albums by such great guitarists as Michael Schenker, George Lynch (Dokken) and John Norum (Europe).
Produced under the watchful eye of Jack Ponti, who had co-written songs for bands like Bon Jovi, Bonfire, Babylon AD and Alice Cooper, Shake Your Soul has great production values and a crisp, radio-friendly sound. The music is bluesy in the style of Whitesnake or Kingdom Come, while Keeling's singing sounds uncannily like Sammy Hagar at times and like David Coverdale at others. This one is another definite recommendation from me!

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50SHR #12: Justin Sayne (Idaho)

 
50 STATES OF HARD ROCK #12: IDAHO

 

Band: Justin Sayne
Release: Big Tools
Year: 1990
Line-up: Darren Robinette (vocals), Wayne Coyle (guitar), Rico Weisman (bass), Russ Pfeifer (keyboards), Jeff Job (drums)

Track Listing:

1.   New One   4:38 2.   Here And Now   4:19 3.   Run In The Night   3:50 4.   Nobody (Loves You Like I Do)   3:57 5.   Money   5:14 6.   Burning Embers   6:34 7.   Keeper Of The Key   4:10 8.   Balanced On The Edge   2:41 9.   Flames Beat The Blues   3:25 10.   Can't Take It Away   2:55 11.   What If It Were You   4:00 12.   Touchin' The Fire   3:14 13.   I Know Why   4:31

Fletchanator's comment: Get outside of the big cities and into some of these less-populated states and it can become hard to find a whole lot of hard rock/hair metal bands. Luckily for us the band Justin Sayne originated in Boise, Idaho and snubbed country music for something a bit rockier.
I say "a bit" because Justin Sayne definitely fall into the AOR category. They do have some decent guitar solos, but there's an abundance of keyboards and other pomp ingredients, putting them firmly in the league of Survivor, Boston and REO Speedwagon.
Singer Darren Robinette has a pretty decent voice - it wavers a bit on some of the more pompous songs but is best showcased on rocking tunes like Run In The Night and Flames Beat The Blues - while Wayne Coyle shows off some good guitar skills. Again, the keyboards are prominent so if you don't like that you're best avoiding this one.
Decent keyboard-oriented AOR, definitely worth a listen, especially if you're a fan of the genre.

 

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50SHR #1: Harlequinn Angel (Alabama)

50 STATES OF HARD ROCK #1: ALABAMA

Band: Harlequinn Angel
Release: Rock 'n Roll Heaven EP
Year: 1990
Line-up: Jann Coe (vocals), Denver Dewitt (guitars), Robb Rudd (bass), Billy Welch (keyboards), Brian Dewitt (drums).

Track Listing:

1. Good Time 2.   Searchin' 3.   I Alone 4.   Eye Spy  5.   Angel Goodbye

Fletchanator's comment: This super-rare five-track EP is from female-fronted melodic hard rock band Harlequinn Angel, who were based in Birmingham, Alabama. It's a surprise they didn't go further because their sound and look was very commercial and the production values on this EP are top-notch - maybe if they'd come along five or six years earlier it would have been a different story.
Harlequinn Angel were a Christian band but their lyrics aren't overly blatant in their pushing of religion. Jann Coe has a great voice that at times is reminiscent of Pat Benatar and the band's playing is tight, with some nice solos from guitarist Denver Dewitt.
This EP will appeal most to fans of female-fronted hard rock along the lines of Saraya, Harlow and Vixen.
 

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Trytan - Sylentiger (1990)

Country: USA
Year: 1990
Line-up: Lary Dean (vocals, guitars), Steve Robinson (bass, keyboards), Jim Dobbs (drums).

Track Listing:

1. Take Cover   2.   Deadly Masquerade   3.   Beyond the Night   4.   Star Bound   5.   Make Your Move   6.   Sylentiger   7.   Here to Stay   8.   Playing with Fire   9.   Life Goes On   10.   Waking the Giant   11.   By My Spirit

Fletchanator's comment: Trytan were a Chicago-based Christian hard rock band who released two albums - Celestial Messenger in 1987 and this one - before disbanding in the early 90s. Apparently frontman Lary Dean is a church minister these days, calling himself an "extreme pastor" and renouncing his past "sinful" rock'n'roll lifestyle. But don't let that put you off giving Trytan a listen.
I've heard this band referred to as prog rock, but beyond Dean sounding similar to Rush's Geddy Lee I don't see that connection. They are pure glam metal, similar to a basic Ratt or Motley Crue. The combination of vocals and music are definitely quite unique sounding. Just one question remains: What the hell is a sylentiger?
 

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Lipstik - First Kiss (1990)

Country: Canada
Year: 1990
Line-up: Paul Gala (vocals, guitar), Charles V Rox (guitar), El Cicora (bass), Ange Curcio (drums).

Track Listing:

1. I Want You Want   3:59 2.   You're All I Need   4:35 3.   First Kiss   3:45 4.   Solo Tu 5:21

Fletchanator's comment: Montreal Canada-based four-piece Lipstik were apparently signed to Whitney Houston's management company, but sadly they are a footnote in history despite this EP kicking some serious butt. Originally called Rapid Fire, the band formed in high school in 1986, but despite having the backing of a music giant like Houston, they sadly folded in 1992/93 (aka the coming of the Grungeageddon).
In terms of sound, Lipstik play a brand of slick, tight hard rock that reminds me of a mix of Firehouse and Poison. Paul Gala has a great voice, I wonder what ever happened to him (if you know, let me know!). Of note is the fact that the second of two ballads, Solo Tu, is sang in Italian (all four members are of Italian descent).
With a great sound and look, it's a surprise that Lipstik didn't rise to the success of other early-90s glam bands like Firehouse and Slaughter. Definitely check them out, you won't be disappointed!

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Faster Pussycat - Live and Rare (1990)

Country: USA
Year: 1990
Line-up: Taime Downe (vocals), Brent Muscat (guitars), Greg Steele (guitars), Eric Stacy (bass), Mark Michals (drums).

Track Listing:

1.	Bathroom Wall remix
2.	Poison Ivy edit
3.	Pulling Weeds live
4.	Slip Of The Tongue live
5.	Babylon live
6.	House Of Pain edit

Fletchanator's comment: An EP of live tracks and remixes of songs from the first two albums, this doesn't offer anything groundbreaking, but is a good listen for any fan of Faster Pussycat. If you've never heard the band I would suggest checking out the first three studio albums (Faster Pussycat, Wake Me When It's Over, Whipped) before this. You can find the debut album on this blog. But if you've heard their sleazy glam hard rock before and want more, this is worth grabbing. Download

Gypsy Rose - Prey (1990)

Country: Canada
Year: 1990
Line-up: Michael Ross (vocals), Brian Joyce (guitars), Craig Van Gaver (guitars), Michael Vaughan (bass), Steve Thomas (drums).

Track Listing:

1.	Poisoned By Love	4:27
2.	Crawlin'	5:04
3.	Borderline	4:14
4.	Blood 'N Sweat	4:07
5.	Love Me Or Leave Me	4:34
6.	Make Me Do Anything You Want	5:08
7.	Shiver Then Shake	3:27
8.	Wild Reaction	3:18
9.	Don't Turn Your Back On Me Now	4:05
10.	Highway-One-Way	3:30

Fletchanator's comment: Happy (belated) Valentine's Day! I had planned on posting this on Valentine's Day but Zippyshare was down. Anyway, don't say I don't do anything for you, my loyal followers. For Valentine's Day I got you roses... well, one rose, a Gypsy Rose. See what I did there? Okay, let's move on quickly.
Not to be confused with the Seattle band of the same name (which included future Alice in Chainer Mike Starr), the Canadian Gypsy Rose are one of those bands who you hear and you quickly think "how the hell did these guys not get huge?". They've got all the necessary parts and a great overall sound, playing a kickass slice of melodic hard rock, starting with the awesome opener Poisoned by Love and staying strong from there. Other stand out songs are Blood 'N Sweat and Wild Reaction.
Sadly this was Gypsy Rose's only album. They have a great, polished sound - probably the closest comparison is Bon Jovi, especially since singer Michael Ross sounds a bit like JBJ. Turn it up and enjoy!

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Sweet Lips - XOXO (1990)

Country: France
Year: 1990
Line-up: Andy Chase (vocals), Lee St Amour (guitars), Ed Sinclair (bass), Chris Bumper (drums).

Track listing:

1.   Born to Rock   2.   Party Bus   3.   Back to You   4.   Lady Killer   5.   One More Man   6.   I Wish I Was   7.   Love Me   8.   The 14th   9.   Bette Davis Eyes      10.   Sex Line   11.   Wings on Fire   12.   Stranger   13.   Pretty Smile

Fletchanator's comment: While France has spawned a good amount of hard rock/AOR bands in recent times, the likes of AOR and Shannon, that country wasn't exactly synonymous with the genre back in the 80s and early 90s. One band that came along during that period was Sweet Lips, who released just this one album before taking their place in obscurity.
Despite being from France, Sweet Lips' sound is definitely LA glam rock, mixing Pretty Boy Floyd-esque rockers with acoustic ballads. Their cover of Kim Carnes' Bette Davis Eyes is pretty good.
The main selling point of this album is its rarity. Getting hold of a copy of the CD is near-on impossible and when a copy does show up on eBay it goes for $100+. Save your money and enjoy it courtesy of House of Hairspray!

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Open Fire - Open Fire EP [1990]

Country: USA

Year: 1990

Line-up: Erich Wida (vocals), Chris Yamamoto (guitars), Jack Acevedo (bass), Birdie (Drums)

Track Listing:
1. Top of the Heap
2. Feel the Power
3. Love Comes Tumblin' Down
4. Lying to Yourself

Fletchanator's comment: Following on from the cassette rip I posted of Wild Child, here is another release that as far as I know is only available on tape. Open Fire were a four-piece from Hawaii, a land that is hardly synonymous with heavy metal. They later released a full-length album, No Uncle of Mine, on CD in 1995. But none of the songs on this self-released EP were included on that, so this is likely the only place you can hear these tracks. Bassist Jack Acevedo has uploaded some Open Fire songs onto youtube, but today the band are pretty much a footnote in history. Singer Wida apparently joined a metal covers band called Slug after Open Fire split up.
Soundwise, I can hear similarities with Motley Crue, LA Guns and bands of that ilk but they also incorporate a heavier, faster sound that adds elements of traditional heavy metal bands like Metal Church and Accept.

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Sweet F.A. - Stick to your Guns [1990]

Country: USA

Year: 1990

Line-up: Steven David Delong (vocals), Jon Lightning (guitar), James Thunder (guitar), Jim Quick (bass), Tricky Lane (drums)

TRACK LISTING
1. Prince of the City
2. Nothin' for Nothin'
3. Rhythm of Action
4. Do a Little Drivin'
5. Daily Grind
6. Stick to your Guns
7. Whiskey River
8. I Love Women
9. Breakin' the Law
10. Heart of Gold
11. Devil's Road
12. Southern Comfort

Requested by: Sean L

Fletchanator's comment: Silly names aside (guitarists named Thunder and Lightning? Really?), Sweet F.A. put out one helluva debut album in 1990. These boys from Indiana played southern-styled hard rock, sounding similar to Tesla and Bulletboys. The single Rhythm of Action got some radio play. Sweet F.A. put out a follow-up album in 1991, before fading into obscurity. I heard they reunited for a few shows in 2007, but I'm not sure if they're still together.

Download (NEW LINK NOV 2015)

Blue Tears - Blue Tears [1990]

Country: USA

Year: 1990

Line-up: Gregg Fulkerson (vocals), Bryan Hall (guitar), Mike Spears (bass), Charlie Lauderdale (drums)

TRACK LISTING

1. Rockin With the Radio

2. Crush

3. Blue Tears

4. Take This Heart

5. Halfway to Heaven

6. Innocent Kiss

7. Racing With The Moon

8. Kiss Me Goodbye

9. True Romance

10. Thunder in the Night

Requested by: Brent

Fletchanator's comment: Ah yes, Blue Tears. They definitely put out the best Bon Jovi albums that Bon Jovi didn't put out themselves. The singer doesn't just sound like JBJ, he sings in JBJ's style too. Heck, most of the songs are structured the same as Bon Jovi songs. If you can look past the obvious lack of originality though, Blue Tears are a great listen. 

Download (NEW LINK NOV 2015)

Catalyst - Paradise [1990]

Country: USA

Year: 1990

Line-up: Unknown

TRACK LISTING

1. Crackdown/Breakdown

2. Dropout Loser

3. I Wanna Live

4. Break My Heart Again

5. You Can't Please Everybody

6. Time

7. Fire in Her Eyes

8. Shelter of your Heart

9. Hold on to your Love

10. Paradise

11. Burning in the Fire

12. Trash Before you Crash

Fletchanator's comment: This is one of those rare occasions when I actually don't know much about the band. I got this album off the internet and can't even find a listing for the band members. All I know is this is Catalyst's only album. It's melodic hard rock, bordering on AOR for some songs, rockier on others. Nothing great, but listenable.

Download (NEW LINK NOV 2015)

Joker - Joker [1990]

Country: USA

Year: 1990

Line-up: Tony Ingala (vocals), Nick Sikich (guitar), Joe Miro (guitar / keyboards), Brian Smolar (bass), Mike Stone (drums)

Track Listing:
1. I Want Love
2. Say Yeah
3. Lorraine
4. Party For Your Life
5. Somewhere In Time
6. She Wants Vengeance
7. Pledge An Allegiance
8. Remember
9. Change
10. Hey Salesman

Request of: Mike

Fletchanator's comment: There's nothing unique about Joker, but the first of two albums they put in the early 90s (followed up by 1992's Cool Deal) is a good effort. The sound is tight party rock, with a vocalist who reminds me of TNT's Tony Harnell. There's some rough edges around the singing, but the guitars are very good. Definitely worth checking out.

Download (NEW LINK NOV 2015)

Blonz - Blonz [1990]

Country: USA

Year: 1990

Line-up: Nathan Utz (vocals), Steve Taylor (guitar), Dennis Ogle (guitar/keyboards), Michael Fandino (bass), Aaron Tate (drums)

Track Listing
1. Miracles
2. Hands Of Love
3. It's The Same
4. Trouble Child
5. What's On Your Mind
6. One And Only
7. Rainbow
8. Skintight
9. Last Call (For Alcohol)

Request of: Mel

Fletchanator's comment: Another band with a lot of potential that was never realised was Blonz. This album was produced by a couple of guys from 70s prog rockers Kansas, and some of the songs were written by the likes of Joe Lynn Turner and the singer from Fierce Heart. After Blonz split, Utz, Taylor and Ogle formed Chaingang. I would compare the Blonz sound to Bon Jovi with Tesla's Jeff Keith on vocals. It's good stuff. Check it out.

Download (NEW LINK NOV 2015)

Salty Dog - Every Dog has its Day [1990]

Country: USA

Year: 1990

Line-up: Jimmi Bleacher (vocals), Pete Reeven (guitar), Mike Hannon (bass), Khurt Maier (drums)

Track Listing:
1. Come Along
2. Cat's Got Nine
3. Ring My Bell
4. Where The Sun Don't Shine
5. Spoonful
6. Just Like A Woman
7. Sim Sala Bim
8. Keep Me Down
9. Heavy Heart (She Comes Easy)
10. Lonesome Fool
11. Slow Daze
12. Sacrifice Me
13. Nothin' But A Dream

Request of: Thomas

Fletchanator's comment: This is the only release by LA rockers Salty Dog. The best way to describe the album is "sleaze blues". Their sound mixes southern rock and LA sleaze to create a sound that's a mix of LA Guns, Bulletboys and Jackyl. Another band that sounds similar is Cats in Boots (another band I'll upload sometime), so if you like them, you'll like Salty Dog.

Download (NEW LINK NOV 2015)

Steelheart - Steelheart [1990]

Country: USA

Year: 1990

Line-up: Michael Matijevic (vocals), Chris Risola (guitar), Frank Di Costanzo (guitar), James Ward (bass), John Fowler (drums)

Track Listing
1. Love Ain't Easy
2. Can't Stop Me Lovin' You
3. Like Never Before
4. I'll Never Let You Go
5. Everybody Loves Eileen
6. Sheila
7. Gimme Gimme
8. Rock n'' Roll (I Just Wanna)
9. She's Gone
10. Down n' Dirty

Requested by: Goatlord

Fletchanator's comment: I know, this isn't exactly "rare", but it was requested, and is definitely a must-have for any hair metal collection. Singer Michael Matijevic is simply one of the greatest hard rock singers ever, with a range that is second to none (of course you already know that he was the voice of the band Steel Dragon in the movie Rockstar). This is Steelheart's debut and best, IMO, with incredible songs like She's Gone, Sheila, Can't Stop Me Lovin' You and I'll Never Let You Go. If you don't already have this, you need it.

Download (NEW LINK NOV 2015)

Every Mother's Nightmare - Every Mother's Nightmare [1990]

Country: USA
Year: 1990
Line up: Rick Ruhl (vocals), Steve Malone (guitar), Mark McMurty (bass), Jim Phipps (drums)

Track Listing
1. Hard To Hold
2. Bad On Love
3. Love Can Make You Blind
4. Dues To Pay
5. Lord Willin'
6. Ez Come, Ez Go
7. Walls Come Down
8. Listen Up
9. Long Haired Country Boy
10. Nobody Knows

Request of: RaphaelFletchanator's comment: I've already uploaded the 1992 album, Wake Up Screaming, to fill a request, and now here's the debut album of this bluesy groove band, to fill another request. It's a solid effort, enjoy!

Download (NEW LINK NOV 2015)

Spread Eagle - Spread Eagle [1990]

Country: USA
Year: 1990
Line up: Ray West (vocals), Paul DiBartolo (guitar), Rob De Luca (bass), Tommi Gallo (drums)

Track Listing
1. Broken City
2. Back To The Bitch
3. Switchblade Serenade
4. Hot Sex
5. Suzy Suicide
6. Dead Of Winter
7. Scratch Like A Cat
8. Thru These Eyes
9. Spread Eagle
10. 42nd Street
11. Shotgun Kiss

Request of: MattiasFletchanator's comment: A sleazy glam rock band from New York, Spread Eagle managed to put out two albums (one more than most bands of the era, huh?). They're like the East Coast answer to Sunset Strip glam metal, ala GNR, LA Guns etc. The singer has a great voice, mixing together the sound of Axl Rose and Sebastian Bach in one powerful set of vocals. Kind of ironic then, that bassist De Luca toured with Bach on his solo tour last year. Like your rock sleazy? Like Skid Row and GNR? Then check this one out for sure.

Download (NEW LINK NOV 2015)