50SHR #9: Nova Rex (Florida)

 
50 STATES OF HARD ROCK #9: FLORIDA

 

Band: Nova Rex

Release: Blow Me Away
Year: 1992
Line-up: Abbie Stancato (vocals), JP Cervoni (guitars), Kenny Wilkerson (bass), Tim Berry (drums)

Track Listing:

1.   Bitch   2.   Think Of Me   3.   Children Of The Night   4.   Can't Find Love   5.   Alone Tonight   6.   Black And Blues   7.   Blow Me Away

Release: Ain't Easy Being Cheesy

Year: 1994
Line-up: Derek Madison (vocals), JP Cervoni (guitars, keyboards), Kenny Wilkerson (bass), John Plantero (drums)

Track Listing:

1.	Think Of Me
2.	Don't Give Up
3.	Bitch
4.	I Luv You
5.	Rock N' Roll Part 1
6.	Love Sucks
7.	Alone Tonight
8.	JP Blues
9.	I Just Wanna Rock

Fletchanator's comment: While I've included the band Nova Rex under Florida in this countdown, I could just as easily have put them under Indiana. Allow me to explain: The band was formed in Florida in the mid-80s and made the typical move to Hollywood, but when that scene started dying a horrible death (aka grungepocalypse) they relocated to Indiana, home state of bassist Kenny Wilkerson, and enjoyed a rebirth on the local scene there. However, since their roots were in the Sunshine State, I think Florida is the better pick.
As you can see, I've made the unusual move of posting *two* albums by Nova Rex. The first, 1992's Blow Me Away, is the band's second release (their self-titled 1987 album is impossible to find these days), with Abbie Stancato on vocals. It's a great album, in particular the three tracks Children of the Night, Can't Find Love and Alone Tonight - the latter being a fantastic AOR-ish ballad.
The follow-up, 1994's Ain't Easy Being Cheesy, is rockier and features new singer Derek Madison, whose voice is more gravelly and raw. An easy comparison can be drawn between the two singers because the songs Bitch and Alone Tonight are on both albums - in my opinion both vocalists are very good, although Madison probably has the more traditional "hard rock" voice suited to more rocking tunes, while Stancato suits the more AOR-sounding stuff.
Singers aside, the real key to Nova Rex's sound is the excellent axemanship of JP Cervoni, and the tight playing of bassist Kenny Wilkerson (Cervoni and Wilkerson were also the core songwriters for the band). Cervoni shines on both albums with some nice licks and tasty solos and gets to really show his stuff on the instrumental JP Blues.
In 2011 Nova Rex released a behind-the-scenes DVD also called Ain't Easy Being Cheesy. I haven't seen it, but by all accounts it's a humorous look back at their glory days and how the band members are living now.
I highly recommend both of these albums!

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50SHR #8: Crystal Roxx (Delaware)

 
50 STATES OF HARD ROCK #8: DELAWARE

 

Band: Crystal Roxx
Release: Pass the Buck
Year: 1992
Line-up: Richie Angelucci (vocals), Vinnie Martello (guitars), Jimmy Kaye (bass), Anthony Baker (drums), Brian Delaney (keyboards)

Track Listing:

1.  Big City   4:27 2.   Hollywood   4:50 3.   Does it Matter   6:06 4.   Get Up Get Out   4:18 5.   Violet Eyes   5:38 6.   On My Way   4:33 7.   Be Mine to Satisfy   4:17 8.   For You   4:50 9.   Runaway   3:42 10.   Stay With Me   3:26

Fletchanator's comment: What hair metal series would be complete without at least one band featuring that over-used word Roxx? From Delaware come Crystal Roxx, a band who are still together to this day as a covers band in the tri-state area. In the early 90s they released a series of albums - this being their first on an actual record label.
Like a lot of 80s/early 90s bands from the New Jersey area, Crystal Roxx have a definite Bon Jovi vibe to them. Singer Richie Angelucci sounds a lot like JBJ at times, especially on the ballads (Does It Matter, Violet Eyes, For You, Stay With Me). Musically they play a style of hard rock reminiscent of bands like Kick Axe, Dokken and the aforementioned Bon Jovi. Solid stuff, definitely worth a listen.

 

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Gotthard - Gotthard (1992)

Country: Switzerland
Year: 1992
Line-up: Steve Lee (vocals), Leo Leoni (guitars), Marc Lynn (bass), Hena Habegger (drums).

Track Listing:

1.	Standing in the Light	3:53
2.	Downtown	3:01
3.	Firedance	6:12
4.	Hush	4:02
5.	Mean Street Rocket	3:52
6.	Get Down	3:19
7.	Take Me	3:43
8.	Angel	5:20
9.	Lonely Heartache	3:44
10.	Hunter	4:13
11.	All I Care For	3:08
12.	That's It	1:16

Fletchanator's comment: Switzerland's Gotthard arrived late in the heyday of hair metal but have been one of the busiest and most consistently-good hard rock bands since, releasing a total of nine studio albums with original singer Steve Lee. Sadly Lee was killed in a road accident in the US in 2010, and they have since put out two more albums with a new singer.

This is their debut album and definitely one of their best, strong from start to finish. Lee's amazing voice (eerily similar to David Coverdale) and the kickass guitaring (from Leoni and also Vivian Campbell of Def Leppard as guest lead guitarist on a couple of tracks) lead the way and the songwriting is solid. An excellent cover of Deep Purple's Hush, a great ballad in Angel and a rocking track in Lonely Heartache are the highlights for me, but there aren't any weak songs.

Because of Lee's canny Coverdale sound, the easiest comparison is 80s-era Whitesnake, which these guys definitely sound a lot like. I'd also throw in a pinch of Kingdom Come and Europe, but regardless of the influences this is an album every melodic hard rock fan needs.

I have all the Gotthard albums, so leave a comment if you'd like to see more of this great band posted on House of Hairspray.

 

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Steelheart - Tangled in Reins (1992)

Country: USA
Year: 1992
Line-up: Mike Matijevic (vocals), Chris Risola (lead guitar), Frank DiCostanzo (rhythm guitar), James Ward (bass), John Fowler (drums).

Track Listing:

1.   Loaded Mutha   2.   Sticky Side Up   3.   Electric Love Child   4.   Late for the Party   5.   All Your Love   6.   Love 'em and I'm Gone   7.   Take Me Back Home   8.   Steelheart   9.   Mama Don't You Cry   10.   Dancin' in the Fire

Fletchanator's comment: Thank you to everyone who voted in the poll about which album I should upload next. The winner was a three-way tie - the first I'm uploading is this, the second album from Steelheart. No surprises that this got so much love, as their debut album is currently the most-downloaded file on this blog.
There seems to be a lot of debate as to whether this album is better than the debut or not. In my opinion it's not, but that's not a knock against this one. It's slightly rockier with less ballads, but is also missing the "hits" of the debut. But it's still a fantastic album. I mean, it's Steelheart! Mike Matijevic has undoubtedly THE most powerful voice in melodic hard rock!

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Rox Diamond - Rox Diamond (1992)

Country: USA
Year: 1992
Line-up: Paul Daniels (vocals, keyboards), Kevin Bach (guitars), Ricky Falco (bass), Dwain Miller (drums).

Track Listing:

1.   Heart of Mine   3:29 2.   Nothin' I Won't Do   4:03 3.   Familiar Strangers   4:44 4.   Never Too Late   3:47 5.   Forever Yours   4:07 6.   Get the Lead Out of My Heart   3:39 7.   You're Not the Only One   4:50 8.   Lovin' You   3:42 9.   One Way Street   5:00 10.   Face to Face   3:35 11.   You'll Get What's Coming   3:27

Fletchanator's comment: LA-based Rox Diamond were originally known as Casanova (with a different drummer), but changed the name because of an existing band with the same name in Germany. After asking their original drummer to leave due to performance issues, they added ex-Keel stickman Dwain Miller and recorded this, their debut album. It was originally released in Japan, then Europe. Like a lot of similar bands, they had the rug pulled out from under them by the arrival of grunge, although this line-up has reunited in recent years and started playing and recording together again.
Despite a name that suggests a sleazy sound, Rox Diamond play AOR-ish melodic hard rock. You can definitely hear the influence of bands like Journey and Kansas, but the best comparison I could make is that they sound like Winger if Paul Stanley of KISS took over as singer. It's definitely good stuff, with catchy keyboard riffs, lots of vocal harmonies and some solid guitar work.

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Faster Pussycat - Belted, Buckled and Booted (1992)

Country: USA
Year: 1992
Line-up: Taime Downe (vocals), Brent Muscat (guitars), Greg Steele (guitars), Eric Stacy (bass), Brett Bradshaw (drums).

Track Listing:

1.   Nonstop To Nowhere   2.   Too Tight   3.   Charge Me Up   4.   You're So Vain

Fletchanator's comment: A four-track EP released just prior to the band's third studio album, Whipped. It shares the track Nonstop to Nowhere with that album, but is worth having for the remaining three tracks - two outtakes from the Whipped recording sessions and a catchy cover of Carly Simon's You're So Vain.
I don't need to go into details about the sound - it's classic Faster Pussycat. If you like this band (and you should) you'll dig it.

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Fair Warning - Fair Warning (1992)

Country: Germany
Year: 1992
Line-up: Tommy Heart (vocals), Helge Engelke (guitars, keyboards), Andy Malecek (guitars), Ule W Rigten (bass), CC Behrens (drums)

Track Listing:

1.   Longing for Love   3:49 2.   When Love Fails   3:41 3.   The Call of the Heart   4:13 4.   Crazy   3:50 5.   One Step Closer   3:59 6.   Hang On   4:03 7.   Out On the Run   3:53 8.   Long Gone   4:39 9.   The Eyes of the Rock   3:47 10.   Take a Look at the Future   3:55 11.   The Heat of Emotion   3:03 12.   Take Me Up   4:25

Fletchanator's comment: This album is a must-have for all fans of hard rock music. To date Fair Warning have released 8 studio albums (the most recent in 2013) and this is where it all started for the German rockers. From start to finish this is a near-faultless album - great songwriting, fantastic guitar-work and the stellar voice of Tommy Heart. There are no weak songs, just song after song of top-notch AOR-edged hard rock.
Because of their nationality and the way that Heart pronounces words, it's easy to compare Fair Warning to fellow countrymen like Scorpions and Bonfire. They definitely sound like those bands (with a bit more of an AOR flavour due to the keyboards), but are also comparable to the likes of Bad English, Firehouse and Victory.
If you have never heard Fair Warning, you're in for a treat!

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Hardline - Double Eclipse (1992)

Country: USA
Year: 1992
Line-up: Johnny Gioeli (vocals), Neal Schon (lead guitar), Joey Gioeli (rhythm guitar), Todd Jensen (bass), Deen Castronovo (drums).

Track listing:

1.   Life's a Bitch   4:12 2.   Dr. Love   5:31 3.   Rhythm From a Red Car   3:40 4.   Change of Heart   4:42 5.   Everything   3:55 6.   Takin' Me Down   3:35 7.   Hot Cherie   4:47 8.   Bad Taste   4:23 9.   Can't Find My Way   5:28 10.   I'll be There   4:36 11.   31-91   1:33 12.   In the Hands of Time   6:16

Requested by: Geno

Fletchanator's comment: Hardline is most well-known for containing Neal Schon and Deen Castronovo, who had just left the supergroup Bad English, and who would join a reformed Journey (of which Schon is a founding member) a few years after this. This is rockier than the AOR-heavy Bad English and Journey, with Schon probably enjoying some freedom away from Jonathon Cain's sappy balladry in those other bands. Here he really gets to rock out, while singer Johnny Gioeli (earlier of Brunette, lately of Axel Rudi Pell's band) has an excellent voice. The result is a fantastic melodic hard rock band, one of the very best to come out of the early 90s. Highly recommended!

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Alyze - Playin' with Desire [1992]

Country: USA

Year: 1992

Line-up: John Olivo (vocals), Matt Olivo (guitar), Okie Okoneski (bass), Ed Tabit (drums)

TRACK LISTING
1. Love Crime
2. Please Don't Go
3. Playin' With Desire
4. Dreamin' of You
5. She Makes Me Feel
6. Two Wrongs
7. Rose Colored Glasses
8. Poison Dress
9. Heavy Duty

Fletchanator's comment: Apparently the 1988 independent debut from these Michigan rockers was traditional heavy metal, but by the time they released their record label debut, Playin' with Desire in 1992, their sound was definitely hair metal/hard rock. There's really nothing to make Alyze stand out from the pack, but they're worth a listen.

Download (NEW LINK NOV 2015)

Bangalore Choir - On Target [1992]

Country: USA

Year: 1992

Line-up: David Reece (vocals), Curt Mitchell (guitar), John Kirk (guitar), Ian Mayo (bass), Jackie Ramos (drums)

TRACK LISTING
1. Angel in Black
2. Loaded Gun
3. If the Good Die Young
4. Doin the Dance
5. Hold On to You
6. All or Nothin'
7. Slippin' Away
8. She Can't Stop
9. Freight Train Rollin'
10. Just One Night

Fletchanator's comment: Bangalore Choir only ever put out one album, but unlike a lot of one-and-out bands, these guys weren't young strugglers who got one shot and didn't make it. In fact, Bangalore Choir was something of a minor league supergroup. Awesome singer David Reece had previously fronted Dare Force, guitarists Kirk and Mitchell were ex-Razormaid, and the rhythm section was ex-Hericane Alice (incidently, you'll find Dare Force, Razormaid and Hericane Alice all on this blog). Together they combined for one brilliant melodic hard rock album which is very remiscent of Whitesnake's hair metal era stuff (mostly due to Reece sounding quite similar to David Coverdale). It's a shame Bangalore Choir didn't continue for long. Reece went on to form Sircle of Silence, while Ramos and Mayo hooked up with Doug Aldrich (ex-Lion, now playing with Dio and Whitesnake) in Bad Moon Rising and then Burning Rain.

Download (NEW LINK NOV 2015)

Shooting Gallery - Shooting Gallery [1992]

Country: Finland/UK

Year: 1992

Line-up: Billy G. Bang (vocals), Andy McCoy (guitar), Dave Tregunna (bass), Paul Garisto (drums)

Track Listing:
1. Restless
2. Teenage Breakdown
3. Nature Of My Business
4. Don't Never Leave Me
5. House Of Ecstacy
6. Little Bit Of Magic
7. I Mess Around
8. Striptease
9. Brown Eyed Girl
10. Devil Calling
11. Leave Me Alone
12. Dandelion

Fletchanator's comment: I've been looking for this album on CD for a few years, and would you believe I found it in the discount bin at a music store? This is the only album by Shooting Gallery, a band most noted because it featured former Hanoi Rocks guitarist Andy McCoy (you'll find Hanoi Rocks' Two Steps from the Move on this blog). It also features former Kill City Dragons singer Billy G Bang (their only album is also on this blog). Unfortunately this doesn't live up to the greatness of Hanoi Rocks, in fact it's not even better than Kill City Dragons. It's sleazy hard rock like those two bands, but doesn't reach the heights of either. Still, it's pretty good and definitely worth adding to your collection if you don't already have it.

Download (NEW LINK NOV 2015)

War Babies - War Babies [1992]

Country: USA

Year: 1992

Line-up: Brad Sinsel (vocals), Tommy McMullin (guitar), Guy Lacey (guitar), Shawn Trotter (bass), Richard Stuverud (drums)

Track Listing
1. Hang Me Up
2. In The Wind
3. Cry Yourself To Sleep
4. Sweetwater
5. Sea Of Madness
6. Blue Tomorrow
7. Satellite
8. Death Valley Of Love
9. Big Big Sun
10. Killing Time
11. Care (Man I Just Don't)

Request of: Thomas

Fletchanator's comment: The only album released by this Seattle band, who were fronted by former TKO vocalist Brad Sinsel. Their sound can best be compared to Cinderella - it's blues-infused hard rock with a gravelly-voiced lead singer. Not quite at the level of that legendary band, but good stuff nonetheless.

Download (NEW LINK NOV 2015)

Star Star - The Love Drag Years [1992]

Country: USA

Year: 1992

Line-up: Johnnie Holliday (vocals), Jay Henning (guitar), Weeds (bass), Deon (drums)

Track Listing
1. Fly Boy
2. Science Fiction Boy
3. The Love Drag Years
4. Nervous
5. Cowboys In Space
6. Baby Shoulda' Known
7. Groovy Guru Gangster Girl
8. Diggy Dragster
9. Treasure Or Trash
10. My Little Cuisinette

Request of: Trayce

Fletchanator's comment: Another band that only managed one album release before grunge killed this style of music, was New York sleaze rockers Star Star. Their sound is glam rock, with vocals that are dripping with sleazy attitude in the vein of Babylon AD and Faster Pussycat. A definite must for fans of sleaze glam rock.

Download (NEW LINK NOV 2015)

Trixter - Hear! [1992]

Country: USA

Year: 1992

Line-up: Peter Loran (vocals), Steve Brown (guitar), P.J. Farley (bass), Mark Scott (drums)

Track Listing
1. Road Of A Thousand Dreams
2. Damn Good
3. Rockin' Horse
4. Power Of Love
5. Runaway Train
6. Bloodrock
7. Waiting In That Line
8. Nobody's A Hero
9. Wild Is The Heart
10. What It Takes
11. As The Candle Burns
12. On The Road Again

Requested by: Henk

Fletchanator's comment: The follow up to Trixter's self-titled 1990 debut, Hear! continues in the same vein, with song after song of saccarine melodic hard rock. I don't rate it as highly as the debut, but that could be because I know the debut like the back of my hand, having thrashed it in the early 90s. This effort I'm not as familiar with, but on the few listens I've given it, it's a solid effort. If you know the debut you know what to expect. If not, expect to hear something resembling Warrant and Firehouse.

Download (NEW LINK NOV 2015)

Bandit - Tuff 'n Dirtee [1992]

Country: Germany

Year: 1992

Line-up: Bernd Mader (vocals), Chris Kolb (guitar), Dave Chow (bass), Andi Nitsch (drums)

Track Listing
1. Sound So Good
2. Slut Groove
3. Bad Beat Boogie
4. Down Town Riot
5. Damn Pretty
6. Backseat Shuffle

Requested by: Justin

Fletchanator's comment: I don't really know too much about this one, other than the band is German and this indie release is the only album they ever put out. The sound is run of the mill party rock, with some good guitar hooks. The vocalist is the weak point, but if you look past that it's listenable at least.

Download (NEW LINK NOV 2015)

Darxon - Shout! [1992]

Country: Germany

Year: 1992

Line-up: Massimo De Matteis (vocals), Frank Dielewski (guitar), Thomas Hanscheidt (guitar), Ingo Geiger (bass), Jan Yildiral (drums)

Track Listing
1. On The Run
2. Walk In The Shadows Of Madness
3. Dancing Undercover
4. Waiting For Your Heart
5. Shout!
6. Down And Dirty
7. Don't Think Twice
8. White Line
9. Heart Of Stone
10. Down By The River

Requested by: Eldoopa1

Fletchanator's comment: The album cover may look like that of a death metal band, but don't be fooled - Germany's Darxon is a hard rock band who play a brand of guitar-oriented, hook-laden rock in the style of Dokken or Firehouse. It's good stuff - check it out!

Download (NEW LINK NOV 2015)

Noyz - Noyz [1992]

Country: USA
Year: 1992
Line up: Jason Loud (vocals), Tommy Lee Davis (guitar), Karl Heinz (bass, keyboards), Steve Loud (drums)
Tracks:
1. Texas Prelude
2. Texas Ranger
3. Made It By Rock 'N Roll
4. Bombs Blast
5. Deep in Rock 'N Roll
6. Eye's
7. Ms. Meantreater
8. Vermin 'R' Out
9. Oh' Darling
10. The Butcher
11. Zion

Fletchanator's comment: If you've listened to the first podcast, you heard "Bombs Blast". I honestly don't know too much about this band, other than this was their only album and it's as rare as hen's teeth. The singer sounds kind of like Dee Snyder from Twisted Sister and at times the overall sound is like a cross between WASP and Jackyl.
Download (NEW LINK NOV 2015)

Every Mother's Nightmare - Wake Up Screaming [1992]

Country: USA
Year: 1992
Line up: Rick Ruhl (vocals), Steve Malone (guitar), Mark McMurty (bass), Jim Phipps (drums)

Track Listing
1. House Of Pain
2. Closet Down The Hall
3. I Hate Myself
4. Already Gone
5. Tobacco Road
6. Slip And Fall
7. Good Die Young
8. Break Down
9. If I Had My Way
10. Bang To The Bone
11. I Needed You
12. Cryin' Shame

Fletchanator's comment: The second album by southern hard rockers Every Mother's Nightmare. It includes a fast-tempo cover of 60s pop hit Tobacco Road. Kind of reminds me of Faster Pussycat, especially the singer's voice.

Download (NEW LINK NOV 2015)

Blue Tears - Mad, Bad and Dangerous [2005]

Country: USA
Year: 2005
Line up: Gregg Fulkerson (vocals / guitar), Michael Spears (bass), Bryan Hall (guitar), Charlie Lauderdale (drums)

Tracks

1.	Long Way Home
2.	Girl Crazy
3.	With You Tonight
4.	Mystery Man
5.	Rock You To Heaven
6.	Evidence Of Love
7.	Mad, Bad & Dangerous To Know
8.	Misty Blue
9.	Kisses In The Dark
10.	Everywhere I Go
11.	Midnight Train
12.	Follow Your Heart
13.	Russia Tonight
14.	Love Machine
15.	The Last Serenade
16.	Live It Up

Fletchanator's comment: An album from 2005? Doesn't that go against what this blog is all about? Don't worry - the material on this album was recorded for Blue Tears' second album in 1992, but it never got released. Years later, Suncity Records released that material, along with some songs written prior to the band's first album in 1990. This is fantastic AOR which at times sounds so close to Bon Jovi that you'll swear it's Jon singing (check out With You Tonight to see what I mean). Don't miss this one!

Download (NEW LINK NOV 2015)

Roxy Blue - Want Some? [1992]

Country: USA
Year: 1992
Line up: Todd Poole (vocals), Sid Fletcher (guitar), Josh Weil (bass), Scotty T. (drums)

Track Listing
1. Too Hot To Handle
2. Sister Sister
3. Times Are Changin'
4. It's So Easy
5. Rob The Cradle
6. Squeeze Box
7. Talk Of The Town
8. Rock-A-Bye Baby
9. Luv On Me
10. Nobody Knows
11. Love's Got A Hold On Me
12. Main Attraction

Fletchanator's comment: Another one-album-and-out band. Roxy Blue was reportedly discovered by Warrant - singer Jani Lane sang back up on Want Some? - so it's no surprise that Roxy Blue sounds a lot like Warrant and other lightweight cock rock bands like Trixter. There's nothing groundbreaking here, but it's still good, toe-tapping hard rock that's well worth a listen.

Download (NEW LINK NOV 2015)