This guy from New York is one of the most interesting Rock guitarrist of all times. His first band was Fine Maribus but the guys never released and album so he started to play as session musician playing on Peter Criss' Let Me Rock You album. Same year Stevens joined forces with Billy Idol playing on his S/t album back in '82. The combo extended during two more Idol's albums enjoying massive success (Rebel Yell (1983) and Wiskplash Smile (1986)) and that helped Steven to be guested by such artist as Robert Palmer, Thompson Twins or Michael Jackson (Dirty Diana) and to play the Top Gun Anthem.
After separating ways with Idol, Stevens decided to pursue his own solo carrer releasing this first solo effort in 1989 under the name Steve Steven's Atomic Playboys. The album didn't enjoy much success reaching a disappointing USA # 119. Two singles were released Atomic Playboys and Action (Sweet's cover) but both failed to chart while the cut Power of Suggestion was featured in Jim Carrey's 1994 film Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.
Due to poor sales Stevens decided to join Michael Monroe to form Jerusalem Slim and in 1993 he played on Vince Neil's Exposed. In 1997 he started a Progressive project with Tony Levin and Terry Bozzio (Bozzio Levin Stevens) releasing two albums and in 2005 he joined forces again with Billy Idol for the album Devil's Playground.
Two more albums were released by Steve Stevens as solo artist Flamenco A Go-Go (1999) and Memory Crash (2008)
Produced by Ted Templeman and Beau Hill, mastering by Ted Jensen and with vocals by Perry McCarthy (Warrior's vocalist) Atomic Playboys is an amazing Hard Rock album full of virtuosity and very good and catchy tunes... a must have.
Today we start a new way in this blog we will remember artists, albums and songs that enjoyed much success in the 80's late 70's and early 90's but somehow after all these years are forgotten... so this is going to be a tribute to all that amazing music. 38 Special took their name from a rimmed centerfire cartridge by Smith & Wesson. From Jacksonville, Florida these guys started as a Southern Rock band but soon they turned into a more Melodic Rock sound. This change of direction help the band to enjoy biggest success. Original line-up consisting in Donnie Van Zant (vocals), Jeff Carlisi (guitar), Don Barnes (guitar, vocals), Ken Lyons (bass), Jack Grondin (drums), and Steve Brookins (drums) suffered many changes but probably the most important was the adition of Danny Chauncey and Max Carl in 1987 that led 38 special to release two of their most impressive albums. Rock & Roll Strategy (1988) is a Melodic Rock album with some Southern blinks and full of catchy tunes. The album was produced by Rodney Mills and enjoyed huge success specially because of the monster ballad Second Chance. The song became 38 Special biggest hit reaching USA # 6 and # 1 Billboard's Adult Contemporary. This built on keys track is one of the most beautiful and sentimental ballads ever recorded. Three other singles were released from this album Little Sheba wich failed to chart, Rock & Roll Strategy USA # 61 and Comin' Down Tonight USA # 67. But more memorable tracks from this album are Midnight Magic and Never Be Lonely.
1991 saw the release of Bones Against Steel. The album followed the same vibe than its predecessor but didn't enjoy much success reaching only Billboard 200 # 170 though the single The Sound Of Your Voice became a hit reaching USA # 33. I've been listening to this song for more than 20 years and still sounds to me as fresh as the very first time, it's a shot of energy that makes worth waking up every single day. The other single released from this album was Rebel To Rebel but failed to reach Billboard Hot 100. Another impressive tracks that sadly never were released as single are You Be the Dam, I'll Be the Water and Signs of Love. Bones Against Steel was the swan song for 38 Special that after the departure of Max Carl in 1991 released three more studio albums that didn't enjoy any success.
With help of some of the best musicians at that time (Neal Schon (Journey), Steve Smith (Journey), Brad Gilis (Night Ranger), Danny Chauncey (38 Special), Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi), Tim Pierce) and produced by Kevin Elson and Bill Drescher, these Georgia guys released their only effort back in '88. Witness sound is a mix of AOR and Hard Rock all built on strong keys and impressive vocals by Debbie Davis.
This album had everything to success so the only reason to fail probably would be chossing Do It 'Till We Drop as initicial single, one of the weakest tracks from this album specially because of boring chorus.
Anyway, a gem that represents quite good the 80's Melodic Rock... the only thing missed is a power-ballad.
These canadian guys released only one album through BMG back in '91 though the previous year they signed with Boomtown Records for an E.P. entitledPretty Things. Recorded at Prince's Paisley Park Studio in Minnesota and produced byDavid Bendeththis album is mix of Hard Rock, Glam and even some pop all built on soft guitars and catchy riffs. Three singles were released,Dollar In My Pocket,All NiteandBaby Dollbut despite some radio airplay none of them enjoyed any chart success. This album should deserve a better luck but once again, due to changing times, it failed to success and the band soon split.
Starting march 23 the latest by these swedish guys will be released progressively all over Europe and Brazil. This album rocks from the opening track Breaking The Silence, sounding much of Lay Your Hands On Me from Bon Jovi's New Jersey to the last tune Downtown and amazing mid-tempo with some backing guitars and keys that reminds of the early Mike & The Mechanics in a harder vein. This album is a shot of energy with the exception of The One And Only, a beautiful ballad that if Sony (Gain) CEOS ain't stupid will be the next single.
Production and sound is good and songwriting is polished with tracks like Heartbreaker and It's All About Tonight that sounds much of Bon Jovi's Slippery When Wet era or Falling Down with some chords sounding much of Journey. And is gratifying to listen to some saxophone in In An Out Of Trouble a beautiful and sensual instrument forgotten by Rock acts in the last two decades.
We shouldn't forget new singer Erik Grönwall and is fair to tell the guy does a very good job though sometimes reminds of Jon Bon Jovi.
These New York guys didn't enjoy much success with the release of their only album back in 1990. Though their look was much like other hair bands their sound was darker. The band released two singles Here Comes Trouble and Tattoo but both failed to chart as the album did part because of their sound and part because the same year half of the label was sold to EMI. The weaker point are Jimmy Driscoll's vocals and sometimes lyrics are a little empty. None of the members kept in the music business except basist Eric Klastaad who became a session musician playing with acts like Cyndi Lauper, Billy Joel...
Anyway, try this album you'll find some nice tunes.
With influences from Rush and mainly from Queen is not easy to describe the style of this California band. Produced by drummer Eric Valentine the sound of this band ia a mix of Hard Rock, Heavy Metal and Progessive with some spectacular vocal harmonies. Lead singer Dan Arlie's vocals are somewhere between Robert Mason (Lynch Mob, Warrant) and Jeff Buckley while guitarrist Jeff Tyson (Satriani's pupil) do an impressive guitar work.
Due to their peculiar sound and to the grunge explosion the band released only an album and two singles Backdoor Romeo and Zombies From Hell but both failed to chart so the band soon split. None of the members is in the music business nowadays except Eric Valentine who has become a renowned producer for acts like Third Eye Blind, Good Charlotte, Counting Crows...
Probably you'll need more than one listen but their S/t is a gem that has become a cult album with the c pass of time.
