News
Date: November 18th 2009
Hello all,
We are back in action after a turbulent start to 2009. 2009 has been anything but smooth sailing with natural disasters, the well-publicized death of Gregg Fulkerson as well as a family tragedy too.
But the show must go on and I would like to say a big thank you to everyone for being so patient and hopefully the next bunch of signings will be well worth the wait.
Today we will be announcing 7 new signings, yes that's right 7 cracking new signings that will have fans drooling at the chops.
I will start with the announcement of the signing of Femme Fatale. Suncity Records will be releasing one of the most talked about, infamous unreleased albums of all, as we will be presenting Femme Fatale's second unreleased album Lady In Waiting.
Femme Fatale
Femme Fatale are an outfit that were remembered for the hot looks, rockin' voice and over the top stage presence of its front woman Lorraine Lewis. In an era that was dominated by testosterone driven rock, Femme Fatale became a popular frontrunner in the 80's Rock and Roll scene. The band came together in their hometown of Albuquerque, New Mexico and consisted of Lewis (vocals), Mazzi Rawd (guitar), Bill D'Angelo (lead guitar), Rick Rael (bass and Lewis' brother) and Bobby Murray (drums). They quickly picked up and moved to Los Angeles amid the late eighties glam explosion, and after only ten live shows managed to score a major label contract.
The debut album was a moderate success, thanks mostly to M.T.V., where the videos for "Waiting For The Big One" and "Falling In & Out Of Love" were in high demand by teenage males who couldn't stop drooling over Lewis. M.T.V. gave heavy rotation to the videos "Waiting For The Big One" and "Falling In & Out Of Love" (both directed by Marty Callner), the band's two signature songs. The heavy airplay helped the album to sell nearly 250,000 copies, not bad for a baby band. The self-titled album, released in 1988 landed on the Billboard charts and shortly thereafter, Femme Fatale began touring the world in support of one of their favorite bands Cheap Trick.
Femme Fatale was snatched up so quickly in the L.A. scene that at that time had only written twelve songs together. The record label, MCA had a love affair with Lorraine. She was obviously the one getting the attention and filling the seats. So they made pictures of Lorraine and printed the words 'Look Out Lita!' on them and she became 'the new Lita Ford to the people at MCA. The image stuck with the band and they released their one and only self-titled album "Femme Fatale". It contained ten killer rock songs, all which where very catchy and well written. It showed Lorraine's main influences, as she had always been a fan of Aerosmith, Bad Company, AC/DC and Janis Joplin. On stage, Lorraine wanted to be the female version of the former Van Halen front man, David Lee Roth. She was determined to become "the #1 Metal Maiden of the late eighties.", "Waiting For The Big One" was chosen to be the bands first single release. In the U.K. it came out as a limited 12" with a fold out poster of Lorraine. The producer of the "Femme Fatale" album, Jim Faraci was becoming a respected new producer with the success of Poison's first record and Femme Fatale was receiving good reviews, because the music was hot. The next single was called "Falling In & Out Of Love" re-recorded by Tom Werman (Motley Crue). It was backed with an AC/DC cover, which didn't appear on the album. ("It's A Long Way To The Top"). By this time the U.K. obviously had the hots for Lorraine - Oops - I'm sorry, I mean Femme Fatale of course! The best next move was to get the band over to play live.
Femme Fatale played the Marquee club in London, England. The press were very excited about it all. Lorraine brought her mega-watt performance along with a road worthy rockin' band. Femme Fatale was a tight band on stage, sweating their arses off. Of course they'd already played a lot of gigs in America, but England was something else. The kids went totally crazy for Femme Fatale and the band gave them the full hundred percent. Femme Fatale had finally been given the respect they were seeking in America. They released a third single in England, called "Rebel." After such respect in the U.K., the expectations were high. The band was asked to play on the famous Castle Donington festival next to Vixen and Whitesnake. Sadly, the whole event was cancelled, because a year before two people were killed during the event.
The band remixed the song "Touch And Go" from their debut album to release it as a fourth single, which was released by Kerrang! (England's leading metal magazine) as a 'free' flexi disc with their magazine. Femme Fatale was asked by MCA to record a second album and even though a lot of songs were already written, the album was never released, Until now, And with that Suncity Records is proud to announce the release of Femme Fatale - Lady In Waiting. The album was written and recorded in 1988 in Hollywood California. It has been re-worked, re-mixed and re-mastered. The original recordings were engineered by Toby Wright and Femme Fatale. The album was re-mixed by Scott Gutierrez in Hollywood, California. Stand out tracks include, "Lady in Waiting", "I Know" (Co-written with Wes Arkeen - considered the sixth member of Guns 'N' Roses), "One More For The Road" and the heartfelt ballad, "Buried Alive". Lewis' voice is at the top of its game and the band sounds like an aggressive well-seasoned force to reckon with. Rock out!
Featured is the title track from the album "Lady In Waiting"
Once you've picked your jaw up from the floor with the news of Femme Fatale and while we're on a roll, let us introduce signing number 2 - Merri Hoaxx.
Before Cats In Boots, Heavy Bones or Ellis Island there was The Hoaxx. Merri Hoaxx was forged out of the mid 1970s Rock and Roll melting pot of Cleveland, Ohio, the birthplace of "Rock and Roll". Its members; Joel Ellis, Denny Holan, Chris "Grizz" Gryzbowski and Kenny Delaro were weaned on the greatest rock era in history as the music blazed like a volcano from FM radio giants WMMS "The Home of the Buzzard" and M105. Cleveland, Ohio was a huge pivotal stop on every major bands tour schedule with endless sold out crowds flocking to enormous events like the 100,000 in attendance "World Series of Rock" concerts at the Cleveland Browns football stadium and the 30,000 capacity Richfield Coliseum where Cleveland fans rushed in record numbers to see frequent historical shows by The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, The J. Giels Band, Peter Frampton, RUSH, Bob Segar, BOC, Ted Nugent, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Yes, KISS and on and on and on it went through their high school years of the late `70s and into the 80s. First as concert goers and then as the favorite local garage band and party band and then into the concert club scene, the band finally began drawing from their experiences to create their own sound and write their own music. Then in 1981 when their lead singer Joel Ellis decided the band needed to head for the higher ground, he led the way to Los Angeles, California and the Hollywood Sunset Strip Rock scene. Merri Hoaxx had ambitions to join their Rock counter parts of Motley Crue, Ratt, London, Dokken, Great White, L.A. Guns, Metallica, etc. to be in the thick-of-it-all and find their place in Hollywood Rock history, which is eventually what they did.
Merri Hoaxx
After re-uniting in Los Angeles, all 4 original members of Merri Hoaxx moved into Joel's 1 bedroom luxury flat in SoCal and enjoyed reaping the debauch lifestyle benefits that Southern California had to offer. They also decided to take a very serious approach to their writing, song crafting, performing and recording skills to compete with the best of the L.A. Rock Scene. They became extremely resourceful on a shoe-string budget and rented a small office space where they sound proofed the walls, crafted songs by day at the swimming pool and showed up for work to record each night as all the other offices were closing up and heading out for Happy Hour. In those late night hours the band worked on a Tascam 4-Track tape machine to capture these early 1980s classic demo recordings.
The band hung out nightly in the notorious Rainbow Bar and Grill in the heart of Sunset Strip during its heyday, stepping out from time to time to play the Sunset Strip club scene in clubs like The Whiskey A Go-Go, The Roxy, Gazzarri's, The Troubadour, The FM Station, The Country Club in Reseda, Palominos' and other undisclosed spots in the L.A. underground and after hour parties. This is where they began to melt into the scene gaining immediate recognition from their peers. Merri Hoaxx also started attracting major record label interest from Atlantic Records, who brought the band onto the label for development through Kenny Ostin where the band worked with production greats like George Tutko and Richie Podlar at American Studios. The band began getting calls from helpful guys like Gene Simmons and Dweezil Zappa off of the cassette tape demos they handed out everywhere. They eventually found themselves becoming major Rock debut contenders in the mid-1980s. Before signing with Atlantic Records, Kenny was replaced on drums by Houston, Texas drummer Randy Meers of Black Oak Arkansas fame.
The 1980s Sunset Strip scene was, to say the least, wild!! The boys became deeply entrenched in the wild side of Hollywood. Unfortunately the record label dragged its feet due to the band's A&R staff at Atlantic being even farther gone into the void of Hollywood's wild side. Joel recalls: "I remember going up to the Atlantic Records offices on Sunset to meet with Kenny (Ostin) or Nick (Loft) to discuss the record's mastering or art work, ya know, the band's business and there would be more cocaine on Kenny's desk than contracts. There was always music playing on his stereo from some new band they were signing but I never heard any of those great new bands make it into the mainstream,".
The tracks that the band recorded between 1983-1987 in Southern California will be released on one CD called Merri Hoaxx The Hoaxx Never Jokes and you can hear one of the songs off the album entitled "The Last Days Of Autumn"
So to the next signing we go. Please welcome to the Suncity family, Oregon, Portland's very own - X-Piracy.
X-Piracy
X-Piracy are a very hard band to describe but have all the trademarks that Suncity Records loves! Frontman, Shane Thornon tells the X-Piracy story - Once in a lifetime, if you're lucky you meet someone of similar style and taste, whom you become fast friends with. You develop a kind of friendship lasting from there on. Extraordinary good fortune would have it that you meet several somebody's of this sort and that you each find you're inseparable. Better still, you each love to make the kind of Rock & Roll music that feels good and generates a great deal of attention. In the summer of 1985, just such an occurrence took place in Eugene, Oregon, population 100,000. Singer Shane Thornton, guitarist Robb Dee Crabaugh, guitarist Tony Antone, Bassist Danny Jack and stepbrother, drummer Kevin Stacey had found their ways to one another via the popular record store, Record Garden. Thornton, Crabaugh and Antone had attended high school (most of the time) together in nearby Elmira, while Jack and Stacey attended Churchill High. In no time at all, the young men formed a tight bond of music and friendship a Brotherhood, if you will which would blossom into something very special for a long time to come.
By 1988, X-Piracy had arrived as a respected musical force with infinite potential on the Oregon music scene. Three years of countless rehearsals, carefully chosen gigs, photo session locations and grass-roots group promotions (incorporating everything from gig posters to half-naked girlfriends) had culminated into Eugene's very first ultra-popular rock band. Whether you were a fan or not, you'd probably heard or seen the name X-Piracy. Maybe it was the Register Guard's coverage of the gig at Oregon State Penitentiary, or maybe it was one of the neon flyers on hundreds of telephone poles around town. Perhaps it was the all-night, out-of-hand parties at 11th and Polk St. (The circa 1940 two-story house affectionately known as "Dodge City", for which the song was created in 1987), which kept attracting police attention. Or maybe it was simply that everywhere you went, people were talking about X-Piracy. Repeated venue sell-outs up and down the I-5 corridor performing with the likes of Cherry Poppin' Daddies, Head East, Molly Hatchet, Pat Travers and in L.A., Night Ranger - garnered the attention of out-of-towners as well. Big shots such as legendary producer, Tom Werman (Cheap Trick, Motley Crue, Ted Nugent, Poison, etc.) and Virgin Records, took more than a passing interest in what the young pirates were doing. Werman flew to Eugene to introduce himself and coach the band during recording sessions at Gung-Ho Studio. Meanwhile, Virgin had offered a lucrative publishing contract to the band, which in turn, invested entirely in all-new road gear. News of these developing relationships only added to the hype taking a foothold around the five young, head-strong, driven rock and rollers.
In 1989, due to strong audience turnouts at a popular Portland club known as Starry Night (The Roseland, today), the band was invited to take part in the Northwest Battle of the Bands. The competition was solid, with a full evening of worthy talent taking the stage. Around midnight, as the event was winding down, X-Piracy was heralded as the evening's winner and there wasn't a soul in the house who felt inclined to protest.
Feeling confident and strong, the group returned home victorious and scheduled what would be the third sell-out in the Soreng Theater at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts. It would also be perhaps the most talked about X-Piracy performance in the band's history, due in part to the mysterious showering of smelt upon the audience and stage at the end of the set. The group was well known for unauthorised stunts and surprises, but this would prove to be all the Hult Center would tolerate. X-Piracy was banned indefinitely from ever again performing at the prestigious hall. The Pirates, however, had bigger fish to fry. . .
Soon thereafter, the band members began to feel the first throws of stagnation. The band had set it's sights high from the beginning, but with no challenges or hurdles remaining in Oregon and a newly burned bridge at a large venue, the time had come for substantial change. Change with sacrifice and risk. X-Piracy deliberated on a major change of location, one which would lend itself to the band's potential and growing popularity. The decision to move north to Seattle or South to Los Angeles was not an easy one, but the latter had a far more noted track record. Despite early warnings from some that the recording industry was turning it's attention north, away from California, the band prepared for a win all/lose all move to L.A., which took place between August and October of 1990. Despite many moments of exuberance and triumph there, the ensuing year would prove to be a tumultuous one for X-Piracy.
With all band members, gear, female companions and crew accounted for, the Pirates settled into Los Angeles/North Hollywood and secured a place to rehearse (Dee's garage in Van Nuys). Gigs were booked at iconic venues such as The Whiskey-A-Go-Go, The Troubadour, The Roxy, Florentine Gardens and other popular hot spots. The band and crew were not above hitting the streets, shaking hands and handing out promotional material, which they did many a late night.
As 1991 began, X-Piracy continued to write and record new material, music coming forth amid a backdrop of big city turmoil and increasing hardships. The resulting songs struck a new level of maturity and depth, even pain. The track, "Ever-Lovin' River", set a new precedent within the band's growing repertoire and was as strong a song as any in the industry. Shane one a national poetry contest, which led to meeting comedian Sam Kinison. This new friendship, in turn, led to an invitation for X-Piracy to be the sole music entertainment at Kinison's Halloween Bash. Kinison, who had recently starred in a popular Motley Crue video, vowed to help promote the pirates. Sadly, however, he was killed when he was struck by a 17-year old drunk driver.
The stress of survival in an unfamiliar land while gigging and promoting the group - was intense. For five years, the Brotherhood had been tight, and disagreements were seldom heard. But in-fighting was on the rise, and eventually, an internal affair led to drummer Stacey's departure in early summer, 1991. Drummer Jerry Johnson was recruited to replace Stacey, who had returned to Oregon to begin life as a new father. Though stunned, the band was relieved to have found a drummer of similar style and appearance. Heartened, the new pirate line-up trudged on for almost a year, recording such shining gems as, "A Cool Walk In The Sand" and "On A Good Night". These songs and several other favorites were performed live at KNAC's summer concert production in Long Beach, CA. This was X-Piracy's largest audience to date. Ironically, it would also be the final show.
The Brotherhood had been broken. Stacey's departure and circumstances leading to it had dealt a painful blow to the pirate camp and the ship was losing momentum. By late summer of 1992, to the great dismay of many faithful fans, X-Piracy disbanded.
Featured above is the title track off the album and a band anthem from back in the day. Turn the stereo up to 11 and let rip with "Dodge City Limits".
Eight lives gone, in a time not so long ago, in a galaxy of leather, lipstick, guyliner and lace sees our next signing Priscilla jump aboard the Suncity train.
Priscilla
There is no denying that Priscilla deserves their place in the footholds of eyeliner addicts and glam junkies the world over. Few bands have emerged onto the arena of rock music and immediately garnered the mass attention of audiences, critics and radio stations alike that Priscilla did when they exploded onto the scene.
Sex, drugs and rock n' roll, it was all there in abundance for Priscilla. From an enigmatic frontman awash in groupie-adorned excess, who nearly died after an accidental drug overdose, to a guitarist who battled his own demons and was at odds with the sudden and immediate glory of success that was thrust upon him and his band and felt he had to get out. The Priscilla story is a story of wasted youth. Not wasted in the classical sense, but in the sense that the rewards that are thrust upon the overnight heroes of a local glam generation are sometimes too much for any one group of young men to physically and mentally withstand. The lyrics to the band's Z-Rock chart topping anthem "Wake Up The Neighborhood" could have easily been "Grab Yourself A Line And A Joint" rather than "Grab A Bottle Of Beer", would it not have caused the song to be banned from being played on the radio. But, with the tragedy of chemical and physical excess there also comes the glory and this is also a tale of rock and redemption, atale of conquering hometown heroes set on the streets of a metropolitan city that was begging for something different.
Hailing from their somewhat unlikely industrial hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland was, at the time, breeding such artists as Trent Reznor and his act Nine Inch Nails and bands of an altogether grittier nature than the polished and made up look that would be Priscilla. Going against the normal grain that Cleveland had come to accept from its musicians at the time, the five members of Priscilla tucked themselves away in their rehearsal studio and would take the time to craft a carefully thought out and calculated selection of three chord power progressions. These tracks were largely influenced by the underground glam movement that was taking place at the time on the Los Angeles Sunset Strip by artists as diverse as Motley Crue, Hanoi Rocks, T Rex, Kiss and even bands that one would not expect such as power pop bands The Babys, Starz and The Raspberries (influences which can clearly be heard on the band's slightly softer side on such cuts as Broken Angel, Stay With Me and Just Can't Stop). The group had a master-plan that would be assured to get and keep audiences on their feet. Taking months to properly demo their glam opus in the studio with producer/engineer Sean Beavan (Guns 'N' Roses, Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails, No Doubt, Depeche Mode, Kill Hannah), the band's music, upon its initial release immediately caught the ears of nearly every national record label in America. Whether you loved them or hated them, Priscilla was a band who could not and would not be ignored; they turned the music world on its collective ear with their instantly recognizable sound and catchy brand of power pop. Several chart topping songs, Wake Up The Neighborhood, Lick N' A Kiss and Love In Action were played on American satellite hard rock radio station Z-Rock (with a listener-ship of millions and broadcast from coast to coast) were further proof of the band's magnetic hand on the pulse and only made the the national labels want them more. It was at this early point in the band's career, with the speculation of a major record deal becoming imminent and with word on the street already turning Priscilla into major hometown heroes, that caused El Mar Kramer and guitarist Mike Koloda already veterans of the culture of excess to celebrate once more to exorbitance.
Not wanting to rest simply on their musical laurels and only the songs that they had to offer, Priscilla took a cue from some of the greatest and most colourful glam and theatrical bands of their time and literally burst onto the concert music scene amidst a blaze of colourful looks and catchy hooks. The band devised an altogether new way of presenting themselves and began work on an elaborate stage and stage show unlike anything that had ever been presented on a smaller venue stage. Priscilla wanted to showcase their material to their audiences in a setting worthy of attention and did so with a three-tiered stage show that had before this only been reserved for stadium and arena acts. With their magnetic and energetic live shows, the band made believers out of even their harshest critics and won over audiences near and far. Even with all that was in their favour, there was a darkness at the end of the band's tunnel. Potential record deals eventually ran dry due to poor executive decisions made on behalf of the band and internal dissension had also reared its ugly head among band members.
The group emerged from their blaze of glory and enjoyed years worth of acclaim, usually only reserved for mainstream national acts, until the grunge juggernaut began with its overthrow of the empire that had been glam rock. Even before that, singer El Mar Kramer whose drug-fueled benders met with continued disdain and opposition from several of his squeaky clean band mates, sensed that something needed to change. He had, by this time made his way to the metal bars and rock clubs of southern Florida and at these clubs, crossed paths with a fledgling Marilyn Manson. His run-ins with a young Manson would soon change the singer's belief on what a band should be, as he would exchange his ideas and philosophies with El Mar of what he thought would be the future of rock n' roll and shock rock and would briefly share with him his vision for what would soon become his band Marilyn Manson And The Spooky Kids (later simply Marilyn Manson). It was, in part, this ideology and vision to take a different musical path that would cause El Mar to return home and finally call it a day with his glam upstarts in Priscilla. In a final twist of irony, Sean Beavan, who had earlier helped Priscilla with their vision of a new power pop-infused glam concept in the studio and recording of their initial tapes, would end up becoming Marilyn's producer/engineer/sound technician and would go on to help the shock rocker craft such goth/glam masterpieces as Antichrist Superstar and Mechanical Animals. And to further the irony, Tony Ciulla, a Cleveland club owner who gave Priscilla their very first concert on the stage of his then club Peabody's Downunder, would go on to become Marilyn Manson's personal manager.
So, as all good things eventually do, Priscilla had come to an end. But still, for a time the group were indeed the darlings of the underground glam and music scene. People who are fans of early Poison, early Tuff, Pretty Boy Floyd and even Roxx Gang will really dig these boys. Just check out the title track off the soon to be released album, entitled "High Fashion".
Signing number 4 sees the hard rocking Live Tongue get brought to the limelight.
Live Tongue
From the ashes of killer glam group Pretty Please, Live Tongue formed in the early 90's. Hailing from Texas, Live Tongue caught the eyes of the public, the world press and the music community in South Texas when they signed to independent label Perris Records.
The band released their first self-titled debut album in 1995 with rave reviews. Some scribes calling it one of the best produced and energetic independent hard rock CD's to emerge in recent decades. The roaring, melodic leads of Chris Johnson and Meatt, the blusesy sound of bassist Joey Monosmith, the thundering, powerful drums of Larry Jentz combined with the dymanic voice and individualistic style of singer Chase Jentz all serve to punctuate electro-acoustic music of Live Tongue.
As frontman for Live Tongue, Chase has an energetic and friendly persona that enables him to keep the audience on their feet throughout a live show. Along with his singing, he is an accomplished composer and musician. His original music has been played by local radio stations KISS, KZEP and Z-Rock since he was thirteen. His musical versatility, with roots in both jazz and rock, led him all the way to the L.A. circuit, including an appearance at Gizzari's in Hollywood by the time he was only fifteen.
Chase and lead guitarist Meatt handle most of the burden of the recording sessions, spending many hours in the band's private studio writing, engineering and directing the finished product. This really goes to show when the listening to the amazing production on both of the bands albums. Meatt, born into an accomplished musical family, brings many resources and talents to the band.
Chris Johnson, the other lead guitarist, is a graduate of the Guitar Institute of Technology in Los Angeles. He began playing guitar when he was nine. His upbringing in classical music shows in his unique writing and melodic soloing.
Joey Monosmith, bassist, carries much more than the rhythm line for the band, he is the band's own manager and is a major reason why the band are such a tight unit.
Last but not least, Larry Jentz is one of those rare drummers who can make direct contact with the audience. He is fun to watch. He is "Mister Showmanship" with a flair for dramatic and visual effectiveness that reaches any and all audiences.
The greatest thing about Live Tongue lies in the multi-talents that each member brings to the table. They all write, they all sing, they all are focused on just doing one thing - making well-produced music that plain rips! It is more than a passion, it is the drivin' force behind this wonderful group. Their diverse, colourful backgrounds are blended together into the original flavour and signature style of Live Tongue. Following trends is not the path Live Tongue have ever chosen. Their music is straight ahead, in your face, rock 'n' roll; music that has withstood the test of time and is heavily supported by millions of loyal fans throughout the world. They are a powerful live band that captivate their audience with realism and confidence.
Suncity Records will be releasing Live Tongue's second unreleased album that will be titled "Live Tongue - Snake Eyes". Click on the link to hear what the band have to offer, the first single off "Snake Eyes" called "Drowning Rivers".
Kidd Skruff
Next up WOW! another amazingly talented group of rock and rollers with the signing of New Jersey's Kidd Skruff.
The Kidd Skruff story begins way back in the early 1990's. Rock And Roll was about to make a turn that had not been seen since the early 1960's when a group of youngsters from Liverpool struck the first chords of their debut album. The sound that was generating from the North Western territories of the United States was unlike any music that had been recorded in the past, and it was about to take the world by storm. The New Jersey music scene had just produced such legendary bands as Bon Jovi, Skid Row and others that were at the time referred to as "Hair Bands", but were about to give way to the grunge movement. While such bands as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Temple Of The Dog and others of that genre were on the rise, Kidd Skruff was just about to form.
Kidd Skruff
Kidd Skruff started as a side project for then Lead Singer/Guitarist Jimmy Forest, who was performing with the popular New Jersey band "Push" in the late 80's and early 90's. At that time, Jimmy was the Drummer/Songwriter for "Push", and had a plethora of musical ideas that he wanted to express but they just didn't quite fit the style of the band and he really needed another outlet.
Jimmy first called on his childhood friend Ray Sorenson, and together they decided they needed to put together a band and somehow get this music out into the mainstream. Jimmy was to sing, and also play guitar in this new project. Being close friends growing up and practicing many hours in his basement, he and Sorenson could feel each others vibes and played off one another like it was an extension of each other's musical talents.
Now that Sorenson was in place, Jimmy decided to hand pick the bands talent from the overwhelming supply of musicians in the New Jersey Bayshore area. They first called upon the services of Randy Powers, bass player extraordinaire who happened to be a close friend and frequent acquaintance of Forest. Not only was Randy Jimmy's favorite bass player, he was extremely talented and fit the band perfectly as he knew where the two were coming from since their inception. Finally to complete the band, Jimmy recruited another local musician Brian Clayton who at the time was playing drums for a top New Jersey cover band as well as doing local studio work. When Jimmy heard the back beat rhythms and arse breaking sounds of the skins that night in Edison, he knew right away this was the last piece of the puzzle.
From the first moments it was like Forest had captured lightning in a bottle. They had a sound that was best described as The Beatles meet Skid Row. The next step was to record a demo tape of songs that Forest had selected. The demo was done in a shitty 12-track recording studio. Forest knew he was on to something very real, but be reminded the time frame is now the early 90's and Nirvana had just broken all boundaries. With the surge of the sound coming from Seattle, Forest knew this project was now just for shits and giggles, but still had to know for himself how it would pan out if presented to the music industry.
Jimmy knew he had nothing to lose, so he sent the demo out to some of his music industry friends. Shortly then afterwords he received a phone call from a small independent label stating they wanted to release the album. "Skruff" needed a quality recording now at a discount price. Jimmy Forest recalls.." I Remember it well, we all kicked in a few grand and booked time in the best studio we could get for the money in New Jersey, "Butterfields" I think it was called, then recruited producer Steve Decutis. We recorded and mixed the album in like a week, so we immediately sent out the master tapes and artwork to Azra Records".
By this time the Seattle "Grunge" scene had totally taken over and just as quick as it rose to the top, the new sound of Rock and Roll buried the successful 80's and 90's commercial metal scene. The days of long hair, make up, glitter, over indulgence and unrestricted partying was over. The small record company that had recorded "Skruff's" one and only album had gone bankrupt. The original recording was sold only on cassette, had a short release and sold only a few thousand copies.
With the overwhelming popularity of the internet, a lot of these classic "Hair Bands" have gained a whole new audience. Those same bands now tour again with the original lineups and sell out concert venues on a nightly basis. Now as the music of that time is being teamed with the development of guitar video games that often uses these bands songs as the backbone of the game, the youth of the world is once again yearning for that big sound of the guitars, bass, personalities and attitudes that only the 80's could deliver. As Forest sits back with that reminiscing look in his eyes, he states...."We never forgot how to play, people just forgot how to listen.
Suncity Records will be releasing the 10 track full-length album entitled "Kidd Skruff Angels With Dirty Faces". Check out the killer track "Down & Dirty" for a sneak peak of what's to come.
The last signing for today are true legends of the sleaze rock scene. First we brought you Swingin' Thing, then there was Blackboard Jungle, now Suncity Records are thrilled to announce the signing of another killer group Alleycat Scratch.
Alleycat Scratch
Every Hard Rock fan that loves their Hollywood Glam/Sleaze bands will know about Alleycat Scratch's classic debut album Deadboys From Trash City. Regarded as one of the top Glam/Sleaze albums of all-time, Deadboys was sadly the only album that the boys ever released. The whole "In with the Grunge, out with the Rock" story doesn't need to be rehashed but Alleycat Scratch were just another band that fell by the way side with the change of the musical scene.
Alleycat's unreleased recordings were touted to be released on the Regeneration Records sometime is 2008 but the band were dropped from the label. Good thing is Suncity Records will be releasing a CD/DVD double disc package that will capture all the attitude, energy & unruly fun that the Deadboys had when headlining the Strip back in the day.
When Alleycat Scratch formed in 1988 in San Francisco, CA, they never really intended to take over Hollywood. As time went by, it became obvious to the band members that a relocation was necessary in order for them to be noticed. So in the summer of 1991, after some musical housecleaning, the core of the band, guitarist Devin Lovelace, drummer Robbi Black and Dias packed what they could fit into a car and headed south.
Blasting through the L.A. club circuit with the subtlety of an atomic bomb, the newly revitalized band took on all comers and slammed their way to the top of the heap. As one of the top drawing acts of 1992, the band felt it was time to give a little more and started preparing their debut album. That album was as previously mentioned 1993s 'Deadboys In Trash City' and became the bands calling card. The strutting, highly energetic Alleycat Scratch looked as if they were on the verge of cutting a huge slice of the Glam marketplace for themselves with their self-financed, Mikey Davis produced debut album but unfortunately for the band, just as the music industry started to take notice of Alleycat Scratch the musical tide changed and the momentum the band had built suddenly ground to a halt. The band had very few options available to them so in April 1994, the inevitable happened and Alleycat Scratch pulled the claws out one last time for a packed show at Los Angeles' famed nightclub "The Troubadour". It was their last stand and they went down fighting as a screaming, blood thirsty audience showed Eddie Robison, Devin Lovelace, Bobby "Boa" Dias and Robbi Black their appreciation by giving their heroes a drunken orgy of a send off that many of their Sunset Strip predecessors would have been envious of.
15 years later, the time has come for the world to hear the rest of the material Alleycat recorded as well as a bunch of amazing live material. Prepare yourself for Alleycat Scratch - Last Call and you can start by listening to one of the unreleased studio tracks that will be featured on the new album.
More news will be posted soon...
Date: February 17th 2009
Hello Everyone,
News in overnight of the devastating passing of Gregg Fulkerson.
We have been in touch with Gregg's family who sadly confirmed with us Gregg passed away in his sleep. At this stage there is no more news on the cause of his death.
Gregg Fulkerson (1965-2009) - R.I.P.
This terrible news has shocked everyone here at Suncity Records as Gregg became a very good personal friend of us, he was the most humble, kind, talented person that we have ever came across while working at Suncity Records.
It was Gregg and his band Blue Tears that really put Suncity Records on the map and for that we are forever indebted to him. Our thoughts go out to his family who he loved so much and most importantly he son Carter who he thought the world of.
Please take a moment and listen to one of Gregg's masterpieces featured below and just remember what a great singer/songwriter the melodic rock world has lost.
Gregg was only 44.
Date: February 22nd 2009
Hello Everyone,
Massive news in this week and what a great way to start the new year, with another big coup for Suncity Records with the signing of the awesome American hard rock band, Jet Red.
Jet Red
As time has gone on, Suncity Records has grown in stature, allowing us to attract bigger and better acts. It's been about 2-3 years of on and off negotiations with the Jet Red boys and finally we have got them digging through the old studios, where these tracks were originally recorded. We stuck in there and we wound up hunting down the original masters and let me tell ya, they sound amazing!!
Most rockers will know Jet Red for their self-titled debut album released on Relativity/Sony Records in 1989. The debut offered some catchy and tasty tunes, but paper-thin production values prevented the band from major success. So, like any proud band when backed into a corner and up against a wall, Jet Red rebounded and came out swinging with their very own, self-produced second album titled Flight Plan. In the time between albums, Jet Red's brand of AOR/Hard Rock became quite unfashionable and therefore Relativity/Sony dropped the band resulting in Flight Plan being shelved for all this time.
Until this year, loyal fans have been eagerly awaiting a release date for the infamous second album, and I'm here to tell you - that 2009 is the year!! Recorded in 1991, the results of what Jet Red came up with in round two was quite jaw dropping!! It is no surprise at how talented Jet Red are in terms of song writing ability, but what really will knock owners of the debut out is the stellar production on the second album! It's quite evident that the boys really grew as a group in between albums and developed into an amazingly tight professional unit. One other thing that really stands out for me, is the newly improved guitar solos courtesy of Mr. Johnny Feikert - WOW!!
When listing to Flight Plan, the first thing that comes to mind is Winger's classic Heart Of The Young album. So if you dug Heart Of The Young, I have no doubt that Flight Plan will be a big hit in your CD collection. Flight Plan is a perfect fusion of guitar driven Hard Rock with just the right amount of Keyboards so that the music is still very rockin'!
A little known fact about Jet Red is that in the mid/late 80's when the boys were starting out, their original axe man was the GREAT Marty Friedman who went on to record with many great bands, but most notably became apart of the legendary Megadeth. Jet Red recorded a bunch of tunes back in the day with Marty before Dave Mustane poached him and they will be featured on Flight Plan as bonus tracks.
Flight Plan will include the full 11 tracks that were to be the second album plus 3 bonus tracks that Marty did with the band right at the start PLUS this package will include a bonus DVD of a killer live show that the boys did in San Jose in the early 90's. All that for the same price of US$18.00!!
Here is your chance to get a sneak peek of what Flight Plan is all about, featured here is the stunning track "I Surrender" taken from the soon be released Flight Plan. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
Last but not least, our hearts go out to all those affected by the devastating Victorian bushfires that have ravaged our beautiful state in the last couple of weeks. It has been Australia's worst ever natural disaster.
Date: December 16st 2008
Ho ho ho!! Just in time for Christmas (how many times have you heard that?) We are very pleased and relieved to bring you the news that we have just released another 4 smokin' CD's.
.
You know the drill, either click on the "Add To Cart" link below each of the desired albums or click on the CD Orders/Catalogue link in the main menu.
With all the class you expect from Suncity releases, these 4 news discs have been months and months in the making and have also been delayed many times. The end result is the most important thing and believe me -I think every fan will once again be very impressed.
2008 has been a stellar year for Melodic Hard Rock with a ton of new releases from not only good old classic bands but also a heap of new and exciting bands putting a really optimistic future on the music we love so much. It seems ever since the year 2000 hit, each year has got better and better for Melodic Rock and 2009 is shaping up to be one of the best since 1989. So from all the staff here at Suncity Records, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and an ultra safe New Year!! Let's make 2009 an even more rockin' year than 2008.
Date: October 21st 2008
Hi everyone,
Just wanted to keep everyone up to date with everything that is Suncity Records.
Below are the new album cover art for our next 3 CD's that we will shortly have for purchase for everybody.
We have been getting a heap of emails in regards to a release date for the following discs - Road Ratt - You Love Us, Jungle Blue - Call Of The Wild, Taupier - That Was Then... & Bad Attitude - Prisoners Of Rock. We are expecting a release date of no later than 7th of November 2008. We are all very sorry about the delay on the upcoming 4 CD's as we have run into some problems with the re-mastering on the Taupier disc where we got it back from the studio and found that it was over compressed and was a little harsh to listen to.
We have also signed 3 more killer bands and are in the middle of getting the press releases together. Keep your eyes peeled to the website as the announcement of all 3 bands is immanent.
Date: September 3rd 2008
Hello all,
More exciting news from the Suncity camp with the announcement of two more excellent Hard Rock acts are aboard the Suncity train.
It gives me the utmost pleasure to announce that we have inked a deal with Tulsa, Oklahoma's finest Hard Rock group - Jungle Blue.
Jungle Blue
After on and off talks over the last two years, things have now finally materialized, and trust me when I say that it was totally worth the persistence. Personally, I LOVE these guys! Their sound is a little different to most of the other Suncity artists, which can also make their sound a little tricky to describe.
Jungle Blue's sound could be best described as Melodic Hard Rock with a tinge of pop for good measure. What strikes me most about the music is the killer song writing and musicianship. The chemistry between signer "Matt Harris" & guitarist "Pete Banfield" is really highlighted through the whole album. All 12 tunes showcased on the aptly titled album, "Call Of The Wild" are truly timeless and grow on you with every spin. On countless plays of the album, the tunes never seem to get old which I suppose is a true mark of a great album.
Matt Harris moved to L.A. in the early 90's to try and find some good talent and put together a band. After doing studio work with the likes of Neil Young and The Monkees, Harris decided that he wanted to head back home to Oklahoma. Once back in Oklahoma, Matt hooked up with an old buddy of his in Pete Banfield, where they just hit it off. Matt claimed that after working 5 years in L.A. he realized that the best musicians he'd ever played with were in his own backyard.
Jungle Blue started playing shows in their local town of Tulsa as a five piece but soon after dropped the keyboard player as they were looking for more edge to their sound. Matt Harris (Vocalist), Pete Banfield (Guitarist), Ray Hines (Bassist) and drummer Mike Wilson spent their early days conducting music lessons by day and living for the nights were they'd get together and jam until the morning light. Pete Banfield was known around town for his prowess on the guitar and he really lights it up with his remarkable fretwork on the upcoming Jungle Album album. To me Matt Harris's vocals reminded me very much technically of the great Mark Slaughter, with an amazing range as well as his great versatility. With Pete's smart melodic genius and Matt Harris's infectious vocal work, Jungle Blue really have put together a bunch of classy tunes which everyone at Suncity Records are proud and excited to present to you.
Good news in that the guys are back in action and in the middle of recording another batch of catchy grooves with the expectation of another release in early 2009.
Just one listen to these tunes and you will be singing along for days. When trying to draw a comparison to Jungle Blue's sound, maybe you can make up your own mind because I just can't put my finger on it. The only band that really comes to mind are the obscure U.S. based group - Blackfish, but I'm not sure how many people would have heard of Blackfish. I really wanted to feature the epic "You & I" as the download, which is very similar to the Gunners classic "November Rain" in terms of song structure, but thought the following track better represented the whole feel of the band. Click on the link above to hear the rockin' first single off "Call Of The Wild" entitled "Hey Baby, Baby".
From Tulsa, Oklahoma to Erie, Pennselvyenia - Suncity Records have done it again. This time with the announcement of yet another red-hot Sleaze Rock band that has this far gone relatively unknown. We are talking about the super talented Bad Attitude.
Bad Attitude
Formed in Erie, Pennsylvania in 1988 by guitar extraordinaire, Tommy Attitude (Front Man), Mark Loblaw (Rhythm Guitar), Frank Belloumini (Bass Guitar), Sam Brutto and Greg Feddock of Lizard on the Drums. They quickly form a local following playing in bars such as Oliver's, Taps, Goofy's and renting the Polish Falcon Hall for larger venues. The boys began playing out of town venues like Doctor Feelgood's in Conneaut, Ohio and Hotel Evergreen's in Edinboro Pa.
In 1989 Mark left the band, making way for front man, Blaise Brutto, formerly from Spoiled Rotten, Night Witch and Von Rocks. Blaise, who was already an experienced front man, was exactly what the band were looking for. His incredible vocal abilities and larger than life stage persona brought Bad Attitude to an entire new level. The band mustered up a force of talent to be reckoned with. When Blaise & Tommy hit the stage together there was no need for a second guitar player and therefore Frank parted ways with the band. With the settled line up that the band had been searching for, Bad Attitude moved toward playing bigger venues like Sherlock's and King's Rooks Club, both in Erie Pa.
In 1990, the boys felt they had found the feel and the sound that finally clicked. They began laying tracks for their 1991 debut full length L.P. - Prisoners Of Rock through their own independent record label, Roadline Records. The album hit the shelves in Cruiser's, Dig Dio's, Music Scene, Record Den, Record Country, Boro Tunes, and World Of Music Records. The record sales prompted the interest of national acts such as The Godz, Molly Hatchet, Dirty Looks and Fog Hat. Bad Attitude seemed to be on a roll.
Then came the departure of Greg Feddock. The boys added in the talent of Steven Starr who brought more energy and flare to the band's already high energy and hard hitting stage shows. Bad Attitude were now ready for national exposure and began booking dates for a mega tour lasting for more than a year.
The boys shared the stage with such great artists as David Lee Roth Band, Nazareth and Night Ranger. They blew through Fort Wayne, Angola Indiana, Columbus, Cincinnati, Geneva on the Lake in Ohio, Buffalo New York, Louisville Kentucky, Fitzgerald, Albany, Ocilla Georgia, Charleston South Carolina and Myrtle Beach North Carolina. The boys were on a roll, gathering momentum with every show and a gaining a dedicated following, all leading to The Great Michigan Tour where they rocked Jackson, Lansing, Shelbyville, Flint, Detroit, Upper Peninsula, Poniac, and Bay City. Bad Attitude's thunder rocked the entire state.
Criminally "Prisoners Of Rock" was never released on CD until now where Suncity Records will be releasing this monster album in its entirety, fully re-mastered straight from the original digital master as well as a full 12-page colour booklet featuring pictures, lyrics, liner notes, etc...
Bad Attitude's sound has elements of Kix, Ratt, Skid Row, Krokus & Motley Crue mixed with their very own spark. I tend to bang on about how good Suncity's bands are, so this time I will entirely let the music do the talking. Check out the first single above off the upcoming album entitled "T'N'A Tonight". With massive backing vocals, killer musicianship, top notch production and a (bad) attitude to be reckoned with, I think this track truly represents what this band are all about and will leave you wanting more,
Date: July 7th 2008
Hi all,
Just when you thought you've heard it all, along comes a band that really knocks you on your arse!! Please welcome to the Suncity roster, our latest signing - Taupier.
Taupier
Pronounced (toe-pierre), Taupier were undoubtedly Boston's best-kept secret of the Hard Rock/Hair Band glory days. Kept on ice for over 15 years, Taupier finally unveils to the world Volume I of the greatest Hard Rock tunes that were never heard - That Was Then...!!
Was it that the world wasn't ready for this slickly produced guitar riddled foursome from Boston?, or was it a diabolical scheme plotted by a bunch of flannel wearing dudes from the northwest to prevent Taupier from stealing the thunder of the movement they were soon to unleash? We may never know.
This could very well be Hard Rock Band/Album of 2008 because this is quite simply the strongest material I've heard in many, many years. The first thing I thought of when hearing these tunes for the first time was - WOW!! where were these guys back in the late 80's? All the talent, attitude & looks in the world didn't guarantee you getting signed back then, it came a lot down to good luck and perfect timing.
These never before released on CD 14 tracks feature the racially euphoric Brotherland, the sensually funky Erotic Ball, the shoulda been a smash hit ballad Ghost Of A Lonely Heart (which will rank highly in ballad of the year) and the song that started it all, Change Your Mind.
This debut CD appropriately named "That Was Then..." is only the tip of the iceberg of vaulted material that put Taupier on the Boston Music Scene map back in the late '80's and early '90's. Stay tuned for more "in your face" guitar driven rock 'n' roll from Taupier and Suncity Records in the near future.
Now, lets get down to the nitty gritty. Click on the below link and take a listen to the first track unveiled from the vault entitled "Brotherland". Combine stellar production with influences from some of the greats - Lynch Mob, Extreme, Babylon A.D. and Lillian Axe and you will get Taupier. "Brotherland" will be the opening track off the soon to be released Taupier album "That Was Then...".
Stay tuned for another update in a week when we unveil the artwork for Taupier's That Was Then... as well as hopefully another 1-2 great new signings. All that plus a solid release date for both Taupier and Road Ratt's upcoming albums.
Date: May 27th 2008
Hello all,
More good news front the Suncity front. Our next batch of releases are now available. Those being Flash Addict - Live Fast... Die Pretty, Lessdress - Dumblondes & Masque - Face First.
As always, just either click the "Add To Cart" link below each of the desired albums below or click on the CD Orders/Catalogue link in the main menu.
Thank you all for your continued support in helping us keep the Hard Rock/AOR flame alight!
More news next week with a major signing that I've been hinting at for a while and believe me, this band will knock you out!!
Date: May 13th 2008
Hello all,
Just a quick update to unveil the album covers for our 4 latest albums.
The release date for Flash Addict - Live Fast... Die Pretty, Lessdress - Dumblondes & Masque - Face First will be May 23rd. Further notice will have a release date for Road Ratt - You Love Us.
As well as working on getting these new albums put together, we will have yet another GREAT signing for you and when I say GREAT, I mean possibly Hard Rock album of the year. Just wait to you hear this band! WOW! Expect an announced in the not too distant future so get ready!
Date: May 7th 2008
Hello Everyone,
WE'VE DONE IT!! Suncity Records are very proud to announce yet another great signing. This time we have landed in Poland, of all places. Our new signing is a band called Lessdress and they have to be heard to be believed!
Lessdress
Some die hard collectors of Melodic Rock outside of Poland may have heard of these guys before due to their mega rare 1993 release entitled "Love Industry". "Love Industry" fetches up to $US250 when it's rarely seen on Ebay and if you think that album is good, just wait to hear what Suncity Records will be releasing!!
Now I know what you're thinking and I'd be thinking the exact same thing. Poland isn't known for its top quality Melodic Rock bands and also the first thing I think of when I hear about a European band is - I hope the singer's accent isn't too over the top! The answer to the question is absolutely NOT!! You would swear black 'n' blue that the singer "Pawel Nowakowski" picked up his accent and attitude straight outta the streets of Hollywood, CA. All songs are of course sung in English too.
The album that Suncity Records will be releasing is Lessdress' mega rare (even in their home country) previously cassette only debut from 1989 "Dumblondes". Of course, being a Suncity product you can expect the music has been fully digitally re-mastered and taken straight from the original master tapes, which I may add sound out of this world!! The production on this album is second to none. Not many Hard Rock releases can boost about having better production than this in 1989. Believe me when I say, there are not enough good things I can say about the album. To this day, the Dumblondes cassette still attracts in excess of $US150 on eBay so you get an idea of what the collectors think of it.
I had searched high and low for these guys over the last 3-4 years now and due to the language barrier and a few other things, it has been extremely difficult. I was beginning to think it was never going to happen. But I just couldn't go to my grave knowing that the fans would never have the chance to own this superb album on CD. I guess albums like these are what drives me to keep Suncity Records on top of the pile.
Lessdress are every bit as good as the greats of the scene. When I'm cranking the album I think of the glory days of Skid Row, Slash Puppet, Wildside, Dirty Rhythm, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Shotgun Messiah, Nasty Idols, Slam St. Joan, Barely Legal, Roxx Gang, Bang Gang, Sweet Cheater, Dirty Penny, Swedish Erotica, Smash L.A., Spoyld, Southgang and the Canadian band Jester. I have absolutely no doubt that if Lessdress were in the States back in the Hard Rock boom time, they would have been signed to a major label. They would have blown most of the Sleaze/Glam bands on the strip out of the water.
With every spin, Dumblondes is quickly becoming one of my favorite hard rock albums ever!! Like Firehouse's self first two albums, like Skid Row's first two albums, Dumblondes is very, very hard to fault. Basically if you love booming backing vocals, blistering guitars, an L.A. attitude, masterful song writing, catchy rockin' radio friendly chorus' and stellar production, this album will go down as one of your favorites too. I will be very interested in hearing how some of the reviews pan out.
Once I get going, I tend to bang on and on so let cut to the chase for what you've been waiting for - picture yourself driving your convertible on a ripping summer's day back in 1989, you have the radio cranked to 11 and this tune comes on, it's a song called "Sweet Venice" and it will be on the upcoming Suncity Records release by Lessdress. I hope you enjoy!!
From Poland to the fantastic rock 'n' roll nation of Sweden, is were we find ourselves our second signing of the month, Road Ratt.
The story behind Road Ratt is quite an extensive one, so I will try and make it as brief as possible. Road Ratt formed in Gothenburg, Sweden as IcewingIcewing briefly changed to Hot 'N' Spicy before a British bikers-gang inspired the permanent change to Road Ratt. The band added the extra "t" in Ratt to have equal amount of letters in both words for the logo to look balanced.
With Ola Johansson (Bass) and Patrik Herrstrom (Drums) as replacements the band participated in an international band contest called Band Explosion. Out of 800 Scandinavian contenders, Road Ratt reached Top-4, and it was at that time when the local press started to take notice. Determined not to be a talent show phenomenon, Road Ratt now focused on their live act and on writing new material for a second demo.
Road Ratt
1992 was when Road Ratt really put their mark on the music scene with the release of their debut album "Reel 2". Nominated for a Swedish Grammy in the category Best Hard Rock Album along with Electric Boys, Candlemass and Sator, Road Ratt ended up losing out to Sator.
In 1993 the band were nominated for Best Newcomer and Best Album at Swedish Zeppelin-Awards. Losing out this time to Clawfinger in both cases. Road Ratt however performed live at the event broadcasted by M.T.V.'s Headbangers Ball. The Headbangers Ball episode hosted by Vanessa Warwick featured a lengthy interview with the band and the international premiere for their Itsypooked video.
After the tour, work began on a second album but the Grunge Scene was taking over and the band members started on side projects resulting in lack of commitment. The album with the working title "Young Nurses In Love" never made the finish line, and the saga was over.
Now back by popular demand in 2008, the band have teamed up with Suncity Records and work has finished on the final touches of their unreleased second album now entitled "You Love Us".
To me, Road Ratt's "You Love Us" album sounds uncannily like U.S. hard rocker Saigon Kick's much acclaimed album "The Lizard". This is an album that really grows on you over time and is sure to make waves in the Hard Rock scene. Check out the featured track on the album called "Going To Eden".
The great signings keep coming with the special announcement of the signing of Hollywood's Masque.
Masque
Masque burst onto the Hollywood scene in early 1985, quickly attracting a loyal following. Playing at legendary hot spots around town including The Troubadour, The Whisky, The Roxy Theatre, Gazzarri's and many other top L.A. venues, Masque had something special.
Shortly after departing Hollywood rockers Network (who were incidentally formed by original Quiet Riot drummer Drew Forsyth), Tony Kelly teamed up with guitar extraordinaire - Dale Fine. Tony Kelly and Dale Fine originally met in their hometown of Las Vegas, joining forces a few years later in Hollywood to form Masque. Along with ex-Network bassist Bruff Brigham and drummer Ross Cristao, formerly with Chicago based Hard Rock outfit Thrust, was the last cog in the Masque line-up.
Masque was one of the first bands to move away from the "Black Leather & Studs" image which was so prominent at that time in Hollywood spawned by Motley Crue, W.A.S.P., L.A. Guns and many others. Wanting to stand out from the crowd Masque focused on unique colorful clothing and a stage show influenced by their 70's glam rock heroes including The Dolls, KISS, Sweet, David Bowie and others. The Masque image really caught on and was eventually borrowed by some of the biggest bands of that decade.
Masque shared the bill with various unsigned bands at the time including Poison, Warrant, Stryper, Bulletboys and Guns N' Roses (who at the time were an opening act). Masque was unable to move to national fame due to internal group conflicts coupled with record label issues. The band's lineup subsequently changed to include guitarist Kevin James and drummers Mark Goodin and John Haro.
At times lead signer Tony Kelly sounds like Tony Hernell of TNT fame. When he hits notes, your windows will rattle. I suppose it's a given that all Suncity artists know their way around an axe, there is no exception here. Guitarist "Dale Fine" really puts his mark all over the music very reminiscent of Erik Turner & Joey Allen from Warrant.
Suncity Records will be releasing ALL of Masque's un-released material packed into the 1 CD which will be called "Face First". After hours and hours in the studio re-mastering, boosting and tweeting the tunes, they have come out sounding superb!
Check out the featured song of the upcoming Face First album called "Walk Tight" to get a really good feel of what this legendary Hollywood band had going on back in the glory dayz.
I would like to quickly take this opportunity to sincerely thank all the fans that have purchased our latest 3 releases in Johnny Crash, Cruella D'ville & Androids. All feedback so far has been nothing short of fantastic!!
The next website update will be on May 16th and will feature the artwork for the upcoming CD's - Flash Addict - Live Fast... Die Pretty, Lessdress - Dumblondes, Road Ratt - You Love Us & Masque - Face First. There will also be release dates for the 4-featured albums (which won't be long!! - I promise!!!).
Date: April 10th 2008
Hello All,
We are very pleased to bring you the news that you all want to hear. The news that our next 3 long awaited CD's are now available for purchase.
Johnny Crash - Unfinished Business, Androids - Let It All Out & Cruella D'ville - Showdown In Tinsel Town look better than ever, sound out of this world and most importantly - are all available for purchase!
I can't wait to hear what the fans think of these 3 new CD's! They have been months and months in the making and we all are very proud of the end product.
To purchase any or all of our 3 new releases, either click the "Add To Cart" link below each of the desired album of purchase. If you wish to also order from our back catalogue, simply click on the "CD Orders" button in the in the menu
Next update will be on April 25th and feature 3-4 more exciting signings, full length sample songs and accurate release dates for the corresponding signings, all will blow your mind!! So stay tuned...
Date: March 18th 2008
Hello again,
It is with deep sadness that we bring you the terrible news of the passing of Daniel Stewart MacMaster.
Daniel was pronounced dead last night as he lost his battle with complications from Pneumonia. Daniel suffered from Streptococcus Group A Infection that entered his blood stream. Usually people just get the non fatal Streptococcus Throat with this bug but it attacked Daniel at his weakest and his organs started to shut down. The doctors tried everything while Daniel was in hospital, but unfortunately it was too late.
Daniel Stewart MacMaster (1968-2008) - R.I.P.
We are all still in a state of shock. Daniel would have turned 40 on July 11th this year.
From personal experience, with all Daniel's Success, Fame and Talent in his short life, he was one of the most humble and easiest going guys I've met while working for Suncity Records.
Daniel's loss will be felt by the thousands of fans that he has entertained over the years with his extraordinary musical talent and he's much loved voice.
Our condolences go out to Daniel's close friends, his family, especially his 2 little kids Kaleb and Aryanna and his loving wife Tina.
Date: March 14th 2008
Hi There,
Just a quick update to inform everyone on our much anticipated upcoming releases.
Featured below are our 3 new albums that are due out on 28th of March.
Next website update will feature 4 new exciting signings as well as new artwork and much more, so stay tuned...
Date: March 3rd 2008
Hello All,
Happy new year to everyone, all of us here at Suncity Records hope you had a great break over the Christmas period and hope you are ready for a rockin' 2008!!
You would be forgiven for thinking we have stepped into 1989 again and not 2008 with all the excellent new albums being released at the moment. So we here at Suncity will weigh in with 3 more excellent signings too.
We will start with the signing announcement of U.S. Hard Rock group Cruella D'ville. Cruella D'ville are not just another L.A. style late 80's, early 90's band that were left behind in Kurt's grunge shuffle. These guys had it all - the looks, the talent, the killer hooks; basically these guys had the X factor. Cruella's sound was classic melodic hard rock with a tinge of sleaze for good measure. Cruella have a sound combining all the best L.A. elements but ultimately have a sound of their own. I usually like to give the fans a couple of comparisons to other bands but this one is tough. If I had to compare Cruella D'ville with someone else, I would say a cross between Shotgun Messiah and Skid Row. But as always, everyone will hear something different, so make sure to check out the sample track featured below.
Cruella D'ville
Cruella's D'ville's album is due out in the next couple of weeks as everything is ready for press. The title of the upcoming album will be "Showdown In Tinsel Town". Showdown In Tinsel Town comes with amazing artwork, 12-page booklet as well as being fully re-mastered. The first 4 tracks off Showdown In Tinsel Town were produced by Keith Collins of Savatage.
Now to what you've all been waiting for, the opening track off Showdown In Tinsel Town entitled "Room Without A View"
Next stop, Finland. Signing number 2 introduces to you the brilliant Androids.
Androids
Androids were one of the biggest hidden secrets of the late 80's hard rock scene in all of Europe. Androids mixed their influences from Van Halen to Aerosmith to as far as Deep Purple. Haunted by really bad luck from their previous record label, Androids never even had a chance to make it abroad. In Finland, Androids had a couple of hit singles, the first being the catchy rocker "Same As You". "Same As You" came with a matching video that was played over and over on national television between 1987-88. Androids other hit was an acoustic ballad called "When The Sun Turns To Rain" which won a national T.V. Show called "Levyraati" over Roxette's "Listen To Your Heart".
Androids one and only album "Let It All Out" was released exclusively in Finland and Spain. "Let It All Out" was only ever released on cassette tape and L.P. The "Let It All Out" album was due to be released in Japan but due to the financial problems occurring with the record company at the time, things fell through.
To me the Androids sound like a Treat/Europe mix with a singer that is a dead ringer for Mike Tramp of White Lion fame. So if you are into any of that classic European Hard Rock/AOR, these guys are definitely for you. "Let It All Out" was also recorded in the best sound studio in Sweden and subsequently has floorless production.
Suncity Records will be releasing the Androids album "Let It All Out" in its entirety and of course a few little tweaks from our sound engineers to give the album that final polish.
In the meantime, click on the link below for the first track featured off the upcoming Androids album, the monster track entitled "N.Y.C."
And last but certainly not least, the third signing we have for you, Boston's very own glam gods Flash Addict.
Flash Addict
Established in 1990, Flash Addict became a fixture on the Boston rock scene from 1991-1994. With a gritty sound, lively stage presence and obsessive work ethic, the band quickly climbed up the ranks to become Boston area headliners. Offstage, the band was well known for shameless self-promotion and notorious after show parties.
Flash Addict's popularity peaked in 1992-93, when the band took top honors both years at the Big Gig, which was New England's largest music festival of unsigned artists. The Big Gig was held at Great Woods (now known as The Tweeter Center). The band were also able to attract representation with promising prospects, but hopes of a record deal began to fade with changing musical times.
As the group's established sleaze-rock sound and image fell out of favor with both labels and the listening public, Flash Addict broke up in 1995. After which, the members went on to play in various incarnations in a number of local and national projects, including Crash Alchemist (Colella, Jodrey, Caira), Anomanes (Jodrey, Colella), Toxic Narcotic (Jodrey), The Murderdolls (Graves), Mudbuzzard/Black Belt Jones (Caira), Travel For Days (Colella), and most currently Shoot The Moon (Jodrey, Colella).
Flash Addict's upcoming album on Suncity Records entitled Live Fast... Die Pretty will be dedicated to former guitar player, Alan Hutcheson (A.K.A. Damien "Crash" Alchemist) who tragically died of a brain aneurysm in 1999.
Click below for a taste of what's in store from the soon to be released album "Live Fast... Die Pretty" with the opening track off the album called "Taste Of The Grave"
The next website update due in March will have the announcement of a further 4-5 more excellent signings as well as the artwork from Johnny Crash, Androids, Cruella D'ville and Flash Addict.
We have been getting flooded with emails regarding the upcoming Johnny Crash release and to when Unfinished Business will be released. Well, we are pleased to say that it will be released within a month and it will be well worth the wait as my guesstimate is it will be one of the best Hard Rock albums released this year. Stay tuned...
Date: October 31st 2007
Breaking News!!!
Suncity Records are very happy to announce we have snagged a deal with L.A. based Hard Rock group, Johnny Crash.
I think it would be fair to say the Johnny Crash are Suncity's biggest signing to date. When I say biggest, Johnny Crash were signed to WTG/CBS Records in the early 90's. Subsequently releasing their debut album entitled Neighbourhood Threat in 1990.
.jpg)
Johnny Crash
It only took Johnny Crash a mere couple of months gigging on the L.A. circuit before landing the deal with WTG/CBS Records. The first single off Neighbourhood Threat - Hey Kid saw the band shoot their first music video and in turn, earned regular playback on MTV. On the back of regular play of the Hey Kid video, Johnny Crash managed to pick up some major tours with the likes of Pretty Maids, Bonham and rock giants Motley Crue.
The Johnny Crash story begins all the way back in 1978 when Christopher Stewart (Rhythm Guitar) met August Worchell (Lead Guitar) at reform school in North California. A drummer back then, Chris, August and Faster Pussycat's Eric Stacy played blues covers in a band called Champagne. Champagne included their school principal on vocals which they claim was the only way they'd get out to play is if he was with them. Chris later played with August in Mandy Lion's World War III and in Neighbourhood Threat with Danny Stag and Johnny B Frank (subsequently in Kingdom Come). August brought in an old buddy Andy Rodgers (Bass) and Chris met Vicki James Wright (Vocals) through Tracii Guns after Vicki auditioned for LA Guns.
From a large family in Bradford, Yorkshire in North England, Vicki got into rock 'n' roll to "to piss people off", to get back at the people who said he couldn't do it. He did it and found out he liked it. After recording 2 albums with British rockers Tokyo Blade, he moved to L.A. in December of '85. Leaving England for the bright lights of Los Angeles. After finding his feet in the city of angels, two and a half years on, Vicki finally met Chris and the rest is history.
Stephen 'Punkee' Adamo (Drums) was born in Brooklyn and raised in Long Island and Poughside, NY. Moving to L.A. via Miami, FL in 1987 Steve met Chris and joined up with Johnny Crash after previously playing with another under-rated glam band Rock City Angels.
.jpg)
Johnny Crash
After successful tours in Europe and the U.S., Johnny Crash band made some personnel changes. Guitarist August was replaced with long time acquaintance JJ Bolte and Drummer Punkee Adamo left the group. Chris recruited long time friend Matt Sorum (Cult, Guns 'N' Roses, Velvet Revolver) to play drums. With three months of recording sessions in Los Angeles, Nashville and Memphis that also feature Keyboardist Dizzy Reed (Guns 'N' Roses) on two of the tracks complete and the mixing almost finished, Bassist Andy Rodgers tragically died of a heroin overdose. The band finished mixing the recordings but basically dropped out of sight. It was heavily rumored that the real reason that the second album never saw the light of day was due to threats made from Axel Rose. Apparently the story goes - Axel threatened legal action if Dizzy and Matt were used on anything other then the upcoming Guns 'N' Roses album.
This is where Suncity Records steps in. That very album had remained stored away collecting dust for over a decade now. Suncity Records will be releasing the 2nd unreleased album in its entirety that will be fittingly called 'Unfinished Business'. I would expect Unfinished Business to be released before the year is out.
Johnny Crash simply disappeared after being dropped from WTG/CBS Records. In 1992, the band's name was in the news again when Andy Rodgers tragically died of a heroin overdose. Post Johnny Crash saw August resurfaced shortly in American Heartbreak and go on to created a very successful tattoo ink company called Skin Candy.
As normal, featured below is a signature attitude driven, whiskey fueled rocker. Introducing Ditch The Bitch, the first single off the upcoming full length CD 'Unfinished Business'.
Just recently, Vick published his first book entitled "South Of The Pole" through "MidnightPressBooks.com". I personally recommend it to anyone who has followed Vick's career and who is just a fan of a great read. Click here to purchase your very own copy in time for Christmas.
We are sorry that it's been a long time between drinks with updates, but I've had a few personal issues that I've had to deal with and things are now back on track. Look out for another update in the coming weeks as we have a just signed some more incredible bands that I can't wait to tell you about.
Date: September 5th 2007
Hi All,
We are pleased to inform that we have just released 5 new CD's. The titles are: Slash Puppet - No Strings Attached, Fatal Charm - Looks Like Trouble, Quade - Rock In Motion, Big Guns - Stick'em Up! & Voyeur - Spanked Or Be Spanked are all now available for purchase just by clicking on the "CD Orders/Catalog" button to the right of the page.
We have put enormous time and effort into these CD's to make them some of the best we have released to date.. I've always said to the fans - "good things come to those who wait" and I think most will agree the quality of these 5 releases have come out looking and sounding better than ever.
All of us at Suncity Records thank of you for your patience and we hope you enjoy these new discs.
I know I have been promising for some time now that we will be announcing the signing of our biggest band yet, well believe it or not, we are still finalizing the terms and conditions. Of course I will let you know as soon as I can so please be patient for the time being.
Date: June 13th 2007
Hi all again,
We are very happy to announce that we have just release 3 stunning new Cd's, those being all 3 Fashion Police albums. Dare I say it but, these 3 new Cd's may just be our best Cd's to date. Not only does the music/production sound stunning, but the artwork has come out even better than we had expected.
Just another friendly reminder to all our customers that we are running low in stock with quite a few of our Cd's, so if there is any of our Cd's that you never got around to buying, I suggest you get in so before they're all gone.
To purchase any of our discs including the new Fashion Police Cd's, either click on the "CD Orders" link at the top of our website or click on the following link and scroll down to the Cd's you want - Cd Orders
As mentioned previously, we have a big signing up our sleeve, we are in the very final stages of stitching up the contracts, so stay posted for more rockin' news.
Date: May 16th 2007
Hello everyone,
Just a quick update to unveil the new artwork for our upcoming releases those being Fatal Charm - Looks Like Trouble, Quade - Rock In Motion and Slash Puppet - No Strings Attached.
To news about the Fashion Police trilogy, they are in the process of being pressed and will be available for purchase in just over 2 weeks
One more thing, we will be announcing a new signing hopefully next week which will be our biggest signing yet. Stay posted.
Date: April 18th 2007
Hello all. As you can probably see, we have done some long overdue renovations to the website. These changes should help improve efficiency in uploading each page. Also the bands section on the right hand side in the menu box has finally been finished so be sure to have a look around and check it all out. Adding to that the shopping cart has also been updated. The new shopping cart will be much more user friendly, meaning there will be no more silly combo packs for multi CD orders.
We are all very glad to be able to pass on the good news that we have just released 3 new excellent CD's. Those being Blackboard Jungle's Welcome To the Blackboard Jungle, Pretty Vacant's Walkin' On A Tilt and Kidd Havok's Roll The Dice, are now all available for $18.00 each and are available for purchase through the CD Orders link in the menu box on the right or alternatively by clicking on the add to cart link located under each CD cover featured below. Just follow to easy steps and it's a matter of following your nose, I must mention that you have to have a Paypal account to make a purchase.
 Blackboard JungleWelcome To The Blackboard Jungle Add To Cart | | |
Now to news on brand new music. As promised, Suncity Records have continued to sign the best talent from the hard rock genre with the announcement of the signing of San Francisco superstars, Voyeur.
Voyeur
It would be my guess that only people in the local Bay Area as well as a hand full of die hard rock 'n' rollers will have ever heard of these guys, but let me tell you that every hard rock fan will know about them soon. I got the tip off on these guys many years back from a dear friend of mine and ever since that very day it was my mission to find this great band, Voyeur. Years rolled by and finally I got lucky! I managed to get a hold of them through an extensive Internet search (thank god for the net!).
Lucky enough, once contacted, Voyeur were a great bunch of guys that not only were overwhelmed that there was still interest out there for this kind of music but most importantly they were very keen on signing up with Suncity Records.
Voyeur are compiled together from various lesser known local Bay Area hair bands. Like most bands when starting off, Voyeur had dreams of world domination. Unfortunately Voyeur were just another late 80's hard rock group with amazing talent that were continuously overlooked by major labels. In Voyeur's short life, they played along side many great hard rock acts such as Flame, Vain, Murder Bay, Babylon A.D. and Mad Anthony. Naturally adopting a similar sound the their local band mates.
Check out the first single off the upcoming album "Spank, Or Be Spanked"
Featured below is the unveiling of the new trilogy of Fashion Police albums due to be released soon. Stay tuned for the next update as we announce another big time signing, possibly our biggest yet and also the all-new artwork for the upcoming Slash Puppet, Fatal Charm and Quade CD's. Much more in store as well but I must zip it now, I can not wait to spill the beans. Stay tuned
Date: February 12th 2007
As you may have noticed we have taken the Ana Black press release off our website.
The news is not so good for the fans because there will be no Ana Black CD's release by Suncity Records. The reason is simple, we thought the band members that we signed owned all the rights to the music and we have now discovered we were misled.
I apologize to all the fans that have emailed us with such excitement in regards to the Ana Black signing and especially the guy in Australia who went out and got an Ana Black tattoo~!! I did everything in my power to sign the rest of the rights owners, but to no avail.
Unfortunately it is very unlikely that the fans will ever get to hear the Ana Black material in its best possible form due to infighting between the band, which is a real shame because as I've said before, the music is very strong. Well, I suppose we can all keep our fingers crossed.
We just have to put this behind us and move on. It is a really exciting time for us at Suncity Records with a bunch of discs planned for release in the not to distant future as well as plenty more excellent signings.
Later this week, we will be previewing the artwork for the upcoming releases: Fashion Police - Callin' All The Shots, Fashion Police - A New Minority, Fashion Police - Plug It In and Fatal Charm - Looks Like Trouble.
Date: February 5th 2007
Happy New Year to all, we hope you had a great time over the holiday season and are ready for a big year in Hard Rock/AOR.
The first lot of news we have this year is another double signing that is sure to whet the appetite of all the AOR purists around the globe. Suncity's inaugural complete AOR releases from the bands Quade and Big Guns.
First we will start off with Quade. The album that we will be releasing is Quade's 1989 cassette only release entitled "Rock In Motion". Quade went on after that to release their next album, Heaven's Break which is these days considered a ultra rare collectors item and is currently being bootlegged by Rock It Records (Italy) out of America.
Quade
The closest comparison to the music of Quade's Rock In Motion would be in my opinion classic mid to late 80's Honeymoon Suite. So if you like spine tingling keyboards with a very rockin' vibe, this release is for you. Rock In Motion is considered by many AOR fans as a much more complete and all round release than the follow up "Heaven's Break". Check out the promo photo of the band!! WOW! How 80's, enjoy!
Oh yeah, I almost forgot, I really advise everyone to go and check out Kimo Kersse's personal website for all the latest news - www.kimokerssemusic.com
The song that we will be featuring below is a ballad off the album and should give you an idea of the talent this band have.
Next is the U.K. band Big Guns. This time we will be releasing their unreleased follow up album entitled "Stick'em Up!". No to be confused with the U.S. band that released a CDR called "Bustin' Out" at the end of last year.
Big Guns
To me, Big Guns are U.K.'s answer to the legendary hard rockers Danger Danger. Many may know that Danger Danger are one of my all-time favourite bands so I don't make such comparison easily. Big Guns hit the scene in the early 90's when they were signed to Japanese hard rock label giant "Zero Records". In 1994 the band made their break through with their critically acclaimed debut release entitled "On Dangerous Ground". An ultra rare collectable to this day, what many people believe was that the only thing that kept "On Dangerous Ground" from being a classic AOR release was the less than par production. Knowing the fact about the poor production, Big Guns were adamant to right the wrong when recording their second album and proving to themselves that they were an AOR powerhouse. Putting it all on the line to record the classic AOR album, Big Guns decided to self fund their next album on their very own. Coughing up $US30,000 for the recording process which was a hell of a lot of money back in those days. Unfortunately $US30,000 at the recording quality that the band was after was only enough for six tracks of AOR magic. Due to the music climate at the time, no record label was willing to give Big Guns a chance at rock stardom. Those six previously unreleased tracks will be the content of Suncity Records's Big Guns - Stick'em Up! album and is due to be released early this year.
Wrap your ears around one of six excellent AOR tunes with the rockin' track entitled "Don't Push"
Also a big thank you to all the people who have supported us by purchasing copies of our latest releases: Daniel MacMaster Rock Bonham... And The Long Road Back, Sweet Teaze Groovin' On The Backside & Dirty Rhythm Never Cleaned Up. Your support is much appreciated with our desire on bring you, the fans the best Hard Rock/AOR. We have received really nice reviews on all our CD's so far so we thank the promoters as well. A reminder to all that still haven't got around to picking up the new releases, just click on the order button and follow your nose.
Our next update will preview the cover art for the following releases due out very soon - Fashion Police - A New Minority, Fashion Police - Callin' All The Shots, Fashion Police - Plug It In & Fatal Charm - Looks Like Trouble. Also keep an eye out from some more excellent signings, some that will blow you away.
Date: November 28th 2006
Hi all,
Finally we have got the update that you have all been waiting for. It's taken a while, I know, but as they say "better late than never".
First off the following three CD's are officially available for purchase by clicking on the link below. Daniel MacMaster, Sweet Teaze and Dirty Rhythm. I have got them in my hand and they look and sound freakin' amazing!! I couldn't be more proud of the product.
Click Here to go to the purchase page
Next up, the news only gets better with another A grade signing. In Suncity Record's quest to scour the globe for the best of what hard rock has to offer, we have definitely hit the jackpot!! Stopping by the beautiful country of Canada. We have been lucky enough to secure Canada's finest hard rock band Slash Puppet and we are all so excited that this great band have joined the Suncity family in the pursuit of keeping the flame alight.
Starting first with Slash Puppet. Most people know Slash Puppet for their stunning 1993 self-titled release but what a lot of people don't know is that they had an awesome debut album they released in 1989 as a cassette only issue. Suncity Records will be presenting their classic debut with all the typical Suncity perks. Once again, this album has been going for top dollar on Ebay and for a very good reason. Slash Puppet's major features are great attitude, massive gang backing vocals, excellent production and an awesome image. You couldn't really ask for more in a hard rock release.
Slash Puppet
After well over a year trying to hunt down the masters, with many leads from many people, we have finally got lucky big time!! These classic recordings will be presented in their full glory and believe me, they sound better than ever. Better news yet, this CD will be released early 2007.
I was never lucky enough to see Slash Puppet live in concert but from all reports they really ripped it up, with a stage show that had more energy than a nuclear power plant.
When it comes to the music, think Skid Row, Britny Fox, think fellow Canadians Smash L.A., Slik Toxik, Sweden's finest Swedish Erotica, even the great Polish outfit, Lessdress. Vocalist Mif's attitude will jump out of your speakers, grab you by the scruff of the throat and wack you over the head from the very first second of the very first track.
Make sure to check out lead vocalist, Mif's awesome My Space site at - www.myspace.com/mifmaster
Check out the track "Evil Woman" off the upcoming Self Titled album for a great idea of how good these guys really are.
Date: October 12th 2006
Hello everyone,
Just a quick update to keep everybody posted on how things are coming along with our next few releases.
Below are the upcoming CD's to be released before the end of the year. To preview a track off each album, click on the link below. To enlarge an album cover, just click on the picture.
Dirty Rhythm, Daniel MacMaster and Sweet Teaze will be released on the 31/10/06. Kidd Havok, Blackboard Jungle and Pretty Vacant won't be too much longer, we are just tweaking a few things in order to get the production spot on. Enjoy.
Next week we will have a major announcement on the signing of another 2 brilliant artists, so stay tuned.
Date: July 15th 2006
Wow, do we have a treat for you!! Suncity Records has signed up some of the best Hard Rock bands of late and we are continuing that trend with the announcement of 2 more giants of the underground. The 2 bands in the spotlight are Florida's best kept secret, Kidd Havok as well as the amazing glamsters from Cleveland, Fashion Police.
Kidd Havok
In no particular order we will start of with Kidd Havok. With the Florida music scene in the early 90's being known widely as being almost as strong as California's and Cleveland's, Kidd Havok show why.
Formed from the ashes of Scrooge in the mid/late 80's by Scot Marcs and Johnny B. Kidd Havok went though several line-up changes before finding the perfect combo of Shawn St. Pierre and Rob Barone. Due to a powerful live show, the band gained a considerable following. Their 10-song demo found them with good radio airplay on both coasts of America as well as several TV appearances.
Kidd Havok's music can be described as some of the very best hair metal, certainly that I have ever heard, both released and un-released material. These guys could of easerly stood tall with the big boys that were signed to the major labels back in the day. Axeman, Scot Marcs brings blazing guitars to the music reminiscent of the great Nuno Bettercourt. From Slash to Harry Cody to even the best of C.C. Deville's guitar chops that he was busting out in the early 90's. From the opening riff you will be stopped in your tracks at his genius! This is very special stuff, every song holding its very own piece of magic. In periods of the album you can almost hear Marc go surfing with the alien, O.K. you get the point, this guy shredds!!
Having said all that, you probably are thinking the album is the Marcs show but I'm here to tell you it's not. Every member of the band in their own right a seasoned songwriter. With years of experience under their belt, vocalist Johnny B has all the attitude that all great hair metal bands need. Rob Barone on drums and Shawn St. Pierre on bass don't put a foot wrong either.
Kidd Havok play their own brilliant type of Extreme/Skid Row type street sleaze metal with axe work that sends shivers down your spine. Other comparisons go to Dirtyworks, Bad 4 Good, Hericane Alice, Dirty Rhythm, Slik Toxik, Slash Puppet, Sven Gali and Lillian Axe. All in all, to me this is perfectly crafted hair metal and over time, may even go down as a classic hair metal album.
Now to the hardest part of this website update, choosing the track that we will feature for the fans. Every song on this album is a winner, how many albums can you say that about? Take a listen to some pure hair metal bliss with the song "Cold Sweat" which will incidentally be off the upcoming album entitled "Roll The Dice". This will give you an idea of what to expect from these guys and what the band are all about.
I have been jumping out of my skin this week because not only have we stitched up a deal with the smokin' Kidd Havok but we have signed Cleveland's awesome Fashion Police. Masterminded by the multi talented Dave Belanger, get excited people because we will be releasing all 3 Fashion Police albums with extra unreleased bonus tracks as well as video footage of the band on each CD. The albums "Calling All The Shots", "A New Minority" and "Plug It In" have recently been fetching big dollars on Ebay for a very good reason. Now they will be presented with stunning artwork, re-mastered, full lyrics, etc for a much better price. Dave Belanger was originally in Suncity Records's Pretty Vacant and played on their one and only album "...And We Don't Care". Going his own way, Dave had an idea to start another party rock band that had every element that people in the early 90's wanted to hear. Fashion Police was therefore born.
Fashion Police
The trilogy of Fashion Police CD's will contain the full Fashion Police story, which is a great bonus, a story of trying to make it as a hard rock band back in the early 90's, personally written by bass guitarist and chief song writer Dave Belanger.
Well, what can I say about the music? If you're after grinding guitar grooves, spectacular hard rock riffs ala Motley Crue, pounding drums and bass that shakes the ground, well go no further than Fashion Police. Excellent production that still stands up very well in this day and age. You will go a long way to find production as crisp as these recordings from any hair metal band in any era. Like all Suncity Records releases, these recordings have been taken straight from the original masters, you won't find any cheap cassette/vinyl conversions like a lot of other rival labels here.
Now to Fashion Police's music, to me their closest relatives would have to be "Religious Fix" era Tuff. Tuff''s Religious Fix is in my top 25 hard rock albums of all time, so you can imagine how excited I am. Lead vocalist Daniel Montesanto is a dead ringer of Stevie Rachelle, sleazy as all get out. The only reason I can think why these guys didn't pick up a major label deal is unfortunately they were a little late on the scenes. The Nirvana virus had well and truly kicked in by then.
Take a listen to the track "I Want Love" which I have chosen out of 3 albums, mainly because I think it best describes the band and the whole vibe that these guys had going on. Enjoy.
Also as promised, below are the covers for the upcoming Sweet Teaze - Groovin' On The Backside and Daniel MacMaster - Rock Bonham... And The Long Road Back album. Also listed are the track listings.
Daniel MacMaster - Rock Bonham... And The Long Road Back
- 01 - Bleeding Hearts Collide
- 02 - Is She Falling?
- 03 - Walk With Me
- 04 - 1st In Line
- 05 - Just Before We Say Goodnight
- 06 - One Step Behind
- 07 - Find A Way Back To You
- 08 - Great Confusion (Unreleased Bonham)
- 09 - Feeling Inside (Unreleased Bonham)
- 10 - Friend Of Mine (Unreleased Bonham)
- 11 - Can't Win For Losing (Unreleased Bonham)
|
Sweet Teaze - Groovin' On The Backside
- 01 - Groovin'
- 02 - When I'mk Down
- 03 - Broken Heart
- 04 - Slippin' Away
- 05 - Can't Take It No More
- 06 - Criminal Attraction
- 07 - Borrowed Time
- 08 - Can't Find It, Grind It
- 09 - Never Was A Good Boy
- 10 - Heartless Woman
|
We have been working over-time behind the scenes getting these discs out to you. It may seem a little slow but we are putting everything into the artwork and production to make the best quality product possible. We plan on getting at least 10 albums out before the end of the year. We are always looking for the best talent that hard rock has to offer and our next news update will feature 2 more great signings as well as artwork for another 2 albums. So stay tuned for the latest from the Suncity camp.
Date: June 16th 2006
Suncity Records are proud to announce the signing of the masters of the Sunset Strip, Blackboard Jungle.
Blackboard Jungle
Originally from New Jersey, Britt Pennella, and Kenny Price moved to Los Angeles in the mid 1980's where they Blackboard Jungle thought they had a much better chance to make a name for themselves. They started up a glam rock band called Filthy Ritz. Filthy Ritz gathered up quite a strong fan base in a very small period of less than six months. Just as Filthy Ritz were starting to headline their own shows and make a name for themselves, the band decided to call it quits due to a few personality clashes. Britt and Kenny hooked up with Dave Zinc and Joel Faith and decided to start up another band and that's when Blackboard Jungle was born.
Blackboard Jungle were one of the more diverse hard rock bands from the strip with a style of their very own. To me, they drew similarities with Australia's very own Candy Harlots and even early Vain. Singer, Kenny Price has a unique and very distinctive voice along the same lines as Davy Vain.
Blackboard Jungle covered more ground and got more press than any unsigned band to ever come out of L.A. Sporting a resume' that starts with a 12 song cd entitled "I Like It Alot" on Church Records which was produced by Brent Muscat. As well as extensive touring with the likes of Faster Pussycat, Gene Loves Jezabel, Filthy Lucre, Hole, Love Hate and these guys even opened for Cheap Trick.
Blackboard Jungle went to Japan in 1992 for about two weeks, playing sold out shows for up to 2,500 people and recorded BBJ-Live In Japan 1992 vhs. One of the songs recorded for the live set in Japan will be featured on the upcoming album which incidently will be called "Welcome To The Blackboard Jungle". Brent Muscat also produced two songs that appear on the Japanese motion picture soundtrack for "He Is Werewolf King".
1993 for Blackboard Jungle was spent touring and recording demos with Bill Kennedy who worked with Nine Inch Nails on Broken and Fixed for an upcoming album called "America Now" that was released in 1994 and went on to a mini tour of Germany.
More recording, local shows and shuffling band members took up most of 1994. Blackboard Jungle was one of the three finalists for FOX 11 L.A. unsigned band contest, which received over 2,500 entries. Blackboard Jungle went on to win this contest and appeared live on national T.V. twice to perform and accept the honour.
Then came the dreaded 1995. More shuffling of band members, the death of Laz (R.I.P.), the loss of 7 Seas and the departure of Dave eventually resulted in the end of Blackboard Jungle. The only good thing to come out 1995 was Kenny, Britt and Joel recording together for one last time.
Check out the killer track entitled "Sweet Elaine". "Sweet Elaine" went down very well live and still to this day remains a real crowd pleaser.
There will be another news update in a couple of days with the unveiling of the front covers of Daniel MacMaster's Rock Bonham.... And The Long Road Back album and Sweet Teaze's Groovin' On The Backside. So stay tuned!!
Date: April 21st 2006
It's double signing time people. Suncity Records are proud to announce a very special signing in Sunset Strip legends Pretty Vacant. You want Glitz? You want Glam? You want Attitude? You want extremely good song writing? Well look no further than Pretty Vacant.
Pretty Vacant Logo
Pretty Vacant are very special to me mainly because they were one of the sole reasons why I started up this record label. When I first had the pleasure of listening to the unreleased material by Pretty Vacant, I was quite frankly blown away, thinking to myself; I have to do something about this criminally overlooked band!!
Still today, the boys are playing their kind of Motley Crue, Alleycat Scratch & Skid Row type of hard rock to sold out shows throughout Hollywood Ca. Not only have Pretty Vacant written some of the best sleazy hard rock songs ever, but also everyone must check out the amazing ballad in "Shine".
Pretty Vacant
Pretty Vacant are one hell of a professional unit, each band member a master of their own instrument in their own right and most importantly they had the chemistry to match. Combining all those elements, I still haven't mentioned the key ingredient in the lead vocalist "Kenny Vacant". Kenny is exactly what hard rock has been missing for the last decade!!!! What can I say about him?? He is a born front man and has all the attributes that is needed the make a brilliant all-round band!!
Pretty Vacant never released a official CD, only a cassette/LP release in 1988 Called ...And We Don't Care that remains a very sort over collectors piece. Featured below is an un-mastered track off the new album. The track is entitled Welcome Home.
That's not where the fun stops ladies and gentlemen. We have also signed Cleveland, Ohio's very own, the great Fatal Charm.
Fatal Charm
Many might not have heard of Fatal Charm before as they didn't venture to Hollywood like most another Sleaze/Glam bands in the search of a record deal, but let me tell you they out did most Hollywood glam bands at there own game. Fatal Charm were most active between 1986 - 1995, but still are playing the one off show every now and again to sold out audiences.
Mixing elements between the best of Trixter, Mr. Nasty, Southgang and a funky-less Ugly Kid Joe. These guys had a great song writing prowess with tones of attitude and a great rockin' vibe. Having said that, Fatal Charm also had just enough unquieness to distinguish them from the others.
Frontman Joey D describes the music "I think the greatest selling point for Fatal Charm is that we were so before our time, I mean our look was dead on 1988 and so on, but our music was comparable to The Black Crowes, L.A. Guns, The Cult, Poison, even The Ramones and Cheap Trick. I think that's why we were always the most interesting band to come see, we just had something for everyone. It was just great honest rock with all the trimmings of the big band sleeze rock days. One of the songs we recorded is even going to be featured on Ted Poley of Danger Danger's new CD".
But as we always do, we have featured the track "Dancin' With Roses" and we'll let the music do the talking. As ever, the track featured is yet to be re-mastered.
A little update on the rest of our up-coming releases:
- South Station - is in the final stages of mixing the tracks and let me add that this CD
- Heaven's Wish - are still in the studio recording their eagerly awaited follow up album
- Dirty Rhythm - are almost finished, just going through all the bands archived music to see if there is anything else worth adding to the album. This album will feature the video to their first single off their debut album "Feel The Fire"
- Sweet Teaze - are almost done also, just getting together a few more notes for the booklet.
- Daniel MacMaster - are final stages of re-mastering, sound awesome, shouldn't be too much longer. My prediction is the Dirty Rhythm, Sweet Teaze & Daniel MacMaster will all come out at the same time.
Date: April 12th 2006
Today we bring you some not so good news about one of our previous signings. The band in concern is Tainted Angel. Tainted Angel were our first signing, which we had signed about a year ago now. After hundreds of lies and 6 separate advance payments for the two unreleased Tainted Angel albums, we have still received none of the promised material.
Lynn Edward Glezen has been nothing but trouble to work with. He still has the rock star attitude when really he has done nothing apart from release a demo quality record back in the early 90's. We aren't the first record label he has ripped off unfortunately. He did the same thing to Ryan at Metal Mayhem, but once Ryan told me about him it was too late.
It's a real shame that independent record label's like us come across people like Lynn, when all that we are trying to do is present the fans with the best quality Hard Rock from back in the day. With the margins that we make being very minimal, a set back like this really hurts and puts us on the back foot. At one stage, I thought we would have to pack up shop. Trying to keep afloat was very hard but I love this label and I will fight for the music that we love.
Rest assure that over the next two or three months Suncity Records will unleash some of the best unreleased material, some heard, some not heard to be released in so many years. We thank you for bearing with us through these hard times and we will refuse to be buried. Also, when the business was in the balance the emails and messages we recieved meant so much, so I thank you.
I'm not a malicious person at all, but when I heard the news that Tainted Angel had signing up with Retrospect Records, it put a smile on my face. I'm not one for karma either but this makes me think things do come back at you. After all, those two deserve each other. I hope Retrospect Records bootlegs the first Tainted Angel CD to the nth degree.
Date: March 8th 2006
Hello everybody, happy new year to all. Yeah, we know it's March but we have been working hard behind the sences. Suncity Records has just celebrated it's first year in business. We have plenty of albums that we have planned for you guys to spice the new year up a little.
Suncity Records are extremely proud to announce the first signing of the year being one of the best hard rock singers in the industry, Daniel MacMaster. Daniel's claim to fame was being the front man of U.K. Hard Rock super group Bonham. Bonham first gained natural attention due to the fact they featured legend, John Bonham's son Jason behind the skins. Bonham were signed to WTG/Sony and burst upon the U.S. music scene in 1989 with their Bob Ezrin produced debut album, The Disregard Of Time Keeping. It would go gold behind the hit singles "Wait For You" and "Guilty", and reach #38 on the Billboard charts. After touring hard promoting their debut there was a three-year absence from the studio. By demand, the band started writing new tracks, which brought about the 1992 follow up album, Mad Hatter. After 1992 we all know what happened to the music industry and the rest is history.
Daniel MacMaster
Daniel MacMaster's solo album will be titled Rock Bonham... And The Long Road Back and will include 4 unreleased bonus tracks from the Bonham years that were recorded in their heyday and are in my opinion the best songs the band ever recorded. The music you will be hearing from Daniel grows on you with every spin, like a fine bottle of wine, it only gets better with time.
If I was asked to say who Daniel sounds like, I would definitely say Anthony Corder of Tora Tora fame. This guy gives you Goosebumps with the passion he exudes. No set-in-stone release date yet but you could expect it out in a month or two.
Click on the link below to hear what I believe will be hailed melodic rock hit song of the year, the sensational opening track "Bleeding Hearts Collide", Daniel couldn't have packed more emotion into this number if he tried, real bone chilling stuff. Just keep in mind that it is yet to be re-mastered.
Daniel has also been extra busy of late, as he has been hard at work writing and recording an all new record. The new album will be titled "Never Ever Done" and will be due out sometime this year so keep your ears peeled.
Date: December 14th 2005
What a great way to celebrate our first year with three of our best signings yet. It has been a great year for Suncity Records, getting the label off the ground and releasing our first lot of CD's. 99% of feedback received has been excellent which is always a good sign. We have been working around the clock to bring you the best of what hard rock has to offer and we think we have really nailed it.
Dirty Rhythm
The first signing being U.S. hard rock band Dirty Rhythm. Most of you will know them from their excellent first full length CD released back in 1991 entitled Hard As A Rock. Receiving excellent feedback worldwide for their first album, Dirty Rhythm were widely known as twin brother to Skid Row.
The yet to be titled Dirty Rhythm CD will be a five-track album with a bonus multimedia video. Only five tracks you are thinking, well, these are the five tracks that JRS Records left off the Hard As A Rock album to the bands dismay. The most wicked guitar work heard in many years, in your face attitude driven vocals ala Sebastian Bach, listening to them, you can imagine these guys kicking around the back alleys of L.A. in 1989.
When I get asked about Dirty Rhythm's sound I say "Imagine this as a scenario: the year is 1989, U.S. Hard Rockers Skid Row go into the studio to record 16 songs for Atlantic Records. When finishing their self-titled CD the record company tell the band they can only have 11 tracks on the album therefore they to cut 5 tracks from the list". The five tracks that are left over would have been these five here and not left off the CD because of the quality. That's the best way I can describe these 5 tracks from Dirty Rhythm. Sounding like they were left off Skid Row's first CD. It's obviously apparent that Skid Row were Dirty Rhythm's major inspiration but who else do they sound like you ask? Well Heaven's Edge, Cry Wolf, XYZ, Hardline and Dokken all come to mind.
Every hard rock collection is defiantly not complete without this little gem. Click on the link below to listen to a track in full off the soon to be released album
Here is our second band with a release that is sure to make massive waves in the hard rock circles. The signing of Sweet Teaze brings us the never before released or heard to the public album Groovin' On The Backside. This is one of the main reasons I started up this record label, unreleased albums like this used to sadden me that they were never released.
Sweet Teaze
Recorded in January 1991, right amongst the Hard Rock boom, Sweet Teaze did this recording for Capital Records right before the Grunge invasion hit therefore having Capital dropping the boys in search of the of the next Kurt Cobain wannabe.
This is the CD Skid Row should released instead of "Subhuman Race", Matt Mathews to me sounds very similar to Sebastian Bach, such a power house behind the mic. With perfect hooks and melodies to have these tunes in your head for weeks. Smokin' guitars, which is synonymous with all Suncity Records releases. What also really struck me with this material was the sensational late 80's, early 90's big stadium ballads which have to be heard to be believed.
You think their first release was special, renowned as one of the top ten hard rock indies ever hitting the $200 mark on Ebay consistently well you are in for a major treat here. The sound can be describe as a cross between Sweet Teaze's Do It Till It Hurtz and Skid Row's Slave To The Grind, I can't speak highly enough of this release! Perfectly crafted hard rock.
To here what I'm raving about, click below on the link to hear the first ballad in full off Groovin' On The Backside entitled "Broken Heart ". Make sure to email me with your thoughts on this cracking track. david@suncityrecords.com
The third signing we have got for you we are extremely proud to announce is the signing of Detroit's premiere Hard Rock band Heaven's Wish. Forming in 1984 as a five-piece, it was ten tough years of touring, writing and recording until these boys stuck it big time when they got signed to Universal Records USA. Heaven's Wish were never given a real chance as 1994 was the break through year for Grunge. Over the first ten years as a band Heaven's Wish achieved some quite substantial highlights, which included picking up the 1990 best band award for 101.1 WRIF beating over 1,500 bands. 1991 was another good year for the band as they won the 1991 best live band award once again for Michigan's top hard rock station 101.1 WRIF.
Heaven's Wish
In 1995 the band were getting ready for a tour of Hawaii when tragedy stuck. Jim, the bass guitarist committed suicide. After that fateful day the band never really recovered and the band really suffered having Heaven's Wish split up.
Lead singer Ronnie Vanlip describes the bands sound as a mix between Whitesnake, Def Leppard, Aerosmith, and Motley Crue. I couldn't agree more as these guys have class written all over them. A very professional unit, Heaven's Wish gel together perfectly. Live, Heaven's Wish shined, Ronnie had all the moves, colour, and a great sense of humour. Playing with bands such as Warrant, Skid Row, Bonham, Bulletboys, Damn Yankees, Enuff ‘Z' Nuff, the impressive list goes on but the show that really stands out is when they played with Eddie Money to 100,000 people at the Detroit Grand Prix.
Currently doing one off shows in their hometown of Detroit and still getting great reviews everywhere they play. Gathering up tons of unreleased material over the years, It is now time for the boys to get back in the studio and belt them out on another full length album. Not only have Heaven's Wish signed up for just the one CD with Suncity Records but it's a two CD deal, which will please fans to no end. Some of the songs you can look forward to hearing are: Ridin' High, Stay The Night, Let's Dance, I Just Wanna Die, She's Hot, Just Lookin', Lonely Nights, Talk Talk, Something About You, plus many, many more. Some of the die hard fans may of heard some of these tunes live before as they were written in the late 80's, early 90's.
This is just three of many new signings that we have for you with many more to be announced shortly. 2006 is going to be one hell of a rockin' year.
Things are moving along very nicely with South Station and you can expect a release date for their first album early in 2006.
We hope you have a very merry and safe Christmas and a happy New Year and hope Santa brings you all the Rock 'N Roll that you deserve. Keep posted early next year as we have a lot more in store for you as we will be announcing a heap more signings. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the support you have shown to us so far and get ready because 2006 is going to be one big year for Rock 'N Roll.
Date: December 3rd 2005
We would like to send a big thankyou to everyone who has purchased the new Blue Tears's and/or the new Swingin' Thing albums. Not so good news in from the CD manufacturing plant that there has been a slight delay in the pressing of the new CD's. The new release date has been pushed back to December 13th. We apologise for any inconvenience that may have been caused.
Keep posted for an announcement on some new signings in the not too distant future.
Date: November 24th 2005
It's been a while but Suncity Records are back with two more awesome releases. One being that of the second chapter of the Blue Tears anthology entitled Dancin' On The Back Streets. The people who have heard advanced copies say it is much stronger than the first disc Mad, Bad & Dangerous. The other CD being that of Hollywood Glamsters Swingin' Thing. This release is just about as good as it gets for Sleaze/Hard Rock, straight from the Sunset Strip, many believe that Swingin' Thing were the most unlucky band of that era not to be signed to a major label.
Below is the art work for the next releases. It has taken a while but as they say "Good things come to those who wait". Phenominal art work again and the re-mastering for both CD's has been done again by the Master Gregg Fulkerson.
Click on any of the album covers or the order button to purchase your copies now.
Stay tuned for 3 more new signings in the next week or two. These 3 bands will start 2006 with possibly the best year for Hard Rock since 1992.
Here is the offical track order for Swingin' Thing - Keep On Swingin'
SWINGIN' THING - KEEP ON SWINGIN'
- 01. Hazy, Lazy, Crazy Daze Of Summer
- 02. I Want Your Body
- 03. Pump!
- 04. Better Left Unsaid
- 05. Coconut Cream
- 06. Groove Of Love
- 07. No One But Myself To Blame
- 08. Hook, Line & Sink Her
- 09. Cowboy On The Run
- --Bonus Tracks--
- 10. Precious
- 11. Underground
- 12. Hey Kidd
- 13. Do You Feel Alright?
- 14. Generation
- 15. Cat's Got Your Tongue
- 16. Sugar Shock
- 17. For You
Date: September 1st 2005
Schoolboy Crush CD's have been mailed off as of today. We apologize for the delay and we hope you enjoy this CD as much as we did putting it together.
Date: August 27th 2005
Suncity Records is happy to present the track listing for the up coming Blue Tears CD entitled Dancin' On The Back Streets. There has been a lot of speculation recently about whether of not we will be releasing songs such as: A Date With Destiny, Kiss And Tell, Forever Yours, Strong, Slip And Fall, Storm In My Heart, Summer Girl, etc. the list goes on. Well, we are happy to announce that we haven't left anything out. Below is the official track listing as well as sound samples of a few chosen songs. All tracks are yet to be re-mastered, so please keep that in mind when listening. We hope you enjoy!
BLUE TEARS - DANCIN' ON THE BACK STREETS
- 01. Summer Girl
- 02. Loud Guitars, Fast Cars And Wild, Wild Women
- 03. Kiss And Tell
- 04. Storm In My Heart
- 05. Slip And Fall
- 06. A Date With Destiny
- 07. All Cried Out
- 08. Forever Yours
- 09. Do You Want Me?
- 10. Small Town Dreams
- 11. Livin' In The Movies
- 12. She's Not Falling In Love
- 13. Strong
- 14. Touch
- 15. Dark Of The Night
- 16. Dream Of Me
Date: August 23rd 2005
Hi all,
As most of you are aware now, Suncity Record's very own band Blue Tears will be performing at this years Firefest II on 26th of November at Nottingham Rock City. Gregg and the boys are overwhelmed to be playing with such great acts as: House Of Lords, Danger Danger, Harem Scarem and Danny Vaughn. I am happy to announce that I will be there rocking on with the best of you all in late November. One thing I must say is a big thank you to Kieran Dargan, who as most know is the tour promoter for Firefest and he has done a great job in attracting such great band as the above mentioned.
More exciting news is that we are extremely proud to present to you another great signing in the name of South Station.
Now, most of you folk won't know South Station from a bar of soap but let me tell you once the CD is released, they will be the talk of the town. These guys are just smashing!! Featuring none another than Mr.(super talented) Glenn Stewart previously of early 90's hard band Roxxi.
At Suncity Records, we focus mainly in releasing the unreleased gems of the hard rock heyday, but when Glenn first showed me the music he was working on, gee, I just had to sign him up. Think Poison, think Skid Row, think any band with that special hard rock flare that we all know and love. The music is not at all dated but I'll tell you right now, no nu-metal, grunge or modern rock influences to be heard. Suncity Records certainly doesn't wont to put it's name to anything that is not in the vein of the AOR/Hard Rock that we all live for.
Featured below is a special song to me and is the first song I heard from Glenn's new project, it is a ballad that would have gone top 10 on the charts if only released in the late 80's, early 90's. Your feedback is much appreciated to what you think of any of our music.
Now to Schoolboy Crush news, I know how eager the fans that have pre-ordered the Good Time, Bad Boys disc are on receiveing it. Well new in is that they will be ready to be mailed out on Friday. So the wait is almost over!!
Date: August 4th 2005
Suncity Records are extremely proud to announce the signing of the out an out kings of the Sunset Strip in Swingin' Thing !!
Swingin' Thing
Swingin' Thing ruled the strip back in the hey day but never had the chance to get a full-length album out until now. We are putting together 2 full-length albums that are bound to kick your butt. These albums are the perfect glam CD's, written about fast cars, summertime girls, partying and just havin' a good time. This material is bound to lift your spirits.
Signed to a Japanese label in the early 90's called "Monster Productions", Swingin' Thing found themselves touring throughout Japan and ultimately, that's where they enjoyed most of their success.
It's the same story Blue Tears had with their unreleased bootleg cd's, going for a mint on ebay and the sound quality was way below par. The tracks that we will be releasing will be straight from the DAT tapes and then of course go through the whole re-mastering process. Sound quality is something we here at Suncity Records pride ourselves on. These glamstars did most of their recordings at A&R studios in Hollywood, which is the reason the production is of excellent quality.
Back in 1998, indie label Bombastic Plastic released a self-titled album by The Things, which were the same band only they had a more punkish influence to their music. Chris Penketh, the guitarist from Swingin' Thing was telling me that they always wanted to be a punk band but changed their sound to fit in with the whole hard rock boom. But not here, no punk influecnces! Everything you could want in a band from the Sunset Strip, gang backing vocals run supreme, guitar chops Satriani would be proud of, great attitude on the vocal ala Vince Neil. These guys had everything Motley Crue had and more but as we all know, justice wasn't served back in the late 80's, early 90's.
Here is just a few sound samples to whet your appetite. The songs below will be on the first of 2 CD's to come out this year.
SWINGIN' THING - KEEP ON SWINGIN' (Working Title)
No release date as yet, but as always, when news comes to hand you will be the first to know right here.
If you want to check out what Sunny, Mike and Chris are doing with themselves these days well go no further than: www.myspace.com/itsthepigs
It's The Pigs are an awesome 3 piece band out of West Hollywood. Very similar style of music to Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
Date: August 1st 2005
Blue Tears "Mad, Bad & Dangerous" cd is finally in stock!! We apologies for the slight delay but they are here and they look and sound excellent.
To all the people that pre-odered the Blue Tears cd "Mad, Bad & Dangerous", it has been sent out as of today. If you have ordered Schoolboy Crush's "Good Time, Bad Boys", it will be sent out in the next few weeks due to a few slight delays with production. Therefore if you have ordered both cd's, you will get two seperate packages at no extra cost. We are extremely happy with the way the Blue Tears cd has come out and my guarantee to everyone is to get excited because these cd's are well and truely worth the wait.
More exciting news to come later this week so stayed tuned to the website as we will be announcing our new signing shortly.
Date: July 23rd 2005
Pre orders for both Blue Tears and Schoolboy Crush have been excellent. We would like to advise those who have pre ordered these CD's that it has taken longer than anticipated, but assure you these CD's will be sent shortly. We have been promised delivery in approx one to two weeks for Blue Tears and Schoolboy Crush has just been remastered and will be a few weeks later. Thanks for your patience and we guarantee that it is well worth the wait. For the customers who ordered the Combo Pack of both CD's we will ship the Blue Tears immediately it is available and Schoolboy Crush separately at a later date. No extra shipping will be charged.
ARFM in the UK are featuring the Blue Tears Mad Bad & Dangerous album tonight with Steve Price from 6.00 to 9.00 pm UK time. Steve will be playing tracks from this album as well as a live interview with Gregg Fulkerson in Nashville Tennessee. They will discuss the forthcoming Firefest II in November in which Blue Tears have been asked to perform live.
You can live stream this program from www.arfm.co.uk/listenlive.htm
Date: June 21st 2005
We have just received the cover art back from the Graphic Designer. We would love your feedback on them as we think they represent the music and era from when these bands hit it big. Be sure to Pre-Order your copies so that we can keep bringing these awesome rock bands to the fans once again!
Thanks to everyone who has already Pre-Ordered copies of their CD's. I'm sure you will love these discs! I will make sure you guys are the ones that get the CD's first.
Date: June 14th 2005
We are now taking Pre-Orders for the Blue Tears album Mad, Bad & Dangerous and the Schoolboy Crush album Good Time, Bad Boys.
Click the CD Orders button for more information. The expected release date for these 2 albums will be mid July. There will also be a full update next week on some new signings as well as all the cover art for Blue Tears and Schoolboy Crush.
Date: May 16th 2005
Breaking News!!!
It's official, Blue Tears signs with Suncity Records.
All of us at Suncity Records are EXTREMELY proud to be working with one of the all-time greats of the genre. We are talking about the multi talented Gregg Fulkerson of Blue Tears fame who also happens to be one of the "most humble, down to earth great guys" in the industry. The news only gets better because not only have the Blue Tears guys signed up for the follow up CD to the classic debut but they have agreed on a 2 CD contract.
Blue Tears
Blue Tears released their self-titled debut CD in 1990 on the MCA record label. They had quite a cult following going back in the early 90's with their awesome self-titled debut. The band managed to pull in some airplay on MTV with their first single "Rockin' On The Radio". As we know, the music circles changed dramatically that had their follow up CD shelved for all this time.
What Blue Tears bring to the table are very well crafted songs! This will give us all the unreleased material the band has before, during and after their 1990 hit debut. You will hear tracks including "Loud Guitars, Fast Cars and Wild, Wild Women" that Gregg wrote for the supergroup Contraband, "Slip and Fall" that was a hit back in the day for Every Mothers Nightmare as well as "Strong", "Call My Name" and "Storm in My Heart" that appeared on Attraction 65's debut. There are many more songs of amazing quality that will be included in the two CD's. All the above songs are the original versions.
Put together a bunch of seasoned professionals with the chemistry to boot, pristine production, excellent lyrics, tight musicianship, the look, attitude and style. This gives us all the vital ingredients to make this material gold. No wonder bootleg copies have gone for over $250 on Ebay in the past, to think that we will be releasing the masters instead of terrible recordings taped off the radio will sure be a big hit with the fans.
If released back in the heyday, the mind boggles at how big this band would have been; for starters, this material is the equivalent or superior to any of the AOR/Hard Rock albums from the late 80's, early 90's that sold mega millions. Second thing is that Gregg would have been a star!! He had all the attributes (versatility, charisma and presence) to make it as big as the likes of Brett Michaels, Stephen Percy, Joe Elliot and Vince Neil.
Plain and simple this the best hard rock material I have heard in 15 years and I don't say that lightly considering I have a hard rock collection of over 3000 CD's. This is not some scrappy demo recording but it equals the awesome production quality of the debut with the material being far superior to the self-titled album.
The Band were set to take the world by storm in 1992 with their second CD recorded, packaged and ready for a world wide release but as we know this kind of music was sadly no longer commercially viable.
With the release of Gregg Fulkerson's latest project Attraction 65 in 2003, it had a lot of the old Blue Tears fans feeling a little let down with the modern twist implemented in the music. That's not the case here. These releases are guaranteed to please all the die-hard fans, which have been hanging out for this for over a decade now. More big hair, gang backing vocals, summertime anthems and ripping guitar solos than you can poke a stick at.
Combining elements from the greats: Bon Jovi (New Jersey, Slippery When Wet), Def Leppard (Hysteria, Adrenilize), Firehouse (Self Titled, Hold Your Fire) Kix (Blow My Fuse, Hotwire) & Ratt (Detonator) and you can even hear some Motley Crue (Dr. Feelgood), now they are some fairly hot references. Believe me, this material will live up to the hype.
BLUE TEARS - MAD, BAD & DANGEROUS
- 01. Long Way Home
- 02. Girl Crazy
- 03. With You Tonight
- 04. Mystery Man
- 05. Rock You To Heaven
- 06. Evidence Of Love
- 07. Mad, Bad & Dangerous To Know
- 08. Misty Blue
- 09. 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
Date: April 14th 2005
Suncity is proud to announce the new signing of Schoolboy Crush.
What a way do kick of the Suncity Records catalogue with the never before released on CD album by Schoolboy Crush. Yet to be titled, Schoolboy Crush's much anticipated second album originally recorded in 1990-91 is finally going to be a reality for the eager fans to obtain.
Schoolboy Crush
The band had matured quite substantially in their song writing ability and seem to have grown more as a unit which therefore makes this CD a much better release in every department than the highly sought after debut from 1989 "Electric Playground". It makes you wonder what so many people saw in grunge music that had this album shelved until now. From the atmospheric intro that flows beautifully into the first track, which kicks the album off to a rockin' start with an awesome riff to start proceedings. Next the album moves from party rocker to party rocker. Then, no late 80's, early 90's hard rock album is complete without a beautiful ballad which was so prevalent back in the late 80's. You know what I'm talking about, heart felt vocals that made you wave your lighter in the air.
This is the best late 80's, early 90's type CD to come out in many a moon, straight out of the late 80's hard rock manual. Just check out the sound samples provided below and I'm sure the hard rock enthusiasts that have been longing for this type of music will be more than satisfied. Taking influences from such great acts as Rock Candy, Tuff Luck and early Shotgun Messiah. Great hard rock with a tinge of sleaze for good measure. If smokin' guitars, gang backing vocals, soaring riffs and great musicianship are your thing, do yourself a favour.
Click on song name to hear sound samples.
- 01. Without You
- 02. Such A Waste
- 03. Calling Out
- 04. Bad Bitch
- 05. Sleepless Nights
- 06. I Pledge Allegiance
- 07. Until
- 08. Name Your Poison
- 09. Reap The Whirlwind
- 10. At The Altar
- 11. To Your Knees (Bonus Track)
The upcoming Tainted Angel CD will be called "Hollywood Ending", Which we think signifies the end of an era for glam rock.
Date: March 6th 2005
Suncity Records Mailing list is now functional. Just press the 'Mailing List' Button to sign up for email announcements regarding updates of Suncity Records.
Date: March 5th 2005
Suncity Records are extremely proud to announce the signing of hard rock act Tainted Angel.
.jpg)
Tainted Angel
Tainted Angel hail from Las Vegas, Nevada with Lynn Edward Glezen at the helm and the brainchild behind the band. They were building up quite a big reputation in the early nineties, until the demise of hard rock hit. They were taunted as being the next big thing on the Sunset Strip, I know this may seem very cliché and is a common phrase used in the collecting circles, but believe me it's the truth. When samples are posted, you will be able to see for yourself.
These boys have the style, the look, the attitude, the flare and most importantly the skills to pay the bills. Tainted Angel released a well-received EP back in 1992 called "A Little Heaven", which had them touring with the best bands in the business: Lillian Axe, Warrant, Ratt, Shotgun Messiah and Stryper just to name a few.
There is no official release date as yet, nor have we decided on an album title, however things are proceeding smoothly. The material is currently in the studio being re-mastered and re-mixed. As soon as we get some finished samples through, they will be posted on the website immediately.
Until next time people, keep on rocking on
Date : February 28th 2005
Welcome to Suncity Records, This is the first entry in the news section. We are currently in negotiations with a few exciting bands/projects. The website will be updated immediately as soon as news comes to hand. Getting bands to "put pen to paper" is a lengthy process. Keep checking back regularly for current updates.
Date: February 17th 2009
Hello Everyone,
News in overnight of the devastating passing of Gregg Fulkerson.
We have been in touch with Gregg's family who sadly confirmed with us Gregg passed away in his sleep. At this stage there is no more news on the cause of his death.
Gregg Fulkerson (1965-2009) - R.I.P.
This terrible news has shocked everyone here at Suncity Records as Gregg became a very good personal friend of us, he was the most humble, kind, talented person that we have ever came across while working at Suncity Records.
It was Gregg and his band Blue Tears that really put Suncity Records on the map and for that we are forever indebted to him. Our thoughts go out to his family who he loved so much and most importantly he son Carter who he thought the world of.
Please take a moment and listen to one of Gregg's masterpieces featured below and just remember what a great singer/songwriter the melodic rock world has lost.
Gregg was only 44.
Date: February 22nd 2009
Hello Everyone,
Massive news in this week and what a great way to start the new year, with another big coup for Suncity Records with the signing of the awesome American hard rock band, Jet Red.
Jet Red
As time has gone on, Suncity Records has grown in stature, allowing us to attract bigger and better acts. It's been about 2-3 years of on and off negotiations with the Jet Red boys and finally we have got them digging through the old studios, where these tracks were originally recorded. We stuck in there and we wound up hunting down the original masters and let me tell ya, they sound amazing!!
Most rockers will know Jet Red for their self-titled debut album released on Relativity/Sony Records in 1989. The debut offered some catchy and tasty tunes, but paper-thin production values prevented the band from major success. So, like any proud band when backed into a corner and up against a wall, Jet Red rebounded and came out swinging with their very own, self-produced second album titled Flight Plan. In the time between albums, Jet Red's brand of AOR/Hard Rock became quite unfashionable and therefore Relativity/Sony dropped the band resulting in Flight Plan being shelved for all this time.
Until this year, loyal fans have been eagerly awaiting a release date for the infamous second album, and I'm here to tell you - that 2009 is the year!! Recorded in 1991, the results of what Jet Red came up with in round two was quite jaw dropping!! It is no surprise at how talented Jet Red are in terms of song writing ability, but what really will knock owners of the debut out is the stellar production on the second album! It's quite evident that the boys really grew as a group in between albums and developed into an amazingly tight professional unit. One other thing that really stands out for me, is the newly improved guitar solos courtesy of Mr. Johnny Feikert - WOW!!
When listing to Flight Plan, the first thing that comes to mind is Winger's classic Heart Of The Young album. So if you dug Heart Of The Young, I have no doubt that Flight Plan will be a big hit in your CD collection. Flight Plan is a perfect fusion of guitar driven Hard Rock with just the right amount of Keyboards so that the music is still very rockin'!
A little known fact about Jet Red is that in the mid/late 80's when the boys were starting out, their original axe man was the GREAT Marty Friedman who went on to record with many great bands, but most notably became apart of the legendary Megadeth. Jet Red recorded a bunch of tunes back in the day with Marty before Dave Mustane poached him and they will be featured on Flight Plan as bonus tracks.
Flight Plan will include the full 11 tracks that were to be the second album plus 3 bonus tracks that Marty did with the band right at the start PLUS this package will include a bonus DVD of a killer live show that the boys did in San Jose in the early 90's. All that for the same price of US$18.00!!
Here is your chance to get a sneak peek of what Flight Plan is all about, featured here is the stunning track "I Surrender" taken from the soon be released Flight Plan. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
Last but not least, our hearts go out to all those affected by the devastating Victorian bushfires that have ravaged our beautiful state in the last couple of weeks. It has been Australia's worst ever natural disaster.
Date: December 16st 2008
Ho ho ho!! Just in time for Christmas (how many times have you heard that?) We are very pleased and relieved to bring you the news that we have just released another 4 smokin' CD's.
.
You know the drill, either click on the "Add To Cart" link below each of the desired albums or click on the CD Orders/Catalogue link in the main menu.
With all the class you expect from Suncity releases, these 4 news discs have been months and months in the making and have also been delayed many times. The end result is the most important thing and believe me -I think every fan will once again be very impressed.
2008 has been a stellar year for Melodic Hard Rock with a ton of new releases from not only good old classic bands but also a heap of new and exciting bands putting a really optimistic future on the music we love so much. It seems ever since the year 2000 hit, each year has got better and better for Melodic Rock and 2009 is shaping up to be one of the best since 1989. So from all the staff here at Suncity Records, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and an ultra safe New Year!! Let's make 2009 an even more rockin' year than 2008.
Date: October 21st 2008
Hi everyone,
Just wanted to keep everyone up to date with everything that is Suncity Records.
Below are the new album cover art for our next 3 CD's that we will shortly have for purchase for everybody.
We have been getting a heap of emails in regards to a release date for the following discs - Road Ratt - You Love Us, Jungle Blue - Call Of The Wild, Taupier - That Was Then... & Bad Attitude - Prisoners Of Rock. We are expecting a release date of no later than 7th of November 2008. We are all very sorry about the delay on the upcoming 4 CD's as we have run into some problems with the re-mastering on the Taupier disc where we got it back from the studio and found that it was over compressed and was a little harsh to listen to.
We have also signed 3 more killer bands and are in the middle of getting the press releases together. Keep your eyes peeled to the website as the announcement of all 3 bands is immanent.
Date: September 3rd 2008
Hello all,
More exciting news from the Suncity camp with the announcement of two more excellent Hard Rock acts are aboard the Suncity train.
It gives me the utmost pleasure to announce that we have inked a deal with Tulsa, Oklahoma's finest Hard Rock group - Jungle Blue.
Jungle Blue
After on and off talks over the last two years, things have now finally materialized, and trust me when I say that it was totally worth the persistence. Personally, I LOVE these guys! Their sound is a little different to most of the other Suncity artists, which can also make their sound a little tricky to describe.
Jungle Blue's sound could be best described as Melodic Hard Rock with a tinge of pop for good measure. What strikes me most about the music is the killer song writing and musicianship. The chemistry between signer "Matt Harris" & guitarist "Pete Banfield" is really highlighted through the whole album. All 12 tunes showcased on the aptly titled album, "Call Of The Wild" are truly timeless and grow on you with every spin. On countless plays of the album, the tunes never seem to get old which I suppose is a true mark of a great album.
Matt Harris moved to L.A. in the early 90's to try and find some good talent and put together a band. After doing studio work with the likes of Neil Young and The Monkees, Harris decided that he wanted to head back home to Oklahoma. Once back in Oklahoma, Matt hooked up with an old buddy of his in Pete Banfield, where they just hit it off. Matt claimed that after working 5 years in L.A. he realized that the best musicians he'd ever played with were in his own backyard.
Jungle Blue started playing shows in their local town of Tulsa as a five piece but soon after dropped the keyboard player as they were looking for more edge to their sound. Matt Harris (Vocalist), Pete Banfield (Guitarist), Ray Hines (Bassist) and drummer Mike Wilson spent their early days conducting music lessons by day and living for the nights were they'd get together and jam until the morning light. Pete Banfield was known around town for his prowess on the guitar and he really lights it up with his remarkable fretwork on the upcoming Jungle Album album. To me Matt Harris's vocals reminded me very much technically of the great Mark Slaughter, with an amazing range as well as his great versatility. With Pete's smart melodic genius and Matt Harris's infectious vocal work, Jungle Blue really have put together a bunch of classy tunes which everyone at Suncity Records are proud and excited to present to you.
Good news in that the guys are back in action and in the middle of recording another batch of catchy grooves with the expectation of another release in early 2009.
Just one listen to these tunes and you will be singing along for days. When trying to draw a comparison to Jungle Blue's sound, maybe you can make up your own mind because I just can't put my finger on it. The only band that really comes to mind are the obscure U.S. based group - Blackfish, but I'm not sure how many people would have heard of Blackfish. I really wanted to feature the epic "You & I" as the download, which is very similar to the Gunners classic "November Rain" in terms of song structure, but thought the following track better represented the whole feel of the band. Click on the link above to hear the rockin' first single off "Call Of The Wild" entitled "Hey Baby, Baby".
From Tulsa, Oklahoma to Erie, Pennselvyenia - Suncity Records have done it again. This time with the announcement of yet another red-hot Sleaze Rock band that has this far gone relatively unknown. We are talking about the super talented Bad Attitude.
Bad Attitude
Formed in Erie, Pennsylvania in 1988 by guitar extraordinaire, Tommy Attitude (Front Man), Mark Loblaw (Rhythm Guitar), Frank Belloumini (Bass Guitar), Sam Brutto and Greg Feddock of Lizard on the Drums. They quickly form a local following playing in bars such as Oliver's, Taps, Goofy's and renting the Polish Falcon Hall for larger venues. The boys began playing out of town venues like Doctor Feelgood's in Conneaut, Ohio and Hotel Evergreen's in Edinboro Pa.
In 1989 Mark left the band, making way for front man, Blaise Brutto, formerly from Spoiled Rotten, Night Witch and Von Rocks. Blaise, who was already an experienced front man, was exactly what the band were looking for. His incredible vocal abilities and larger than life stage persona brought Bad Attitude to an entire new level. The band mustered up a force of talent to be reckoned with. When Blaise & Tommy hit the stage together there was no need for a second guitar player and therefore Frank parted ways with the band. With the settled line up that the band had been searching for, Bad Attitude moved toward playing bigger venues like Sherlock's and King's Rooks Club, both in Erie Pa.
In 1990, the boys felt they had found the feel and the sound that finally clicked. They began laying tracks for their 1991 debut full length L.P. - Prisoners Of Rock through their own independent record label, Roadline Records. The album hit the shelves in Cruiser's, Dig Dio's, Music Scene, Record Den, Record Country, Boro Tunes, and World Of Music Records. The record sales prompted the interest of national acts such as The Godz, Molly Hatchet, Dirty Looks and Fog Hat. Bad Attitude seemed to be on a roll.
Then came the departure of Greg Feddock. The boys added in the talent of Steven Starr who brought more energy and flare to the band's already high energy and hard hitting stage shows. Bad Attitude were now ready for national exposure and began booking dates for a mega tour lasting for more than a year.
The boys shared the stage with such great artists as David Lee Roth Band, Nazareth and Night Ranger. They blew through Fort Wayne, Angola Indiana, Columbus, Cincinnati, Geneva on the Lake in Ohio, Buffalo New York, Louisville Kentucky, Fitzgerald, Albany, Ocilla Georgia, Charleston South Carolina and Myrtle Beach North Carolina. The boys were on a roll, gathering momentum with every show and a gaining a dedicated following, all leading to The Great Michigan Tour where they rocked Jackson, Lansing, Shelbyville, Flint, Detroit, Upper Peninsula, Poniac, and Bay City. Bad Attitude's thunder rocked the entire state.
Criminally "Prisoners Of Rock" was never released on CD until now where Suncity Records will be releasing this monster album in its entirety, fully re-mastered straight from the original digital master as well as a full 12-page colour booklet featuring pictures, lyrics, liner notes, etc...
Bad Attitude's sound has elements of Kix, Ratt, Skid Row, Krokus & Motley Crue mixed with their very own spark. I tend to bang on about how good Suncity's bands are, so this time I will entirely let the music do the talking. Check out the first single above off the upcoming album entitled "T'N'A Tonight". With massive backing vocals, killer musicianship, top notch production and a (bad) attitude to be reckoned with, I think this track truly represents what this band are all about and will leave you wanting more,
Date: July 7th 2008
Hi all,
Just when you thought you've heard it all, along comes a band that really knocks you on your arse!! Please welcome to the Suncity roster, our latest signing - Taupier.
Taupier
Pronounced (toe-pierre), Taupier were undoubtedly Boston's best-kept secret of the Hard Rock/Hair Band glory days. Kept on ice for over 15 years, Taupier finally unveils to the world Volume I of the greatest Hard Rock tunes that were never heard - That Was Then...!!
Was it that the world wasn't ready for this slickly produced guitar riddled foursome from Boston?, or was it a diabolical scheme plotted by a bunch of flannel wearing dudes from the northwest to prevent Taupier from stealing the thunder of the movement they were soon to unleash? We may never know.
This could very well be Hard Rock Band/Album of 2008 because this is quite simply the strongest material I've heard in many, many years. The first thing I thought of when hearing these tunes for the first time was - WOW!! where were these guys back in the late 80's? All the talent, attitude & looks in the world didn't guarantee you getting signed back then, it came a lot down to good luck and perfect timing.
These never before released on CD 14 tracks feature the racially euphoric Brotherland, the sensually funky Erotic Ball, the shoulda been a smash hit ballad Ghost Of A Lonely Heart (which will rank highly in ballad of the year) and the song that started it all, Change Your Mind.
This debut CD appropriately named "That Was Then..." is only the tip of the iceberg of vaulted material that put Taupier on the Boston Music Scene map back in the late '80's and early '90's. Stay tuned for more "in your face" guitar driven rock 'n' roll from Taupier and Suncity Records in the near future.
Now, lets get down to the nitty gritty. Click on the below link and take a listen to the first track unveiled from the vault entitled "Brotherland". Combine stellar production with influences from some of the greats - Lynch Mob, Extreme, Babylon A.D. and Lillian Axe and you will get Taupier. "Brotherland" will be the opening track off the soon to be released Taupier album "That Was Then...".
Stay tuned for another update in a week when we unveil the artwork for Taupier's That Was Then... as well as hopefully another 1-2 great new signings. All that plus a solid release date for both Taupier and Road Ratt's upcoming albums.
Date: May 27th 2008
Hello all,
More good news front the Suncity front. Our next batch of releases are now available. Those being Flash Addict - Live Fast... Die Pretty, Lessdress - Dumblondes & Masque - Face First.
As always, just either click the "Add To Cart" link below each of the desired albums below or click on the CD Orders/Catalogue link in the main menu.
Thank you all for your continued support in helping us keep the Hard Rock/AOR flame alight!
More news next week with a major signing that I've been hinting at for a while and believe me, this band will knock you out!!
Date: May 13th 2008
Hello all,
Just a quick update to unveil the album covers for our 4 latest albums.
The release date for Flash Addict - Live Fast... Die Pretty, Lessdress - Dumblondes & Masque - Face First will be May 23rd. Further notice will have a release date for Road Ratt - You Love Us.
As well as working on getting these new albums put together, we will have yet another GREAT signing for you and when I say GREAT, I mean possibly Hard Rock album of the year. Just wait to you hear this band! WOW! Expect an announced in the not too distant future so get ready!
Date: May 7th 2008
Hello Everyone,
WE'VE DONE IT!! Suncity Records are very proud to announce yet another great signing. This time we have landed in Poland, of all places. Our new signing is a band called Lessdress and they have to be heard to be believed!
Lessdress
Some die hard collectors of Melodic Rock outside of Poland may have heard of these guys before due to their mega rare 1993 release entitled "Love Industry". "Love Industry" fetches up to $US250 when it's rarely seen on Ebay and if you think that album is good, just wait to hear what Suncity Records will be releasing!!
Now I know what you're thinking and I'd be thinking the exact same thing. Poland isn't known for its top quality Melodic Rock bands and also the first thing I think of when I hear about a European band is - I hope the singer's accent isn't too over the top! The answer to the question is absolutely NOT!! You would swear black 'n' blue that the singer "Pawel Nowakowski" picked up his accent and attitude straight outta the streets of Hollywood, CA. All songs are of course sung in English too.
The album that Suncity Records will be releasing is Lessdress' mega rare (even in their home country) previously cassette only debut from 1989 "Dumblondes". Of course, being a Suncity product you can expect the music has been fully digitally re-mastered and taken straight from the original master tapes, which I may add sound out of this world!! The production on this album is second to none. Not many Hard Rock releases can boost about having better production than this in 1989. Believe me when I say, there are not enough good things I can say about the album. To this day, the Dumblondes cassette still attracts in excess of $US150 on eBay so you get an idea of what the collectors think of it.
I had searched high and low for these guys over the last 3-4 years now and due to the language barrier and a few other things, it has been extremely difficult. I was beginning to think it was never going to happen. But I just couldn't go to my grave knowing that the fans would never have the chance to own this superb album on CD. I guess albums like these are what drives me to keep Suncity Records on top of the pile.
Lessdress are every bit as good as the greats of the scene. When I'm cranking the album I think of the glory days of Skid Row, Slash Puppet, Wildside, Dirty Rhythm, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Shotgun Messiah, Nasty Idols, Slam St. Joan, Barely Legal, Roxx Gang, Bang Gang, Sweet Cheater, Dirty Penny, Swedish Erotica, Smash L.A., Spoyld, Southgang and the Canadian band Jester. I have absolutely no doubt that if Lessdress were in the States back in the Hard Rock boom time, they would have been signed to a major label. They would have blown most of the Sleaze/Glam bands on the strip out of the water.
With every spin, Dumblondes is quickly becoming one of my favorite hard rock albums ever!! Like Firehouse's self first two albums, like Skid Row's first two albums, Dumblondes is very, very hard to fault. Basically if you love booming backing vocals, blistering guitars, an L.A. attitude, masterful song writing, catchy rockin' radio friendly chorus' and stellar production, this album will go down as one of your favorites too. I will be very interested in hearing how some of the reviews pan out.
Once I get going, I tend to bang on and on so let cut to the chase for what you've been waiting for - picture yourself driving your convertible on a ripping summer's day back in 1989, you have the radio cranked to 11 and this tune comes on, it's a song called "Sweet Venice" and it will be on the upcoming Suncity Records release by Lessdress. I hope you enjoy!!
From Poland to the fantastic rock 'n' roll nation of Sweden, is were we find ourselves our second signing of the month, Road Ratt.
The story behind Road Ratt is quite an extensive one, so I will try and make it as brief as possible. Road Ratt formed in Gothenburg, Sweden as IcewingIcewing briefly changed to Hot 'N' Spicy before a British bikers-gang inspired the permanent change to Road Ratt. The band added the extra "t" in Ratt to have equal amount of letters in both words for the logo to look balanced.
With Ola Johansson (Bass) and Patrik Herrstrom (Drums) as replacements the band participated in an international band contest called Band Explosion. Out of 800 Scandinavian contenders, Road Ratt reached Top-4, and it was at that time when the local press started to take notice. Determined not to be a talent show phenomenon, Road Ratt now focused on their live act and on writing new material for a second demo.
Road Ratt
1992 was when Road Ratt really put their mark on the music scene with the release of their debut album "Reel 2". Nominated for a Swedish Grammy in the category Best Hard Rock Album along with Electric Boys, Candlemass and Sator, Road Ratt ended up losing out to Sator.
In 1993 the band were nominated for Best Newcomer and Best Album at Swedish Zeppelin-Awards. Losing out this time to Clawfinger in both cases. Road Ratt however performed live at the event broadcasted by M.T.V.'s Headbangers Ball. The Headbangers Ball episode hosted by Vanessa Warwick featured a lengthy interview with the band and the international premiere for their Itsypooked video.
After the tour, work began on a second album but the Grunge Scene was taking over and the band members started on side projects resulting in lack of commitment. The album with the working title "Young Nurses In Love" never made the finish line, and the saga was over.
Now back by popular demand in 2008, the band have teamed up with Suncity Records and work has finished on the final touches of their unreleased second album now entitled "You Love Us".
To me, Road Ratt's "You Love Us" album sounds uncannily like U.S. hard rocker Saigon Kick's much acclaimed album "The Lizard". This is an album that really grows on you over time and is sure to make waves in the Hard Rock scene. Check out the featured track on the album called "Going To Eden".
The great signings keep coming with the special announcement of the signing of Hollywood's Masque.
Masque
Masque burst onto the Hollywood scene in early 1985, quickly attracting a loyal following. Playing at legendary hot spots around town including The Troubadour, The Whisky, The Roxy Theatre, Gazzarri's and many other top L.A. venues, Masque had something special.
Shortly after departing Hollywood rockers Network (who were incidentally formed by original Quiet Riot drummer Drew Forsyth), Tony Kelly teamed up with guitar extraordinaire - Dale Fine. Tony Kelly and Dale Fine originally met in their hometown of Las Vegas, joining forces a few years later in Hollywood to form Masque. Along with ex-Network bassist Bruff Brigham and drummer Ross Cristao, formerly with Chicago based Hard Rock outfit Thrust, was the last cog in the Masque line-up.
Masque was one of the first bands to move away from the "Black Leather & Studs" image which was so prominent at that time in Hollywood spawned by Motley Crue, W.A.S.P., L.A. Guns and many others. Wanting to stand out from the crowd Masque focused on unique colorful clothing and a stage show influenced by their 70's glam rock heroes including The Dolls, KISS, Sweet, David Bowie and others. The Masque image really caught on and was eventually borrowed by some of the biggest bands of that decade.
Masque shared the bill with various unsigned bands at the time including Poison, Warrant, Stryper, Bulletboys and Guns N' Roses (who at the time were an opening act). Masque was unable to move to national fame due to internal group conflicts coupled with record label issues. The band's lineup subsequently changed to include guitarist Kevin James and drummers Mark Goodin and John Haro.
At times lead signer Tony Kelly sounds like Tony Hernell of TNT fame. When he hits notes, your windows will rattle. I suppose it's a given that all Suncity artists know their way around an axe, there is no exception here. Guitarist "Dale Fine" really puts his mark all over the music very reminiscent of Erik Turner & Joey Allen from Warrant.
Suncity Records will be releasing ALL of Masque's un-released material packed into the 1 CD which will be called "Face First". After hours and hours in the studio re-mastering, boosting and tweeting the tunes, they have come out sounding superb!
Check out the featured song of the upcoming Face First album called "Walk Tight" to get a really good feel of what this legendary Hollywood band had going on back in the glory dayz.
I would like to quickly take this opportunity to sincerely thank all the fans that have purchased our latest 3 releases in Johnny Crash, Cruella D'ville & Androids. All feedback so far has been nothing short of fantastic!!
The next website update will be on May 16th and will feature the artwork for the upcoming CD's - Flash Addict - Live Fast... Die Pretty, Lessdress - Dumblondes, Road Ratt - You Love Us & Masque - Face First. There will also be release dates for the 4-featured albums (which won't be long!! - I promise!!!).
Date: April 10th 2008
Hello All,
We are very pleased to bring you the news that you all want to hear. The news that our next 3 long awaited CD's are now available for purchase.
Johnny Crash - Unfinished Business, Androids - Let It All Out & Cruella D'ville - Showdown In Tinsel Town look better than ever, sound out of this world and most importantly - are all available for purchase!
I can't wait to hear what the fans think of these 3 new CD's! They have been months and months in the making and we all are very proud of the end product.
To purchase any or all of our 3 new releases, either click the "Add To Cart" link below each of the desired album of purchase. If you wish to also order from our back catalogue, simply click on the "CD Orders" button in the in the menu
Next update will be on April 25th and feature 3-4 more exciting signings, full length sample songs and accurate release dates for the corresponding signings, all will blow your mind!! So stay tuned...
Date: March 18th 2008
Hello again,
It is with deep sadness that we bring you the terrible news of the passing of Daniel Stewart MacMaster.
Daniel was pronounced dead last night as he lost his battle with complications from Pneumonia. Daniel suffered from Streptococcus Group A Infection that entered his blood stream. Usually people just get the non fatal Streptococcus Throat with this bug but it attacked Daniel at his weakest and his organs started to shut down. The doctors tried everything while Daniel was in hospital, but unfortunately it was too late.
Daniel Stewart MacMaster (1968-2008) - R.I.P.
We are all still in a state of shock. Daniel would have turned 40 on July 11th this year.
From personal experience, with all Daniel's Success, Fame and Talent in his short life, he was one of the most humble and easiest going guys I've met while working for Suncity Records.
Daniel's loss will be felt by the thousands of fans that he has entertained over the years with his extraordinary musical talent and he's much loved voice.
Our condolences go out to Daniel's close friends, his family, especially his 2 little kids Kaleb and Aryanna and his loving wife Tina.
Date: March 14th 2008
Hi There,
Just a quick update to inform everyone on our much anticipated upcoming releases.
Featured below are our 3 new albums that are due out on 28th of March.
Next website update will feature 4 new exciting signings as well as new artwork and much more, so stay tuned...
Date: March 3rd 2008
Hello All,
Happy new year to everyone, all of us here at Suncity Records hope you had a great break over the Christmas period and hope you are ready for a rockin' 2008!!
You would be forgiven for thinking we have stepped into 1989 again and not 2008 with all the excellent new albums being released at the moment. So we here at Suncity will weigh in with 3 more excellent signings too.
We will start with the signing announcement of U.S. Hard Rock group Cruella D'ville. Cruella D'ville are not just another L.A. style late 80's, early 90's band that were left behind in Kurt's grunge shuffle. These guys had it all - the looks, the talent, the killer hooks; basically these guys had the X factor. Cruella's sound was classic melodic hard rock with a tinge of sleaze for good measure. Cruella have a sound combining all the best L.A. elements but ultimately have a sound of their own. I usually like to give the fans a couple of comparisons to other bands but this one is tough. If I had to compare Cruella D'ville with someone else, I would say a cross between Shotgun Messiah and Skid Row. But as always, everyone will hear something different, so make sure to check out the sample track featured below.
Cruella D'ville
Cruella's D'ville's album is due out in the next couple of weeks as everything is ready for press. The title of the upcoming album will be "Showdown In Tinsel Town". Showdown In Tinsel Town comes with amazing artwork, 12-page booklet as well as being fully re-mastered. The first 4 tracks off Showdown In Tinsel Town were produced by Keith Collins of Savatage.
Now to what you've all been waiting for, the opening track off Showdown In Tinsel Town entitled "Room Without A View"
Next stop, Finland. Signing number 2 introduces to you the brilliant Androids.
Androids
Androids were one of the biggest hidden secrets of the late 80's hard rock scene in all of Europe. Androids mixed their influences from Van Halen to Aerosmith to as far as Deep Purple. Haunted by really bad luck from their previous record label, Androids never even had a chance to make it abroad. In Finland, Androids had a couple of hit singles, the first being the catchy rocker "Same As You". "Same As You" came with a matching video that was played over and over on national television between 1987-88. Androids other hit was an acoustic ballad called "When The Sun Turns To Rain" which won a national T.V. Show called "Levyraati" over Roxette's "Listen To Your Heart".
Androids one and only album "Let It All Out" was released exclusively in Finland and Spain. "Let It All Out" was only ever released on cassette tape and L.P. The "Let It All Out" album was due to be released in Japan but due to the financial problems occurring with the record company at the time, things fell through.
To me the Androids sound like a Treat/Europe mix with a singer that is a dead ringer for Mike Tramp of White Lion fame. So if you are into any of that classic European Hard Rock/AOR, these guys are definitely for you. "Let It All Out" was also recorded in the best sound studio in Sweden and subsequently has floorless production.
Suncity Records will be releasing the Androids album "Let It All Out" in its entirety and of course a few little tweaks from our sound engineers to give the album that final polish.
In the meantime, click on the link below for the first track featured off the upcoming Androids album, the monster track entitled "N.Y.C."
And last but certainly not least, the third signing we have for you, Boston's very own glam gods Flash Addict.
Flash Addict
Established in 1990, Flash Addict became a fixture on the Boston rock scene from 1991-1994. With a gritty sound, lively stage presence and obsessive work ethic, the band quickly climbed up the ranks to become Boston area headliners. Offstage, the band was well known for shameless self-promotion and notorious after show parties.
Flash Addict's popularity peaked in 1992-93, when the band took top honors both years at the Big Gig, which was New England's largest music festival of unsigned artists. The Big Gig was held at Great Woods (now known as The Tweeter Center). The band were also able to attract representation with promising prospects, but hopes of a record deal began to fade with changing musical times.
As the group's established sleaze-rock sound and image fell out of favor with both labels and the listening public, Flash Addict broke up in 1995. After which, the members went on to play in various incarnations in a number of local and national projects, including Crash Alchemist (Colella, Jodrey, Caira), Anomanes (Jodrey, Colella), Toxic Narcotic (Jodrey), The Murderdolls (Graves), Mudbuzzard/Black Belt Jones (Caira), Travel For Days (Colella), and most currently Shoot The Moon (Jodrey, Colella).
Flash Addict's upcoming album on Suncity Records entitled Live Fast... Die Pretty will be dedicated to former guitar player, Alan Hutcheson (A.K.A. Damien "Crash" Alchemist) who tragically died of a brain aneurysm in 1999.
Click below for a taste of what's in store from the soon to be released album "Live Fast... Die Pretty" with the opening track off the album called "Taste Of The Grave"
The next website update due in March will have the announcement of a further 4-5 more excellent signings as well as the artwork from Johnny Crash, Androids, Cruella D'ville and Flash Addict.
We have been getting flooded with emails regarding the upcoming Johnny Crash release and to when Unfinished Business will be released. Well, we are pleased to say that it will be released within a month and it will be well worth the wait as my guesstimate is it will be one of the best Hard Rock albums released this year. Stay tuned...
Date: October 31st 2007
Breaking News!!!
Suncity Records are very happy to announce we have snagged a deal with L.A. based Hard Rock group, Johnny Crash.
I think it would be fair to say the Johnny Crash are Suncity's biggest signing to date. When I say biggest, Johnny Crash were signed to WTG/CBS Records in the early 90's. Subsequently releasing their debut album entitled Neighbourhood Threat in 1990.
Johnny Crash
It only took Johnny Crash a mere couple of months gigging on the L.A. circuit before landing the deal with WTG/CBS Records. The first single off Neighbourhood Threat - Hey Kid saw the band shoot their first music video and in turn, earned regular playback on MTV. On the back of regular play of the Hey Kid video, Johnny Crash managed to pick up some major tours with the likes of Pretty Maids, Bonham and rock giants Motley Crue.
The Johnny Crash story begins all the way back in 1978 when Christopher Stewart (Rhythm Guitar) met August Worchell (Lead Guitar) at reform school in North California. A drummer back then, Chris, August and Faster Pussycat's Eric Stacy played blues covers in a band called Champagne. Champagne included their school principal on vocals which they claim was the only way they'd get out to play is if he was with them. Chris later played with August in Mandy Lion's World War III and in Neighbourhood Threat with Danny Stag and Johnny B Frank (subsequently in Kingdom Come). August brought in an old buddy Andy Rodgers (Bass) and Chris met Vicki James Wright (Vocals) through Tracii Guns after Vicki auditioned for LA Guns.
From a large family in Bradford, Yorkshire in North England, Vicki got into rock 'n' roll to "to piss people off", to get back at the people who said he couldn't do it. He did it and found out he liked it. After recording 2 albums with British rockers Tokyo Blade, he moved to L.A. in December of '85. Leaving England for the bright lights of Los Angeles. After finding his feet in the city of angels, two and a half years on, Vicki finally met Chris and the rest is history.
Stephen 'Punkee' Adamo (Drums) was born in Brooklyn and raised in Long Island and Poughside, NY. Moving to L.A. via Miami, FL in 1987 Steve met Chris and joined up with Johnny Crash after previously playing with another under-rated glam band Rock City Angels.
Johnny Crash
After successful tours in Europe and the U.S., Johnny Crash band made some personnel changes. Guitarist August was replaced with long time acquaintance JJ Bolte and Drummer Punkee Adamo left the group. Chris recruited long time friend Matt Sorum (Cult, Guns 'N' Roses, Velvet Revolver) to play drums. With three months of recording sessions in Los Angeles, Nashville and Memphis that also feature Keyboardist Dizzy Reed (Guns 'N' Roses) on two of the tracks complete and the mixing almost finished, Bassist Andy Rodgers tragically died of a heroin overdose. The band finished mixing the recordings but basically dropped out of sight. It was heavily rumored that the real reason that the second album never saw the light of day was due to threats made from Axel Rose. Apparently the story goes - Axel threatened legal action if Dizzy and Matt were used on anything other then the upcoming Guns 'N' Roses album.
This is where Suncity Records steps in. That very album had remained stored away collecting dust for over a decade now. Suncity Records will be releasing the 2nd unreleased album in its entirety that will be fittingly called 'Unfinished Business'. I would expect Unfinished Business to be released before the year is out.
Johnny Crash simply disappeared after being dropped from WTG/CBS Records. In 1992, the band's name was in the news again when Andy Rodgers tragically died of a heroin overdose. Post Johnny Crash saw August resurfaced shortly in American Heartbreak and go on to created a very successful tattoo ink company called Skin Candy.
As normal, featured below is a signature attitude driven, whiskey fueled rocker. Introducing Ditch The Bitch, the first single off the upcoming full length CD 'Unfinished Business'.
Just recently, Vick published his first book entitled "South Of The Pole" through "MidnightPressBooks.com". I personally recommend it to anyone who has followed Vick's career and who is just a fan of a great read. Click here to purchase your very own copy in time for Christmas.
We are sorry that it's been a long time between drinks with updates, but I've had a few personal issues that I've had to deal with and things are now back on track. Look out for another update in the coming weeks as we have a just signed some more incredible bands that I can't wait to tell you about.
Date: September 5th 2007
Hi All,
We are pleased to inform that we have just released 5 new CD's. The titles are: Slash Puppet - No Strings Attached, Fatal Charm - Looks Like Trouble, Quade - Rock In Motion, Big Guns - Stick'em Up! & Voyeur - Spanked Or Be Spanked are all now available for purchase just by clicking on the "CD Orders/Catalog" button to the right of the page.
We have put enormous time and effort into these CD's to make them some of the best we have released to date.. I've always said to the fans - "good things come to those who wait" and I think most will agree the quality of these 5 releases have come out looking and sounding better than ever.
All of us at Suncity Records thank of you for your patience and we hope you enjoy these new discs.
I know I have been promising for some time now that we will be announcing the signing of our biggest band yet, well believe it or not, we are still finalizing the terms and conditions. Of course I will let you know as soon as I can so please be patient for the time being.
Date: June 13th 2007
Hi all again,
We are very happy to announce that we have just release 3 stunning new Cd's, those being all 3 Fashion Police albums. Dare I say it but, these 3 new Cd's may just be our best Cd's to date. Not only does the music/production sound stunning, but the artwork has come out even better than we had expected.
Just another friendly reminder to all our customers that we are running low in stock with quite a few of our Cd's, so if there is any of our Cd's that you never got around to buying, I suggest you get in so before they're all gone.
To purchase any of our discs including the new Fashion Police Cd's, either click on the "CD Orders" link at the top of our website or click on the following link and scroll down to the Cd's you want - Cd Orders
As mentioned previously, we have a big signing up our sleeve, we are in the very final stages of stitching up the contracts, so stay posted for more rockin' news.
Date: May 16th 2007
Hello everyone,
Just a quick update to unveil the new artwork for our upcoming releases those being Fatal Charm - Looks Like Trouble, Quade - Rock In Motion and Slash Puppet - No Strings Attached.
To news about the Fashion Police trilogy, they are in the process of being pressed and will be available for purchase in just over 2 weeks
One more thing, we will be announcing a new signing hopefully next week which will be our biggest signing yet. Stay posted.
Date: April 18th 2007
Hello all. As you can probably see, we have done some long overdue renovations to the website. These changes should help improve efficiency in uploading each page. Also the bands section on the right hand side in the menu box has finally been finished so be sure to have a look around and check it all out. Adding to that the shopping cart has also been updated. The new shopping cart will be much more user friendly, meaning there will be no more silly combo packs for multi CD orders.
We are all very glad to be able to pass on the good news that we have just released 3 new excellent CD's. Those being Blackboard Jungle's Welcome To the Blackboard Jungle, Pretty Vacant's Walkin' On A Tilt and Kidd Havok's Roll The Dice, are now all available for $18.00 each and are available for purchase through the CD Orders link in the menu box on the right or alternatively by clicking on the add to cart link located under each CD cover featured below. Just follow to easy steps and it's a matter of following your nose, I must mention that you have to have a Paypal account to make a purchase.
Blackboard JungleWelcome To The Blackboard Jungle Add To Cart | | |
Now to news on brand new music. As promised, Suncity Records have continued to sign the best talent from the hard rock genre with the announcement of the signing of San Francisco superstars, Voyeur.
Voyeur
It would be my guess that only people in the local Bay Area as well as a hand full of die hard rock 'n' rollers will have ever heard of these guys, but let me tell you that every hard rock fan will know about them soon. I got the tip off on these guys many years back from a dear friend of mine and ever since that very day it was my mission to find this great band, Voyeur. Years rolled by and finally I got lucky! I managed to get a hold of them through an extensive Internet search (thank god for the net!).
Lucky enough, once contacted, Voyeur were a great bunch of guys that not only were overwhelmed that there was still interest out there for this kind of music but most importantly they were very keen on signing up with Suncity Records.
Voyeur are compiled together from various lesser known local Bay Area hair bands. Like most bands when starting off, Voyeur had dreams of world domination. Unfortunately Voyeur were just another late 80's hard rock group with amazing talent that were continuously overlooked by major labels. In Voyeur's short life, they played along side many great hard rock acts such as Flame, Vain, Murder Bay, Babylon A.D. and Mad Anthony. Naturally adopting a similar sound the their local band mates.
Check out the first single off the upcoming album "Spank, Or Be Spanked"
Featured below is the unveiling of the new trilogy of Fashion Police albums due to be released soon. Stay tuned for the next update as we announce another big time signing, possibly our biggest yet and also the all-new artwork for the upcoming Slash Puppet, Fatal Charm and Quade CD's. Much more in store as well but I must zip it now, I can not wait to spill the beans. Stay tuned
Date: February 12th 2007
As you may have noticed we have taken the Ana Black press release off our website.
The news is not so good for the fans because there will be no Ana Black CD's release by Suncity Records. The reason is simple, we thought the band members that we signed owned all the rights to the music and we have now discovered we were misled.
I apologize to all the fans that have emailed us with such excitement in regards to the Ana Black signing and especially the guy in Australia who went out and got an Ana Black tattoo~!! I did everything in my power to sign the rest of the rights owners, but to no avail.
Unfortunately it is very unlikely that the fans will ever get to hear the Ana Black material in its best possible form due to infighting between the band, which is a real shame because as I've said before, the music is very strong. Well, I suppose we can all keep our fingers crossed.
We just have to put this behind us and move on. It is a really exciting time for us at Suncity Records with a bunch of discs planned for release in the not to distant future as well as plenty more excellent signings.
Later this week, we will be previewing the artwork for the upcoming releases: Fashion Police - Callin' All The Shots, Fashion Police - A New Minority, Fashion Police - Plug It In and Fatal Charm - Looks Like Trouble.
Date: February 5th 2007
Happy New Year to all, we hope you had a great time over the holiday season and are ready for a big year in Hard Rock/AOR.
The first lot of news we have this year is another double signing that is sure to whet the appetite of all the AOR purists around the globe. Suncity's inaugural complete AOR releases from the bands Quade and Big Guns.
First we will start off with Quade. The album that we will be releasing is Quade's 1989 cassette only release entitled "Rock In Motion". Quade went on after that to release their next album, Heaven's Break which is these days considered a ultra rare collectors item and is currently being bootlegged by Rock It Records (Italy) out of America.
Quade
The closest comparison to the music of Quade's Rock In Motion would be in my opinion classic mid to late 80's Honeymoon Suite. So if you like spine tingling keyboards with a very rockin' vibe, this release is for you. Rock In Motion is considered by many AOR fans as a much more complete and all round release than the follow up "Heaven's Break". Check out the promo photo of the band!! WOW! How 80's, enjoy!
Oh yeah, I almost forgot, I really advise everyone to go and check out Kimo Kersse's personal website for all the latest news - www.kimokerssemusic.com
The song that we will be featuring below is a ballad off the album and should give you an idea of the talent this band have.
Next is the U.K. band Big Guns. This time we will be releasing their unreleased follow up album entitled "Stick'em Up!". No to be confused with the U.S. band that released a CDR called "Bustin' Out" at the end of last year.
Big Guns
To me, Big Guns are U.K.'s answer to the legendary hard rockers Danger Danger. Many may know that Danger Danger are one of my all-time favourite bands so I don't make such comparison easily. Big Guns hit the scene in the early 90's when they were signed to Japanese hard rock label giant "Zero Records". In 1994 the band made their break through with their critically acclaimed debut release entitled "On Dangerous Ground". An ultra rare collectable to this day, what many people believe was that the only thing that kept "On Dangerous Ground" from being a classic AOR release was the less than par production. Knowing the fact about the poor production, Big Guns were adamant to right the wrong when recording their second album and proving to themselves that they were an AOR powerhouse. Putting it all on the line to record the classic AOR album, Big Guns decided to self fund their next album on their very own. Coughing up $US30,000 for the recording process which was a hell of a lot of money back in those days. Unfortunately $US30,000 at the recording quality that the band was after was only enough for six tracks of AOR magic. Due to the music climate at the time, no record label was willing to give Big Guns a chance at rock stardom. Those six previously unreleased tracks will be the content of Suncity Records's Big Guns - Stick'em Up! album and is due to be released early this year.
Wrap your ears around one of six excellent AOR tunes with the rockin' track entitled "Don't Push"
Also a big thank you to all the people who have supported us by purchasing copies of our latest releases: Daniel MacMaster Rock Bonham... And The Long Road Back, Sweet Teaze Groovin' On The Backside & Dirty Rhythm Never Cleaned Up. Your support is much appreciated with our desire on bring you, the fans the best Hard Rock/AOR. We have received really nice reviews on all our CD's so far so we thank the promoters as well. A reminder to all that still haven't got around to picking up the new releases, just click on the order button and follow your nose.
Our next update will preview the cover art for the following releases due out very soon - Fashion Police - A New Minority, Fashion Police - Callin' All The Shots, Fashion Police - Plug It In & Fatal Charm - Looks Like Trouble. Also keep an eye out from some more excellent signings, some that will blow you away.
Date: November 28th 2006
Hi all,
Finally we have got the update that you have all been waiting for. It's taken a while, I know, but as they say "better late than never".
First off the following three CD's are officially available for purchase by clicking on the link below. Daniel MacMaster, Sweet Teaze and Dirty Rhythm. I have got them in my hand and they look and sound freakin' amazing!! I couldn't be more proud of the product.
Click Here to go to the purchase page
Next up, the news only gets better with another A grade signing. In Suncity Record's quest to scour the globe for the best of what hard rock has to offer, we have definitely hit the jackpot!! Stopping by the beautiful country of Canada. We have been lucky enough to secure Canada's finest hard rock band Slash Puppet and we are all so excited that this great band have joined the Suncity family in the pursuit of keeping the flame alight.
Starting first with Slash Puppet. Most people know Slash Puppet for their stunning 1993 self-titled release but what a lot of people don't know is that they had an awesome debut album they released in 1989 as a cassette only issue. Suncity Records will be presenting their classic debut with all the typical Suncity perks. Once again, this album has been going for top dollar on Ebay and for a very good reason. Slash Puppet's major features are great attitude, massive gang backing vocals, excellent production and an awesome image. You couldn't really ask for more in a hard rock release.
Slash Puppet
After well over a year trying to hunt down the masters, with many leads from many people, we have finally got lucky big time!! These classic recordings will be presented in their full glory and believe me, they sound better than ever. Better news yet, this CD will be released early 2007.
I was never lucky enough to see Slash Puppet live in concert but from all reports they really ripped it up, with a stage show that had more energy than a nuclear power plant.
When it comes to the music, think Skid Row, Britny Fox, think fellow Canadians Smash L.A., Slik Toxik, Sweden's finest Swedish Erotica, even the great Polish outfit, Lessdress. Vocalist Mif's attitude will jump out of your speakers, grab you by the scruff of the throat and wack you over the head from the very first second of the very first track.
Make sure to check out lead vocalist, Mif's awesome My Space site at - www.myspace.com/mifmaster
Check out the track "Evil Woman" off the upcoming Self Titled album for a great idea of how good these guys really are.
Date: October 12th 2006
Hello everyone,
Just a quick update to keep everybody posted on how things are coming along with our next few releases.
Below are the upcoming CD's to be released before the end of the year. To preview a track off each album, click on the link below. To enlarge an album cover, just click on the picture.
Dirty Rhythm, Daniel MacMaster and Sweet Teaze will be released on the 31/10/06. Kidd Havok, Blackboard Jungle and Pretty Vacant won't be too much longer, we are just tweaking a few things in order to get the production spot on. Enjoy.
Next week we will have a major announcement on the signing of another 2 brilliant artists, so stay tuned.
Date: July 15th 2006
Wow, do we have a treat for you!! Suncity Records has signed up some of the best Hard Rock bands of late and we are continuing that trend with the announcement of 2 more giants of the underground. The 2 bands in the spotlight are Florida's best kept secret, Kidd Havok as well as the amazing glamsters from Cleveland, Fashion Police.
Kidd Havok
In no particular order we will start of with Kidd Havok. With the Florida music scene in the early 90's being known widely as being almost as strong as California's and Cleveland's, Kidd Havok show why.
Formed from the ashes of Scrooge in the mid/late 80's by Scot Marcs and Johnny B. Kidd Havok went though several line-up changes before finding the perfect combo of Shawn St. Pierre and Rob Barone. Due to a powerful live show, the band gained a considerable following. Their 10-song demo found them with good radio airplay on both coasts of America as well as several TV appearances.
Kidd Havok's music can be described as some of the very best hair metal, certainly that I have ever heard, both released and un-released material. These guys could of easerly stood tall with the big boys that were signed to the major labels back in the day. Axeman, Scot Marcs brings blazing guitars to the music reminiscent of the great Nuno Bettercourt. From Slash to Harry Cody to even the best of C.C. Deville's guitar chops that he was busting out in the early 90's. From the opening riff you will be stopped in your tracks at his genius! This is very special stuff, every song holding its very own piece of magic. In periods of the album you can almost hear Marc go surfing with the alien, O.K. you get the point, this guy shredds!!
Having said all that, you probably are thinking the album is the Marcs show but I'm here to tell you it's not. Every member of the band in their own right a seasoned songwriter. With years of experience under their belt, vocalist Johnny B has all the attitude that all great hair metal bands need. Rob Barone on drums and Shawn St. Pierre on bass don't put a foot wrong either.
Kidd Havok play their own brilliant type of Extreme/Skid Row type street sleaze metal with axe work that sends shivers down your spine. Other comparisons go to Dirtyworks, Bad 4 Good, Hericane Alice, Dirty Rhythm, Slik Toxik, Slash Puppet, Sven Gali and Lillian Axe. All in all, to me this is perfectly crafted hair metal and over time, may even go down as a classic hair metal album.
Now to the hardest part of this website update, choosing the track that we will feature for the fans. Every song on this album is a winner, how many albums can you say that about? Take a listen to some pure hair metal bliss with the song "Cold Sweat" which will incidentally be off the upcoming album entitled "Roll The Dice". This will give you an idea of what to expect from these guys and what the band are all about.
I have been jumping out of my skin this week because not only have we stitched up a deal with the smokin' Kidd Havok but we have signed Cleveland's awesome Fashion Police. Masterminded by the multi talented Dave Belanger, get excited people because we will be releasing all 3 Fashion Police albums with extra unreleased bonus tracks as well as video footage of the band on each CD. The albums "Calling All The Shots", "A New Minority" and "Plug It In" have recently been fetching big dollars on Ebay for a very good reason. Now they will be presented with stunning artwork, re-mastered, full lyrics, etc for a much better price. Dave Belanger was originally in Suncity Records's Pretty Vacant and played on their one and only album "...And We Don't Care". Going his own way, Dave had an idea to start another party rock band that had every element that people in the early 90's wanted to hear. Fashion Police was therefore born.
Fashion Police
The trilogy of Fashion Police CD's will contain the full Fashion Police story, which is a great bonus, a story of trying to make it as a hard rock band back in the early 90's, personally written by bass guitarist and chief song writer Dave Belanger.
Well, what can I say about the music? If you're after grinding guitar grooves, spectacular hard rock riffs ala Motley Crue, pounding drums and bass that shakes the ground, well go no further than Fashion Police. Excellent production that still stands up very well in this day and age. You will go a long way to find production as crisp as these recordings from any hair metal band in any era. Like all Suncity Records releases, these recordings have been taken straight from the original masters, you won't find any cheap cassette/vinyl conversions like a lot of other rival labels here.
Now to Fashion Police's music, to me their closest relatives would have to be "Religious Fix" era Tuff. Tuff''s Religious Fix is in my top 25 hard rock albums of all time, so you can imagine how excited I am. Lead vocalist Daniel Montesanto is a dead ringer of Stevie Rachelle, sleazy as all get out. The only reason I can think why these guys didn't pick up a major label deal is unfortunately they were a little late on the scenes. The Nirvana virus had well and truly kicked in by then.
Take a listen to the track "I Want Love" which I have chosen out of 3 albums, mainly because I think it best describes the band and the whole vibe that these guys had going on. Enjoy.
Also as promised, below are the covers for the upcoming Sweet Teaze - Groovin' On The Backside and Daniel MacMaster - Rock Bonham... And The Long Road Back album. Also listed are the track listings.
Daniel MacMaster - Rock Bonham... And The Long Road Back
- 01 - Bleeding Hearts Collide
- 02 - Is She Falling?
- 03 - Walk With Me
- 04 - 1st In Line
- 05 - Just Before We Say Goodnight
- 06 - One Step Behind
- 07 - Find A Way Back To You
- 08 - Great Confusion (Unreleased Bonham)
- 09 - Feeling Inside (Unreleased Bonham)
- 10 - Friend Of Mine (Unreleased Bonham)
- 11 - Can't Win For Losing (Unreleased Bonham)
|
Sweet Teaze - Groovin' On The Backside
- 01 - Groovin'
- 02 - When I'mk Down
- 03 - Broken Heart
- 04 - Slippin' Away
- 05 - Can't Take It No More
- 06 - Criminal Attraction
- 07 - Borrowed Time
- 08 - Can't Find It, Grind It
- 09 - Never Was A Good Boy
- 10 - Heartless Woman
|
We have been working over-time behind the scenes getting these discs out to you. It may seem a little slow but we are putting everything into the artwork and production to make the best quality product possible. We plan on getting at least 10 albums out before the end of the year. We are always looking for the best talent that hard rock has to offer and our next news update will feature 2 more great signings as well as artwork for another 2 albums. So stay tuned for the latest from the Suncity camp.
Date: June 16th 2006
Suncity Records are proud to announce the signing of the masters of the Sunset Strip, Blackboard Jungle.
Blackboard Jungle
Originally from New Jersey, Britt Pennella, and Kenny Price moved to Los Angeles in the mid 1980's where they Blackboard Jungle thought they had a much better chance to make a name for themselves. They started up a glam rock band called Filthy Ritz. Filthy Ritz gathered up quite a strong fan base in a very small period of less than six months. Just as Filthy Ritz were starting to headline their own shows and make a name for themselves, the band decided to call it quits due to a few personality clashes. Britt and Kenny hooked up with Dave Zinc and Joel Faith and decided to start up another band and that's when Blackboard Jungle was born.
Blackboard Jungle were one of the more diverse hard rock bands from the strip with a style of their very own. To me, they drew similarities with Australia's very own Candy Harlots and even early Vain. Singer, Kenny Price has a unique and very distinctive voice along the same lines as Davy Vain.
Blackboard Jungle covered more ground and got more press than any unsigned band to ever come out of L.A. Sporting a resume' that starts with a 12 song cd entitled "I Like It Alot" on Church Records which was produced by Brent Muscat. As well as extensive touring with the likes of Faster Pussycat, Gene Loves Jezabel, Filthy Lucre, Hole, Love Hate and these guys even opened for Cheap Trick.
Blackboard Jungle went to Japan in 1992 for about two weeks, playing sold out shows for up to 2,500 people and recorded BBJ-Live In Japan 1992 vhs. One of the songs recorded for the live set in Japan will be featured on the upcoming album which incidently will be called "Welcome To The Blackboard Jungle". Brent Muscat also produced two songs that appear on the Japanese motion picture soundtrack for "He Is Werewolf King".
1993 for Blackboard Jungle was spent touring and recording demos with Bill Kennedy who worked with Nine Inch Nails on Broken and Fixed for an upcoming album called "America Now" that was released in 1994 and went on to a mini tour of Germany.
More recording, local shows and shuffling band members took up most of 1994. Blackboard Jungle was one of the three finalists for FOX 11 L.A. unsigned band contest, which received over 2,500 entries. Blackboard Jungle went on to win this contest and appeared live on national T.V. twice to perform and accept the honour.
Then came the dreaded 1995. More shuffling of band members, the death of Laz (R.I.P.), the loss of 7 Seas and the departure of Dave eventually resulted in the end of Blackboard Jungle. The only good thing to come out 1995 was Kenny, Britt and Joel recording together for one last time.
Check out the killer track entitled "Sweet Elaine". "Sweet Elaine" went down very well live and still to this day remains a real crowd pleaser.
There will be another news update in a couple of days with the unveiling of the front covers of Daniel MacMaster's Rock Bonham.... And The Long Road Back album and Sweet Teaze's Groovin' On The Backside. So stay tuned!!
Date: April 21st 2006
It's double signing time people. Suncity Records are proud to announce a very special signing in Sunset Strip legends Pretty Vacant. You want Glitz? You want Glam? You want Attitude? You want extremely good song writing? Well look no further than Pretty Vacant.
Pretty Vacant Logo
Pretty Vacant are very special to me mainly because they were one of the sole reasons why I started up this record label. When I first had the pleasure of listening to the unreleased material by Pretty Vacant, I was quite frankly blown away, thinking to myself; I have to do something about this criminally overlooked band!!
Still today, the boys are playing their kind of Motley Crue, Alleycat Scratch & Skid Row type of hard rock to sold out shows throughout Hollywood Ca. Not only have Pretty Vacant written some of the best sleazy hard rock songs ever, but also everyone must check out the amazing ballad in "Shine".
Pretty Vacant
Pretty Vacant are one hell of a professional unit, each band member a master of their own instrument in their own right and most importantly they had the chemistry to match. Combining all those elements, I still haven't mentioned the key ingredient in the lead vocalist "Kenny Vacant". Kenny is exactly what hard rock has been missing for the last decade!!!! What can I say about him?? He is a born front man and has all the attributes that is needed the make a brilliant all-round band!!
Pretty Vacant never released a official CD, only a cassette/LP release in 1988 Called ...And We Don't Care that remains a very sort over collectors piece. Featured below is an un-mastered track off the new album. The track is entitled Welcome Home.
That's not where the fun stops ladies and gentlemen. We have also signed Cleveland, Ohio's very own, the great Fatal Charm.
Fatal Charm
Many might not have heard of Fatal Charm before as they didn't venture to Hollywood like most another Sleaze/Glam bands in the search of a record deal, but let me tell you they out did most Hollywood glam bands at there own game. Fatal Charm were most active between 1986 - 1995, but still are playing the one off show every now and again to sold out audiences.
Mixing elements between the best of Trixter, Mr. Nasty, Southgang and a funky-less Ugly Kid Joe. These guys had a great song writing prowess with tones of attitude and a great rockin' vibe. Having said that, Fatal Charm also had just enough unquieness to distinguish them from the others.
Frontman Joey D describes the music "I think the greatest selling point for Fatal Charm is that we were so before our time, I mean our look was dead on 1988 and so on, but our music was comparable to The Black Crowes, L.A. Guns, The Cult, Poison, even The Ramones and Cheap Trick. I think that's why we were always the most interesting band to come see, we just had something for everyone. It was just great honest rock with all the trimmings of the big band sleeze rock days. One of the songs we recorded is even going to be featured on Ted Poley of Danger Danger's new CD".
But as we always do, we have featured the track "Dancin' With Roses" and we'll let the music do the talking. As ever, the track featured is yet to be re-mastered.
A little update on the rest of our up-coming releases:
- South Station - is in the final stages of mixing the tracks and let me add that this CD
- Heaven's Wish - are still in the studio recording their eagerly awaited follow up album
- Dirty Rhythm - are almost finished, just going through all the bands archived music to see if there is anything else worth adding to the album. This album will feature the video to their first single off their debut album "Feel The Fire"
- Sweet Teaze - are almost done also, just getting together a few more notes for the booklet.
- Daniel MacMaster - are final stages of re-mastering, sound awesome, shouldn't be too much longer. My prediction is the Dirty Rhythm, Sweet Teaze & Daniel MacMaster will all come out at the same time.
Date: April 12th 2006
Today we bring you some not so good news about one of our previous signings. The band in concern is Tainted Angel. Tainted Angel were our first signing, which we had signed about a year ago now. After hundreds of lies and 6 separate advance payments for the two unreleased Tainted Angel albums, we have still received none of the promised material.
Lynn Edward Glezen has been nothing but trouble to work with. He still has the rock star attitude when really he has done nothing apart from release a demo quality record back in the early 90's. We aren't the first record label he has ripped off unfortunately. He did the same thing to Ryan at Metal Mayhem, but once Ryan told me about him it was too late.
It's a real shame that independent record label's like us come across people like Lynn, when all that we are trying to do is present the fans with the best quality Hard Rock from back in the day. With the margins that we make being very minimal, a set back like this really hurts and puts us on the back foot. At one stage, I thought we would have to pack up shop. Trying to keep afloat was very hard but I love this label and I will fight for the music that we love.
Rest assure that over the next two or three months Suncity Records will unleash some of the best unreleased material, some heard, some not heard to be released in so many years. We thank you for bearing with us through these hard times and we will refuse to be buried. Also, when the business was in the balance the emails and messages we recieved meant so much, so I thank you.
I'm not a malicious person at all, but when I heard the news that Tainted Angel had signing up with Retrospect Records, it put a smile on my face. I'm not one for karma either but this makes me think things do come back at you. After all, those two deserve each other. I hope Retrospect Records bootlegs the first Tainted Angel CD to the nth degree.
Date: March 8th 2006
Hello everybody, happy new year to all. Yeah, we know it's March but we have been working hard behind the sences. Suncity Records has just celebrated it's first year in business. We have plenty of albums that we have planned for you guys to spice the new year up a little.
Suncity Records are extremely proud to announce the first signing of the year being one of the best hard rock singers in the industry, Daniel MacMaster. Daniel's claim to fame was being the front man of U.K. Hard Rock super group Bonham. Bonham first gained natural attention due to the fact they featured legend, John Bonham's son Jason behind the skins. Bonham were signed to WTG/Sony and burst upon the U.S. music scene in 1989 with their Bob Ezrin produced debut album, The Disregard Of Time Keeping. It would go gold behind the hit singles "Wait For You" and "Guilty", and reach #38 on the Billboard charts. After touring hard promoting their debut there was a three-year absence from the studio. By demand, the band started writing new tracks, which brought about the 1992 follow up album, Mad Hatter. After 1992 we all know what happened to the music industry and the rest is history.
Daniel MacMaster
Daniel MacMaster's solo album will be titled Rock Bonham... And The Long Road Back and will include 4 unreleased bonus tracks from the Bonham years that were recorded in their heyday and are in my opinion the best songs the band ever recorded. The music you will be hearing from Daniel grows on you with every spin, like a fine bottle of wine, it only gets better with time.
If I was asked to say who Daniel sounds like, I would definitely say Anthony Corder of Tora Tora fame. This guy gives you Goosebumps with the passion he exudes. No set-in-stone release date yet but you could expect it out in a month or two.
Click on the link below to hear what I believe will be hailed melodic rock hit song of the year, the sensational opening track "Bleeding Hearts Collide", Daniel couldn't have packed more emotion into this number if he tried, real bone chilling stuff. Just keep in mind that it is yet to be re-mastered.
Daniel has also been extra busy of late, as he has been hard at work writing and recording an all new record. The new album will be titled "Never Ever Done" and will be due out sometime this year so keep your ears peeled.
Date: December 14th 2005
What a great way to celebrate our first year with three of our best signings yet. It has been a great year for Suncity Records, getting the label off the ground and releasing our first lot of CD's. 99% of feedback received has been excellent which is always a good sign. We have been working around the clock to bring you the best of what hard rock has to offer and we think we have really nailed it.
Dirty Rhythm
The first signing being U.S. hard rock band Dirty Rhythm. Most of you will know them from their excellent first full length CD released back in 1991 entitled Hard As A Rock. Receiving excellent feedback worldwide for their first album, Dirty Rhythm were widely known as twin brother to Skid Row.
The yet to be titled Dirty Rhythm CD will be a five-track album with a bonus multimedia video. Only five tracks you are thinking, well, these are the five tracks that JRS Records left off the Hard As A Rock album to the bands dismay. The most wicked guitar work heard in many years, in your face attitude driven vocals ala Sebastian Bach, listening to them, you can imagine these guys kicking around the back alleys of L.A. in 1989.
When I get asked about Dirty Rhythm's sound I say "Imagine this as a scenario: the year is 1989, U.S. Hard Rockers Skid Row go into the studio to record 16 songs for Atlantic Records. When finishing their self-titled CD the record company tell the band they can only have 11 tracks on the album therefore they to cut 5 tracks from the list". The five tracks that are left over would have been these five here and not left off the CD because of the quality. That's the best way I can describe these 5 tracks from Dirty Rhythm. Sounding like they were left off Skid Row's first CD. It's obviously apparent that Skid Row were Dirty Rhythm's major inspiration but who else do they sound like you ask? Well Heaven's Edge, Cry Wolf, XYZ, Hardline and Dokken all come to mind.
Every hard rock collection is defiantly not complete without this little gem. Click on the link below to listen to a track in full off the soon to be released album
Here is our second band with a release that is sure to make massive waves in the hard rock circles. The signing of Sweet Teaze brings us the never before released or heard to the public album Groovin' On The Backside. This is one of the main reasons I started up this record label, unreleased albums like this used to sadden me that they were never released.
Sweet Teaze
Recorded in January 1991, right amongst the Hard Rock boom, Sweet Teaze did this recording for Capital Records right before the Grunge invasion hit therefore having Capital dropping the boys in search of the of the next Kurt Cobain wannabe.
This is the CD Skid Row should released instead of "Subhuman Race", Matt Mathews to me sounds very similar to Sebastian Bach, such a power house behind the mic. With perfect hooks and melodies to have these tunes in your head for weeks. Smokin' guitars, which is synonymous with all Suncity Records releases. What also really struck me with this material was the sensational late 80's, early 90's big stadium ballads which have to be heard to be believed.
You think their first release was special, renowned as one of the top ten hard rock indies ever hitting the $200 mark on Ebay consistently well you are in for a major treat here. The sound can be describe as a cross between Sweet Teaze's Do It Till It Hurtz and Skid Row's Slave To The Grind, I can't speak highly enough of this release! Perfectly crafted hard rock.
To here what I'm raving about, click below on the link to hear the first ballad in full off Groovin' On The Backside entitled "Broken Heart ". Make sure to email me with your thoughts on this cracking track. david@suncityrecords.com
The third signing we have got for you we are extremely proud to announce is the signing of Detroit's premiere Hard Rock band Heaven's Wish. Forming in 1984 as a five-piece, it was ten tough years of touring, writing and recording until these boys stuck it big time when they got signed to Universal Records USA. Heaven's Wish were never given a real chance as 1994 was the break through year for Grunge. Over the first ten years as a band Heaven's Wish achieved some quite substantial highlights, which included picking up the 1990 best band award for 101.1 WRIF beating over 1,500 bands. 1991 was another good year for the band as they won the 1991 best live band award once again for Michigan's top hard rock station 101.1 WRIF.
Heaven's Wish
In 1995 the band were getting ready for a tour of Hawaii when tragedy stuck. Jim, the bass guitarist committed suicide. After that fateful day the band never really recovered and the band really suffered having Heaven's Wish split up.
Lead singer Ronnie Vanlip describes the bands sound as a mix between Whitesnake, Def Leppard, Aerosmith, and Motley Crue. I couldn't agree more as these guys have class written all over them. A very professional unit, Heaven's Wish gel together perfectly. Live, Heaven's Wish shined, Ronnie had all the moves, colour, and a great sense of humour. Playing with bands such as Warrant, Skid Row, Bonham, Bulletboys, Damn Yankees, Enuff ‘Z' Nuff, the impressive list goes on but the show that really stands out is when they played with Eddie Money to 100,000 people at the Detroit Grand Prix.
Currently doing one off shows in their hometown of Detroit and still getting great reviews everywhere they play. Gathering up tons of unreleased material over the years, It is now time for the boys to get back in the studio and belt them out on another full length album. Not only have Heaven's Wish signed up for just the one CD with Suncity Records but it's a two CD deal, which will please fans to no end. Some of the songs you can look forward to hearing are: Ridin' High, Stay The Night, Let's Dance, I Just Wanna Die, She's Hot, Just Lookin', Lonely Nights, Talk Talk, Something About You, plus many, many more. Some of the die hard fans may of heard some of these tunes live before as they were written in the late 80's, early 90's.
This is just three of many new signings that we have for you with many more to be announced shortly. 2006 is going to be one hell of a rockin' year.
Things are moving along very nicely with South Station and you can expect a release date for their first album early in 2006.
We hope you have a very merry and safe Christmas and a happy New Year and hope Santa brings you all the Rock 'N Roll that you deserve. Keep posted early next year as we have a lot more in store for you as we will be announcing a heap more signings. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the support you have shown to us so far and get ready because 2006 is going to be one big year for Rock 'N Roll.
Date: December 3rd 2005
We would like to send a big thankyou to everyone who has purchased the new Blue Tears's and/or the new Swingin' Thing albums. Not so good news in from the CD manufacturing plant that there has been a slight delay in the pressing of the new CD's. The new release date has been pushed back to December 13th. We apologise for any inconvenience that may have been caused.
Keep posted for an announcement on some new signings in the not too distant future.
Date: November 24th 2005
It's been a while but Suncity Records are back with two more awesome releases. One being that of the second chapter of the Blue Tears anthology entitled Dancin' On The Back Streets. The people who have heard advanced copies say it is much stronger than the first disc Mad, Bad & Dangerous. The other CD being that of Hollywood Glamsters Swingin' Thing. This release is just about as good as it gets for Sleaze/Hard Rock, straight from the Sunset Strip, many believe that Swingin' Thing were the most unlucky band of that era not to be signed to a major label.
Below is the art work for the next releases. It has taken a while but as they say "Good things come to those who wait". Phenominal art work again and the re-mastering for both CD's has been done again by the Master Gregg Fulkerson.
Click on any of the album covers or the order button to purchase your copies now.
Stay tuned for 3 more new signings in the next week or two. These 3 bands will start 2006 with possibly the best year for Hard Rock since 1992.
Here is the offical track order for Swingin' Thing - Keep On Swingin'
SWINGIN' THING - KEEP ON SWINGIN'
- 01. Hazy, Lazy, Crazy Daze Of Summer
- 02. I Want Your Body
- 03. Pump!
- 04. Better Left Unsaid
- 05. Coconut Cream
- 06. Groove Of Love
- 07. No One But Myself To Blame
- 08. Hook, Line & Sink Her
- 09. Cowboy On The Run
- --Bonus Tracks--
- 10. Precious
- 11. Underground
- 12. Hey Kidd
- 13. Do You Feel Alright?
- 14. Generation
- 15. Cat's Got Your Tongue
- 16. Sugar Shock
- 17. For You
Date: September 1st 2005
Schoolboy Crush CD's have been mailed off as of today. We apologize for the delay and we hope you enjoy this CD as much as we did putting it together.
Date: August 27th 2005
Suncity Records is happy to present the track listing for the up coming Blue Tears CD entitled Dancin' On The Back Streets. There has been a lot of speculation recently about whether of not we will be releasing songs such as: A Date With Destiny, Kiss And Tell, Forever Yours, Strong, Slip And Fall, Storm In My Heart, Summer Girl, etc. the list goes on. Well, we are happy to announce that we haven't left anything out. Below is the official track listing as well as sound samples of a few chosen songs. All tracks are yet to be re-mastered, so please keep that in mind when listening. We hope you enjoy!
BLUE TEARS - DANCIN' ON THE BACK STREETS
- 01. Summer Girl
- 02. Loud Guitars, Fast Cars And Wild, Wild Women
- 03. Kiss And Tell
- 04. Storm In My Heart
- 05. Slip And Fall
- 06. A Date With Destiny
- 07. All Cried Out
- 08. Forever Yours
- 09. Do You Want Me?
- 10. Small Town Dreams
- 11. Livin' In The Movies
- 12. She's Not Falling In Love
- 13. Strong
- 14. Touch
- 15. Dark Of The Night
- 16. Dream Of Me
Date: August 23rd 2005
Hi all,
As most of you are aware now, Suncity Record's very own band Blue Tears will be performing at this years Firefest II on 26th of November at Nottingham Rock City. Gregg and the boys are overwhelmed to be playing with such great acts as: House Of Lords, Danger Danger, Harem Scarem and Danny Vaughn. I am happy to announce that I will be there rocking on with the best of you all in late November. One thing I must say is a big thank you to Kieran Dargan, who as most know is the tour promoter for Firefest and he has done a great job in attracting such great band as the above mentioned.
More exciting news is that we are extremely proud to present to you another great signing in the name of South Station.
Now, most of you folk won't know South Station from a bar of soap but let me tell you once the CD is released, they will be the talk of the town. These guys are just smashing!! Featuring none another than Mr.(super talented) Glenn Stewart previously of early 90's hard band Roxxi.
At Suncity Records, we focus mainly in releasing the unreleased gems of the hard rock heyday, but when Glenn first showed me the music he was working on, gee, I just had to sign him up. Think Poison, think Skid Row, think any band with that special hard rock flare that we all know and love. The music is not at all dated but I'll tell you right now, no nu-metal, grunge or modern rock influences to be heard. Suncity Records certainly doesn't wont to put it's name to anything that is not in the vein of the AOR/Hard Rock that we all live for.
Featured below is a special song to me and is the first song I heard from Glenn's new project, it is a ballad that would have gone top 10 on the charts if only released in the late 80's, early 90's. Your feedback is much appreciated to what you think of any of our music.
Now to Schoolboy Crush news, I know how eager the fans that have pre-ordered the Good Time, Bad Boys disc are on receiveing it. Well new in is that they will be ready to be mailed out on Friday. So the wait is almost over!!
Date: August 4th 2005
Suncity Records are extremely proud to announce the signing of the out an out kings of the Sunset Strip in Swingin' Thing !!
Swingin' Thing
Swingin' Thing ruled the strip back in the hey day but never had the chance to get a full-length album out until now. We are putting together 2 full-length albums that are bound to kick your butt. These albums are the perfect glam CD's, written about fast cars, summertime girls, partying and just havin' a good time. This material is bound to lift your spirits.
Signed to a Japanese label in the early 90's called "Monster Productions", Swingin' Thing found themselves touring throughout Japan and ultimately, that's where they enjoyed most of their success.
It's the same story Blue Tears had with their unreleased bootleg cd's, going for a mint on ebay and the sound quality was way below par. The tracks that we will be releasing will be straight from the DAT tapes and then of course go through the whole re-mastering process. Sound quality is something we here at Suncity Records pride ourselves on. These glamstars did most of their recordings at A&R studios in Hollywood, which is the reason the production is of excellent quality.
Back in 1998, indie label Bombastic Plastic released a self-titled album by The Things, which were the same band only they had a more punkish influence to their music. Chris Penketh, the guitarist from Swingin' Thing was telling me that they always wanted to be a punk band but changed their sound to fit in with the whole hard rock boom. But not here, no punk influecnces! Everything you could want in a band from the Sunset Strip, gang backing vocals run supreme, guitar chops Satriani would be proud of, great attitude on the vocal ala Vince Neil. These guys had everything Motley Crue had and more but as we all know, justice wasn't served back in the late 80's, early 90's.
Here is just a few sound samples to whet your appetite. The songs below will be on the first of 2 CD's to come out this year.
SWINGIN' THING - KEEP ON SWINGIN' (Working Title)
No release date as yet, but as always, when news comes to hand you will be the first to know right here.
If you want to check out what Sunny, Mike and Chris are doing with themselves these days well go no further than: www.myspace.com/itsthepigs
It's The Pigs are an awesome 3 piece band out of West Hollywood. Very similar style of music to Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
Date: August 1st 2005
Blue Tears "Mad, Bad & Dangerous" cd is finally in stock!! We apologies for the slight delay but they are here and they look and sound excellent.
To all the people that pre-odered the Blue Tears cd "Mad, Bad & Dangerous", it has been sent out as of today. If you have ordered Schoolboy Crush's "Good Time, Bad Boys", it will be sent out in the next few weeks due to a few slight delays with production. Therefore if you have ordered both cd's, you will get two seperate packages at no extra cost. We are extremely happy with the way the Blue Tears cd has come out and my guarantee to everyone is to get excited because these cd's are well and truely worth the wait.
More exciting news to come later this week so stayed tuned to the website as we will be announcing our new signing shortly.
Date: July 23rd 2005
Pre orders for both Blue Tears and Schoolboy Crush have been excellent. We would like to advise those who have pre ordered these CD's that it has taken longer than anticipated, but assure you these CD's will be sent shortly. We have been promised delivery in approx one to two weeks for Blue Tears and Schoolboy Crush has just been remastered and will be a few weeks later. Thanks for your patience and we guarantee that it is well worth the wait. For the customers who ordered the Combo Pack of both CD's we will ship the Blue Tears immediately it is available and Schoolboy Crush separately at a later date. No extra shipping will be charged.
ARFM in the UK are featuring the Blue Tears Mad Bad & Dangerous album tonight with Steve Price from 6.00 to 9.00 pm UK time. Steve will be playing tracks from this album as well as a live interview with Gregg Fulkerson in Nashville Tennessee. They will discuss the forthcoming Firefest II in November in which Blue Tears have been asked to perform live.
You can live stream this program from www.arfm.co.uk/listenlive.htm
Date: June 21st 2005
We have just received the cover art back from the Graphic Designer. We would love your feedback on them as we think they represent the music and era from when these bands hit it big. Be sure to Pre-Order your copies so that we can keep bringing these awesome rock bands to the fans once again!
Thanks to everyone who has already Pre-Ordered copies of their CD's. I'm sure you will love these discs! I will make sure you guys are the ones that get the CD's first.
Date: June 14th 2005
We are now taking Pre-Orders for the Blue Tears album Mad, Bad & Dangerous and the Schoolboy Crush album Good Time, Bad Boys.
Click the CD Orders button for more information. The expected release date for these 2 albums will be mid July. There will also be a full update next week on some new signings as well as all the cover art for Blue Tears and Schoolboy Crush.
Date: May 16th 2005
Breaking News!!!
It's official, Blue Tears signs with Suncity Records.
All of us at Suncity Records are EXTREMELY proud to be working with one of the all-time greats of the genre. We are talking about the multi talented Gregg Fulkerson of Blue Tears fame who also happens to be one of the "most humble, down to earth great guys" in the industry. The news only gets better because not only have the Blue Tears guys signed up for the follow up CD to the classic debut but they have agreed on a 2 CD contract.
Blue Tears
Blue Tears released their self-titled debut CD in 1990 on the MCA record label. They had quite a cult following going back in the early 90's with their awesome self-titled debut. The band managed to pull in some airplay on MTV with their first single "Rockin' On The Radio". As we know, the music circles changed dramatically that had their follow up CD shelved for all this time.
What Blue Tears bring to the table are very well crafted songs! This will give us all the unreleased material the band has before, during and after their 1990 hit debut. You will hear tracks including "Loud Guitars, Fast Cars and Wild, Wild Women" that Gregg wrote for the supergroup Contraband, "Slip and Fall" that was a hit back in the day for Every Mothers Nightmare as well as "Strong", "Call My Name" and "Storm in My Heart" that appeared on Attraction 65's debut. There are many more songs of amazing quality that will be included in the two CD's. All the above songs are the original versions.
Put together a bunch of seasoned professionals with the chemistry to boot, pristine production, excellent lyrics, tight musicianship, the look, attitude and style. This gives us all the vital ingredients to make this material gold. No wonder bootleg copies have gone for over $250 on Ebay in the past, to think that we will be releasing the masters instead of terrible recordings taped off the radio will sure be a big hit with the fans.
If released back in the heyday, the mind boggles at how big this band would have been; for starters, this material is the equivalent or superior to any of the AOR/Hard Rock albums from the late 80's, early 90's that sold mega millions. Second thing is that Gregg would have been a star!! He had all the attributes (versatility, charisma and presence) to make it as big as the likes of Brett Michaels, Stephen Percy, Joe Elliot and Vince Neil.
Plain and simple this the best hard rock material I have heard in 15 years and I don't say that lightly considering I have a hard rock collection of over 3000 CD's. This is not some scrappy demo recording but it equals the awesome production quality of the debut with the material being far superior to the self-titled album.
The Band were set to take the world by storm in 1992 with their second CD recorded, packaged and ready for a world wide release but as we know this kind of music was sadly no longer commercially viable.
With the release of Gregg Fulkerson's latest project Attraction 65 in 2003, it had a lot of the old Blue Tears fans feeling a little let down with the modern twist implemented in the music. That's not the case here. These releases are guaranteed to please all the die-hard fans, which have been hanging out for this for over a decade now. More big hair, gang backing vocals, summertime anthems and ripping guitar solos than you can poke a stick at.
Combining elements from the greats: Bon Jovi (New Jersey, Slippery When Wet), Def Leppard (Hysteria, Adrenilize), Firehouse (Self Titled, Hold Your Fire) Kix (Blow My Fuse, Hotwire) & Ratt (Detonator) and you can even hear some Motley Crue (Dr. Feelgood), now they are some fairly hot references. Believe me, this material will live up to the hype.
BLUE TEARS - MAD, BAD & DANGEROUS
- 01. Long Way Home
- 02. Girl Crazy
- 03. With You Tonight
- 04. Mystery Man
- 05. Rock You To Heaven
- 06. Evidence Of Love
- 07. Mad, Bad & Dangerous To Know
- 08. Misty Blue
- 09. 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
Date: April 14th 2005
Suncity is proud to announce the new signing of Schoolboy Crush.
What a way do kick of the Suncity Records catalogue with the never before released on CD album by Schoolboy Crush. Yet to be titled, Schoolboy Crush's much anticipated second album originally recorded in 1990-91 is finally going to be a reality for the eager fans to obtain.
Schoolboy Crush
The band had matured quite substantially in their song writing ability and seem to have grown more as a unit which therefore makes this CD a much better release in every department than the highly sought after debut from 1989 "Electric Playground". It makes you wonder what so many people saw in grunge music that had this album shelved until now. From the atmospheric intro that flows beautifully into the first track, which kicks the album off to a rockin' start with an awesome riff to start proceedings. Next the album moves from party rocker to party rocker. Then, no late 80's, early 90's hard rock album is complete without a beautiful ballad which was so prevalent back in the late 80's. You know what I'm talking about, heart felt vocals that made you wave your lighter in the air.
This is the best late 80's, early 90's type CD to come out in many a moon, straight out of the late 80's hard rock manual. Just check out the sound samples provided below and I'm sure the hard rock enthusiasts that have been longing for this type of music will be more than satisfied. Taking influences from such great acts as Rock Candy, Tuff Luck and early Shotgun Messiah. Great hard rock with a tinge of sleaze for good measure. If smokin' guitars, gang backing vocals, soaring riffs and great musicianship are your thing, do yourself a favour.
Click on song name to hear sound samples.
- 01. Without You
- 02. Such A Waste
- 03. Calling Out
- 04. Bad Bitch
- 05. Sleepless Nights
- 06. I Pledge Allegiance
- 07. Until
- 08. Name Your Poison
- 09. Reap The Whirlwind
- 10. At The Altar
- 11. To Your Knees (Bonus Track)
The upcoming Tainted Angel CD will be called "Hollywood Ending", Which we think signifies the end of an era for glam rock.
Date: March 6th 2005
Suncity Records Mailing list is now functional. Just press the 'Mailing List' Button to sign up for email announcements regarding updates of Suncity Records.
Date: March 5th 2005
Suncity Records are extremely proud to announce the signing of hard rock act Tainted Angel.
Tainted Angel
Tainted Angel hail from Las Vegas, Nevada with Lynn Edward Glezen at the helm and the brainchild behind the band. They were building up quite a big reputation in the early nineties, until the demise of hard rock hit. They were taunted as being the next big thing on the Sunset Strip, I know this may seem very cliché and is a common phrase used in the collecting circles, but believe me it's the truth. When samples are posted, you will be able to see for yourself.
These boys have the style, the look, the attitude, the flare and most importantly the skills to pay the bills. Tainted Angel released a well-received EP back in 1992 called "A Little Heaven", which had them touring with the best bands in the business: Lillian Axe, Warrant, Ratt, Shotgun Messiah and Stryper just to name a few.
There is no official release date as yet, nor have we decided on an album title, however things are proceeding smoothly. The material is currently in the studio being re-mastered and re-mixed. As soon as we get some finished samples through, they will be posted on the website immediately.
Until next time people, keep on rocking on
Date : February 28th 2005
Welcome to Suncity Records, This is the first entry in the news section. We are currently in negotiations with a few exciting bands/projects. The website will be updated immediately as soon as news comes to hand. Getting bands to "put pen to paper" is a lengthy process. Keep checking back regularly for current updates.
.png)
.jpg)
