Shoegaze is a subgenre of indie and alternative rock characterized by its ethereal mixture of obscured vocals, guitar distortion and effects, feedback, and overwhelming volume. It emerged in Ireland and the United Kingdom in the late 1980s among neo-psychedelic groups who usually stood motionless during live performances in a detached, non-confrontational state. The name comes from the heavy use of effects pedals, as the performers were often looking down at their pedals during concerts.
Ugly Kid Joe is an American hard rock band from Isla Vista, California, formed in 1989. The band's name spoofs the glam metal band Pretty Boy Floyd's name.
Frehley's Comet was an American rock band formed and led by ex-Kiss lead guitarist Ace Frehley. The group released two studio albums and one live EP before Frehley left the band to release his 1989 solo album, Trouble Walkin'.
Slaughter is an American hard rock band that formed in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1988. The group was founded by lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Mark Slaughter and bassist Dana Strum, who previously played together in the band Vinnie Vincent Invasion. The addition of guitarist Tim Kelly and drummer Blas Elias allowed Slaughter to quickly gain attention for their lively performances, catchy hooks, and melodic guitar solos.
Johnny Crash was an American hard rock band formed in 1985. Members originally included former Tokyo Blade singer Vick Wright, former Champaign guitarists Christopher Stewart and August Worchell, bassist Andy Rogers, and former Rock City Angels drummer Stephen "Punkee" Adamo. Their sound was likened to that of AC/DC, and contemporaries Junkyard, Rhino Bucket and The Four Horsemen.
Hear 'n Aid was a charity record recorded by a large ensemble of 40 heavy metal musicians and released in 1986. The project was organized by Ronnie James Dio, Jimmy Bain, and Vivian Campbell, all from the band Dio. Proceeds from the album were used to raise over $3 million for famine relief in Africa.
Shadow King was an American hard rock supergroup. It was formed in 1990, by former Foreigner lead singer Lou Gramm, future Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell, drummer Kevin Valentine of Donnie Iris and the Cruisers, and bass player Bruce Turgon who later joined Foreigner with Gramm after the split of Shadow King.
The Scream was an American hard rock band based in Los Angeles, originally formed in 1989 as Saints or Sinners. The band originally featured former Angora singer John Corabi and former Racer X members guitarist Bruce Bouillet, bassist Juan Alderete, and drummer Scott Travis. However, Scott Travis quickly left to join Judas Priest, and was replaced by former Shark Island drummer Walt Woodward III. Scott Travis co-wrote "I Don't Care" on Let It Scream, though he did not actually play on the album.
T-Ride is the debut album of the California-based heavy metal band of the same name. Noted for its wildly complex instrument and vocal arrangements. It featured lead singer Dan Arlie's multi-octave vocal styles and Van Halen-influenced guitar playing by Geoff Tyson. Songs from the album were used in various motion pictures and television shows including "Luxury Cruiser" in the soundtrack of 1992's Encino Man, "Zombies from Hell" in the movie Captain Ron and "Bone Down" in an episode of Baywatch, "Forbidden Paradise-part 2". The band did a small club tour during the summer and opened for Joe Satriani on a national theater tour. Drummer/producer Eric Valentine went on to become a multi-platinum selling producer of acts including: Smash Mouth, Queens of the Stone Age, Third Eye Blind, Lostprophets, Good Charlotte, Nickel Creek, John Fogerty and more.
Barry Graham Purkis, more commonly known as Thunderstick, is an English drummer who wore various masks and used to perform on-stage closed in a cage. He was in the cult-band Samson, with whom his name is most associated.
Contraband was a short-lived supergroup/side project that included members of several famous rock bands from the 1980s, such as Shark Island, McAuley Schenker Group, Ratt, L.A. Guns, and Vixen.
Shotgun Messiah was a Swedish glam metal band from Skövde. The band was formed in 1985 by guitarist Harry Cody and bassist Tim Sköld, with singer Zinny J. Zan and drummer Stixx Galore taking part in their most commercially successful lineup. The band released three studio albums, Shotgun Messiah, Second Coming and Violent New Breed, with Cody and Sköld being the only constant members of the band. Shotgun Messiah disbanded in 1993.
Doc Holliday was an American Southern rock band from Warner Robins, Georgia, United States, who were named after the American frontier gambler, gunfighter, and dentist, Doc Holliday.
The Electric Boys are a Swedish band founded in Sweden in 1987 playing funky hard rock with roots in the 70s groove rock and 60s pop and psychedelia.
Jetboy is an American, San Francisco-based, hard rock band, founded in 1983 by guitarists Billy Rowe and Fernie Rod. Jetboy got the attention of music fans and record executives in Hollywood during the mid-1980s. The band moved to Los Angeles in 1986 after signing a deal with Elektra Records. Their musical influences ranged from punk rock to rock 'n' roll to blues. Their 1988 debut album Feel the Shake peaked at 135 on Billboard 200.
Buzzoven is an American heavy metal band from Salisbury, North Carolina, formed in 1990. The band was known for being one of the founders of the sludge genre along with NOLA's Eyehategod and Acid Bath, and also for their out-of-control and violent live shows. The band in its early days toured heavily around the United States and built up a cult following leading up to the release of their debut album, To a Frown (1993), which caught the attention of Roadrunner Records, who released the band's second album Sore (1994). The band was dropped by Roadrunner, and from then on have gone through several periods of being split-up and reformed, with the only constant member having been Kirk Fisher. In 2018, the band toured the Southern US as one of the opening acts for Eyehategod.
Tangier was an American, Philadelphia-based hard rock band, which was active between 1984 and 1992.
Widowmaker was an American heavy metal band formed by American musician Dee Snider in 1991 after the demise of his previous band, Desperado.
Mordred is an American funk metal/thrash metal band based in the San Francisco Bay Area. In their initial career, they released three studio albums and one EP from 1989 to 1994. The album Fool's Game (1989) meets the Bay Area thrash spirit, while The Next Room is more akin a Faith No More album.
Savage Grace is an American power and speed metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1981 by Chris Logue and Brian East, initially active between 1981 and 1993. They reformed in 2009, and subsequently released an EP entitled The Lost Grace. In 2010, they performed at the Up the Hammers, Bang Your Head!!! and Keep It True festivals.
