Rock Hard Forever: Warrant

With a pair of double-platinum albums, Warrant was one of the most popular pop-metal bands of the late '80s. Warrant was formed in Los Angeles by guitarist Erik Turner in July 1984. Turner was soon joined by bassist Jerry Dixon. Warrant had a different bassist named Chris Vincent for a few months before Dixon joined. Prior to his involvement with Warrant, Vincent played with a local band called SilverPants. The band's early members included vocalist Adam Shore, guitarist Josh Lewis, and drummer Max Asher. Vocalist Jani Lane (who replaced Shore) and drummer Steven "Sweet" Chamberlin (who replaced Asher) joined the band in September 1986, and guitarist Joey Allen (who replaced Lewis) completed the line-up in March 1987. Lane and Sweet were previously in the band Plain Jane, which had recorded several demos. The recruitment of Lane proved pivotal in the band's future, with the singer quickly assuming the role of Warrant's song writer.

After having gained some notoriety on the L.A. club scene, the band recorded a demo tape in September 1987 for Paisley Park Records, a record label owned by musician Prince. At this time, A&M records purchased an option to sign Warrant and invited the band to contribute a song for the soundtrack of the motion picture Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. Both deals would prove unsuccessful, with the band's contribution "Game of War" being pulled from the soundtrack and A&M allowing its option to lapse.

In January 1988 Warrant signed a contract with Columbia Records, and in April they began recording their debut album Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich. It was a significant success, spawning 3 hits: the #2 power ballads "Heaven" and "Sometimes She Cries", and the rock anthem "Down Boys", which is now Warrant's alias. Image-wise, Warrant slotted right into the trend for big-haired, spandex-wearing hard rock bands, and their promo videos made much of their look.

Shortly following the release of the album, Warrant toured with Paul Stanley, Queensrÿche, Cinderella, Poison, Mötley Crüe and Kingdom Come. Kingdom Come members Rick Steier and James Kottak would later join Warrant.

The band's second record, Cherry Pie, was released in September 1990, and featured guest appearances by Poison's C. C. DeVille, Danger Danger's Bruno Ravel and Steve West, and Fiona. The album, which spawned the hits "Cherry Pie", "Uncle Tom's Cabin" (the famous acoustic intro was performed by Eric Oswold - Jani's brother) and "I Saw Red", reached the Top Ten in the United States, and went on to sell 3 million copies. The record's title track received strong exposure on MTV and became the band's most successful single.

The release of "Cherry Pie" was followed by a tour with the band Poison, which ended in January 1991 after a conflict between the two bands over stage room.
The band's European tour with David Lee Roth was cut short after Lane fractured several ribs in a stage dive in Birmingham, England. Warrant soon continued touring, however, performing headlining shows in America on their 'Blood, Sweat And Beers' tour, supported by FireHouse and Trixter.

The 1990s were characterised by frequent changes to the band's line-up. In 1992, Warrant released Dog Eat Dog. The record, achieved only moderate commercial success, but still sold over 500.000 copies. Ironically, while the record suffered poor sales performance in America, the band finally snared a European touring slot, playing a number of shows on the "Monsters Of Rock" festival, headlined by Iron Maiden.

Later that year, vocalist Lane temporarily left the band, which was then dropped by Columbia, following the arrival of grunge and the death of Warrant's long-time manager Tom Hulet. In 1994, Lane returned to the band and a short U.S. club tour commenced. In May 1994, guitarist Allen left Warrant and was followed by drummer Sweet in the following month. In November 1994, Rick Steier replaced Allen on guitar and James Kottak replaced Sweet on drums. Shortly thereafter, a new record deal was signed with Tom Lipsky of CMC Records in September 1994. A Japanese deal was signed with Pony Canyon Records at the same time. Ultraphobic, released in March 1995, was even less successful than Dog Eat Dog.

Drummer Kottak left the band in March 1996 and was replaced by Bobby Borg, formerly of Beggars & Thieves, Left For Dead, and Opinion. Belly to Belly was released in July 1996 in Japan and October 1996 in the United States. In October 1997, drummer Borg left the band, and was briefly replaced by touring drummer Vik Foxx, who was himself replaced by Danny Wagner in September 1998. (Danny was the band's touring keyboard player at the time)

The band was featured in the Rock Never Stops Tour in 1998 and 2003. Guitarist Steier and drummer Danny Wagner left the band in January 2000. Keri Kelli replaced Steier on guitars as a touring member and Mike Fasano replaced Wagner on drums. Keri Kelli and Mike Fasano had previously played together in Dad's Porno Mag. In August 2000, Kelli left Warrant to tour with Slash's Snakepit and was replaced by Billy Morris.

Warrant's next record was an album of cover versions, Under the Influence, released in May 2001. The band toured with Poison again in the summer of 2001, but the tour was cut short due to back injuries sustained by Poison bassist Bobby Dall. In April 2003, Warrant replaced drummer Fasano with Kevin Pharis.

Lane left Warrant again in January of 2004, taking Morris and Pharis with him. Lane was forced to cancel his first series of solo shows in Michigan after former band members took legal action to prevent the Warrant logo from being used on tour posters. Mike Fasano was briefly rehired, before Steven Sweet rejoined the band. Joey Allen also rejoined in February 2004. Lane was replaced with former Black N' Blue vocalist Jaime St. James.
Warrant released their 7th studio album entitled Born Again on February 4, 2006 with producer and engineer Pat Regan, who has previously worked with KISS, Deep Purple, Mr. Big and L.A. Guns. On July 14, 2007, Warrant performed at glam metal festival "Rocklahoma."

In January 2008, the band's agent, The William Morris Agency issued a new photograph of the band with Lane prominently featured, confirming his return to the band. This version of the band is now scheduled to play at Rocklahoma 2008. In March 2008, Warrant announced on its official website that it will co-headline with Cinderella on a summer tour after Rocklahoma 2008. Unfortunately the tour had to be canceled after Cinderella singer Tom Keifer's left vocal cord hemorrhaged, thereby making it impossible for him to sing in the immediate future. They still have several shows outside of the Cinderella tour including 2 dates in Canada, Rocklahoma, and several in August.

Current members

Jani Lane - lead vocals, acoustic guitar (1986-1993, 1994-2004, 2008-present)
Erik Turner - rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1984-present)
Joey Allen - lead & rhythm guitars, backing vocals (1987-1994, 2004-present)
Jerry Dixon - bass, backing vocals (1984-present)
Steven Sweet - drums, percussion (1986-1994, 2004-present)

Former members

Jaime St. James - lead vocals (2004-2008)
Adam Shore - lead vocals (1984-1985)
Josh Lewis - lead & rhythm guitars, backing vocals (1984-1986)
Rick Steier - lead & rhythm guitars, backing vocals (1994-2000)
Keri Kelli - lead & rhythm guitars, backing vocals (2000)
Billy Morris - lead & rhythm guitars, backing vocals (2000-2004)
Brent Woods - lead & rhythm guitars, backing vocals
Max Asher - drums, backing vocals (1984-1985)
James Kottak - drums, backing vocals (1994-1996)
Bobby Borg - drums, backing vocals (1996-1997)
Vik Foxx - drums, backing vocals (1997-1998)
Danny Wagner - keyboards, drums, backing vocals (1995-1997, 1998-2000)
Mike Fasano - drums, backing vocals (2000-2003)
Kevin Phares - drums, backing vocals (2003-2004)
Dave White - keyboards (1992-1995)
Scott Warren - keyboards, backing vocals (1989-1991, Touring only)
Terry Ingram - keyboards, backing vocals (1991, Touring only)
Shawn Zavodney - keyboards, backing vocals (2003-2004, Touring only)

Discography

Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich (1989, Columbia) - #10, 2x Platinum
Cherry Pie (1990, Columbia) - #7, 2x Platinum
Dog Eat Dog (1992, Columbia) - #25, Gold
Ultraphobic (1995, CMC)
The Best Of Warrant (1996, Columbia)
Belly to Belly (1996, CMC)
Warrant Live 86-97 (1997, CMC)
Greatest & Latest (1999, Deadline)
Under the Influence (2001, Downboyrecords)
Then And Now (2004)
Born Again (2006)

Official Website: http://www.warrantweb.net/

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Heaven (Live)