Rock Hard Forever: BulletBoys

BulletBoys are a hard rock band that was formed by vocalist Marq Torien, guitarist Mick Sweda, and bassist Lonnie Vencent in the late 1980s after they left King Kobra. It also featured new, young rock drummer Jimmy D'Anda.

The BulletBoys were unfairly labelled as a Van Halen clone due to vocalist Marq Torien's (one-time Ratt guitarist) onstage antics, and their association with producer Ted Templeman. They enjoyed massive stardom on the tail end of the L.A. glam movement, but their glory days faded as fast as they arrived.

Torien, guitarist Mick Sweda and bassist Lonnie Vencent had played together (briefly) in King Kobra. The three of them left that band and rounded out the BulletBoys line-up with drummer Jimmy D'Anda. The debut album shot up the charts on its way to platinum sales, backed by the debut single "Smooth Up In Ya", but then the band went silent. Torien had vocal troubles during the recording of Freakshow, and by the time it was released three years after the debut, the music scene had changed drastically.

The band’s first two albums (BulletBoys and Freakshow) were well received by critics and fans alike proven by the band selling over 1 million copies worldwide. Some critics compared the band to David Lee Roth-era Van Halen, as Torien's vocal and performances were similar to Diamond Dave. That argument was furthered by the fact that Ted Templeman produced both the Roth-era Van Halen albums and the BulletBoys. In addition, both bands were signed to Warner Bros. Records.

After the release of Za-Za, the group lost its major label deal and half of the band. The BulletBoys split up in 1993. Singer Marq Torien and bassist Lonnie Vencent continued to use the BulletBoys name and recorded Acid Monkey, a heavily alternative inspired album that was a major departure from the band’s usual hard rock style.

By 1995 guitarist Thomas Pittam and drummer Robby Karras Humeniuk were in, but for the 1998 club tour D.J. Ashba had replaced Pittam.

All original members got together to record one album in 2000 titled Greatest Hits: Burning Cats And Amputees. Marq and Lonnie released a new album, Sophie in 2003 under the BulletBoys name. This album featured vocal performances from former Skid Row lead singer Sebastian Bach.

Jimmy D'Anda also played in the bands Zen Lunatic with John Corabi and Lynch Mob with George Lynch. Jimmy is now working with Jimmy Coup from Andrew WK, and the singer Romero from Drug Under. He writes and records in his own home studio. Jimmy is fully endorsed with DW Drums, Aquarian Drum Heads and Vic Firth Sticks.

Marq Torien was lead guitarist for the band RATT for about 3 months in 1982, and was replaced by Warren DeMartini. It has been said that Marq could play guitar as well as Eddie Van Halen and sing as well as Steve Perry (back in the day).

After Mick Sweda left the BulletBoys in 1993, he formed the band Brain Stem Babies (among others) and recorded numerous full length solo albums. Mick currently works in his studio, dubbed Redcake Digital.

Their song "Hard As A Rock" appears briefly in the movie Beerfest.

Original Members

Marq Torien—Vocals
Mick Sweda—Guitar
Lonnie Vencent—Bass
Jimmy D'Anda—Drums

Discography

BulletBoys (1988)
Freakshow (1991)
Za-Za (1993)
Acid Monkey (1995)
Burning Cats and Amputees (Greatest Hits) (2000)
Sophie (2003)
Behind The Orange Curtain (2007)

Official Website: http://www.bulletboysrecords.com/

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Smooth Up In Ya