Two other former Ratt members and bandmates in Sarge—guitarist Chris Hager and bassist Matt Thorne , a.k.a. Matt Thorr (who replaced Cristofanilli)—would also soon join Rough Cutt. After his departure, Cristofanilli temporarily joined Ratt himself, later joining forces with members of the band Sin, who went on to release the…
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Later that year, they released Bestial Devastation , a split EP with Brazilian band Overdose.
Simmons stated in his autobiography Kiss and Make-Up that Van Halen founder Eddie Van Halen was eager to replace Frehley as Kiss’s lead guitarist. Simmons and Eddie’s brother Alex convinced Eddie to remain with Van Halen. Eddie was willing to break up Van Halen due to tensions between himself and…
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The live album Staying a Life , recorded in 1985, was released in 1990 as a souvenir celebrating their career.
In 1985, Pantera released its third studio album, titled I Am the Night . As with Projects in the Jungle , this album saw improved production and Pantera’s sound becoming heavier (though still rooted in glam metal), and the heavy metal press took more notice of the band. Because of…
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After considering several labels, Mustaine signed the band to Combat Records , a New York-based Independent record label that offered Megadeth the highest budget to record and tour. In 1985, Combat Records gave the band $8,000 to record and produce its debut album. After spending the entire budget on drugs,…
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Stay Hard was released in 1985, and proved a minor hit on the strength of single and video “On and On”. The Atlantic years proved to be less than stellar for the band. A drastic shift in a more commercial direction came at the label’s behest, with many die-hard fans…
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When the album was remixed and re-released in 1985 with a non-makeup cover and a slightly different song order, to reflect the band’s roster change and abandonment of its makeup and costumes, Vincent was again absent from the album cover, as then-current lead guitarist, Bruce Kulick , appeared instead. The…
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The 1985 version of the band (Biedermann, White, Gene Gilson on bass, Mike Miner on drums) recorded the “Trilogy of Terror” demo which was produced by Biedermann’s old classmate, Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett . Soon after, David White would leave to join Heathen and Biedermann took over on vocals.
The band made its live debut in local clubs and in California and had the opportunity to play with bands such as Megadeth , Armored Saint , Alcatrazz , Malice , Exciter , Mercyful Fate , Riot , Autograph and Icon . In 1985, Mark Vasquez stepped out and then-17-year-old…
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