The band toured throughout the Midwest during the early 1980s. On

The band toured throughout the Midwest during the early 1980s. On February 5, 1983, the band recorded Trouble Live in Chicago . Drummer Jeff Olson mailed the cassette to Brian Slagel of Metal Blade Records and the band landed their first record deal. Trouble released their eponymous debut (later referred to as Psalm 9 ) with Metal Blade Records in 1984. The Skull followed in 1985, and reflected singer Wagner’s struggles with substance abuse, as well as growing turmoil within the group. This led to the replacement of bassist McAllister with Ron Holzner. Drummer Jeff Olson also departed. Reports suggested that Olson had left the band to become a preacher, but he had actually decided to pursue studies at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he received his Bachelor of Music degree cum laude in Film Scoring. Dennis Lesh was drafted as his replacement for 1987’s Run to the Light . In comparison to earlier recordings, the critics thought Run to the Light was “disappointing”. Dennis Lesh played drums during Trouble’s Run to the Light 1987 tour. Kirkpatrick later formed the Christian metal band Tourniquet in 1990.