Bulletboys
BulletBoys is a glam metal band from Los Angeles, California that was forme… Read Full Bio ↴BulletBoys is a glam metal band from Los Angeles, California that was formed by vocalist Marq Torien, guitarist Mick Sweda, and bassist Lonnie Vencent in the late 80s after they left King Kobra. It also featured new young rock drummer Jimmy D'Anda. Their self-titled debut album, labeled by one critic as "a decadently wonderful excursion into the eye of the hair metal hurricane", brought them huge commercial success, producing the top 40 rock hits "For The Love Of Money" (an offbeat The O'Jays cover) and "Smooth Up in Ya" (also known as simply "Smooth Up").
The band’s first two albums, featuring melodic pop metal arguably a cut above the style of the times, were 1988's 'BulletBoys' and 1991's 'Freakshow', both distributed by Warner Brothers. Well received by many musical critics such as those from the All Music Guide, massive fan support allowed the group to at least partly weather the storm of musical changes at the start of the 90s. Some critics, supporters and detractors alike, compared the band to David Lee Roth-era Van Halen, as the band's blues-inspired riffs as well as Torien's vocal and performing similarities were noted as being partly derivative. That argument was furthered by the fact that rock impresario Ted Templeman produced both the Roth-era Van Halen albums and the BulletBoys. Still, the guitar work for the Bulletboys was nowhere near the level of Eddie Van Halen, albeit still showing serious talent, so the comparisons are limited.
Though having successful tours, the BulletBoys appeared to have possibly peaked too early while it seemed that the changing times had also eaten away into the group's fan-base. Soon after releasing 1993's 'Za-Za' to a mixed reception, an album that went in more of a power pop direction reminiscent of Cheap Trick, the group split up. 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, the 1995 release seemed to be a clear sign of an end of an era.
All original members got together to record new tracks for one album in 2000, which was titled 'Greatest Hits: Burning Cats And Amputees' (also known as just 'Burning Cats And Amputees'). Marq and Lonnie then released a new album, 'Sophie', in 2003 under the BulletBoys name. This album featured vocal performances from former Skid Row lead singer Sebastian Bach. Interestingly, producer Andy Johns had also worked with major Bulletboys influence Van Halen (along with numerous other artists).
More recently, line-up changes haven't just meant that frontman Torien has been the only constant member of the group but have also caused sticky issues with touring. The release of 2009's '10 Cent Billionaire' got some initial buzz, yet disaster struck as the recession crippled the group's label and sunk the band's hopes for a large-scale comeback. Still, 2011's Rocked and Ripped' and 2015's Elefante' have shown that even when down for the count the group refuses to give up.
In 2009, they released their sixth album, titled 10c Billionaire, on Chavis Records. The material was originally written in 2006 with plans, by Torien, for a new project using the same name. However, they eventually released it under the BulletBoys moniker. In October, original bassist Lonnie Vincent returned to the group while guitarist Tony Marcus (XYZ, Arcade, Vicious Delite) was also added to the lineup with a tour of the US announced soon after.
In January 2010, the group were confirmed to play the Stockholm Rock Out Festival on April 30 of the same year. In March, the song "Smooth Up In Ya" appeared briefly in the movie Hot Tub Time Machine. In April, the group were confirmed to play another Festival, Rock N America, that took place July 23–25. On August 28, 2011, former drummer Johnny Giosa died in a car accident in Los Angeles at the age of 42.
On December 12, 2019, BulletBoys announced that their original lineup would be reuniting. The reunion kicked off with a hometown gig on December 30, 2019 at the Whiskey a Go Go. In January 2022, Mick Sweda revealed that he and drummer Jimmy D’Anda were no longer part of the BulletBoys.
The band’s first two albums, featuring melodic pop metal arguably a cut above the style of the times, were 1988's 'BulletBoys' and 1991's 'Freakshow', both distributed by Warner Brothers. Well received by many musical critics such as those from the All Music Guide, massive fan support allowed the group to at least partly weather the storm of musical changes at the start of the 90s. Some critics, supporters and detractors alike, compared the band to David Lee Roth-era Van Halen, as the band's blues-inspired riffs as well as Torien's vocal and performing similarities were noted as being partly derivative. That argument was furthered by the fact that rock impresario Ted Templeman produced both the Roth-era Van Halen albums and the BulletBoys. Still, the guitar work for the Bulletboys was nowhere near the level of Eddie Van Halen, albeit still showing serious talent, so the comparisons are limited.
Though having successful tours, the BulletBoys appeared to have possibly peaked too early while it seemed that the changing times had also eaten away into the group's fan-base. Soon after releasing 1993's 'Za-Za' to a mixed reception, an album that went in more of a power pop direction reminiscent of Cheap Trick, the group split up. 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, the 1995 release seemed to be a clear sign of an end of an era.
All original members got together to record new tracks for one album in 2000, which was titled 'Greatest Hits: Burning Cats And Amputees' (also known as just 'Burning Cats And Amputees'). Marq and Lonnie then released a new album, 'Sophie', in 2003 under the BulletBoys name. This album featured vocal performances from former Skid Row lead singer Sebastian Bach. Interestingly, producer Andy Johns had also worked with major Bulletboys influence Van Halen (along with numerous other artists).
More recently, line-up changes haven't just meant that frontman Torien has been the only constant member of the group but have also caused sticky issues with touring. The release of 2009's '10 Cent Billionaire' got some initial buzz, yet disaster struck as the recession crippled the group's label and sunk the band's hopes for a large-scale comeback. Still, 2011's Rocked and Ripped' and 2015's Elefante' have shown that even when down for the count the group refuses to give up.
In 2009, they released their sixth album, titled 10c Billionaire, on Chavis Records. The material was originally written in 2006 with plans, by Torien, for a new project using the same name. However, they eventually released it under the BulletBoys moniker. In October, original bassist Lonnie Vincent returned to the group while guitarist Tony Marcus (XYZ, Arcade, Vicious Delite) was also added to the lineup with a tour of the US announced soon after.
In January 2010, the group were confirmed to play the Stockholm Rock Out Festival on April 30 of the same year. In March, the song "Smooth Up In Ya" appeared briefly in the movie Hot Tub Time Machine. In April, the group were confirmed to play another Festival, Rock N America, that took place July 23–25. On August 28, 2011, former drummer Johnny Giosa died in a car accident in Los Angeles at the age of 42.
On December 12, 2019, BulletBoys announced that their original lineup would be reuniting. The reunion kicked off with a hometown gig on December 30, 2019 at the Whiskey a Go Go. In January 2022, Mick Sweda revealed that he and drummer Jimmy D’Anda were no longer part of the BulletBoys.
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Bulletboys Lyrics
1-800-Goodbye Kick it! Whoa! Up to your neck in a good…
Badlands The neon streets are empty And moon's my only light Runnin…
Balls To The Wall Balls To The Wall Too many slaves in this world Die by…
BONUS TRACK: Smooth Up In Ya Smooth up in ya Mama, whoa I know you really want…
Broken Wings Baby, don't understand Why we can't just hold on to each…
Crank Me Up 24 blue, 24 blue Hut, hut, hut Look out honey, here we…
Crosstop I know a girl who wants to get laid tonight…
Do Me Raw Hey! Woo, check it out. Come on baby I'll show you…
Dr. Feelgood Rat-tailed Jimmy is a second hand hood Deals down in Hollywo…
Dr.Feelgood Rat-tailed Jimmy is a second hand hood Deals down in Hollyw…
F Ow! My, my, my, said the spider to the fly…
Faithfully Highway run Into the midnight sun Wheels go 'round and 'roun…
Fess Let me hear that Tickling ivories down on terpsichore Tha…
For the Damned I don't care about the future now 'cause it don't…
For the Love of Money For the love of money You would lie to your money For…
Hang on St. Christopher Hang on St. Christopher(2) through the smoke and the oil Buc…
Hard as a Rock Let's ride My kind of baby She likes to sweat…
Hell on My Heels One, two, fuck you Well it’s bourbon for breakfest Dragg…
Huge Have you got the balls? Have you got the balls? Have you…
Kissin' Kitty Hey baby, c'mon C’mon, that’s right Hear me talkin' to ya …
Laughing With the Dead Stuck between the thirst of too little And the abyss…
LIVIN Once upon a time Not so long ago Tommy used to work…
Livin’ On a Prayer Once upon a time Not so long ago Tommy used to work…
Mine I'm lost in a daydream Faded blue With faces and…
Money Woo! For the love of money People would lie to their mother…
Owed to Joe Sexy momma Ooh What up! Ow! Hahahaha! His mommy used…
Ripping Me Ooh down and out baby Ooh I feel the blues Twisted desire…
Rock Candy Looord, yeah! When you need a friend, Through thick and thi…
Say Your Prayers Whoa-oh whoa-oh whoa! Yeah yeah yeah! Watch the sky high…
Shoot The Preacher Ooh, Lordy That's right You got it, y'all Me and the me…
Shoot The Preacher Down [Repeat: x6] Money money money money, money Some people…
Sing a Song Check it down He tried to say As he wiped…
Slow & Easy With a trash can mouth and a fucked up 'tude…
Smooth Up Smooth up in ya Mama Whoa I know you really want to move…
Smooth Up In Ya Smooth up in ya Mama, whoa I know you really want…
Smooth Up In Ya' Smooth up in ya I know you really want to move…
Talk to Your Daughter Mama, Papa, please talk to you daughter for me Mama, Papa,…
THC Groove Tea Time! It was a party, a mad hatter masquerade. we…
The Rising We've been living in all this shit! We've been living…
The Rover I've been to London, seen seven wonders I know to trip…
The Show Let me entertain you Rang through my head I was…
Thrill That Kills I'm a hard rock crazy kid Lookin' for a thrill Little did…
When Pigs Fly Oh you Want me back I ask Have you been smokin' crack? Boo-h…