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 Show
Bulletboys Lyrics
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Rang through my head
I was a reckless child
And I did what he said
People came
From miles around
To hear the sound
That was tearing up the town
(Maybe you're an icon)
(Baby you're a hard on)
Or maybe you're a god
(Baby you're an icon)
(Maybe you're a hard on)
Or maybe you're a dog
The next batter up
Was a man
A scary man
With the golden hands
He brought his axe
To bury the tracks
No mortal man
Could follow his act
(Maybe you're an icon)
(Baby you're a hard on)
Or maybe you're god
You can't refrain
From going insane
It's what you want to do
(Maybe you're an icon)
(Baby you're a hard on)
Or maybe you're a god
(Maybe you're an icon)
(Baby you're a hard on)
Maybe you're god
Now that rock & roll's in the palm of our hands
We take it to the people every chance that we can
We are the party that never ends
Live by these words until we meet again
You can't refrain
From going insane
It's what you want to do
Do
Do
Do
Do
(Maybe you're an icon)
(Baby you're a hard on)
Or maybe you're a god
(Maybe you're an icon)
(Baby you're a hard on)
Or maybe you're god
(Maybe you're an icon)
(Baby you're a hard on)
Or maybe you're a god
(Maybe you're an icon)
(Baby you're a hard on)
Or maybe you're god
Whoa! It's time for the show babe
N-n-n-n-no!
Whoa! Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Time for the show
Aha-ha-ha!
The song "The Show" by Bulletboys is an ode to rock and roll and the performers who make it happen. The lyrics speak of a reckless child who is inspired by the sounds of rock and roll and will do anything to be part of the scene. As the child becomes a performer, he or she must compete with other performers who are just as talented and just as driven. The lyrics are about the drive to be the best and to entertain the audience.
The chorus of the song features the lines "Maybe you're an icon, baby you're a hard on, or maybe you're a god." These lines are a tribute to the performers who have made a name for themselves in rock and roll. The song speaks to the energy and determination that it takes to make it in the industry. It also acknowledges that not everyone can be an icon or a god, and that it takes a lot of hard work to get there.
Overall, "The Show" by Bulletboys is a high-energy tribute to rock and roll and the performers who make it happen. The song captures the spirit of the industry and celebrates the energy and drive that it takes to succeed.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me entertain you
I desire to entertain you
Rang through my head
I kept thinking about this
I was a reckless child
I was a reckless person
And I did what he said
I followed his advice
People came
People would come
From miles around
From far away
To hear the sound
To listen to the music being played
That was tearing up the town
That was causing a scene in the town
(Maybe you're an icon)
(Maybe you're an influence)
(Baby you're a hard on)
(Maybe you're difficult)
Or maybe you're a god
Perhaps you're divine
(Maybe you're an icon)
(Maybe you're an influence)
(Baby you're a hard on)
(Maybe you're difficult)
Or maybe you're a dog
Perhaps you're lowly
The next batter up
The next performer ready to start
Was a man
He was male
A scary man
A frightening person
With the golden hands
With an impressive talent
He brought his axe
He brought his guitar
To bury the tracks
To perform and surpass what came before
No mortal man
No ordinary person
Could follow his act
Could match his performance
You can't refrain
You can't resist
From going insane
From going crazy
It's what you want to do
It's what you desire to do
Now that rock & roll's in the palm of our hands
Now that we control rock & roll
We take it to the people every chance that we can
We perform for people every opportunity we get
We are the party that never ends
We are the constantly entertaining group
Live by these words until we meet again
Live according to these principles until the next meeting
Whoa! It's time for the show babe
Wow! It's time for the performance
N-n-n-n-no!
Negative response
Whoa! Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Wow! Lots of enthusiasm
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah
Lots of enthusiasm
Time for the show
Time for the performance
Aha-ha-ha!
Laughing sound
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: JAMES CHRISTOPHER DANDA, LONNIE VENCENT MILLER, MARK JOSEPH MAYTORENA, MICHAEL SWEDA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind