Year : 1992-1994 (2013)
Style : Melodic Hard Rock
Country : United States
Audio : 320 kbps + front
Size : 140 mb
Bio:
New York’s Grimm Jack is considered one of America’s best underdog rock and roll bands. A hard-driving but melodic act, the band has often been compared to Aerosmith and Guns ‘N’ Roses, with a bit of southern bluesy flavor thrown in. With a loyal fan base through touring and radio-friendly songs, their music can be heard worldwide.The Grimm Jack story began in 1985 with guitarist Jimmie Mack and drummer Dave Leeds, two Long Island rockers who joined forces to create a contemporary rock band with an edge. Original members included vocalist Robin DesForges, guitarist Rich Daly, and bassist Sean O’Neill. The group released their first single “Janet”, on the independent label, CYN CITY RECORDS in 1986. The following year brought the release of a five-song EP entitled GO FOR YOUR GUNS, which gained airplay on radio outside the New York metro area.By 1988, Grimm Jack shifted into full throttle; original vocalist Robin DesForges departed and was replaced by singer Billy Kohout. Bassist Scott Bittner was on board, and the group started gaining national recognition with the release of their next EP, PARTNERS IN CRIME. This recording featured the songs “One Track Mind” and “Shy Boy”, both which gained a steady amount of airplay on various rock radio stations, especially in the south and mid-Atlantic regions. Legendary music publications such as CIRCUS and HIT PARADER gave Grimm Jack’s PARTNERS IN CRIME very positive reviews during 1988, and the group was also featured prominently in numerous regional and local magazines nationwide.In early 1989, Daly and Bittner chose to part company with Grimm Jack and guitarist Tom Lestat and bassist Paul Vassa were brought into the band. With this lineup in place, Grimm Jack forged ahead to create a respectable reputation based on energetic live performances and high caliber songs that fans still remember today.The year 1990 marked the release of JAILHOUSE TATTOO, which was Grimm Jack’s most successful recording at that time. The songs “Maybelline” and “Lookin’ For Heaven” earned the quintet more radio airplay and became instant fan favorites. The tour supporting the release of JAILHOUSE TATTOO found the band performing in small towns and large cities alike, cementing their reputation as a first-rate live act.In 1991 Grimm Jack was chosen by EAST COAST ROCKER magazine as the best eastern US band not signed to a major record label. This not only created more positive reviews and excellent press for the group, but also put them in front of other contenders vying for a major deal. Rather than stand on music already released, Grimm Jack began recording new material to ensure their quest for success as a rock and roll band. After signing a management deal and being within inches of finally grasping an elusive major label contract, the American music scene was thrown into a loop with the introduction of the grunge and alternative sounds. Record companies and radio alike lost interest in bands playing straight-ahead rock and roll, and Grimm Jack’s hard work resulted in memories and a large collection of unreleased songs. The band continued on as a staple on the New York area music scene until the mid-1990’s, never actually calling it quits, but just putting the Grimm Jack name aside.In 2010, Grimm Jack co-founder, Jimmie Mack began working with singer Billy Kohout with the idea of releasing material recorded several years earlier that was never made public. It wasn’t long before Mack and Kohout realized that Grimm Jack wasn’t just about the music, but about the musicians themselves and most importantly, the fans who have kept their music alive. Drummer Dave Leeds and guitarist Tom Lestat were back, with the addition of bassist GG Zen-Garten.In 2012 the Damned EP was released and the critics responded…”Confirming my suspicions that every long haired band from the ’80s will eventually return…with its Roxx Gang meets Faster Pussycat riffs and whiskey soaked vocals, begs the question — what took these guys so long to return? If Damned is strictly an attempt to get Grimm Jack’s feet wet once again, it serves its purpose.” (Skid for Sleaze Roxx).In 2015 Grimm Jack releases the Thick As Thieves LP and the critics responded again… “Grimm Jack‘s Thick As Thieves took me by surprise. I didn’t expect it to be so good. In fact, I totally underestimated Grimm Jack as I didn’t expect Thick As Thieves would grow on me so much and turn out to be such a great album.” (Olivier for Sleaze Roxx).In late 2016, long time guitarist Tommy Lestat parted company with Grimm Jack. A sad day but the opportunity allowed for new guitar player Joey Masters to step in. Joey spent many years on the L.A. scene and blended in well with Grimm Jack’s music style.
Album:
This is a collection of unreleased songs recorded by the band between 1992 and 1994, but not released until 2013. As of today, these songs have only been released digitally.“The year was 1991, Grimm Jack had won the best unsigned band in the Tri state area by the East Coast Rocker Magazine. They now had money to complete a full length LP/CD and then the troubles began. Without getting into the gory details of infighting, boozing and drug abuse, the guys could not keep together the core of Grimm Jack (Billy Kohout, Jimmie Mack, Dave Leeds Paul Vassa and Tommy Lestat Collier).The story goes that The Band went into the studio and recorded the basic tracks for Tickle your Fancy. As the over dubs started…the band fell apart. The tracks were eventually completed by Billy and Tommy but with a revolving door of additional players joining and leaving along the way. All the folks mentioned are still part of the Grimm Jack family and are all very close to the band to this day.Rodney James played a lot of guitars and helped in writing. Bo Matheson (the force of nature he is) played drums and percussion on some tracks.A key individual to this process though he did not play on the recordings, was John Dadey. John wrote with us and played guitar live for as long he could put up with us…. But his health was never stable and he passed on a few years back and our brother is sorely missed. The track Bad Reputation was written by John and we dedicate it to his memory.
Line-Up:
Billy Kohout - lead vocals, harmonica
Jimmie Mack - guitars
Tommy Lestat - guitars
David Leeds - drums
Paul Vassa - bass
Tracklist:
01. Amanda
02. Bad Reputation
03. Cajun Queen
04. Can't Stand Another Day
05. Dead Bandits
06. Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
07. Hotel Blues
08. Running Back
09. Jailhouse Tattoo
10. Long Time Coming
11. Look Who's Back in Town
12. Mississippi
13. Steam Train
14. Testify
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
