Steelheart
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Steelheart was one of the last popular glam metal bands.
Image:Http://www.rockdetector.com/assets/img/artists/8504.jpg
Contents |
[edit] Formation
Steelheart started off as a usual heavy metal band called "Red Alert" whose members included James Ward (bass), Chris Risola (guitars), Jack Wilkinson (drums) and after auditioning, Michael Matijevic on vocals. Frank DiConstanzo (the former lead guitarist of "Rage of Angels") joined as a second guitarist and John Fowler replaced Wilkinson on drums. Recording a four-track demo tape, Matijevic managed to meet artist manager Stan Poses. However, Poses wasn't interested, despite this Matijevic persevered and eventually was given a scribbled address. The next day, Stan Poses had the demo tape, within an hour of hearing it, Matijevic received a phonecall confirming that "Red Alert" had just been given a contract with MCA records. Realising that the "Red Alert" name was already taken, the band settled on Steelheart allegedly because of their attitude after trying to get a record deal for so long.
[edit] The Early Years
Steelheart released their self-titled debut album in 1990. It sold 33,000 albums on its first day in Japan alone, and quickly hit platinum status. The ballad "She's Gone" which showcased Matijevic's incredible vocal range hit #1 on the International Charts, staying there for 17 weeks. The second single "I'll Never Let You Go (Angel Eyes)" reached #14 on the billboard charts, and was MTV's 2nd most requested video. The album reached #40 on the billboard charts, making it (albeit just so) officially a 'hit'. "Everybody Loves Eileen" and its accompanying video also garnered much success. The song "Can't Stop Me Lovin' You" further showcased Matijevic's vocal range, but this time, lead guitarist Risola's guitar skills were also noticed. The accompanying video was another of the band's hits.
Steelheart's next effort, "Tangled In Reins" was a much more mixed combination than the debut, with sleaze glam songs like "Sticky Side Up" to smooth ballads such as "Mama Don't You Cry". Also, the song, "Steelheart", featured Matijevic hitting his highest note of the three albums. The album wasn't as much a commercial success, reaching only #144 on the billboard charts, a sign that the grunge invasion was taking force. Steelheart was later asked by the heavy metal band, Slaughter, to go on tour with them. Nearing the end of the tour, Slaughter asked Steelheart to perform one last show which would occur in Denver, Colorado. The show took place on Halloween night, a night which will forever be remembered by Steelheart fans. While performing, "Dancing in the Fire", a hit from the "Tangled in Reins" album, Matijevic decided to climb a lighting truss, which was inproperly secured. Matijevic tried to dodge the massive rig, but without success. The 1000 pound truss hit Matijevic on the back of the head, driving one of the greatest vocalists of all time, face first into the stage, breaking his nose, cheekbone, jaw and twisting his spine. Matijevic miraculously found the strength to walk off the stage and he was immediately taken to a hospital. "Steelheart" ended that night, after a very impressive career.
[edit] Wait
Four years later, Matijevic formed a new version of Steelheart with Kenny Kanowski (guitars), Vincent Mele (bass) and Alex Makarovich (drums) to record and release the album "Wait". The album was very different to the previous two albums. The single "Wait" went #1 in many Asian countries, however that was the main area of the album's success, the grunge invasion causing the American European markets to be near closed to classic rock. Original member James Ward joined Steelheart on the tour supporting the album. Also on the "Wait" album, "We All Die Young", the first track, was in the motion picture, "Rock Star," starring Mark Wahlberg. Matijevic stated that "Wait" was the choice of the title because it took a long time to gain freedom from the record company and his greedy manager, who was taking more than what was his.
[edit] The Tougher Years
Shortly after Matijevic returned from Asia where he was doing the "Wait" tour, his mother passed away after a long struggle with Leukemia at age 56. One year later, a very close friend of Matijevic's died from the same disease which so horribly took his mother's life.
[edit] Rock Star
In 2001, Matijevic provided the voice for Mark Wahlberg's character in the movie, Rock Star, a story about a music fan who gets to become the singer for his favourite band. Jeff Scott Soto (of Talisman & Malmsteen) provided the voice of the fictional band's original singer. The band itself was made up of Zakk Wylde, who's played with Ozzy Osbourne, Jeff Pilson (Dokken) and Jason Bonham, son of Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham. The film also featured a re-recording on the song "We All Die Young", from the "Wait" album.
[edit] Twisted Future
According to the Steelheart website, a new album Samurai will be due out in the spring of 2007. Currently, the Just A Taste EP is available to order from the website as well as being available live on their most recent tour of the same name. It features three tracks from the upcoming Samurai, "LOL (Laughing Out Loud)," "Twisted Future," and "Buried Unkind," as well as the previously released track "We All Die Young," from Steelheart's album Wait. Steelheart's new sound is modern and edgy while still retaining overtones of Miijenko Matijevic's roots. Fans who were a bit unsure of what to think when listening to Wait will be delightfully surprised. The live Steelheart DVD is also available online. Meanwhile, former drummer for Steelheart, John Fowler, is working on two new projects- the Voodoo Jets and Smoke.
[edit] Current Members
According to Steelheart's official site, (www.steelheart.com) the new members playing on the album are:
Uros Ravoski (guitars)
Sigve Sjursen (bass)
Mike Humbert (drums)
Chris Risola (guitars) - He will be accompanying Steelheart in their next tour, starting in Novemeber 2006.
[edit] Past Members
Chris Risola (guitars) 1990-1992
Frank DiConstanzo (guitars) 1990-1992
James Ward (bass) 1990-1992
John Fowler (drums) 1990-1992
Kenny Kanowski (guitars) 1996
Vincent Mele (bass) 1996
Alex Makarovich (drums) 1996
[edit] Discography
Steelheart (1990)
Tangled In Reins (1992)
Wait (1996)
