| Bang Tango | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Genres | Hard rock Glam metal Funk metal Heavy metal Funk Rock |
| Years active | 1987–1995 1997–present |
| Labels | World of Hurt (1989) MCA (1989–1993) Music for Nations (1993–1995) Shrapnel (2003–2005) Perris (2005–present) |
| Website | http://www.bangtango.com/ |
Bang Tango is an American funk-infused hard rock and glam metal band.
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The band formed in 1987 in Los Angeles, California and were signed to MCA Records that same year. The band's line-up has fluctuated since its inception, with the one mainstay of the group (until 2010) being frontman Joe Lesté. Psycho Café (the band's debut album) was released in 1989, but, although MTV gave considerable exposure to the single "Someone Like You," the album wasn't able to crossover to mainstream success.
Nevertheless, the group trekked on until 1995 when they split up. Bang Tango then reformed in 1996 only to disband again in 1998. In 1999, the band reformed to mount a national tour, Lesté and original bassist Kyle Kyle (born Kyle Keiderling) joining forces with former bay area S.F. Altar Boys punk rock guitarist Mattie B. The tour was a success and a record was in the works but nothing was released. Lesté reformed the band yet again in 2002, albeit structured around a revolving door of lesser-known musicians. Many of those were also members of Lesté's more modern sounding alt-metal outfit Beautiful Creatures.
Lesté was reportedly briefly hired as singer for L.A. Guns, but no albums were recorded with him. Lesté and Tracii Guns played together on a cover of Def Leppard's "Rock Brigade" on the Def Leppard tribute album Leppardmania and on a cover of Guns N' Roses's "Mr. Brownstone" on the Guns N' Roses tribute album A Rock Tribute To Guns N' Roses.
Kyle Kyle was later in The Newlydeads with Taime Downe of Faster Pussycat fame.
Mark Knight is currently fronting his new project "Gravy" along with Mark Tremalgia. Gravy released their debut album Bones in 2003.
In 2010, the original members of Bang Tango: Kyle Kyle, Tigg Ketler and Mark Knight were interviewed by Argentinean music journalist Lucas H. Gordon where they talked about the reunion of original members which includes Kyle Stevens but not the original singer Joe Leste. The band's name is Bang Tango Redux and the interview is currently broadcasting in Youtube. As Bang Tango Redux, the four original members teamed up with a new singer, Michael Demay.
On April 27, 2011, original singer Joe Lesté appeared on RadioScreamer with longtime friend and host David Castagno, where he discussed his current tour as well as the grind of the road. Lesté continues to tour as Bang Tango. Although he is the only original member still in the band, Bang Tango continues to perform well over 100 shows each year.
(This is a partial list. It does not include all of the members that have toured with the band, especially during the late 1980s.)
| Year | Title | Label | US Billboard Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Psycho Café | MCA | 58 |
| 1991 | Dancin' on Coals | 113 | |
| 1994 | Love After Death | Music for Nations | - |
| September 14, 2004 | Ready to Go | Shrapnel | - |
| May 9, 2006 | From the Hip | Perris | - |
| September 27, 2011 | Pistol Whipped In The Bible Belt | [78 Productions] |
| Year | Title | Label | US Billboard Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Live Injection (live) | World of Hurt | |
| 1992 | Ain't No Jive...Live! (live) | MCA | |
| November 10, 1998 | Live (live) | Cleopatra | |
| May 25, 1999 | Untied & Live (live) | Import | - |
| November 23, 1999 | Greatest Tricks (compilation) | Cleopatra | - |
| August 24, 2004 | The Ultimate Bang Tango: Rockers and Thieves (compilation) | Lemon | - |
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