Britny Fox
| Britny Fox | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Genres | Glam metal, hard rock, heavy metal |
| Years active | 1985–1992, 2000–2008, 2015–present |
| Labels | Columbia, CBS Records, East West Records, Spitfire Records |
| Associated acts | Cinderella, Jillson, Waysted, Tangier, Blackeyed Susan |
| Website | Official site |
| Members |
Billy Childs John Di Teodoro (Johnny Dee) Tommy Paris Chris Sanders |
| Past members |
Jamie Fletcher Greg Polcari Greg D'Angelo Michael Kelly Smith Dean Davidson Tony Destra Adam West Tommy Krash Henry Now |
Britny Fox is an American glam metal band from the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area, initially active from 1985 to 1992 then subsequently reforming from 2000 to 2007 and then again reforming in 2015. They are best known for their music video for "Girlschool" and their minor hit "Long Way to Love" (U.S. No. 100).
History
Britny Fox formed in 1986 in Philadelphia. The band was originally fronted by lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist "Dizzy" Dean Davidson. The band also featured Billy Childs on bass, former Cinderella guitarist Michael Kelly Smith on lead guitar and former Cinderella drummer Tony Destra on drums. The idea for the band's name was inspired by Davidson, who named the band in honor of a Welsh ancestor. They were described on a compilation as "trashy Victorian glam". [1]
Thanks to their connections to Cinderella, the band was able to secure a major recording contract. However, just as things were beginning to look bright for the band, they soon dimmed. Tony Destra was killed in a car accident. Facing a tour, the band recruited drummer, Adam West temporarily until landing what turned out to be long term drummer, John DiTeodoro (Johnny Dee), who had been the drummer for the band Waysted.[2]
The band released a demo in 1986 titled In America, which drummer Tony Destra played on, and a demo in 1987 titled Rock Is Gonna Fight, which drummer Adam West played on. The band's self-titled debut album, released in 1988, was one of the most successful premieres of the 1988–89 season, selling more than one million copies and bringing more than 625,000 fans to their 130+ shows opening for Poison and Warrant. They also won Metal Edge Magazine's 1988 Reader's Choice Award for Best New Band. After the release of the band's second album in 1989, Boys in Heat, Davidson departed, and formed the band Blackeyed Susan. He was replaced by Las Vegas native Tommy Paris aka Don Jillson formerly of the band Jillson.[3] Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde and Poison drummer Rikki Rockett guested on the band's third album, Bite Down Hard, which was released in 1991. However, the popularity of glam metal was on a decline around the time of the album's release due to the rising popularity of the alternative rock/grunge movement. Britny Fox disbanded in 1992 for various reasons.
Michael Kelly Smith was previously in an early version of fellow Philadelphia band Cinderella until his dismissal, and later Tony Destra also played with them.
Drummer Adam West, formerly of Tangier, played for Britny Fox briefly between the time of Tony Destra and Johnny Dee.
Britny Fox reunited in 2000 with the same line-up before their disbandment, and released a fourth studio album, Springhead Motorshark, in 2003. The band toured the US and Europe in 2007 and 2008. Guitarist Tommy Krash and former White Lion drummer Greg D'Angelo was supposed to join at that time, but he broke his foot during rehearsal and was replaced with Henry Now.
As of 2007, Britny Fox reformed under original bassist Billy Childs. The other current and former members are lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Jamie Fletcher, lead guitarist Greg Polcari, and drummer Henry Now.
Bassist Billy Childs had a minor but billed role in the horror film Incest Death Squad (2009).[4] Childs is currently playing bass in the North American Led Zeppelin tribute band Get The Led Out, "The American Led Zeppelin".[5]
In 2010, "Dizzy" Dean Davidson unsuccessfully attempted to reunite the surviving members of the original line-up.
On April 25, 2015, it was announced that band has again reunited and includes Billy Childs, Johnny Dee, Tommy Paris and new lead guitarist Chris Sanders as their members and they are recording a new album.[6]
Lineups
| (1985–1987) |
|
|---|---|
| (1987) |
|
| (1987–1989) |
|
| (1990–1992), (2000–2006) |
|
| (2006–2007) |
|
| (2007) |
|
| (2008) |
|
| (2015–present) |
|
Members
- Billy Childs bass, backing vocals (1985–1992; 2000–2008; 2015–present)
- Tommy Paris lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards (1990–1992; 2000–2007; 2015–present)
- Johnny Dee drums, percussion, backing vocals (1987–1992; 2000–2006; 2015–present)
- Chris Sanders lead guitar (2015–present)
Past Members
Vocals/rhythm guitar
- Dean Davidson (1985–1990; 2010)
- Jamie Fletcher (2008)
Lead guitar
- Michael Kelly Smith (1985–1992; 2000–2006)
- Tommy Krash (2006–2007)
- Keith Plants (2007)
- Greg Polcari (2008)
Drums
- Tony Destra (1985–1987)
- Adam West (1987)
- Greg D'Angelo (2006–2007)
- Henry Now (2007–2008)
Discography
Studio albums
| Year | Album | US | RIAA Certification | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | In America | - | - | Wolfe |
| 1988 | Britny Fox | 39 | Gold | CBS |
| 1989 | Boys in Heat | 79 | - | CBS |
| 1991 | Bite Down Hard | - | - | EastWest |
| 2003 | Springhead Motorshark | - | - | Spitfire |
Video albums
| Year | Album | US | RIAA Certification | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Year of the Fox | - | - | CBS |
Live albums
| Year | Album | US | RIAA Certification | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Long Way to Live! | - | - | Spitfire |
| 2002 | Live at Froggy's | - | - | Britny Fox Records |
| 2006 | Extended Versions | - | - | SBME Special Markets |
Compilation albums
| Year | Album | US | RIAA Certification | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | The Best of Britny Fox | - | - | CBS |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Hot 100 | US Main Rock | UK | ||
| 1988 | "Long Way to Love" | 100 | 33 | - |
| 1989 | "Girlschool" | 81 | - | - |
| "Save the Weak" | - | - | - | |
| "Standing in the Shadows" | - | - | - | |
| 1990 | "Dream On" | - | 34 | - |
| 1991 | "Louder" | - | - | - |
| "Over and Out" | - | - | - | |
Demos
- Rock Is Gonna Fight (1987)
- The Bite Down Hard Demo Sessions (2003)
Bootlegs
- Gudbuy T'Dean (2001)
Other appearances
| Year | Album | US | RIAA Certification | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Nintendo: White Knuckle Scorin' | - | - | MCA |
References
- ↑ http://www.sleazeroxx.com/bands/britnyfox/britnyfox.shtml
- ↑ http://www.sleazeroxx.com/bands/britnyfox/britnyfox.shtml
- ↑ Interview with Tommy Paris on Sleazeroxx.com
- ↑ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1430618/
- ↑ Billy Child's bio on Gtlorocks.com
- ↑ "BRITNY FOX Has Reunited And Is Back In Studio". Blabbermouth.net. April 25, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
External links
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