Enuff Z'nuff

Enuff Z'Nuff

Enuff Z'Nuff, 1991
Background information
Also known as Enuff Z'nuff, Enuff Znuff
Origin Blue Island, Illinois
Genres Glam metal, hard rock, power pop, psychedelic
Years active 1984–present
Labels Atco, Arista, Big Deal, Mayhem, Spitfire, Perris, Stoney Records
Website www.enuffznuff.com
Members Chip Z'Nuff
Johnny Monaco
Erik Donner
Past members Donnie Vie
B.W. Boeski
Gino Martino
Alex Kane
Derek Frigo A.K.A James C. Hohnbaum
Vik Foxx
Ricky Parent
Tory Stoffregen
Randi Scott

Enuff Z'Nuff (a pronunciation respelling of "enough's enough"), is an American hard rock band from Blue Island, Illinois. Founded by singer Donnie Vie and bassist Chip Z'Nuff, this Chicago area band is best known for their charting singles "Fly High Michelle" and "New Thing".[1]

Enuff Z'Nuff has continually recorded and toured throughout their career of more than 30 years, releasing 12 studio albums and a total of 20 CDs to date. Its songs have been recorded by several other musicians, some of which include Paul Gilbert, The Wildhearts, and Nelson. The group has appeared on MTV, Howard Stern and David Letterman. Their music has been released on Atco Records and Arista Records.

History

Formation (1984–1989)

Enuff Z'Nuff formed in 1984 as "Enough Z'Nuff". The band soon grew a live following and recorded their first demo songs, some of which would be officially released later in their career. The band's first single, "Fingers On It," received some minor recognition when it was featured in the 1986 cult movie Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer.[2] Band members during this period also included drummer B.W. Boeski and guitarists Gino Martino and Alex Kane, the latter of which moved on to lead guitars for Life, Sex & Death and eventually formed the band AntiProduct.

Major label recordings (1989–1993)

By 1989, Enough Z'Nuff had revised their band name to "Enuff Z'Nuff" and released their first major label offering, a self-titled debut album on Atco Records. For this recording, founding members Donnie Vie and Chip Z'Nuff were joined by ex-Le Mans guitarist Derek Frigo and drummer Vik Foxx. The band had two charting hits with the psychedelic-flavored pop rock songs "New Thing" and "Fly High Michelle," both of which received steady airplay on MTV. A few years later, the band's heavy glam rock appearance in the music videos would be parodied on Beavis & Butthead.

For their follow-up album, 1991's Strength, the band consciously toned down their glam image. Strength was released in 1991 on Atco to strong reviews, including Rolling Stone magazine calling the group "The Hot Band of the Year."[3] There were promotional videos for the singles "Mother's Eyes" and "Baby Loves You", as well as an appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman. However, this follow-up album did not sell nearly as well as their first.

The band filed for bankruptcy and left Atco Records, but soon after was picked up by Clive Davis' Arista Records label for their 1993 album Animals with Human Intelligence. Soon before this album's release, drummer Vikki Foxx quit the band to join Vince Neil's solo band. Foxx would be airbushed out of the album cover, despite performing on each track of the recording. Foxx was replaced by New Jersey resident and former War and Peace member Ricky Parent, who also appeared for most of the album's promotional material. The band performed on Letterman again and shot a video for the single "Right by Your Side". However this release, much like Strength, received some critical acclaim but ultimately disappointed commercially.[4]

Independent albums and Donnie's departure (1993–2006)

A short time after Enuff Z'Nuff parted ways from Arista Records, guitarist Derek Frigo left the band, though he still recorded on occasion with them. Despite this setback, the band continued touring and recording, releasing albums on several indie labels and finding a solid fanbase overseas.[5] Some notable events include many appearances on The Howard Stern Show, local appearances on the Mancow's Morning Madhouse radio program, a 1998 performance on The Jenny Jones Show, a pair of features on VH1 about hair bands in 1999, and attaining an opening slot for Poison's 2001 "Glam Slam Metal Jam" tour.[6]

Lead singer and songwriter Donnie Vie stopped touring with the group in 2002 out of frustration and to embark upon a solo career. Enuff Z'Nuff continued to tour in his absence as a "3-piece," with their lead guitarist Johnny Monaco also serving as the band's lead singer.[7] Despite not touring, Vie would still write and record with the band in future studio releases.

In 2004, former lead guitarist Derek Frigo died from an apparent drug overdose at the age of 37, soon after the band planned a Japanese tour with the original line-up.[8] Another tragedy struck when the band's drummer Ricky Parent lost his long-time battle with cancer in October 2007.[9] Parent had been with the band for approximately 12 years.

Reformation and current activity (2006–present)

In 2006, original members Chip Z'Nuff and Donnie Vie reconvened to shoot a pilot for the VH1 reality television show, Bands on the Run.[10] The show's pilot episode never aired. However, during that time the reunited band held their initial recording sessions for their 12th record. Several songs from these sessions eventually resulted in their latest studio album, Dissonance, which also features former Ozzy Osbourne / Badlands guitarist Jake E. Lee on guitar. With Vie rejoining the live shows in 2008, Dissonance was released in 2009 in Japan, with a U.K. release following in 2010.[11] In support of the album, Enuff Z'Nuff toured both Japan and Europe, including the Download Festival in the U.K. [12] As of May 2013, Donnie Vie once again left the band. Johnny Monaco returned to Enuff Z'Nuff as the band's singer.[13]

There was more band member shuffling in May 2014. Guitarist Tory Stoffregen and drummer Randi Scott each left the band. [14] with Erik Donner joining on drums in June. Enuff Z'Nuff will continue touring as a 3-piece. Singer Johnny Monaco released a solo EP and is looking for opportunities in the Los Angeles area. Original singer Donnie Vie is focusing on his solo career with a new live CD and the studio recording "The White Album" which was released in December 2014. Bassist Chip Z'Nuff was a regular co-host on Mancow's Morning Madhouse until October 2014, when the show was cancelled. He is now an occasional co-host on the new Mancow Muller Morning Show. Z'nuff had performed worldwide with ex-Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler in a band called Adler's Appetite (from 2005 to 2011) and is now at times touring in a Chicago-based Creedence Clearwater Revival tribute band called Creedence Again.[15] He is also promoting his first solo album entitled "Strange Time".

Discography

Band members

Current members
Former members
Touring musicians

References

  1. ↑ Billboard Chart History For Enuff Z'Nuff Billboard. Accessed January 22, 2012.
  2. ↑ Soundtrack for Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer IMDb.com. Accessed June 27, 2011.
  3. ↑ Hot Issue Hits and Misses: Coldplay and Enuff Z'Nuff Rolling Stone. Accessed June 27, 2011.
  4. ↑ Linden, Amy. Review: Animals With Human Intelligence. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved on 2009-12-21.
  5. ↑ Oricon Japanese Charts. Oricon. Accessed January 15, 2012.
  6. ↑ Glam Slam Metal Jam Coming In May antiMUSIC. Accessed January 15, 2012.
  7. ↑ Interview With Monaco Ready To Rock. Accessed January 15, 2012.
  8. ↑ Derek Frigo Biography Sleaze Roxx. Accessed June 27, 2011.
  9. ↑ Enuff Z'Nuff Drummer Ricky Parent Dies Hard Rock Hideout. Accessed January 15, 2012.
  10. ↑ Enuff Z'Nuff To Perform On Bands On The Run Blabbermouth.net Accessed June 26, 2011.
  11. ↑ Jake E. Lee to appear on new Enuff Z'Nuff Album antiMUSIC. Accessed June 27, 2011.
  12. ↑ Download Festival Photos Download Festival Website. Accessed January 22, 2012.
  13. ↑ Donnie Vie Sends Best of Luck Message to Enuff Z'Nuff Metal Sludge. Accessed June 7, 2013.
  14. ↑ Enuff Z'nuff Loses Two Members In a Month Metal Sludge. Accessed May 27, 2014.
  15. ↑ Steven Adler Comments On Split With Chip Z'Nuff Blabbermouth. Accessed January 22, 2012.

External links

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