Nitro (band)

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Nitro
OriginHollywood, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active
  • 1988–1993
  • 2016–2019
Labels
Past membersJim Gillette
Michael Angelo Batio
T. J. Racer
Bobby Rock
K. C. Comet
Ralph Carter
Johnny Thunder
Chris Adler
Victor Wooten

Nitro was an American heavy metal band from Hollywood, California. Formed in 1988, the group originally featured vocalist Jim Gillette, guitarist Michael Angelo Batio, bassist T. J. Racer and drummer Bobby Rock. Nitro released its debut album O.F.R. in 1989, which reached number 140 on the US Billboard 200. Rock was replaced by K. C. Comet for the album's tour and Racer would leave the band thereafter. Nitro II: H.W.D.W.S., released in 1992, featured Ralph Carter on bass and Johnny Thunder on drums. The group broke up in 1993, with a number of previously unreleased demo recordings issued on the 1999 album Gunnin' for Glory.

In late 2016, it was announced that Gillette and Batio had reformed the band, with Lamb of God drummer Chris Adler added to the group's lineup. Plans were made to record a third album – which would have been the band's first full-length studio album since 1992 – with Victor Wooten on bass and Kane Churko producing. Matt DeVries performed in place of Wooten at live shows. In 2017, "It Won't Die" was released as the lead single from the album. However, Batio announced in May 2019 that the band had once again split up, but added that some of the material from the abandoned third album would surface on his next solo release.

History[edit]

1987–1993: Formation and first two releases[edit]

In 1987, vocalist Jim Gillette released his debut solo album Proud to Be Loud, which featured contributions from guitarist Michael Angelo Batio and bassist T. J. Racer, the three of whom would later go on to form Nitro.[1] Gillette and Batio had initially met at a beach party, while Racer was introduced to the singer as an attendee of one of his instructional vocal courses.[2] Former Vinnie Vincent Invasion drummer Bobby Rock joined the band shortly thereafter.[3] Speaking about joining the band, Rock recalled that Gillette and Batio recruited him by explaining that they "wanted to record the most over-the-top, in-your-face metal record ever".[4] Nitro signed with Rhino Entertainment record label Rampage Records after their first show, at which Gillette "reportedly shattered three wine glasses with his voice".[3]

Gillette, Batio, Racer and Rock recorded the first Nitro album at Front Page Productions in Costa Mesa, California with producer and engineer Charlie Watts.[5] The album was released in 1989 and spent nine weeks on the US Billboard 200, peaking at number 140.[6] Shortly after the recording of the album, Rock left Nitro to join Nelson, with K. C. Comet replacing him for the album's promotional concert tour (he also appeared in the music videos for the singles "Freight Train" and "Long Way from Home").[3] After the tour, Comet was replaced by Johnny Thunder while Ralph Carter was brought in after Racer's departure.[2] The band released its second album Nitro II: H.W.D.W.S. in 1992, which featured a cover version of Ted Nugent's "Cat Scratch Fever" as its sole single, before breaking up the following year.[2]

After Nitro's breakup, a number of previously unreleased demo recordings were issued on the compilation Gunnin' for Glory, released on Batio's record label M.A.C.E. Music in 1999.[7] In the subsequent years, there were occasional comments from Gillette and Batio hinting at a potential reformation of the band. In 2008, when asked at Rocklahoma festival about the possibility of a return for the group, Gillette commented that "It would be great to do; maybe next year", adding that "It would take about six months to get back to where I would like it to be vocally."[3] However, Batio responded later in the year by revealing that he did not want to reform the band as Gillette was only interested in writing new material, not performing the band's old songs, which the guitarist explained would "not be the same".[8]

2016–2019: Return and cancelled third album[edit]

On November 30, 2016, it was announced that Gillette and Batio were set to reform Nitro with then-Lamb of God drummer Chris Adler.[9] Speaking about the potential style of the band's new material, Adler commented that "I'm blown away by the modern sound and groove in the material. The chaos has been harnessed and it's incredibly heavy."[10] The trio began recording for a new album the following month with engineer Josh Wilbur.[9] Victor Wooten was later enlisted as the bassist for the recording of the album,[11] followed by producer and songwriter Kane Churko.[12] Batio commented on the direction of the group's new recordings in February 2017, suggesting that it would feature more death metal than the glam for which the band was previously known, owing to Gillette's changed vocal style.[13] "It Won't Die" was released as the band's first new song since 1999 on July 25.[14] In September, the reunited band performed its first string of concerts on an Indian tour in September 2017, with Matt DeVries joining as the touring bassist.[15]

In a May 2019 interview, Batio announced that Nitro had once again broken up. When asked about the status of the band's slated third album, he said, "It's gone ... we just can't go back ... after we did a few songs, we did a tour together, we all realized".[16] The guitarist later added, "I'm best friends with Jim Gillette – we're like brothers. We never had an argument, even back in the old days", as well as assuring fans that some of the material recorded with Adler and Wooten would surface on his next solo release, due later in the year.[16]

Members[edit]

Former members

  • Jim Gillette – vocals (1988–1993, 2016–2019)
  • Michael Angelo Batio – guitars, keyboards, backing vocals (1988–1993, 2016–2019)
  • T. J. Racer – bass (1988–1991)
  • Bobby Rock – drums (1988–1989)
  • K. C. Comet – drums (1989–1991)
  • Ralph Carter – bass, backing vocals (1991–1993)
  • Johnny Thunder – drums (1991–1993)
  • Chris Adler – drums (2016–2019)
  • Matt DeVries – bass (2017–2019)

Guests

  • Markus Mueller - drums (1992) (Died: 1995)
  • Victor Wooten – bass (2017)

Timeline[edit]

Discography[edit]

Studio albums

Compilations

Singles

Music videos

  • "Freight Train" (1989)
  • "Long Way from Home" (1989)
  • "Johnny Died on Christmas" (1992)
  • "Cat Scratch Fever" (1992)
  • "Boyz Will B Boyz" (1993) (unreleased)

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Ex-Nitro Bassist T.J. Racer - New Video Interview Available". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. August 30, 2010. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  2. ^ a b c Ankeny, Jason. "Nitro: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d "Singer Jim Gillette Doesn't Rule Out Nitro Reunion". Blabbermouth.net. July 16, 2008. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  4. ^ "Bobby Rock, Vinnie Vincent Invasion, Nelson, Nitro, OFR". Full in Bloom Music. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  5. ^ O.F.R. (Media notes). Nitro. Rampage Records. 1989. Retrieved July 18, 2017.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. ^ "Billboard 200: Nitro Chart History". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 3, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  7. ^ "Nitro Gunnin' for Glory CD". M.A.C.E. Music. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  8. ^ "Michael Angelo Batio Rules Out Nitro Reunion". Blabbermouth.net. December 24, 2008. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  9. ^ a b "Lamb Of God's Chris Adler Joins Michael Angelo Batio, Jim Gillette In Reunited Nitro". Blabbermouth.net. November 30, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  10. ^ "Glam Metal Band Nitro Is Back With Chris Adler on Drums". Ultimate Guitar. November 30, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  11. ^ "Reformed Nitro Taps Bassist Victor Wooten For Comeback Album". Blabbermouth.net. June 14, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  12. ^ "Reformed Nitro Taps Producer Kane Churko For Comeback Album". Blabbermouth.net. June 20, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  13. ^ "Michael Angelo Batio: Expect a Death Metal-Sounding Album From Nitro Now That Chris Adler's in the Band". Ultimate Guitar. February 14, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2017.
  14. ^ "Listen: Reunited Nitro Featuring Chris Adler & Victor Wooten Streaming First Single". Ultimate Guitar. July 26, 2017. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  15. ^ Tagat, Anurag (July 20, 2017). "Eighties Glam Metal Band Nitro to Tour India in September". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  16. ^ a b "Nitro Reunion Is Over: 'We Just Can't Go Back,' Says Michael Angelo Batio". Blabbermouth.net. May 13, 2019. Retrieved May 13, 2019.

External links[edit]

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