In a genre of music where survival of the fittest is not just a cliché but a way of life, Jani Lane embodies the spirit of a decade of excess, hedonism, and rock & roll. As the lead singer of Warrant, he helped to propel the band into the upper stratosphere with such hits as "Heaven," "Down Boys," and "Cherry Pie."
Born John Kennedy Oswald in Ohio, he played in several local metal bands in the late '70s before landing in Los Angeles in the mid-'80s. His band Plain Jane became a staple on the wild L.A. glam rock circuit. He and bandmember Steven Sweet were invited by Erik Turner to join his band Warrant. The group was signed by Columbia Records, and in true heavy metal fashion, Lane bought and smashed a black Corvette with his share of the money from the band's advance.
The group began to work on their legendary debut, Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich, a process which led Lane into a psychiatric hospital for a nervous breakdown after he caught his best friend having an affair with his girlfriend. Once he fully recovered, Lane recorded his vocals and the album went on to be one of the biggest selling records of the glam metal era.
The band's follow-up Cherry Pie failed to meet their debut's success; this, combined with the emergence and popularity of grunge, led to Warrant's being dropped by their label. Lane left Warrant in 2002 to pursue a solo career. He released Back Down to One in 2003, but shortly after was admitted to a rehab center for alcohol and drug-related exhaustion. He rebounded, and after a few acting roles and appearances on compilations, attempted to restart his own version of Warrant. Lawyers for the original band quickly struck this down. He was most recently seen on VH1's reality series Celebrity Fit Club
Born John Kennedy Oswald in Ohio, he played in several local metal bands in the late '70s before landing in Los Angeles in the mid-'80s. His band Plain Jane became a staple on the wild L.A. glam rock circuit. He and bandmember Steven Sweet were invited by Erik Turner to join his band Warrant. The group was signed by Columbia Records, and in true heavy metal fashion, Lane bought and smashed a black Corvette with his share of the money from the band's advance.
The group began to work on their legendary debut, Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich, a process which led Lane into a psychiatric hospital for a nervous breakdown after he caught his best friend having an affair with his girlfriend. Once he fully recovered, Lane recorded his vocals and the album went on to be one of the biggest selling records of the glam metal era.
The band's follow-up Cherry Pie failed to meet their debut's success; this, combined with the emergence and popularity of grunge, led to Warrant's being dropped by their label. Lane left Warrant in 2002 to pursue a solo career. He released Back Down to One in 2003, but shortly after was admitted to a rehab center for alcohol and drug-related exhaustion. He rebounded, and after a few acting roles and appearances on compilations, attempted to restart his own version of Warrant. Lawyers for the original band quickly struck this down. He was most recently seen on VH1's reality series Celebrity Fit Club
Is a completed album that got shelved when Jani returned to Warrant in '93 There are some demos of some songs and the finished master was leaked in 2005 with a newly recorded version of "Washington Square" and was due for release in 2005 but then Jani decided to shelve the entire project(again) and record what became "Back Down To One" The 2005 mastered/completed w/the bonus track is available in the bootleg community.
Tracklisting:
1. All You Had To Say
2. Private Blue World
3. One More Fro The Road
4. Unrealistic
5. Washington Square
6. Comfortable With Sad
7. This Town
8. Pretty On The Inside
9. The Deeper End
10. Stained
11. House Of Cards
12. Washington Square (2005 Version)
From day one Warrant were looked upon by rivalling bands and press as some kind of joke but that didn’t stop the band from releasing two highly successful albums and ruling MTV at the tail end of the 80’s/early 90’s with classic videos such as “Heaven”, “Sometimes She Cries” and “Cherry Pie”.
With the onset of grunge however the original Down Boys decided to go with the flow and cut an album that showed they could do more than just rock ‘n roll all nite and party everyday. The end result was 1992’s “Dog Eat Dog”: a darker and far more mature release that definitely won the band some credibility amongst journalists and such but didn’t shift nowhere near as much copies as its predecessors. Personally I think its an undiscovered gem and if you ever come across it while going through the bargain section I strongly advise you to simply buy it or at least give it the ear test. “Dog Eat Dog” was also the last album to be recorded by the original line-up of Jani Lane (vocals), Jerry Dixon (bass), Erik Turner (guitar), Joey Allen (guitar) and Steven Sweet (drums). For the recordings of 1995’s “Ult raphobic” Jani, Jerry and Erik were joined by Rick Steier (guitar), James Kottak (drums) and David White (bass) but a mere 12 months later James and David were already out of picture and in came drummer Bobby Borg. More line-up changes followed as were more albums but apart of the odd new cut here and there the guys haven’t released a disc with all new songs since 1996’s “Belly To Belly”. According to their website a new album is in the pipelines and to tie the fans over until the album is actually released frontman Jani put out his very own solo album in the States last year. Just like most of the band’s releases “Back Down To One” has been criminally overlooked by the European press and hopefully Z Records will back this one up with the right amount of promotion so it gets the attention it deserves. Those hoping for an album choke full of Warrant style rockers will be disappointed to know that mister Lane has recorded a collection of songs that fit in perfectly amongst current MTV faves Blink 182, Sum 41 and Good Charlotte. I too had hoped that Jani would make a glorious return to the sound of classics such as “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”, “Mr. Rainmaker” or “So Damn Pretty” but I have to admit that while I only found the album “interesting” at first I have come to actually like the bugger a whole lot! And that is simply due to Jani’s unmistakeable talent for writing a fine tune. Take for example the punchy “Better Than You” with a hook big enough to catch a whale and a melody line that once it has settled in your skull refuses to leave for days on end. If this gets released as single it should be all over MTV in no time. But “Better Than You” isn’t the only track with hit potential. The highly melodic title track “Back Down To One”, the acoustically driven “Hooked” and the tongue-in-cheek “6 Feet Under” are all tailor made for the American charts.
So don’t be turned off when you give this one a spin the first time but give it time to mature and grow on you cause it’s very much like fine, vintage claret.
With the onset of grunge however the original Down Boys decided to go with the flow and cut an album that showed they could do more than just rock ‘n roll all nite and party everyday. The end result was 1992’s “Dog Eat Dog”: a darker and far more mature release that definitely won the band some credibility amongst journalists and such but didn’t shift nowhere near as much copies as its predecessors. Personally I think its an undiscovered gem and if you ever come across it while going through the bargain section I strongly advise you to simply buy it or at least give it the ear test. “Dog Eat Dog” was also the last album to be recorded by the original line-up of Jani Lane (vocals), Jerry Dixon (bass), Erik Turner (guitar), Joey Allen (guitar) and Steven Sweet (drums). For the recordings of 1995’s “Ult raphobic” Jani, Jerry and Erik were joined by Rick Steier (guitar), James Kottak (drums) and David White (bass) but a mere 12 months later James and David were already out of picture and in came drummer Bobby Borg. More line-up changes followed as were more albums but apart of the odd new cut here and there the guys haven’t released a disc with all new songs since 1996’s “Belly To Belly”. According to their website a new album is in the pipelines and to tie the fans over until the album is actually released frontman Jani put out his very own solo album in the States last year. Just like most of the band’s releases “Back Down To One” has been criminally overlooked by the European press and hopefully Z Records will back this one up with the right amount of promotion so it gets the attention it deserves. Those hoping for an album choke full of Warrant style rockers will be disappointed to know that mister Lane has recorded a collection of songs that fit in perfectly amongst current MTV faves Blink 182, Sum 41 and Good Charlotte. I too had hoped that Jani would make a glorious return to the sound of classics such as “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”, “Mr. Rainmaker” or “So Damn Pretty” but I have to admit that while I only found the album “interesting” at first I have come to actually like the bugger a whole lot! And that is simply due to Jani’s unmistakeable talent for writing a fine tune. Take for example the punchy “Better Than You” with a hook big enough to catch a whale and a melody line that once it has settled in your skull refuses to leave for days on end. If this gets released as single it should be all over MTV in no time. But “Better Than You” isn’t the only track with hit potential. The highly melodic title track “Back Down To One”, the acoustically driven “Hooked” and the tongue-in-cheek “6 Feet Under” are all tailor made for the American charts.
So don’t be turned off when you give this one a spin the first time but give it time to mature and grow on you cause it’s very much like fine, vintage claret.
Tracklist
1. Funny
2. Better Than You
3. Nothing
4. How A Girl
5. Back Down To One
6. Hooked
7. Oh Yeah
8. Don't Trust Me
9. Twilight
10. 6 Feet Under
11. Sick
1. Funny
2. Better Than You
3. Nothing
4. How A Girl
5. Back Down To One
6. Hooked
7. Oh Yeah
8. Don't Trust Me
9. Twilight
10. 6 Feet Under
11. Sick
SAINTS OF THE UNDERGROUND
LOVE THE SIN, HATE THE SINNER
Released 2008 (Warrior Records)
Track List: 01. Dead Man's Shoes
02. Tomorrow Never Comes
03. All In How You Wear It
04. Good Times
05. Exit
06. American Girl
07. Signs Of Life
08. Bruised
09. Moonlight Mile
10. Jimmy
Band:
Jani Lane - vocals
Keri Kelli - guitars
Robbie Crane - bass
Bobby Blotzer - drums
Additional Musicians:
Chuck Wright - bass
Rick Flores - keyboards
Chuck Wright - bass
Rick Flores - keyboards
Production:
Produced by Bobby Blotzer, Keri Kelli and Jani Lane. Mixed by Andy Johns and Saints Of The Underground.
Produced by Bobby Blotzer, Keri Kelli and Jani Lane. Mixed by Andy Johns and Saints Of The Underground.
Review:
For those who aren't aware of just who Saints Of The Underground are, the band consists of Warrant front-man Jani Lane, Alice Cooper guitarist Keri Kelli, and Ratt's dynamic rhythm section of Robbie Crane on bass and Bobby Blotzer on drums. While most 'supergroups' fall short of delivering what you would expect from their collective talents, this debut album DOES NOT! Love The Sin, Hate The Sinner easily has my vote for 2008's 'Album Of The Year'! I just hope that when schedules permit that the band will tour and record more Saints Of The Underground albums in the future! Time will tell...
The album kicks off with "Dead Man's Shoes", an up-tempo rocker showcasing Jani's killer vocal layering, a solid bass groove, a sweet albeit short solo from Keri, and Blotz' best drumming of the disc (with the exception of "Bruised", but that's a whole different animal that we will touch on later). Some people may remember this song from Blotzer's previous side project Twenty4Seven with John Corabi. While still faithful to the original, some lyrics and melodies were changed by Jani. "Tomorrow Never Comes" sounds vocally as if it could have been on Warrant's Dog Eat Dog with some tastefully aggressive vocals in the verses complimented by Keri's brilliant leads, this is by far my favorite track on this album.
"All In How You Wear It" just smells of attitude, from the lyrics to the playing. "Good Times" is another track from Blotzer's aforementioned Twenty4Seven project, complete with Jani's 'Beatles-esque' harmonies in the choruses and an effects-laden solo from Keri, I could easily picture this track on the radio. "Exit" really showcases the chemistry between Jani and Keri as songwriters and musicians, and judging from this CD and Jani Lane's solo album, the duo can craft some amazing hook-laden pop-rock tunes that should be all over radio (if it wasn't for the fact that most Program Directors are deaf or just plain stupid). S.O.T.U. really take Tom Petty's "American Girl" and make it their own while remaining true to the original, Blotzer's hyper drumming really sets the pace for this track.
"Signs Of Life" starts of with some bludgeoning riffs and powerhouse drums. Yet another one of Jani's vocals that could have been on Dog Eat Dog or Belly To Belly, this track features a really bluesy solo. On "Bruised" the rhythm section really shines, laying down a galloping groove through the verses before the track kicks into high gear during the chorus. My second favorite cut on this album comes by way of S.O.T.U.'s beautiful rendition of The Rolling Stones' "Moonlight Mile". Starting off with some amazing acoustic work weaving together with the keyboards, this track slowly picks up tempo. Jani is at the top of his game vocally while the entire band is right there with him. This track is truly epic and the keys and orchestration really bring it to another level. Interestingly enough, Andy Johns, who mixed this album was also responsible for engineering the original version.
Love The Sin, Hate The Sinner ends with "Jimmy", a track that fans of Warrant have been hearing since at least 1987, yet was never put on an album. It is a straight-ahead rocker featuring harmony laden vocals and my favorite solo of Keri's from this disc blended brilliantly with the solid groove from Crane and Blotzer.
There isn't a dud in this batch of songs and everyone is at the top of their game vocally and musically. I just hope that S.O.T.U. gets together in a year or two and hammers out another album, the chemistry between Jani, Keri, Robbie and Bobby is all-to-evident!! This is what an album should be...all killer, no filler!!
www.myspace.com/saintsoftheunderground - www.warriorrecords.com
For those who aren't aware of just who Saints Of The Underground are, the band consists of Warrant front-man Jani Lane, Alice Cooper guitarist Keri Kelli, and Ratt's dynamic rhythm section of Robbie Crane on bass and Bobby Blotzer on drums. While most 'supergroups' fall short of delivering what you would expect from their collective talents, this debut album DOES NOT! Love The Sin, Hate The Sinner easily has my vote for 2008's 'Album Of The Year'! I just hope that when schedules permit that the band will tour and record more Saints Of The Underground albums in the future! Time will tell...
The album kicks off with "Dead Man's Shoes", an up-tempo rocker showcasing Jani's killer vocal layering, a solid bass groove, a sweet albeit short solo from Keri, and Blotz' best drumming of the disc (with the exception of "Bruised", but that's a whole different animal that we will touch on later). Some people may remember this song from Blotzer's previous side project Twenty4Seven with John Corabi. While still faithful to the original, some lyrics and melodies were changed by Jani. "Tomorrow Never Comes" sounds vocally as if it could have been on Warrant's Dog Eat Dog with some tastefully aggressive vocals in the verses complimented by Keri's brilliant leads, this is by far my favorite track on this album.
"All In How You Wear It" just smells of attitude, from the lyrics to the playing. "Good Times" is another track from Blotzer's aforementioned Twenty4Seven project, complete with Jani's 'Beatles-esque' harmonies in the choruses and an effects-laden solo from Keri, I could easily picture this track on the radio. "Exit" really showcases the chemistry between Jani and Keri as songwriters and musicians, and judging from this CD and Jani Lane's solo album, the duo can craft some amazing hook-laden pop-rock tunes that should be all over radio (if it wasn't for the fact that most Program Directors are deaf or just plain stupid). S.O.T.U. really take Tom Petty's "American Girl" and make it their own while remaining true to the original, Blotzer's hyper drumming really sets the pace for this track.
"Signs Of Life" starts of with some bludgeoning riffs and powerhouse drums. Yet another one of Jani's vocals that could have been on Dog Eat Dog or Belly To Belly, this track features a really bluesy solo. On "Bruised" the rhythm section really shines, laying down a galloping groove through the verses before the track kicks into high gear during the chorus. My second favorite cut on this album comes by way of S.O.T.U.'s beautiful rendition of The Rolling Stones' "Moonlight Mile". Starting off with some amazing acoustic work weaving together with the keyboards, this track slowly picks up tempo. Jani is at the top of his game vocally while the entire band is right there with him. This track is truly epic and the keys and orchestration really bring it to another level. Interestingly enough, Andy Johns, who mixed this album was also responsible for engineering the original version.
Love The Sin, Hate The Sinner ends with "Jimmy", a track that fans of Warrant have been hearing since at least 1987, yet was never put on an album. It is a straight-ahead rocker featuring harmony laden vocals and my favorite solo of Keri's from this disc blended brilliantly with the solid groove from Crane and Blotzer.
There isn't a dud in this batch of songs and everyone is at the top of their game vocally and musically. I just hope that S.O.T.U. gets together in a year or two and hammers out another album, the chemistry between Jani, Keri, Robbie and Bobby is all-to-evident!! This is what an album should be...all killer, no filler!!
www.myspace.com/saintsoftheunderground - www.warriorrecords.com
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