Shotgun Messiah
Encyclopedia
Shotgun Messiah were a glam metal
band originally from Sweden
; they crossed over to industrial rock
music during the early 1990s.
, recording the album Welcome To Bop City
; the line-up featured Zinny J. Zan
(vocals), Tim Skold
(going by "Tim Tim") (bass), Harry K. Cody (guitar) and Pekka "Stixx" Ollinen (drums). This would become the original line-up of Shotgun Messiah as the band changed their name and relocated to Hollywood, California. The album they released under the "Cools" name was re-recorded and released as Shotgun Messiah's self-titled debut album, Shotgun Messiah
. The style of this album was glam metal
typical of early 1980s American bands such as Mötley Crüe
and Ratt
.
departed the band in 1990 leaving Tim Skold
to take over vocal duties; Shotgun Messiah drafted in American bassist, Bobby Lycon, to fill Skold's former position. This would prove to be the band's most successful era. In 1991, the band's follow up album Second Coming
was released, spawning their most famous hit "Heartbreak Blvd". Stylistically, due to Skold's less conventional singing style, this era saw the band playing sleaze glam-styled hard rock
, closer to Guns N' Roses
and Faster Pussycat
than their previous effort.
A punk rock influence is also notable during this period. The band released I Want More, an EP
featuring cover versions of songs by the Ramones
, The Stooges
and the New York Dolls
; they were also known to cover the Sex Pistols
live.
were left as the only members of Shotgun Messiah and created what would be the last Shotgun Messiah album Violent New Breed
. This album is significantly different from the previous efforts as it focused heavily on industrial rock
stylings, bringing in live players for the "Violent New Breed" tour. Soon after the tour, the band split permanently citing artistic differences as the reason.
's acitivies have been the most notable. Building on the industrial rock
of the band's last album, Violent New Breed
, he released a a solo album entitled Skold
; this was followed by joining bands such as KMFDM
, MDFMK
and The Newlydeads
. From 2002 to 2008, Skold joined the band Marilyn Manson
creating two albums; he also replaced Twiggy Ramirez as the tour bassist and later became the tour guitarist. His latest release is a collaboration with KMFDM entitled Skold vs. KMFDM.
Zinny J. Zan
has released a solo album and two albums with his new band "Zan Clan".
Glam metal
Glam metal is a subgenre of hard rock and heavy metal that arose in the late 1970s and early 1980s in the United States, particularly on the Los Angeles Sunset Strip music scene...
band originally from Sweden
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
; they crossed over to industrial rock
Industrial rock
Industrial rock is a musical genre that fuses industrial music and specific rock subgenres. Industrial rock spawned industrial metal, with which it is often confused...
music during the early 1990s.
First Era, 1985-1991
The band originally went under the name "Kingpin" while in SwedenSweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, recording the album Welcome To Bop City
Welcome to Bop City
Welcome To Bop City is the first album from Kingpin, released in 1988.-Track listing:#"Bop City"#"Don't Care 'Bout Nothin'"#"Shout It Out"#"Squeezin' Teazin'"#"The Explorer"#"Nowhere Fast"#"Dirt Talk"#"I'm Your Love"#"Nervous"-Personnel:...
; the line-up featured Zinny J. Zan
Zinny J. Zan
Zinny J. Zan is the former lead-singer for Shotgun Messiah and is currently the founder and frontman for Zan Clan and reunited Easy Action.-Biography:...
(vocals), Tim Skold
Tim Skold
Tim Sköld is a multi-instrumentalist who, in addition to producing solo work, has also collaborated with multiple musical groups including Shotgun Messiah, KMFDM and Marilyn Manson.-Early life:...
(going by "Tim Tim") (bass), Harry K. Cody (guitar) and Pekka "Stixx" Ollinen (drums). This would become the original line-up of Shotgun Messiah as the band changed their name and relocated to Hollywood, California. The album they released under the "Cools" name was re-recorded and released as Shotgun Messiah's self-titled debut album, Shotgun Messiah
Shotgun Messiah (album)
Shotgun Messiah is the self-titled first album from hard rock group Shotgun Messiah, released in 1989 on Relativity Records.-Track listing:#"Bop City"#"Don't Care 'bout Nothin'"#"Shout It Out"#"Squeezin' Teazin'"#"The Explorer"#"Nowhere Fast"...
. The style of this album was glam metal
Glam metal
Glam metal is a subgenre of hard rock and heavy metal that arose in the late 1970s and early 1980s in the United States, particularly on the Los Angeles Sunset Strip music scene...
typical of early 1980s American bands such as Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1981. The group was founded by bass guitarist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, who were later joined by lead guitarist Mick Mars and lead singer Vince Neil...
and Ratt
Ratt
Ratt is an American heavy metal band that had significant commercial success in the 1980s. The band is best known for songs such as "Round and Round," "Wanted Man," "Lay It Down," "You're in Love", "Slip of the Lip", "Back For More", "Dance", "Body Talk", "I Want a Woman", and "Way Cool Jr." Ratt...
.
Second Era, 1991-1993
Frontman Zinny J. ZanZinny J. Zan
Zinny J. Zan is the former lead-singer for Shotgun Messiah and is currently the founder and frontman for Zan Clan and reunited Easy Action.-Biography:...
departed the band in 1990 leaving Tim Skold
Tim Skold
Tim Sköld is a multi-instrumentalist who, in addition to producing solo work, has also collaborated with multiple musical groups including Shotgun Messiah, KMFDM and Marilyn Manson.-Early life:...
to take over vocal duties; Shotgun Messiah drafted in American bassist, Bobby Lycon, to fill Skold's former position. This would prove to be the band's most successful era. In 1991, the band's follow up album Second Coming
Second Coming (Shotgun Messiah album)
Second Coming is the second album from hard rock group Shotgun Messiah, released in 1991 on Relativity Records.-Track listing:all songs written by Tim Skold and Harry Cody, except where noted.#"Sex Drugs Rock 'n' Roll" - 3:25#"Red Hot" - 4:23...
was released, spawning their most famous hit "Heartbreak Blvd". Stylistically, due to Skold's less conventional singing style, this era saw the band playing sleaze glam-styled hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
, closer to Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band, formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in 1985. The band has released six studio albums, three EPs, and one live album...
and Faster Pussycat
Faster Pussycat
Faster Pussycat is an American hard rock band from Los Angeles, California formed in 1986. The group was most successful during the late 1980s with their self-titled debut album, their 1989 gold album Wake Me When It's Over and the 80,000 selling Whipped! in 1992.-The roots of Faster Pussycat...
than their previous effort.
A punk rock influence is also notable during this period. The band released I Want More, an EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
featuring cover versions of songs by the Ramones
Ramones
The Ramones were an American rock band that formed in the New York City neighborhood of Forest Hills, Queens, in 1974. They are often cited as the first punk rock group...
, The Stooges
The Stooges
The Stooges are an American rock band from Ann Arbor, Michigan first active from 1967 to 1974, and later reformed in 2003...
and the New York Dolls
New York Dolls
The New York Dolls is an American rock band, formed in New York in 1971. The band's protopunk sound prefigured much of what was to come in the punk rock era; their visual style influenced the look of many new wave and 1980s-era glam metal groups, and they began the local New York scene that later...
; they were also known to cover the Sex Pistols
Sex Pistols
The Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band that formed in London in 1975. They were responsible for initiating the punk movement in the United Kingdom and inspiring many later punk and alternative rock musicians...
live.
Third Era, 1993
1993 was the final year for the band; Harry K. Cody and Tim SkoldTim Skold
Tim Sköld is a multi-instrumentalist who, in addition to producing solo work, has also collaborated with multiple musical groups including Shotgun Messiah, KMFDM and Marilyn Manson.-Early life:...
were left as the only members of Shotgun Messiah and created what would be the last Shotgun Messiah album Violent New Breed
Violent New Breed
Violent New Breed is the third and final album by Shotgun Messiah, released in 1993 on Relativity Records. Breaking from their previous albums, Violent New Breed featured a more industrial rock sound.-Track listing:#"I'm a Gun"#"Come Down"...
. This album is significantly different from the previous efforts as it focused heavily on industrial rock
Industrial rock
Industrial rock is a musical genre that fuses industrial music and specific rock subgenres. Industrial rock spawned industrial metal, with which it is often confused...
stylings, bringing in live players for the "Violent New Breed" tour. Soon after the tour, the band split permanently citing artistic differences as the reason.
Post-Messiah
After Shotgun Messiah, Tim SkoldTim Skold
Tim Sköld is a multi-instrumentalist who, in addition to producing solo work, has also collaborated with multiple musical groups including Shotgun Messiah, KMFDM and Marilyn Manson.-Early life:...
's acitivies have been the most notable. Building on the industrial rock
Industrial rock
Industrial rock is a musical genre that fuses industrial music and specific rock subgenres. Industrial rock spawned industrial metal, with which it is often confused...
of the band's last album, Violent New Breed
Violent New Breed
Violent New Breed is the third and final album by Shotgun Messiah, released in 1993 on Relativity Records. Breaking from their previous albums, Violent New Breed featured a more industrial rock sound.-Track listing:#"I'm a Gun"#"Come Down"...
, he released a a solo album entitled Skold
Skold
Skold is the debut solo album released in 1996 by Tim Skold.The song "Chaos" was used in the video game Twisted Metal 4 and the film Universal Soldier: The Return...
; this was followed by joining bands such as KMFDM
KMFDM
KMFDM is an industrial band led by German multi-instrumentalist Sascha Konietzko, who founded the group in 1984 as a performance art project...
, MDFMK
MDFMK
MDFMK was an industrial rock band formed by two members of KMFDM, Sascha Konietzko and Tim Skold. Lucia Cifarelli, formerly of the band Drill, later rounded out the trio.-History:...
and The Newlydeads
The Newlydeads
The Newlydeads were an industrial rock band founded by Faster Pussycat singer Taime Downe.At one time or another, The Newlydeads also featured Taime Downe's current Faster Pussycat bandmates: guitarist Xristian Simon, bassist Danny Nordahl, and drummer Chad Stewart...
. From 2002 to 2008, Skold joined the band Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson (band)
Marilyn Manson is an American metal band from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Formed in 1989 by Brian Warner and Scott Putesky, the group was originally named Marilyn Manson & the Spooky Kids with their uniquely theatrical performances gathering a local cult following in the early '90s. This attention...
creating two albums; he also replaced Twiggy Ramirez as the tour bassist and later became the tour guitarist. His latest release is a collaboration with KMFDM entitled Skold vs. KMFDM.
Zinny J. Zan
Zinny J. Zan
Zinny J. Zan is the former lead-singer for Shotgun Messiah and is currently the founder and frontman for Zan Clan and reunited Easy Action.-Biography:...
has released a solo album and two albums with his new band "Zan Clan".
Original
- Zinny J. ZanZinny J. ZanZinny J. Zan is the former lead-singer for Shotgun Messiah and is currently the founder and frontman for Zan Clan and reunited Easy Action.-Biography:...
- Vocals - Harry K. Cody - Guitar and backing vocals
- Tim SkoldTim SkoldTim Sköld is a multi-instrumentalist who, in addition to producing solo work, has also collaborated with multiple musical groups including Shotgun Messiah, KMFDM and Marilyn Manson.-Early life:...
- Bass and backing vocals - Stixx - Drums
Second Coming
- Tim SkoldTim SkoldTim Sköld is a multi-instrumentalist who, in addition to producing solo work, has also collaborated with multiple musical groups including Shotgun Messiah, KMFDM and Marilyn Manson.-Early life:...
- Vocals - Harry K. Cody - Guitar
- Bobby Lycon - Bass
- Stixx - Drums
Violent New Breed
- Tim SkoldTim SkoldTim Sköld is a multi-instrumentalist who, in addition to producing solo work, has also collaborated with multiple musical groups including Shotgun Messiah, KMFDM and Marilyn Manson.-Early life:...
- Vocals and programming - Harry K. Cody - Guitar and programming
- Ulf "Cybersank" Sandquist - Programming
- Bill Bruce - Live rhythm guitar
- Pat Guyton -Mikee Live bass
- B. J. - Live drums
Discography
| Year | Album | Peak US Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... position |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Shotgun Messiah Shotgun Messiah (album) Shotgun Messiah is the self-titled first album from hard rock group Shotgun Messiah, released in 1989 on Relativity Records.-Track listing:#"Bop City"#"Don't Care 'bout Nothin'"#"Shout It Out"#"Squeezin' Teazin'"#"The Explorer"#"Nowhere Fast"... |
99 |
| 1991 | Second Coming Second Coming (Shotgun Messiah album) Second Coming is the second album from hard rock group Shotgun Messiah, released in 1991 on Relativity Records.-Track listing:all songs written by Tim Skold and Harry Cody, except where noted.#"Sex Drugs Rock 'n' Roll" - 3:25#"Red Hot" - 4:23... |
199 |
| 1993 | Violent New Breed Violent New Breed Violent New Breed is the third and final album by Shotgun Messiah, released in 1993 on Relativity Records. Breaking from their previous albums, Violent New Breed featured a more industrial rock sound.-Track listing:#"I'm a Gun"#"Come Down"... |
— |
| Year | E.P. | US Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
| 1992 | I Want More | — |
| "—" denotes the release did not chart | ||
Singles
| Year | Single |
|---|---|
| 1989 | "Shout It Out" |
| "Don't Care About Nothin'" | |
| 1991 | "Heartbreak Blvd." |
| 1992 | "Living Without You" |
| 1993 | "Violent New Breed" |
External links
- Interview with Lead Singer Tim Skold
- The Official Unofficial website for Tim Skold (former bassist/singer member)
- The Original Tim Skold: Sycophant Fansite Former Bassist Then Lead Singer For Kingpin/Shotgun Messiah