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Over TWO decades of Rock and Roll 1990-2014
1990 Slaughter hit radio, MTV and the U.S. touring circuit like a tornado- coming seemingly out of nowhere to roll through everything in its path and turn it upside down. Touring the world with bands that they loved, Kiss, Ozzy, and others meant the good times were just a song away , and their first hit single, "Up All Night" certainly fit into that mold, their second chart-topper, "Fly To The Angels" was more representative of the spirituality and awareness that goes into most of the band's music and lyrics. But never were Slaughter more accurately represented that live onstage in front of their legions of devoted fans over the last ten years.
1991-during this time filmed what became a platinum home video "From the Beginning" depicting the bands rather different and humorous lifestyle. To showcase the live prowess the band had garnered during their first tour, the band released "Stick It Live" a five song EP collection which entered the billboard charts and went gold as quickly as it was released. This was certainly a shock to the non-believers in the world.
Slaughter was contacted by Orion pictures and Record Producer Jimmy Iovine to write and record what would become the theme song for "Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey" and later made a video featuring clips from the film as well. This CD was alsoGold.
1992 -the band went on to record the "WildLife", it's second record after a consistent schedule of touring behind the multi-platinum debut, "Stick It To Ya." During this time the band was awarded the prestigious American Music Award. The "WildLife" CD entered the billboard charts the first week of release in the top ten at # 8 and was shortly their after certified platinum. The band also filmed what became a second gold home video documenting the making of the "WildLife" CD. The band embarked on a tour that would take them through their first challenging obstacle to overcome.
During the Ozzy Osbourne Tour (June 1992), Singer Mark Slaughter was diagnosed with a nodule on his right vocal chord that required surgical attention that was later performed in August 1992. The band would not perform again until Halloween of 1992 on the Dick Clark's Halloween Special from Universal Studios in Hollywood, CA. The band continued to tour with the Damn Yankees bringing them midway through the 1993 season. After receiving the most media attention for a second CD effort, the band began to make plans to record their next Chrysalis release (Fear No Evil). The next series of challenges was soon to come. The writing of "Fear No Evil" in Las Vegas seemed to start out with a normal timber as all other records thus far. However midway into writing, guitarist Tim Kelly and then tour manager were arrested in Las Vegas by drug enforcement agents for a six plus year old charge involving narcotic trafficking. From this point through completion of the record, it was not known if Tim Kelly would ever tour with the band again. Soon to add gasoline to the fire was the small dirt bike accident within a half mile of Dana Strum's house in Las Vegas, NV causing multiple broken bones including a left wrist and two fingers on the left hand (the hand he plays bass with). Once again the band was determined to continue on.
1994-The band played it's first engagement on new years debuting material from the forthcoming CD at the Hurricane in Las Vegas at a meager price of $100 dollars per person (THIS DATE WAS A SELL OUT). "Fear No Evil" was completed in February 1994 with the band touring with Damn Yankees from February on . After flying to New York to debut the album for the record company at the mid year point, the group soon realized that no one involved in the promoting of their early records was any longer employed by Chrysalis(EMI) records. The band spent four months negotiating their release from the label. Within three months after negotiating the release the band signed a deal with then newcomer CMC International records with a vision of bringing Hard Rock and Metal Music to the people again. Slaughter also made a Pacific Rim record deal with JVC Victor Records of Japan, marking a new world release period for Slaughter.
1995-the band embarked on a tour that would take them AROUND THE WORLD. The group also released "Rain On", a five song import EP featuring Slaughter's first cover song, Elton John's "Saturday Nights Alright for Fighting." The band then embarked on their first tour of Japan. The tour was a long overdue overwhelming success. Slaughter had to perform with Vince Neil guitarist "Dave Marshall", (Tim Kelly's long time friend) in Japan due to Tim's ongoing legal problems. Many seeing the band during these trying times felt as thought the group itself was beginning to perform better as a unit ironically. By this time Tim Kelly's legal problems had ended and the band was now bound and determined to continue it's pursuit of good time rock and roll.
TO READ THE FULL SLAUGHTER BIOGRAPHY, CLICK HERE.
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