Vicious Rumors is an American power metal band from Santa Rosa, California. Formed in August 1979, the group originally consisted of lead vocalist Mark Tate, guitarists Geoff Thorpe and Jim Cassero, bassist Jeff Barnacle, and drummer Bryan Hurt. By the time the band recorded its first album Soldiers of the Night in 1985, the lineup consisted of Thorpe alongside vocalist Gary St. Pierre, guitarist Vinnie Moore, bassist Dave Starr and drummer Larry Howe. The current lineup of Vicious Rumors features Thorpe and Howe alongside guitarist Gunnar DüGrey (since 2017), bassist Robin Utbult (since 2020) and vocalist Brian Allen, who had three tenures with the band that started in 2009, 2017 and 2023.
History edit
1979–1995 edit
Geoff Thorpe formed Vicious Rumors in August 1979 after moving to Santa Rosa to pursue a musical career.[1] The band's original lineup included vocalist Mark Tate, guitarist Jim Cassero and bassist Jeff Barnacle.[2] Bryan Hurt was the group's first drummer, although he left the year after its formation and was replaced by Walt Perkins.[3][2] During the early 1980s, the band contributed songs to various compilation albums – "I Can Live Forever" on KMEL's New Oasis in 1982, "Ultimate Death" on Shrapnel's US Metal Vol. III with new drummer Jim Lang in 1983, and "One Way Ticket" to US Metal Vol. IV with new vocalist Gary St. Pierre, guitarist Chuck Moomey and drummer Don Selzer in 1984.[4] The group's appearances on the Shrapnel releases led to them signing a two-album deal with the label.[1]
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With a lineup of St. Pierre and Thorpe alongside guitarist Vinnie Moore, bassist Dave Starr and drummer Larry Howe, Vicious Rumors released its full-length debut Soldiers of the Night in 1985.[5] According to Starr, Moore left immediately after the album was recorded, claiming he "was not happy with us, or the band, the music, the whole situation".[5] He was replaced for the subsequent tour by Larry Montana.[6] In November 1986, Carl Albert and Mark McGee replaced St. Pierre and Montana, respectively.[7] Speaking about the personnel changes, Starr has recalled that St. Pierre "wasn't showing up for band practice" and Montana simply "wasn't working out".[6]
With Albert and McGee in place, Vicious Rumors released Digital Dictator in 1988, Vicious Rumors in 1990, Welcome to the Ball in 1991, and their first live album Plug In and Hang On: Live in Tokyo in 1992.[2] In late 1993, Starr left the band.[8] The bassist claims that he initially stepped back from the band to care for his wife that summer, before Thorpe fired him just a few weeks later.[6] Starr was replaced by Tommy Sisco, a former bandmate of Albert's in a group called Villain.[9] Word of Mouth followed in 1994.[2] In early 1995, McGee announced his departure from Vicious Rumors due to musical differences, later joining Gregg Allman's band the Alameda All Stars.[10]
1995–2013 edit
McGee was replaced by Steve Smyth, however just a few weeks after his arrival, frontman Carl Albert died in a car accident.[11] The group went on a brief hiatus and released A Tribute to Carl Albert later that year, featuring live tracks recorded on a European tour in 1994.[7] In 1996, Vicious Rumors returned with Something Burning, on which Thorpe performed lead vocals in lieu of a replacement for Albert.[2] The group toured in promotion of the release as a four-piece before replacing Albert in 1997 with Brian O'Connor.[1] After the release and promotion of 1998's Cyberchrist, Vicious Rumors entered a period of inactivity as "band members began leaving in 1999" according to Smyth, who joined Testament that September.[11]
During 2000, the band recorded Sadistic Symphony with new vocalist Morgan Thorn, guitarist Ira Black, bassist Chris "Cornbread" Lombardo, and session drummer Atma Anur.[12] Shortly after the album's release, O'Connor returned in Thorn's place,[13] while Dan Lawson joined on drums.[14] From 2002, the band toured with Will Carroll in Lawson's place.[15] After releasing a demo called Immortal in 2004, the band announced the return of Larry Howe on drums in January 2005.[16] More lineup changes occurred later in the year – Lombardo left in April, replaced for tour dates that summer by predecessor Tommy Sisco,[17] O'Connor quit in August,[18] and Dave Starr returned as new permanent bassist in September.[19] In November, the group unveiled Helstar frontman James Rivera and Night Ranger guitarist Brad Gillis as new members.[20]
In March 2006, Gillis was temporarily replaced by Thaen Rasmussen, as he was unable to tour due to family commitments.[21] Gillis did not return, however, and Rasmussen continued touring with the band for the next two years.[22] In January 2007, Starr left for a second time to focus on his side project WildeStarr.[23] He was replaced the next month by Stephen Goodwin.[24] At the end of a tour of Europe in November, both Rivera and Rasmussen left the band, with the vocalist claiming that an altercation with Geoff Thorpe led to their departure.[22] Rivera claimed that Vicious Rumors was "over", but the band responded by saying that it would continue.[25]
Former Shadowkeep vocalist Ronnie Stixx replaced Rivera in February 2008,[26] while Kiyoshi Morgan took over from Thasmussen the month after.[27] Stixx remained until December 2009, when he was replaced by Brian Allen.[28] The new lineup released Razorback Killers in 2011.[2] Before the end of the year, Rasmussen returned and the group recorded Live You to Death.[29] During 2012, the band played with Bob Capka as its second touring guitarist.[30]
Since 2013 edit
During May and June 2013, James Rivera temporarily returned in place of regular vocalist Brian Allen, who had to sit out a tour due to "sudden family matters".[31] By July, Allen had been permanently replaced by Nick Holleman, while Stephen Goodwin had also made way for Tilen Hudrap.[32] The new lineup debuted on Live You to Death 2: American Punishment, recorded in the fall.[33] During the band's 2015 tour dates, Capka was replaced again by Thaen Rasmussen.[34] Concussion Protocol was released in August 2016.[35] The following May, the band announced the return of Allen on vocals and the addition of new guitarist Gunnar DüGrey.[36] In July 2018, the group replaced Allen again with Nick Courtney.[37]
A few months after Courtney's arrival, Vicious Rumors began touring with new bassist Cody Green in place of Hudrap, who had joined Pestilence.[38] In 2020, the band released Celebration Decay, on which bass was performed by Greg Christian. Bassist Robin Utbult became a live member before the album's touring cycle and was confirmed after the recording.[39] In 2022 Ronny Munroe (former Metal Church, Trans Siberian Orchestra) joins the ranks behind the mic. After only one year and extensive tours, he is replaced in august 2023, due to medical reasons, by Brian Allen who starts his third tenure with Vicious Rumors[40]
Members edit
Current edit
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geoff Thorpe | 1979–present |
|
all Vicious Rumors releases | |
| Larry Howe |
|
|
all Vicious Rumors releases from Soldiers of the Night (1985) to Cyberchrist (1998), and from Warball (2006) onwards | |
| Brian Allen |
|
lead and backing vocals |
| |
| Gunnar DüGrey | 2017–present |
|
| |
| Robin Utbult | 2020–present | bass |
Former edit
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeff Barnacle | 1979–1985 | bass | untitled 1982 and 1983 demos | |
| Mark Tate | 1979–1983 | lead vocals | untitled 1982 demo | |
| Jim Cassero | guitar | |||
| Bryan Hurt | 1979–1980 (died 2016) | drums | none | |
| Walt Perkins | 1980–1982 | |||
| Jim Lang | 1982–1983 | untitled 1982 demo | ||
| Gary St. Pierre | 1983–1986 (plus one-off live guest in 2009) | lead vocals | untitled 1983 demo | |
| Chuck Moomey | 1983–1985 | guitar | ||
| Don Selzer | drums | |||
| Dave Starr |
|
|
| |
| Vinnie Moore | 1985 | guitar | Soldiers of the Night (1985) | |
| Terry Montana | 1985–1986 | none | ||
| Carl Albert | 1986–1995 (until his death) |
|
all Vicious Rumors releases from Digital Dictator (1988) to A Tribute to Carl Albert (1995) | |
| Mark McGee | 1986–1995 (plus guest in 2000, 2011, 2013) |
|
all Vicious Rumors releases from Digital Dictator (1988) to A Tribute to Carl Albert (1995) (plus guest appearances on Sadistic Symphony, Razorback Killers and Electric Punishment) | |
| Tommy Sisco |
|
|
all Vicious Rumors releases from Word of Mouth (1994) to Cyberchrist (1998) | |
| Steve Smyth | 1995–1999 (plus one-off live guest in 2023) |
|
| |
| Brian O'Connor |
|
lead and backing vocals |
| |
| Ira Black | 2000–2005 (plus one-off live guest in 2023) | guitar |
| |
| Chris "Cornbread" Lombardo |
| |||
| Morgan Thorn | 2000–2001 | lead and backing vocals | Sadistic Symphony (2001) | |
| Atma Anur | 2000–2001 (session only) | drums | ||
| Dan Lawson | 2001–2002 | none | ||
| Will Carroll | 2002–2005 | Immortal demo (2004) | ||
| James Rivera |
|
lead and backing vocals | Warball (2006) | |
| Brad Gillis | 2005–2006 (plus session guest in 2011, 2013 and 2016) | guitar | Warball (2006) (plus guest appearances on Razorback Killers, Electric Punishment and Concussion Protocol) | |
| Thaen Rasmussen |
|
| ||
| Stephen Goodwin | 2007–2013, live 2017 and 2023 |
|
| |
| Ronnie Stixx | 2007–2009 | lead and backing vocals | none | |
| Kiyoshi Morgan | 2007–2012, (plus one-off live guest in 2023) | guitar | Razorback Killers (2011) | |
| Kevin Albert (Keven Gorski) | 2006, 2011, 2013, 2019 (special appearances in memory of his father Carl Albert) | lead and backing vocals | none | |
| Bob Capka | 2012–2015 | guitar |
| |
| Tilen Hudrap | 2013–2018 |
|
| |
| Nick Holleman | 2013–2017 (plus one-off live guest in 2022) | lead and backing vocals |
| |
| Cody Green | 2018–2020 |
|
Celebration Decay (2020) | |
| Greg Christian | 2020 | bass | ||
| Nick Courtney | 2020–2022 | vocals | ||
| Ronny Munroe | 2022–2023 | none |
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Timeline edit
Past Lineups edit
| Period | Members | Releases |
|---|---|---|
| 1979–1980 |
|
none |
| 1980–1982 |
|
|
| 1982–1983 |
|
|
| 1983–1985 |
|
|
| Spring – summer 1985 |
|
|
| Late 1985 – fall 1986 |
|
none |
| November 1986 – fall 1993 |
|
|
| December 1993 – early 1995 |
|
|
| Early – April 1995 |
|
none |
| 1995–1997 |
|
|
| 1997–1999 |
|
|
| 2000–2001 |
|
|
| Spring 2001 – spring 2002 |
|
none |
| Spring 2002 – January 2005 |
|
|
| January – April 2005 |
|
none |
| April – August 2005 |
| |
| November 2005 – March 2006 |
|
|
| March 2006 – January 2007 |
| |
| February – November 2007 |
|
none |
| March 2008 – December 2009 |
| |
| December 2009 – October 2011 |
|
|
| October 2011 – summer 2012 |
|
|
| Summer 2012 – July 2013 |
|
none |
| May – June 2013 (temporary touring lineup) |
| |
| July 2013 – summer 2015 |
|
|
| Summer 2015 – May 2017 |
|
|
| May 2017 – July 2018 |
|
|
| July 2018 – July 2020 |
|
none |
| July 2020 – July 2022 |
|
|
| July 2022 – August 2023 |
|
none |
References edit
- ^ a b c "The History of Vicious Rumors". Vicious Rumors. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f Jeffries, Vincent. "Vicious Rumors Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ "Bryan Fletcher Hurt". Underground Empire. March 18, 2016. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ "The Vicious Rumors History". Vicious Rumors. Archived from the original on January 17, 2006. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ a b "Dave Starr – Original Vicious Rumors Bassist Still Soldering On 30 Years Later". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. December 2, 2015. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ a b c Bax, Mike (June 4, 2018). "Vicious Rumors Bassist Dave Starr on 30 Years of 'Digital Dictator', New Videos, and Stories About Carl Albert (w/ Audio)". V13. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ a b "Vicious Rumors Vocalist Carl Albert Dies Following Car Accident Aged 32". Metal Forces. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ László, Dávid (May 31, 2018). ""We made some great music, and left a lasting legacy"". Rattle Inc. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ Mortier, Mario (April 15, 2003). "Villain with Carl Albert Biography". metalinside. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ Mrozowska, Alexandra (March 11, 2013). "Mark McGee of Luvplanet". HardRockHaven.net. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ a b Malusardi, Guglielmo (2008). "Interview: Steve Smyth". Guitar Nine. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ Jeffries, Vincent. "Sadistic Symphony – Vicious Rumors: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ "Archive News May 23, 2001". Blabbermouth.net. May 23, 2001. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ Alders, Frank (February 11, 2002). "Rockezine.com concert review for Savatage on Feb 11, 2002 in the 013/Tilburg". Rockezine.com. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ Wiederhorn, Jon (March 17, 2020). "The ultimate Spinal Tap moments: rock 'n' roll's biggest names share their most embarrassing stories". Guitar World. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ "Vicious Rumors: Drummer Larry Howe Returns To The Fold". Blabbermouth.net. January 10, 2005. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ "Vicious Rumors Part Ways With Bassist". Blabbermouth.net. April 24, 2005. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ "Vocalist Brian O'Connor Quits Vicious Rumors". Blabbermouth.net. August 22, 2005. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ "Vicious Rumors: Original Members Rejoin Forces In Group's Latest Incarnation". Blabbermouth.net. September 4, 2005. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ "Vicious Rumors: Singer James Rivera, Guitarist Brad Gillis Officially Join The Fold". Blabbermouth.net. November 4, 2005. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ "Vicious Rumors: Ex-Anvil Chorus Guitar Legend To Join Band For Upcoming Dates". Blabbermouth.net. February 10, 2006. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ a b "Singer James Rivera Says End-Of-Tour Altercation Led To His Exit From Vicious Rumors". Blabbermouth.net. November 13, 2007. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ "Bassist Dave Starr Quits Vicious Rumors". Blabbermouth.net. January 25, 2007. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ "Vicious Rumors: New Bassist Announced". Blabbermouth.net. February 15, 2007. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ "Vicious Rumors: We Are Not Splitting Up". Blabbermouth.net. November 15, 2007. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ "Vicious Rumors Announce New Singer". Blabbermouth.net. February 12, 2008. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ "Vicious Rumors Announces New Guitarist". Blabbermouth.net. March 9, 2008. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ "Vicious Rumors Taps Last Empire/Wild Dogs Singer". Blabbermouth.net. December 4, 2009. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ "Live You to Death – Vicious Rumors: Songs, Reviews & Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ "Vicious Rumors: Munich Footage Available". Blabbermouth.net. August 9, 2012. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ "Vicious Rumors Singer To Sit Out European Tour; Temporary Replacement Announced". Blabbermouth.net. April 30, 2013. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ "Vicious Rumors Announce Line-Up Additions". Metal Forces. January 16, 2014. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ "Vicious Rumors To Release 'Live You To Death 2 – American Punishment' In June". Blabbermouth.net. April 15, 2014. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ Wallberg, Erika (July 11, 2015). "Vicious Rumors @ Gebr De Nobel, Leiden (NL)". Metal Kaoz. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ "Vicious Rumors To Release 'Concussion Protocol' Album In August". Blabbermouth.net. March 30, 2016. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ "Vicious Rumors Welcome Back Singer Brian Allen, Introduce Guitarist Gunnar DüGrey". Blabbermouth.net. May 8, 2017. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ "Vicious Rumors Announces New Singer Nick Courtney". Blabbermouth.net. July 9, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ Simms, Kelley (September 12, 2018). "Longtime metal band Vicious Rumors will play Bigs on Friday". Argus Leader. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ "Vicious Rumors Release Music Video For 'Celebration Decay' Title Track". Blabbermouth.net. September 18, 2020. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ^ https://allabouttherock.co.uk/vicious-rumors-get-well-ronny-welcome-home-brian/