Del.icio.usWarrant
Fact Sheet
| Musical genre: | Metal |
| City | Los Angeles, California, USA |
Early years
Warrant was formed in Los Angeles, California, by guitarist Erik Turner in July 1984. Vocalist Jani Lane and drummer Steven "Sweet" Chamberlain joined the band in September 1986, and guitarist Joey Allen completed the line-up in March 1987.After having spent some time on L.A. club scene, the band recorded a demo tape in September 1987 for Paisley Park Records, a record label owned by musician Prince.
Popular success
In January 1988 Warrant signed a contract with Columbia Records, and in April they began recording their debut album Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich. The record was a success, spawning 3 hits: the #2 power ballad "Heaven", "Sometimes She Cries", and "Down Boys".
Shortly following the release of the album, Warrant toured with with Paul Stanley, Queensr˙che, Cinderella, Poison, Mötley Crüe and Kingdom Come.
The band's second record, Cherry Pie, was released in March 1990. The album, which spawned the hits "Cherry Pie", "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and "I Saw Red", reached the Top Ten in the United States, and went on to sell 2.7 million copies. The record's title track, only included on the album as a result of record company pressure, received strong exposure on MTV became the band's most successful single. The album carried a parental advisroy sticker in the United States, due to the final track entitled "Ode to Tipper Gore", which consisted of a collection of swear words cut from the band's live performances.
The release of "Cherry Pie" was followed by a tour with the band Poison, which ended in January 1991 after a conflict between the two bands over stage room.
Later years
The 1990s represented a turbulent time in Warrant's history, characterised by frequent line-up changes.In 1993, Warrant released Dog Eat Dog. At that time hair metal had lost much of its popularity and the album achieved only moderate commercial success. Later that year, vocalist Lane temporarily left the band, which was then dropped by Columbia, following the arrival of grunge and the death of Warrant's long-time manager Tom Hulet.
In May 1994, guitarist Allen left Warrant and was followed by drummer Sweet in the following month. In November 1994, Rick Steier replaced Allen on guitar and James Kottack replaced Sweet on drums.
Lane returned to the band and a new record deal was signed with Tom Lipsky of CMC Records in September 1994. A Japanese deal was signed with Pony Canyon Records at the same time. Ultraphobic, released in March 1995, was even less successful than Dog Eat Dog.
Drummer Kottack left the band in March 1996 and was replaced by Bobby Borg. Belly to Belly was released in July 1996 in Japan and October 1996 in the United States.
In October 1997, drummer Borg left the band. We was replaced by Danny Wagner in September 1998.
Guitarist Steier and drummer Wagner left the band in January 2000. Keri Kelli replaced Steier on guitars and Mike Fasano replaced Wagner on drums.
In August 2000, Kelli left Warrant to tour with Slash's Snakepit and was replaced by Billy Morris.
Warrant's latest record, Under the Influence, was released in May 2001. The band toured with Poison again in the summer of 2001, but the tour was cut short due to back injuries sustained by Poison bassist Bobby Dall.
In April 2003, Lane replaced drummer Fasano with Kevin Pharis.
Lane left Warrant again in January of 2004, taking Morris and Pharis with him. Lane was forced to cancel his first series of solo shows in Michigan after former band members took legal action to prevent the Warrant logo from being used on tour posters.
Sweet re-joined the band, and Fasano was re-hired. Allen also rejoined in February 2004. Warrant is currently fronted by former Black N' Blue vocalist Jaime St. James.
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