BulletBoys


BulletBoys is an American hard rock/glam metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1987. The group's original lineup was composed of singer Marq Torien, guitarist Mick Sweda, bassist Lonnie Vencent, and drummer Jimmy D'Anda. The group released two successful albums and had a number of singles featured on MTV between 1988 and 1991. From the 1990s onward, the group went through numerous lineup changes, with Torien as the only consistent member. Their most recent album From Out of the Skies was released in 2018. The original lineup reunited for one-off shows in 2011 and 2019.
The group were strongly influenced by AC/DC and Van Halen, with Torien drawing comparisons to Van Halen singer David Lee Roth.

History

Platinum-selling artists BulletBoys were formed in 1987 in Los Angeles, California, by former King Kobra members Marq Torien on vocals, Mick Sweda on guitar, Lonnie Vencent on bass and Jimmy D'Anda on drums. After signing a deal with Warner Bros., the group released their debut album BulletBoys in 1988 with the album peaking at number 34 on the Billboard 200. The group released two singles, a cover of the classic O'Jays tune, "For the Love of Money", and "Smooth Up in Ya", with both receiving airplay on MTV. They released their second album, Freakshow, in 1991; however, the album only peaked at number 69 on the Billboard 200. The single "Hang On St. Christopher", a cover of the Tom Waits song, peaked at number 22 on the Mainstream Rock Chart. The group released their final album with Warner Bros., titled Za-Za, a name suggested by D'Anda taken from The Godfather Part III character Joey Zasa, in 1993, but it failed to chart, as well as the album's singles. Both Sweda and D'Anda left the group the same year. The group continued and released Acid Monkey in 1995 through Swordholio/Perris Records however they disbanded soon after.
In 1998, the group reformed, with Torien and Vencent adding former Guns N' Roses drummer Steven Adler and future Guns N' Roses guitarist DJ Ashba briefly, with a tour of the US planned with Faster Pussycat, Bang Tango and Enuff Z'nuff. In 1999, Ashba left the group to form Beautiful Creatures with Bang Tango singer Joe Lesté while Adler left also sometime after, going on to form Adler's Appetite in 2003. A compilation album, titled Burning Cats and Amputees, was released in 2000, through Deadline Records.
In 2002, Vencent was rumored to be involved in a tour of Europe with former Anthrax members Joey Belladonna, Dan Spitz and former W.A.S.P. drummer Stet Howland while former drummer Jimmy D'Anda formed the group Zen Lunatic with John Corabi and Stevo Bruno. D'Anda went on to tour with George Lynch as part of Lynch Mob and opening up for Dio around the states during 2001. In 2009, D'Anda played drums for former Warrant singer Jani Lane doing shows in California, New Mexico and Nevada. In September 2010, Jimmy performed at the Groove Remains the Same, a tribute to John Bonham.
The BulletBoys cover of The O'Jay's R&B song from 1973 entitled "For the Love of Money" appears briefly in the 2003 TV movie Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of 'Three's Company.
Remaining members Torien and Vencent, released the group's fifth album, titled Sophie, in 2003 which featured a guest appearance by former Skid Row singer Sebastian Bach. A tour was to follow, with L.A. Guns, however this was soon canceled after an incident with the group's bus driver. Guitarist Keri Kelli, who was filling for Tracii Guns in L.A. Guns, performed with BulletBoys before leaving at the insistence of L.A. Guns drummer Steve Riley. Jason Hook was briefly a member of BulletBoys during this time. In 2004, Torien was in line to tour with Stephen Pearcy, Joey Belladonna, Ron Keel and Jason McMaster as part of the "Bastards of Metal" tour. However, this tour never came to pass.
In January 2006, the group was announced as support, along with Bang Tango, to Stephen Pearcy on his tour, however they soon pulled out while they performed at the Raven's Heart benefit concert, which featured members of Guns N' Roses, Queens of the Stone Age and Dio among others performing also. Torien also announced that BulletBoys were to reunite and record a new album stating:
Drummer Jimmy D'Anda stated that none of the original members were involved in the reunion album soon after, while Torien stated that only D'Anda was "resistant to the idea" with the other former members willing to return. However, a reunion failed to materialize. BulletBoys went on to tour with the Tracii Guns-led L.A. Guns and announced plans for a live album as well as an album of new material in 2007. The group released the live album, titled Behind the Orange Curtain, on April 3, 2007, through Crash Music while they were one of the confirmed acts for Rocklahoma in July of the same year. Also in 2006, the song "Hard as a Rock" appeared briefly in the movie Beerfest.
In 2009, they released their sixth album, titled 10c Billionaire, on Chavis Records. The material was originally written in 2006 with plans, by Torien, for a new project using the same name. However, they eventually released it under the BulletBoys moniker. In October, original bassist Lonnie Vincent returned to the group while guitarist Tony Marcus was also added to the lineup with a tour of the US announced soon after.
In January 2010, the group was confirmed to play the Stockholm Rock Out Festival on April 30 of the same year. In March, the song "Smooth Up In Ya" appeared briefly in the movie Hot Tub Time Machine. In April, they were confirmed to play another Festival, Rock N America, that took place July 23–25.
On August 28, 2011, former drummer Johnny Giosa died in a car accident in Los Angeles at the age of 42.
On December 12, 2019, BulletBoys announced that their original lineup would be reuniting. The reunion kicked off with a hometown gig on December 30, 2019, at the Whisky a Go Go. The reunion lasted until January 2022 when drummer Jimmy D'Anda and guitarist Mick Sweda left the band due to "toxicity" within the band. The newest lineup of the band was announced shortly after, which would consist of guitarist Ira Black, bassist Brad Lang, and drummer Fred Aching, thus alleging original bassist Lonnie Vencent had also left the band.
On December 10, 2024, it was announced that original bassist Lonnie Vencent had returned to the band to replace Brad Lang, and Jake Faun had joined the band to replace Ira Black. On October 13, 2025, it was announced original drummer Jimmy D'Anda had rejoined the band, and that guitarist Frankie Lindia had joined the band to replace Jake Faun, while D'Anda stating that original guitarist Mick Sweda had no desire to return to the band. However, two months later, it was announced Mick Sweda had rejoined the band, reestablishing another reunion of the band's classic lineup.

Musical style and influences

According to AllMusic, BulletBoys' style was heavily influenced by AC/DC and Van Halen, before later taking a bluesier direction. Vocalist Marq Torien has been compared to Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth. In his review of the debut album, Oliver Klemm also highlighted the similarity to AC/DC, which he considered striking. An example of Van Halen similarity on the debut album is the track "Crank Me Up". According to Markus Baro, passages of the follow-up album Freakshow also sound like Van Halen's Fair Warning. In his book HAIRcyclopedia Vol. 1 – The Legends, Taylor T. Carlson said BulletBoys were "unfairly" described as Van Halen clones. Werner Theurich, on the other hand, considers BulletBoys "quite rightly reviled as Van Halen clones".
The band compared themselves to early Montrose and Van Halen, but more in terms of attitude than music. However, the debut albums of both bands were the sonic model for the production, which is why Ted Templeman was chosen. The blues was added because it increased the chances of being played on the radio.

Personnel

Current members

  • Marq Torien – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, congas
  • Lonnie Vencent – bass, backing vocals
  • Mick Sweda – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Jimmy D'Anda – drums, backing vocals

    Former members

  • Tommy Pittam – lead guitar
  • Robby Karras – drums
  • Tony Marcus – lead guitar
  • DJ Ashba – lead guitar
  • Steven Adler – drums
  • Jason Hook – lead guitar
  • Brent Fitz – drums
  • Vikki Foxx – drums
  • Scott Taylor – bass
  • Keri Kelli – lead guitar
  • Ryche Green – drums
  • Michael Thomas – lead guitar
  • Scott Griffin – bass
  • Don "Dish" Bish – drums
  • Rob Lane – bass
  • Tory Stoffregen – lead guitar
  • Nick Rozz – guitars
  • Troy Patrick Farrell – drums
  • Johnny Giosa – drums
  • Chad MacDonald – bass, backing vocals
  • Stephen Jude Mills – drums
  • Shawn Duncan – drums
  • Joaquin Revuelta – drums
  • Phil Varone – drums
  • Anthony "Tiny" Biuso – drums
  • Ira Black – lead guitar
  • Brad Lang – bass
  • Fred Aching – drums
  • Jake Faun – lead guitar
  • Frankie Lindia – lead guitar

    Timeline


ImageSize = width:1000 height:auto barincrement:19
PlotArea = left:130 bottom:100 top:05 right:20
Alignbars = justify
DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy
Period = from:01/01/1987 till:01/01/2026
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:3
ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1987
ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1988
Colors =
id:vocals value:red legend:Vocals,_congas
id:guitar value:green legend:Guitars
id:bass value:blue legend:Bass
id:drums value:orange legend:Drums
id:album value:black legend:Studio_album
id:bars value:gray
BackgroundColors = bars:bars
BarData =
bar:Marq text:"Marq Torien"
bar:Mick text:"Mick Sweda"
bar:Tony text:"Tony Marcus"
bar:Tommy text:"Tommy Pittam"
bar:DJ text:"DJ Ashba"
bar:Jason text:"Jason Hook"
bar:Keri text:"Keri Kelli"
bar:Denny text:"Denny Johnson"
bar:ScottM text:"Scott McKinley"
bar:Michael text:"Michael Thomas"
bar:Danny text:"Danny Watts"
bar:Charlie text:"Charlie Wayne"
bar:Tory text:"Tory Stoffregen"
bar:Nick text:"Nick Rozz"
bar:Greg text:"Greg Gatti"
bar:Ira text:"Ira Black"
bar:Jake text:"Jake Faun"
bar:Frank text:"Frank Lindia"
bar:Lonnie text:"Lonnie Vencent"
bar:Melvin text:"Melvin Brannon II"
bar:Scott text:"Scott Taylor"
bar:David text:"David Weeks"
bar:ScottG text:"Scott Griffin"
bar:StephenA text:"Stephen Allan"
bar:Rob text:"Rob Lane"
bar:Chad text:"Chad MacDonald"
bar:Brad text:"Brad Lang"
bar:Marc text:"Marc Danzeisen"
bar:Jimmy text:"Jimmy D'Anda"
bar:Robby text:"Robby Karras"
bar:Steven text:"Steven Adler"
bar:Vik text:"Vik Foxx"
bar:Brent text:"Brent Fitz"
bar:Pete text:"Pete Newman"
bar:Ryche text:"Ryche Green"
bar:DannyS text:"Danny Seven"
bar:Johnny text:"Johnny Giosa"
bar:Troy text:"Troy Patrick Farrell"
bar:Don text:"Don Bish"
bar:Stephen text:"Stephen Jude Mills"
bar:Shawn text:"Shawn Duncan"
bar:Joaquin text:"Joaquin Revuelta"
bar:Phil text:"Phil Varone"
bar:Anthony text:"Anthony Biuso"
bar:Fred text:"Fred Aching"
LineData =
at:09/20/1988 color:album layer:back
at:03/12/1991 color:album layer:back
at:06/22/1993 color:album layer:back
at:06/01/1995 color:album layer:back
at:06/01/2003 color:album layer:back
at:06/01/2009 color:album layer:back
at:08/31/2011 color:album layer:back
at:06/09/2015 color:album layer:back
at:03/23/2018 color:album layer:back
PlotData =
width:11
bar:Marq from:01/01/1987 till:09/01/1995 color:vocals
bar:Marq from:01/01/1987 till:09/01/1995 color:guitar width:3
bar:Marq from:06/01/1998 till:end color:vocals
bar:Marq from:06/01/1998 till:end color:guitar width:3
bar:Mick from:01/01/1987 till:09/01/1993 color:guitar
bar:Mick from:06/01/1999 till:06/01/2000 color:guitar
bar:Mick from:01/01/2011 till:05/01/2011 color:guitar
bar:Mick from:12/12/2019 till:01/05/2022 color:guitar
bar:Mick from:12/16/2025 till:end color:guitar
bar:Tony from:09/01/1993 till:06/01/1994 color:guitar
bar:Tony from:10/01/2009 till:06/01/2010 color:guitar
bar:Tommy from:06/01/1994 till:09/01/1995 color:guitar
bar:DJ from:06/01/1998 till:06/01/1999 color:guitar
bar:Jason from:06/01/2000 till:06/01/2002 color:guitar
bar:Keri from:06/01/2002 till:11/14/2003 color:guitar
bar:Denny from:01/01/2004 till:01/01/2006 color:guitar
bar:ScottM from:01/01/2006 till:06/01/2006 color:guitar
bar:Michael from:06/01/2006 till:01/01/2007 color:guitar
bar:Michael from:01/01/2008 till:06/01/2008 color:guitar
bar:Danny from:01/01/2007 till:01/01/2008 color:guitar
bar:Charlie from:01/01/2008 till:01/01/2009 color:guitar
bar:Tory from:01/01/2009 till:10/01/2009 color:guitar
bar:Nick from:06/01/2010 till:01/01/2011 color:guitar
bar:Nick from:01/01/2012 till:12/12/2019 color:guitar
bar:Greg from:05/01/2011 till:01/01/2012 color:guitar
bar:Ira from:01/05/2022 till:12/10/2024 color:guitar
bar:Jake from:12/10/2024 till:10/13/2025 color:guitar
bar:Frank from:10/13/2025 till:12/16/2025 color:guitar
bar:Lonnie from:01/01/1987 till:09/01/1995 color:bass
bar:Lonnie from:06/01/1998 till:06/01/2000 color:bass
bar:Lonnie from:01/01/2006 till:04/01/2006 color:bass
bar:Lonnie from:10/01/2009 till:06/01/2011 color:bass
bar:Lonnie from:01/01/2013 till:06/01/2014 color:bass
bar:Lonnie from:12/12/2019 till:01/05/2022 color:bass
bar:Lonnie from:12/10/2024 till:end color:bass
bar:Melvin from:06/01/2000 till:06/01/2002 color:bass
bar:Scott from:06/01/2002 till:01/01/2006 color:bass
bar:David from:04/01/2006 till:01/01/2007 color:bass
bar:ScottG from:01/01/2007 till:06/01/2007 color:bass
bar:StephenA from:06/01/2007 till:01/01/2009 color:bass
bar:Rob from:01/01/2009 till:10/01/2009 color:bass
bar:Chad from:06/01/2011 till:01/01/2013 color:bass
bar:Chad from:06/01/2014 till:12/12/2019 color:bass
bar:Brad from:01/05/2022 till:12/10/2024 color:bass
bar:Marc from:01/01/1987 till:06/01/1987 color:drums
bar:Marc from:09/01/1993 till:06/01/1994 color:drums
bar:Jimmy from:06/01/1987 till:09/01/1993 color:drums
bar:Jimmy from:06/01/1999 till:01/01/2000 color:drums
bar:Jimmy from:01/01/2011 till:05/01/2011 color:drums
bar:Jimmy from:12/12/2019 till:01/05/2022 color:drums
bar:Jimmy from:10/13/2025 till:end color:drums
bar:Robby from:06/01/1994 till:09/01/1995 color:drums
bar:Steven from:06/01/1998 till:06/01/1999 color:drums
bar:Vik from:01/01/2000 till:06/01/2000 color:drums
bar:Brent from:06/01/2000 till:06/01/2001 color:drums
bar:Pete from:06/01/2001 till:01/01/2006 color:drums
bar:Ryche from:01/01/2006 till:06/01/2007 color:drums
bar:Ryche from:01/01/2008 till:06/01/2008 color:drums
bar:Ryche from:01/01/2009 till:01/01/2010 color:drums
bar:DannyS from:06/01/2007 till:01/01/2008 color:drums
bar:DannyS from:06/01/2008 till:01/01/2009 color:drums
bar:Johnny from:01/01/2010 till:06/01/2010 color:drums
bar:Troy from:06/01/2010 till:01/01/2011 color:drums
bar:Don from:05/01/2011 till:10/01/2011 color:drums
bar:Stephen from:01/01/2012 till:06/01/2014 color:drums
bar:Stephen from:06/01/2019 till:12/12/2019 color:drums
bar:Shawn from:06/01/2014 till:06/01/2016 color:drums
bar:Joaquin from:06/01/2016 till:06/01/2018 color:drums
bar:Phil from:06/01/2018 till:11/01/2018 color:drums
bar:Anthony from:11/01/2018 till:06/01/2019 color:drums
bar:Fred from:01/05/2022 till:10/13/2025 color:drums