Hell's Kitchen was an American rock group formed in 1987 when the guitarist Luke Skeels decided to leave Boneless Ones due to conflict with that band's singer. When the other members heard the news, they too left en masse, and Hell's Kitchen was born. The band recruited members of
Verbal Abuse
Verbal abuse (also known as verbal aggression, verbal attack, verbal violence, verbal assault, psychic aggression, or psychic violence) is a type of psychological/mental abuse that involves the use of oral, gestured, and written language direct ...
and
Fang, for the first lineup. The band was known for its expert musicianship and total irreverence for the music scene in general, and heavy metal in particular.
After various line-up changes, the band's first release featured: Luke Skeels (guitar), Sean Condon (vocals), Troy Takaki (bass), Mike Branum (drums). Condon was later replaced by Jimi Hayes.
Their songs, performed in a mock-speed-metal/punk style, include such topics as beer, Satan, chicken and
The Grateful Dead
The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in Palo Alto, California. The band is known for its eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, country, jazz, bluegrass, blues, rock and roll, gospel, reggae, world music, ...
.
Hell's Kitchen has released two full-length albums as well as appearing on an episode of
''HBO's Tales from the Crypt''.
The band toured Europe twice in 1990, covering most, if not all, of Western Europe as well as parts of Scandinavia, and a few Eastern Bloc countries as well. Shows were played with German punk bands such as
Spermbirds and Militant Mothers.
In 2012, Luke Skeels announced that Hell's Kitchen was re-forming and asked Oakland rapper Eastbay Slick to assume the role of vocalist for future performances.
Members
Original members
* Luke Skeels - Guitar †
* Jimi Haze - Vocals†
* Troy Takaki - Bass †
* Mike Branum(also known as Mikey Hanson) - Drums †
Former members
* Tom Flynn - Guitar (1988)
* Dave "Koko" Chavez - Bass/Vocals (1988)
*
Chris Kontos
Christopher T. Kontos (born December 10, 1963) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Kontos is best known for his nine goals in 11 playoff games while he was a member of the Los Angeles Kings and his franchise opening night four-go ...
- Drums (1988)
* Sean Condon - Vocals (1988–89) †
* Chachi - Guitar (1989) ‡
* Marty Ros - Guitar (1990–91)
* Andy - Bass (1991)
* Greg Elliot - Guitar (1990)
* Pat Mack - Bass (1990)
* Mikey I.C. Shoop - Drums
* Sid Browne - Guitar
Discography
* ''If You Can't Take The Heat'' (LP -
Boner Records
Boner Records is an American independent record label in Berkeley, California owned by Tom Flynn. It has released recordings by Fang (Flynn's band), Verbal Abuse, MDC, Boneless Ones, Duh, Steel Pole Bath Tub, Melvins, The Warlock Pinchers, ...
) - 1988 (†)
* ''Fistful Of Chicken'' (LP - Weird System Records) - 1990 (‡)
There was also a demo cassette released with the original line-up called, ''Fast Food Demo'' (1987).
References
Hard rock musical groups from California
Musical groups from Oakland, California
Boner Records artists
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