SLAUGHTER

SLAUGHTER
Biography, Musical Evolution, and Discography

1. Historical Positioning of SLAUGHTER

Formed and based in Las Vegas, Nevada, SLAUGHTER emerged from the dramatic collapse of the Vinnie Vincent Invasion and quickly achieved multi-platinum status with their debut album Stick It to Ya.

SLAUGHTER's career is more than just a record of commercial success. It embodies all the triumphs and hardships a rock band can face, including the drastic shift in the music market caused by the grunge movement in the 1990s, the tragic accidental death of founding guitarist Tim Kelly, and their long-standing camaraderie and dedication to live performances.

2. Pre-Formation History: The Collapse and Rebirth of Vinnie Vincent Invasion

2.1. Conflicts within Vinnie Vincent Invasion

To detail the history of Slaughter, an in-depth look at its parent band, Vinnie Vincent Invasion, is indispensable. Formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1984 by former KISS guitarist Vinnie Vincent, this glam metal band prominently featured Vinnie's shredding guitar techniques.

Bassist Dana Strum, a well-known industry figure who famously introduced Randy Rhoads to Ozzy Osbourne, was the backbone of the band. However, after their debut in 1986, original vocalist Robert Fleischman departed. Mark Slaughter, a Las Vegas native, was selected as his successor.

The second album, All Systems Go (1988), produced with the addition of Mark Slaughter, received positive acclaim, but internal relations, particularly between Vinnie Vincent and the other members (especially Dana Strum), deteriorated rapidly. Vinnie's autocratic leadership, financial issues, and obsession with excessive guitar solos created an unbridgeable gap with Dana and Mark, who prioritized the commercial appeal of the songs.

2.2. The Decision of Chrysalis Records

The situation came to an unprecedented conclusion. Their label, Chrysalis Records, viewed Vinnie Vincent's exceeding of his credit line and repeated troubles as major problems, deciding to terminate their contract with the band's leader, Vinnie.

Normally, this would mean the end of the band, but Chrysalis saw great potential in Mark Slaughter's voice and charisma, as well as Dana Strum's production skills and songwriting sense. As a result, the label took an extremely rare step in the music industry: they transferred the contract rights and budget of Vinnie Vincent Invasion (a contract value said to be around $4 million) directly to Mark and Dana. This liberated the duo from the "weight" of Vinnie Vincent, giving them the funds and freedom to build their ideal rock band.

3. The Birth and Golden Era of SLAUGHTER (1989–1992)

3.1. Member Selection and Return to Las Vegas

Mark and Dana, who formed the core of the new band, moved their base of operations from Los Angeles back to Las Vegas, near their hometowns. This was a strategic move to distance themselves from the oversaturated LA glam metal scene, which was at the cutting edge of trends, and to establish their own unique identity.

Simply naming the band "SLAUGHTER," they set out to find the remaining members. Rather than over-technical musicians, they sought a guitarist who could complement the melodies of the songs and a drummer with visual appeal and groove.

• Tim Kelly: A guitarist from Trenton, New Jersey. A self-taught musician, his philosophy was rooted in emotionally rich, blues-based playing. In stark contrast to Vinnie Vincent's shredding style, his playing became an indispensable element for the "melodic rock" Slaughter aimed for.
• Blas Elias: A drummer from Texas. Young, energetic, and good-looking, he reinforced the band's idol-like appeal. With his addition, Slaughter's lineup was complete.

3.2. The Explosive Hit of Debut Album Stick It to Ya

In January 1990, their debut album Stick It to Ya was released. Produced by Dana Strum himself, the album quickly climbed the charts and achieved double-platinum status (over 2 million copies sold).

Chart Records

Billboard 200	Peak Position: No. 18
Certification (RIAA)	2x Platinum (2 million copies)
Key Singles	"Up All Night", "Fly to the Angels", "Spend My Life"

The key to this success lay in the high quality of the tracks and their effective exposure through music videos during the peak of the MTV era.

• "Up All Night": The band's signature track and a party rock anthem. The catchy chorus and Mark's distinctive high-pitched vocals delivered a powerful impact.
• "Fly to the Angels": A power ballad that showcased the band's musical depth. Written as a tribute to a deceased friend, the song resonated deeply with listeners and became a massive hit single.

The band toured with KISS on their "Hot in the Shade Tour" and accompanied Ozzy Osbourne, gaining opportunities to perform in arena-class venues. SLAUGHTER's live performances were energetic, and Mark Slaughter's style of jumping into the audience while singing became a hot topic. In 1991, they won "Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock New Artist" at the American Music Awards, solidifying their status.

3.3. Second Album The Wild Life and a Changing Era

After finishing the tour for their debut album, the band immediately entered the studio for their second record. Released in 1992, The Wild Life debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard chart and achieved gold status.

• Musical Evolution: While continuing the party rock style of the previous album, tracks like "Days Gone By" and "Real Love" showcased more mature songwriting and lyricism.
• Headwinds: However, 1992 was a period of drastic transformation in the music scene. The grunge movement (Nirvana, Pearl Jam, etc.) emerging from Seattle was on the rise, and "hair metal" bands like Slaughter were quickly deemed outdated.

Furthermore, the band was struck by Mark Slaughter's health issues. Due to grueling tours and recording sessions, he suffered from vocal cord nodules (polyps), forcing him to undergo surgery and rehabilitation. Around the same time, Dana Strum injured his playing hand in a motorcycle accident, and Tim Kelly faced legal troubles related to narcotics, leaving the band battered and bruised.

4. Era of Hardships and Rebirth (1995–1998)

4.1. Label Transition and Fear No Evil

In the mid-1990s, Chrysalis Records was absorbed by EMI, leading to a review of contracts with many hard rock bands. Slaughter was no exception, losing major label support. However, SLAUGHTER did not give up and signed with CMC International, an independent label that had become a haven for hard rock and metal bands.

Their third album, Fear No Evil, released in 1995, incorporated the trending heavy sounds of the time while retaining Slaughter's trademark melodies. Although it struggled on the US charts, it maintained strong popularity in the Japanese market, leading to the release of Japan-exclusive special editions during this period. The 1995 Japan tour was particularly successful, though guitarist Dave Marshall (from the Vince Neil band) filled in because Tim Kelly could not leave the country due to legal issues.

4.2. The Death of Guitarist Tim Kelly

In 1997, the band released their experimental fourth album, Revolution, exploring new directions. However, the following year, the biggest tragedy in the band's history struck.

On February 5, 1998, guitarist Tim Kelly tragically passed away at the young age of 35 after a car accident on Highway 96 in Arizona.

• Accident Details: An 18-wheel tractor-trailer crossed the center line and collided head-on with the car Tim was driving. A subsequent investigation revealed the truck driver was under the influence of at least three drugs, including amphetamines, and was sentenced to prison.
• Impact on the Band: As a founding member since the band's inception, Tim was deeply loved by fans and members alike for his warm personality, and his death was a devastating blow. However, the remaining members decided to continue, believing that "Tim would not want the music to stop."

As a tribute to Tim, the live album Eternal Live, featuring recordings from his final tour, was released in 1998. The Japanese edition (VICP-60368) is particularly valuable as a historical document, containing detailed memorial liner notes dedicated to Japanese fans and exclusive bonus tracks honoring his legacy.

5. New Lineup and the Path to the Present (1999–Present)

5.1. Addition of Jeff Blando and Back to Reality

To replace Tim Kelly, the band welcomed Jeff "Blando" Bland, the former guitarist of Saigon Kick. Having a long-standing friendship with Dana Strum and others, and having performed alongside Dana in Vince Neil's solo band, his musical chemistry with the group was excellent.

In 1999, they released Back to Reality, their first album under the new lineup. As the title suggests, it delivered a straightforward hard rock sound that marked a return to their roots. Jeff's guitar style was more technical and heavier than Tim's, adding a fresh layer of depth to the band's sound.

5.2. Establishing a Status as a Touring Band

Since the 2000s, Slaughter has focused primarily on live performances rather than releasing new studio albums. Participating in package tours like the "Rock Never Stops Tour," they have toured across the US alongside contemporaries such as Poison, Cinderella, and Ratt. These tours successfully met fans' expectations for unchanging performance skills while satisfying the nostalgia demand for past hits.

Regarding drummers, original member Blas Elias departed around 2003 to focus on his work with the "Blue Man Group" and "Trans-Siberian Orchestra" in Las Vegas. He was succeeded by Timothy "Timbo" DiDuro (2004–2011) and Zoltan Chaney (2011–2019). Zoltan Chaney, in particular, became famous for his wild, flashy showmanship, which included juggling drumsticks and standing on top of his drum kit.

5.3. Recent Movements (2020s)

Around 2019, Blas Elias temporarily rejoined the band, delighting fans, though it did not lead to a full-time return. Since 2021, Jordan Cannata, known for his work with Adrenaline Mob, has joined as the drummer.

Mark Slaughter has also been active with solo work, releasing albums like Reflections in a Rear View Mirror (2015) and Halfway There (2017). However, studio albums under the Slaughter name have ceased since Back to Reality. Nonetheless, the band remains highly active as a live act through events like their "30th Anniversary Tour," with Mark's vocal power remaining fully intact.

6. Detailed Member Profiles (Members Biography)

6.1. Mark SLAUGHTER

• Role: Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Keyboards
• Date of Birth: July 4, 1964
• Birthplace: Las Vegas, Nevada
• Profile: A rare vocalist possessing a vocal range of nearly four octaves. Before Slaughter, he worked as a guitar instructor and is a highly skilled guitarist himself. Prior to joining Vinnie Vincent Invasion, he was active in a local band named Xcursion. He also has experience as a voice actor and has contributed to music production for television shows and films such as Batman Beyond. Highly disciplined regarding his health, he remains one of the few singers capable of maintaining his signature high-register vocals to this day.

6.2. Dana Strum

• Role: Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
• Date of Birth: December 13, 1958
• Birthplace: Washington, D.C.
• Profile: The brain of the band, responsible for producing all of their albums. Blessed with sharp business acumen, he was the driving force behind the successful transition of the contract from Vinnie Vincent Invasion. He is a crucial figure in the LA metal scene, famously known not only for introducing Randy Rhoads to Ozzy Osbourne but also for introducing Jake E. Lee to Ozzy.

6.3. Tim Kelly

• Role: Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
• Date of Birth: January 13, 1963
• Date of Death: February 5, 1998
• Birthplace: Trenton, New Jersey
• Profile: Characterized by a melody-driven, self-taught playing style. Many of the "singing guitar solos" in Slaughter's tracks are his creation. He was also widely known for being exceptionally kind and attentive to fans. Since his passing, the band always dedicates a special segment of their live shows to honor his memory.

6.4. Blas Elias

• Role: Drums, Percussion
• Date of Birth: August 18, 1967
• Birthplace: Kenedy, Texas
• Profile: Gained massive popularity through his powerful drumming and charming looks. He appeared in the 2001 movie Rock Star as the drummer for the fictional band "Steel Dragon." He is currently active in various show business ventures based in Las Vegas.

6.5. Jeff Blando

• Role: Lead Guitar
• Activity Period: 1998–Present
• Birthplace: Flint, Michigan
• Profile: Joined as the successor to Tim Kelly. With a track record in bands like Saigon Kick and Left For Dead, he brought a more modern, heavier guitar tone to the band. He also serves in Vince Neil's backing band alongside Dana, showing a perfect mutual understanding.

6.6. Jordan Cannata

• Role: Drums
• Activity Period: 2021–Present
• Profile: A technical drummer known for his work with Adrenaline Mob. He serves as the driving engine behind Slaughter's recent live sound.

7. Discography

Here, we detail the major works released by Slaughter, incorporating information specific to Japanese editions. For Japanese fans, elements like bonus tracks, Obi strips, and the presence of liner notes are critical factors in collecting.

7.1. Studio Albums

1. Stick It to Ya

• Release Year: 1990
• Description: A shocking debut album. Renowned as a masterpiece with absolutely no filler tracks.

Region	Label	Catalog No.	Notes
USA	Chrysalis	F2 21702	Original US press.
Japan	Chrysalis / Toshiba EMI	TOCP-6150	Initial Japanese press released in 1991. Includes liner notes and lyrics with Japanese translations. The Obi strip features hype phrases like "The massive new artist shaking all of America."
Japan	Universal	UICY-78657	2018 reissue (cardboard sleeve specifications, etc.). Demo tracks or other bonuses may be added.

Tracklist (Standard):

1. Eye to Eye
2. Burnin' Bridges
3. Up All Night
4. Spend My Life
5. Thinking of June (Instrumental)
6. She Wants More
7. Fly to the Angels
8. Mad About You
9. That's Not Enough
10. You Are the One
11. Gave Me Your Heart
12. Desperately
13. Loaded Gun
14. Wingin' It

2. The Wild Life

• Release Year: 1992
• Description: The second album, showcasing a heavier and more introspective side compared to the predecessor.

Region	Label	Catalog No.	Notes
USA	Chrysalis	F2 21911	Original US press.
Japan	Chrysalis / Toshiba EMI	TOCP-7094	Japanese press. Frequently includes "Real Love (Demo)" or live tracks as bonus content.
Japan	Universal	UICY-78658	Reissue. Some versions include tracks like "Perfect World" as a bonus.

3. Fear No Evil

• Release Year: 1995
• Description: The first release after transitioning to an independent label. A work that strongly reflects their enduring popularity in Japan.

Region	Label	Catalog No.	Notes
USA	CMC International	CMC 7403
Japan	Victor Entertainment	VICP-5538	Includes Japan-exclusive bonus track "For Your Dreams." This song is a rare ballad available only on the Japanese release.

4. Revolution

• Release Year: 1997
• Description: An experimental musical work. It showcases psychedelic approaches reminiscent of The Beatles.

Region	Label	Catalog No.	Notes
USA	CMC International	06076 86214-2	Enhanced CD specifications.
Japan	Victor Entertainment	VICP-60035	Includes two bonus tracks: "Perfect World" and "Hard To Say Good-Bye (Acoustic Version)." These are essential recordings for collectors.

5. Back to Reality

• Release Year: 1999
• Description: The first album following the addition of Jeff Blando. Straightforward hard rock marking a return to roots.

Region	Label	Catalog No.	Notes
USA	CMC International	06076 86276-2
Japan	Victor Entertainment	VICP-60777	Includes the instrumental track "Sbabaco" as a Japan-exclusive bonus track.

7.2. Live Albums & Compilations

Eternal Live

• Release Year: 1998
• Description: A live album dedicated to the late Tim Kelly, capturing his final powerful performances.
• Japanese Press (VICP-60368): The Japanese liner notes offer high historical and reference value, detailing memorial texts for Tim.

Mass SLAUGHTER: The Best of SLAUGHTER

• Release Year: 1995
• Description: A greatest hits compilation covering signature tracks from their debut through The Wild Life.

Stick It Live

• Release Year: 1990
• Description: An EP containing high-energy live performances recorded right after their debut. A Japanese edition was also released.

7.3. Japan Exclusive Releases

Of particular note is the EP released exclusively in Japan in 1995.

Hard Times

• Catalog No.: VICP-15053
• Description: A 5-track mini-album that includes unreleased tracks and covers, alongside a single cut from Fear No Evil.
• Tracklist:
  1. Hard Times
  2. Searchin'
  3. Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting (Elton John cover)
  4. She Knows How To Rumble
  5. Rain On

This EP was heavily driven by gratitude toward Japanese fans at the time, making it a rare collector's item today.

8. The Legacy of Slaughter

Slaughter emerged at the tail end of the glam metal boom of the late 1980s and could easily have faded away with the end of that trend. However, Mark Slaughter's overwhelming vocal talent, Dana Strum's clever band management, and the strong camaraderie among members (especially their devotion to Tim Kelly) rescued SLAUGHTER from being classified as a mere "one-hit wonder."

SLAUGHTER's critical acclaim in the Japanese market has remained consistently high, as evidenced by the existence of extensive Japan-exclusive bonus tracks and special editions. Featuring a powerful new member in Jordan Cannata, the current iteration of Slaughter continues to blast their sound as an active live act. The discography of SLAUGHTER will undoubtedly continue to be referenced as a textbook for melodious hard rock.