Bulletboys - Bulletboys (1988)

Led by former Ratt guitarist Marq Torien, the L.A. metal band Bulletboys also included ex-King Kobra guitarist Mick Sweda, bassist Lonnie Vincent, and drummer Jimmy d'Anda. Their style was strongly influenced by bands such as AC/DC and Van Halen, later going in a bluesier direction. Torien's personality often drew comparisons to David Lee Roth. The group had a couple of MTV hits off their self-titled debut but faded away after their second album. Song titles like "Do Me Raw," "Hard as a Rock," and "Kissin' Kitty" give a fairly accurate impression of the band's worldview.

The Bulletboys were billed as "Van Halen Wannabes" but these guys could rock. Songs like Hard As A Rock and Smooth Up In Ya are 80s hair metal staples. Every song is great, especially my favorite Shoot The Preacher Down. If you like Ratt or the Dangerous Toys you'll enjoy this rock n roll masterpiece. Singer, Marq Torien, screams and wails like no other. The guitarist, Mick Sweda, the bass player, Lonnie Vincent, and drummer, Jimmy D'Anda, are all at the top of their game. They would not release another album like this again. If you like this album, I also recommend their 2nd album, Freakshow.

If you dont have this cd, buy it, simply because it rocks with so much enthusiasm that the chessiness is over-shadowed. Yes, sometimes, the yips and yipes are over done, but the songs are VERY strong (at least 8 of 10 are worth a listen) and the playing is so good that you get caught up having a good time and forget how much the singer apes David Lee Roth at times. For sure, this was one of the best releases of their time and their 2nd effort, the criminally ignored "Freakshow" is even better. If you like hard rock, you need this.

The debut release from the BulletBoys is hard rocking effort, often drawing comparisons to early Van Halen. Songs like "Hard As A Rock", "F#9", and the incredible "Kissin' Kitty" really rock! "Smooth Up In Ya" and "For The Love Of Money" were minor hits for the band, both placing within the top 80, while the album itself pushed into the top 40.
Singer Marq Torien was compared to David Lee Roth in both ability and attitude, while he and Mick Sweda and Lonnie Vencent were all members in King Kobra. The music here is comparable to a raw Danger Danger and the previously mentioned Van Halen. Marq Torien still records as the BulletBoys, but they were never able to recapture the success of this debut. In the meantime this album gets two thumbs up - it is a classic!