Bang Tango

Bang Tango
Origin	Los Angeles, California, United States
Genres	Hard rock Glam metal Funk metal Heavy metal Funk Rock
Years active	1987–1995 1997–present
Labels	World of Hurt (1989) MCA (1989–1993) Music for Nations (1993–1995) Shrapnel (2003–2005) Perris (2005–present)
Website	http://www.bangtango.com/

Bang Tango is an American funk-infused hard rock and glam metal band.

Biography

The band formed in 1987 in Los Angeles, California and were signed to MCA Records that same year. The band's line-up has fluctuated since its inception, with the one mainstay of the group (until 2010) being frontman Joe Lesté. Psycho Café (the band's debut album) was released in 1989, but, although MTV gave considerable exposure to the single "Someone Like You," the album wasn't able to crossover to mainstream success.

Nevertheless, the group trekked on until 1995 when they split up. Bang Tango then reformed in 1996 only to disband again in 1998. In 1999, the band reformed to mount a national tour, Lesté and original bassist Kyle Kyle (born Kyle Keiderling) joining forces with former bay area S.F. Altar Boys punk rock guitarist Mattie B. The tour was a success and a record was in the works but nothing was released. Lesté reformed the band yet again in 2002, albeit structured around a revolving door of lesser-known musicians. Many of those were also members of Lesté's more modern sounding alt-metal outfit Beautiful Creatures.

Lesté was reportedly briefly hired as singer for L.A. Guns, but no albums were recorded with him. Lesté and Tracii Guns played together on a cover of Def Leppard's "Rock Brigade" on the Def Leppard tribute album Leppardmania and on a cover of Guns N' Roses's "Mr. Brownstone" on the Guns N' Roses tribute album A Rock Tribute To Guns N' Roses.

Kyle Kyle was later in The Newlydeads with Taime Downe of Faster Pussycat fame.

Mark Knight is currently fronting his new project "Gravy" along with Mark Tremalgia. Gravy released their debut album Bones in 2003.

In 2010, the original members of Bang Tango: Kyle Kyle, Tigg Ketler and Mark Knight were interviewed by Argentinean music journalist Lucas H. Gordon where they talked about the reunion of original members which includes Kyle Stevens but not the original singer Joe Leste. The band's name is Bang Tango Redux and the interview is currently broadcasting in Youtube. As Bang Tango Redux, the four original members teamed up with a new singer, Michael Demay.

On April 27, 2011, original singer Joe Lesté appeared on RadioScreamer with longtime friend and host David Castagno, where he discussed his current tour as well as the grind of the road. Lesté continues to tour as Bang Tango. Although he is the only original member still in the band, Bang Tango continues to perform well over 100 shows each year.

Band members

• Joe Lesté – vocals
• Scott LaFlamme – guitar
• Lance Eric – bass
• Trent Anderson – drums

Former members

(This is a partial list. It does not include all of the members that have toured with the band, especially during the late 1980s.)

Drums

• Tigg Ketler (born Robert Ketler)
• Rob Jones
• Walter Earl
• Robert Gibb
• Glenn Sobel
• Matt Starr (born Matt Franklin)
• Timmy Russell
• Michael Licata
• Troy Patrick Farrell

Guitars

• Pete Risi
• Kyle Stevens
• Mark Knight
• Mark Tremaglia
• Dan Aon
• Mattie B.
• Michael Thomas
• Ryan Seelbach
• Mark Simpson
• Alex Grossi
• Matt Price 1993-1995

Bass

• Kyle Kyle (born Kyle Keiderling)
• Brian Saunders
• Curtis Roach (born Chris Roach)
• Mike Howells
• Jamie Zimlin

Discography

Studio albums

Year	Title	Label	US Billboard Peak
1989	Psycho Café	MCA	58
1991	Dancin' on Coals		113
1994	Love After Death	Music for Nations	-
September 14, 2004	Ready to Go	Shrapnel	-
May 9, 2006	From the Hip	Perris	-
September 27, 2011	Pistol Whipped In The Bible Belt	[78 Productions]

Live and compilation albums

Year	Title	Label	US Billboard Peak
1989	Live Injection (live)	World of Hurt
1992	Ain't No Jive...Live! (live)	MCA
November 10, 1998	Live (live)	Cleopatra
May 25, 1999	Untied & Live (live)	Import	-
November 23, 1999	Greatest Tricks (compilation)	Cleopatra	-
August 24, 2004	The Ultimate Bang Tango: Rockers and Thieves (compilation)	Lemon	-

References

External links

• Bang Tango Website
• Interview