Shotgun Messiah

Infobox musical artist
Name = Shotgun Messiah


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Origin = Skovde, Sweden
Genre = Hard rock
Glam metal
Industrial rock
Years_active = 1985–1993
Label = Relativity Records
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Current_members = Tim Skold
Harry K. Cody
Bobby Lycon
Stixx
Past_members = Zinny J. Zan
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Shotgun Messiah were a 1980s Glam metal band originally from Sweden, they went on to dabble in Industrial rock music during the early to mid 1990s.

Biography

First Era, 1985-1991

The band previously went under the name "Kingpin" while they played in Sweden, recording the album "Welcome To Bop City", the line-up featured Zinny J. Zan (vocals), Tim Skold (going by "Tim Tim") (bass), Harry K. Cody (guitar) and Pekka "Stixx" Ollinen (drums). This would become the original line-up of Shotgun Messiah as the band changed their name and relocated to Hollywood, California hungry for more success. The album they released under the "Cools" name was re-recorded and released as Shotgun Messiah's self-titled debut album, "Shotgun Messiah". The style of this album was Glam metal typical of early 1980s American bands, in the vein of Mötley Crüe and Ratt.

econd Era, 1991-1993

Soon after this, frontman Zinny J. Zan departed, leaving Tim Skold to take over vocal duties for the band, Shotgun Messiah drafted in American bassist, Bobby Lycon to fill Skold's former position. This would prove to be the band's most successful era. In 1991, the band's follow up album "Second Coming" was released, spawning their most famous hit "Heartbreak Blvd". Stylistically, due to Skold's less conventional singing style, this era saw the band playing Sleaze glam-styled hard rock, closer to Guns N' Roses and Faster Pussycat than their previous effort.

A punk rock influence was prevalent during this period. The band released "I Want More", an EP featuring cover versions of songs by the Ramones, the Stooges and the New York Dolls, during this time, they were also known to cover the Sex Pistols live.

Third Era, 1993

1993 proved to be the final year for the band, Harry K. Cody and Tim Skold were left as the only members of Shotgun Messiah, and created what would be the last Shotgun Messiah album "Violent New Breed", this album is significantly different from the previous efforts as it focused heavily on Industrial rock stylings, bringing in live players for the Violent New Breed tour. Soon after the band split permanently, citing artistic differences as the reason.

Post-Messiah

After Shotgun Messiah, Tim Skold's acitivies have been the most notable, building on the Industrial rock of the band's last album "Violent New Breed", with a solo album (entitled "Skold"), before joining bands such as KMFDM, MDFMK and the Newlydeads (with Taime Downe of Faster Pussycat). From 2002 to 2008 Skold replaced Twiggy Ramirez as the bassist for the band Marilyn Manson. Twiggy has since rejoined Manson leaving Tim to return to his solo work and future collaborations.

Zinny J. Zan has also released a solo album, and two albums with his new band "Zan Clan".

Lineup

Original

*Zinny J. Zan - Vocals
*Harry K. Cody - Guitar and backing vocals
*Tim Skold - Bass and backing vocals
*Stixx - Drums

econd Coming

*Tim Skold - Vocals
*Harry K. Cody - Guitar
*Bobby Lycon - Bass
*Stixx - Drums

Violent New Breed

*Tim Skold - Vocals and programming
*Harry K. Cody - Guitar and programming
*Ulf "Cybersank" Sandquist - Programming
*Bill Bruce - Live rhythm guitar
*Pat Guyton - Live bass
*B. J. - Live drums

Discography

External links

* [http://www.jonasbeijer.com/shotgun_messiah/ Fanpage]
* [http://www.famousinterview.ca/interviews/shotgun_messiah.htm Interview with Lead Singer Tim Skold]
* [http://www.ts-sychophant.net The Official Unofficial website for Tim Skold (former bassist/singer member)]
* [http://www.timskoldsexiestblonde.com The Original Tim Skold: Sycophant Fansite] Former Bassist Then Lead Singer For Kingpin/Shotgun Messiah