Shameless (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Shameless


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Origin = Munich, Bavaria, Germany
Genre = Hard rock
Glam metal
Years_active = 1998-1991
1998-present
Label = Red Skunk Recordz
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Current_members = Alexx Michael
B.C.
Steve Summers
Keri Kelli
Stevie Rachelle
Past_members = Many guests, see article.
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Shameless are a hard rock and glam metal supergroup based in Munich, Germany. Although the band are based in Germany, they are notable for having numerous American rockers appearing on their albums.

History

The original incarnation of Shameless was formed in April 1989, by bassist Alexx "Skunk" Michael. The band were relatively popular in their hometown, selling out a 500 capacity club on their very first show. The vocalist left the band at the end of 1991 and they folded.

All-Star Line-up

In summer 1998 Alexx Michael started to reform Shameless with the support of his friend Kiss and Alice Cooper drummer Eric Singer. Singer used his contacts to help Michael reform "Shameless" for the debut album "Backstreet Anthems". Two cover versions were present within the tracklist "Flaming Youth" by Kiss and "Hard Dayz Night" by The Beatles.

This album featured thirteen musicians in total, including B.C. a German friend of Michael's. The musicians on the album were;
*Alexx Michael
*Steve "Sex" Summers (Pretty Boy Floyd)
*Stevie Rachelle (Tuff)
*Eddie Robinson (Alleycat Scratch)
*Bruce Kulick (Kiss)
*Tracii Guns (L.A. Guns)
*Kristy Majors (Pretty Boy Floyd)
*Andrew Bennett (Limit of Shunt)

*B.C.
*Brian Tichy (Sass Jordan)
*Eric Skodis (Imperial Drag)
*Eric Singer (Kiss)
*Teddy Andreadis (Guns N' Roses)
*Robert Sweet (Stryper)

Ten tracks in total were featured on the album. It was recorded in Studio City, Los Angeles, California and was produced by former Guns N' Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke.

hameless in the 2000s

After gaining a cult following and positive response from the underground hard rock community Alexx Michael and B.C. decided they would record another album. Back in Germany they were writing new tracks and rehearsing them by January 2000. This time it was decided that the album would be produced at Keri Kelli's studio in Orange County, California.

The album titled "Queen 4 a Day" was recorded in March 2000 and featured a total of thirteen songs. Another Kiss cover was also present, "Tomorrow". It featured more guests, with some on the previous album returning.

*Alexx Michael
*Steve "Sex" Summers (Pretty Boy Floyd)
*Stevie Rachelle (Tuff)
*Kari Kane (Pretty Boy Floyd)
*Keri Kelli (Big Bang Babies)
*Steve Riley (L.A. Guns)
*Tracii Guns (L.A. Guns)
*Gilby Clarke (Guns N' Roses)
*B.C.
*Teddy Andreadis (Guns N' Roses)
*Eric Singer (Kiss)
*Bruce Kulick (Kiss)
*Keith Alan (Big Bang Babies)
*Brian Tichy (Sass Jordan)
*Danny Wagner (Warrant)
*Jani Lane (Warrant)

The album was released in Europe via MTM Music, they did a tour of Germany and the Netherlands in promotion of it. Bruce Kulick joined the band on tour and performed some tracks live with them.

By the time it came to recording the third album "Splashed" in 2002, the band made a conscious decision to keep the line-up more concentrated so that people could focus more on the songs that who was playing what. It featured 11 tracks and bonus DVD material of their 2000 tour and a promotional video for the track "Don't Hesitate".

The tracks were performed by Steve Summers, Alexx Michael, Keri Kelli, B.C., Mike Fasano and Stevie Rachelle. After a successful European tour in October 2003 and spring 2004, they released a live album from one of the United Kingdom dates, titled "Super Hardcore Show".

Recent events

Shameless are set to return in April 2007 with a their first album in five years, it is titled "Famous 4 Madness". The eleven track album features Steve Summers as vocalist on most of the track but there are also appearances from Stevie Rachelle, Phil Lewis, Jani Lane and former Mötley Crüe front man John Corabi.

All guitars on "Famous 4 Madness" were recorded by B.C., Alice Cooper guitarist Keri Kelli and Michael Thomas. Drums featured include Todd Michael Burr, Kari Kane, Mike Fasano and Eric Singer. Alexx Michael as always played bass.

In support of the album the band did a 15 date European tour from April till May through the United Kingdom, Spain, Switzerland, Germany and Italy

Discography

tudio

*"Backstreet Anthems" - (1999)
*"Queen 4 a Day" - (2000)
*"Splashed" - (2002)
*"Famous 4 Madness" - (April 2007)

Live

*"Super Hardcore Show" - (2003)

External links

* [http://www.shamelessrock.com/ Official Shameless website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/shamelessonline Official Shameless MySpace]