TKO (band)

TKO was a hard rock/heavy metal band from Seattle, Washington. The group's leader and only consistent member was singer Brad Sinsel. TKO lasted from approximately 1977-2001.

Brad Sinsel came to Seattle from his hometown, Yakima, Washington in the early 70's. He joined a local group called Mojo Hand. As other members of the group moved on Brad replaced them with musician friends he knew back home from his high school days. Eventually all of the members of Mojo Hand were replaced. Among these members was Rick Pierce, who later joined Q5 and found major success in Europe, especially Germany.

Line-up changes continued. Eventually the group settled on a stable line-up and came to the attention of managers who also represented Heart. This soon led to a major label recording contract.

The group released their first album "Let It Roll" on the Infinity Records division of MCA in 1979 (INF-9005). During this time the group had basically a Glam rock sound and image. They toured the U.S. extensively and sold roughly 150,000 copies of the first album. TKO planned to record a second album when Infinity was absorbed by MCA in the spring of 1980. The second Infinity album was never recorded.

A different lineup of the group released "In Your Face" on Combat Records in 1984. The band found a new audience with the growing Heavy metal audience. The album became a cult classic but again record company troubles prevented them from recording a follow up. At this time the group was part of a very vibrant Seattle metal scene which included Metal Church, Queensrÿche, Rail and Culprit, among many others.

Changing lineups again they later released "Below the Belt", their first album to appear on CD in 1986. This was their most successful release.

Brad Sinsel later formed the short lived band War Babies which released a self-titled album on Columbia Records in 1992.

A version of TKO formed to play the at the opening ceremonies at the Experience Music Project in Seattle in 2001. Clips of this performance have recently been spotted on YouTube.

The only CD issues of the first 2 albums to be released are unauthorized by the group. They were mastered from vinyl albums and have mediocre sound quality. The musicians have not received any compensation for these two discs.

External links

Both "In Your Face" and "Let It Roll" have been reissued via North Carolina's Divebomb Records (a new division of metal/hardcore label, Tribunal Records) with full participation of TKO vocalist, Brad Sinsel. Both issues feature bonus tracks and new essays written by Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles Editor In Chief, Martin Popoff. Pick them up here: http://divebombrecords.bigcartel.com
* [http://www.fullinbloommusic.com/brad_sinsel.html Interview with Brad Sinsel]

References