Posts: 2

1. Shameless Bio

   23.May.07, 14:57 EDT
   
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   Originally a German based band led by guitarist Alexx Michael and B.C. Shameless would none the less come to world attention by way of the May 1999 Gilby Clarke produced debut album which featured a veritable roll call of Los Angeles stars as guests. The original Munich based Shameless had broken up in 1991 but conversations between Michael and KISS drummer Eric Singer resurrected the project with an all new slant. Included alongside Michael, Singer and German guitar player B.C. were Tuff man Stevie Rachelle, Pretty Boy Floyd's Steve Summers, Tracii Guns of L.A. Guns, Bruce Kulick of Union and KISS, ex-Stryper man Robert Sweet and Brian Tichy of Slash's Snakepit, Foreigner and Ozzy Osbourne. Keri Kelli of Ratt would also figure in the songwriting role. A cover version of the KISS tune 'Flaming Youth' would also make an appearance on the tribute album 'KISS Deutschland'. The band's 2000 follow up album, 'Queen 4 A Day', also included L.A. Guns drummer Steve Riley, Warrant Jani Lane and guitarist Keri Kelli. The album was notable for the inclusion of the track 'American Man', written by Gene Simmons and the Black n' Blue duo of Jamie St. James and Tommy Thayer. Shameless toured Europe in 2000 utilising the talents of Bruce Kulick. Shameless also cut another straight KISS cover in 'Tomorrow', a track that was also donated to the Kiss Army on line homage 'Creatures Of The Net'. Plans would be unveiled for Shameless, promoting a new studio album 'Splashed' for the AOR Heaven label, to act as special guests to Tuff on proposed October 2002 UK shows. Both Steve Summers and Stevie Rachelle would revisit their roles as guest vocalists for 'Splashed'. Drums on the album came courtesy of Kari Kane and Warrant's Mike Fasano. A live album, 'The Shameless Super Hardcore Show', was projected for mid 2003 release. Included would be covers of The Monkees 'Daydream Believer' and the Rolling Stones 'Start Me Up'. A previously unreleased Shameless track, 'Realise', would be included on the 2004 Perris Records compilation 'Hollywood Hairspray III'.

2. Shameless History

   23.May.07, 14:57 EDT
   
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   Alexx Michael, songwriter and bassplayer from Munich ( Germany ) had for several years the Vision of "The ultimate Rock'n Roll band". Beeing influenced by KISS, since he was 7 years old, he started to play guitar at the age of 15. Later he switched from guitar to bass. By April of 1989, he formed the original version of "Shameless". They were one of the best drawing bands in Munich, selling out a 500 person rock club on their first show ever. Because of the departure of the vocalist, the band broke up by the end of 1991. After that, Alexx tried to play with a couple of other bands, but none of them appealed to him. He kept writing songs and by the summer of 1998, Eric Singer ( drummer of KISS and Alice Cooper ) helped him to get in touch with the right people to make the first album happen. "Steve Summers" and "Stevie Rachelle" were always Alexx's favourite singers and they also would be the perfect voices for "Shameless". Eddie Robison would be the final vocalist to round out the sound Alexx invisioned. Besides Eric Singer, Alexx was able to get Robert Sweet, Brian Tichy and Eric Skodis to play drums on the first album "Backstreet Anthems". Alexx asked his longtime friend and ex-bandmate B.C. to fly with him to Los Angeles to play guitar on "Backstreet Anthems". They recorded and mixed 10 songs with producer Gilby Clarke ( ex Guns N' Roses guitarist ) in Studio City, CA. "Backstreet Anthems" was released thru "Red Skunk Records" in May 1999". The CD was received with open arms by fans and press. The coverversion of the KISS classic "Flaming Youth" was also released on the german KISS tribute "KISS Deutschland". Even a lot of record companies were interested in the CD, but they all had different ideas than Alexx had. During the summer of 1999, Alexx was writing new songs for the next "Shameless" CD. B.C. and him started to rehearse the songs by January 2000. This time Alexx wanted to record some of the songs at Keri Kelli's studio. Kerri was also a member of Pretty Boy Floyd, before he joined RATT. In March 2000 "Shameless" recorded the new CD "Queen 4 a Day". This time 13 songs where recorded including an all acoustic coverversion of "Tomorrow" by KISS for a KISS tribute called "KAOL 2 – Creatures of the Net". Gene Simmons himelf called Stevie Rachelle during the recordings and told him, that "Shameless" could record a song that he co-wrote together with Tommy Thayer. Also Jani Lane, the "real" voice of Warrant came by, to sing back-ups on "Far Away" and "Lonely Nite in Paradise". All the songs with Steve Summers on vocals were recorded in Keri Kelli's studio in Orange County, while the remaining recordings took again place in the legendary Gilby Clarke studios. Because of his tour with Warrant, Keri was not able to mix the songs before the end of May. By the end of June, MTM Music offered Alexx to release "Queen 4 a Day" all over Europe. Right before the release of "Queen 4 A Day", "Shameless" went on a Germany / Holland tour to promote the new CD. Bruce Kulick ( ex KISS guitarist ) came along with the band to perform a few songs together live on stage. In 2001 Alexx Michael and Steve Summers also appeared on the Poison Tribute "Name Your Poison" by Perris Records. "Shameless" started to work on their follow-up to "Queen 4 A Day" in March that year. This time the line-up was more consistant on the CD in order to concentrate more on the music than on "Who´s playing what". The new release "Splashed" features 11 tracks performed by Steve Summers, Alexx Michael, Keri Kelli, B.C., Mike Fasano and Stevie Rachelle. The CD also includes exclusive videomaterial of the 2000 tour with special guest Bruce Kulick and the video for "Don't Hesitate". Once again "Splashed" proves that "Shameless" doesn't care about trends. Even some songs like "Toy Human" or "Getaway" are heavier than you've been used to so far, "Shameless" won't change their style, look or attitude for anyone. Alexx Michael said: " I would rather work at McDonald's than do music that I don't like." "Shameless" toured October 2003 in England and they also did a very successful European tour in spring 2004. "Shameless" returned in April with their fifth albums after a 4 year break. The eleven track album with Keri Kelli acting as producer and engineer, features Steve Summers as vocalist on most of the track but there are also appearences from Stevie Rachelle, Phil Lewis ( LA Guns ), Jani Lane ( Ex Warrant ) and John Corabi ( Ex Motley Crue / Union ). All guitars on "Famous 4 Madness" were recorded by B.C., Alice Cooper guitarist Keri Kelli and Michael Thomas. Drums featured include T Burr, Kari Kane, Mike Fasano and Eric Singer from KISS. Alexx Michael as always played bass. "Shameless" is back from their European tour and Alexx is now in the studio to write new songs for the next album. A compilation with the greatest "Shameless" songs will be released soon.