Reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100 hit parade, earning a double platinum record and gaining a foothold among the most famous glam metal bands - not every talented group manages to reach such heights, but Warrant did it. Their groovy songs have garnered a steady fan base that has followed her for the past 30 years.
Formation of the Warrant team
Leading up to the 1980s, the glam metal genre was already developing, especially in Los Angeles. 1984 was the year that 20-year-old guitarist Eric Turner and a former member of Knightmare II formed Warrant.
The first line-up of the band was Adam Shore (vocals), Max Asher (drummer), Josh Lewis (guitarist) and Chris Vincent (bassist), replaced in the same year by Jerry Dixon.
The first years of existence were attempts to become a popular group in the clubs of Los Angeles and decide on the line-up. During this period, the band members performed as the opening act for such groups as: Hurricane, Ted Nugent. Personnel decisions were the impetus for change.
After watching Plain Jane perform, Eric Turner decided to invite the band's lead singer Jany Lane (who wrote good songs) and drummer Stephen Sweet to play with Warrant in Hollywood.
The new line-up (together with Eric's friend Joe Allen) achieved popularity on the club scene in a year, and with the onset of 1988, the Columbia label signed an agreement with the team. In 1988-1993 the group was very popular.
The first two creations of Warrant
The first collection of songs Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich hit the shelves in February 1989 and found significant success, reaching number 10 on the Billboard 200. It included four hit singles: Sometimes She Cries, Down Boys, Big Talk and Heaven, which took 1 No. 100 on the US Billboard Hot XNUMX.
Heavy guitars and catchy melodies evoked strong emotions in the audience, intriguing new listeners. In terms of image, the Warrant group has successfully entered the fashion of hard rock bands - lush long hair, leather suits.
The music videos were hugely popular. In 1989, the band toured with Paul Stanley, Poison, Kingdom Come and others.
Returning from touring, the band found renewed success in 1990 with the long-awaited second album, Cherry Pie. The title track of the album of the same name was released as a single and hit the top 10 of the US singles chart, and its video was on air for a long time on MTV.
Initially, the album was going to be called Uncle Tom's Cabin, but the label wanted an anthem and a good decision was made. The album peaked at number 7 on The Billboard 200.
World tour and band's third album
Following the release of the album Cherry Pie, the band carried out a world-class tour with the band Poison, which ended in January 1991 after a conflict between the bands. A European tour with David Lee Roth was cut short after Lane was injured on stage in England. Back in the US, the band headlined the Blood, Sweat And Beers tour.
In 1992, the band released their third critically acclaimed compilation, Dog Eat Dog. Despite critical acclaim, the success was less than the first albums - more than 500 thousand copies sold, 25th position in the US charts. The reason was the changes in the music world. Among devoted fans, the album was considered one of the strongest records.
Changes in the group
1994-1999
The first troubles of the Warrant group arose in 1993 - Lane left the group, and later Columbia terminated the contract. Janie did return in 1994, but Allen and Sweet left after the tour ended. They were replaced by James Kottak and Rick Stater.
The fourth album Ultraphobic, despite the critical acclaim and the presence of grunge, was noticeably less successful than its predecessors. After the release, the group went on tour in America, Japan and Europe.
Almost before the release of the fifth album Belly to Belly in October 1996, the drummer changed in the band - Kottak left, and Bobby Borg came in his place.
The new album became less melodic, and Stater noted it as "conceptual". The storyline tells about checking the value system after turning off the spotlight, about fame and fortune.
A year later, drummer Borg left the band and was replaced by Vicki Fox. Frequent changes in the composition testified to the turmoil within the team. In 1999, the Greatest & Latest album was released - a more or less successful attempt to return to its former glory.
Lane's departure, new vocalist
In 2001, the band Warrant released a cover version of the album Under the Influence. Three years later, soloist Janie Lane, having undergone a course of treatment for alcohol and drugs a year earlier, decided to start a solo career. In 2002, he already released his debut album, but remained in the team. The band members were very hurt by Lane's attempt to reassemble the band with a new line-up. A lawsuit was filed that put an end to this idea.
Jani was replaced by Jamie St. James in 2004, and 2006 saw the release of their seventh studio album, Born Again, the first without Lane's vocals.
Original cast reunion attempt and Janie Lane's death
In January 2008, Warrant's agent posted a photo confirming Janie's return to the band for their 20th anniversary. A full line-up performance was planned at Rocklahoma 2008, but the tour did not take place and Lane left the band again in September of that year. He was replaced by Robert Mason.
Alcohol problems led to Janie's death on August 11, 2011. A few months earlier, the band's next album, Rockaholic, was released, taking 22nd position on the Billboard Top Hard Rock Albums chart.
Warrant today
In 2017, the ninth studio album called Louder Harder Faster was released, but without the original vocalist, the Warrant group lost some of its former sound.
Despite the changes, the band is still popular, thanks in large part to the permanent fan base that has developed since Cherry Pie.
