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House of Lords | |
|---|---|
 2017 promotional image of House of Lords | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Hard rock,[1]glam metal[2] |
| Years active | 1987–1993, 2000–present |
| Labels | |
| Members | James Christian Jimi Bell B.J. Zampa Chris Tristram |
| Past members | Gregg Giuffria Ken Mary Chuck Wright Lanny Cordola David Glen Eisley Michael Guy Tommy Aldridge Dennis Chick Sean McNabb Matt McKenna Chris McCarvill |
| Website | houseoflordsband |
House of Lords is an Americanrock band based inConnecticut, with members inNew Jersey andFlorida.
House of Lords was formed in 1987 by former Angel member and keyboardistGregg Giuffria following his solo projectGiuffria.[3] After listening to demos – originally intended for Giuffria's third record – a record deal withGene Simmons' company Simmons Records was agreed upon, on two conditions: to change the band's name (to House of Lords) and to recruit a new lead singer (firingDavid Glen Eisley in the process).[4]James Christian replaced Eisley. Christian was suggested by ex-Giuffria and Quiet Riot bassistChuck Wright,[5] after having worked together in L.A. Rocks.
House of Lords' eponymous debut was released in 1988,[3] featuring a heavier sound than Giuffria’s and less prominent keyboards. The album received critical acclaim,[3] and the band toured withCheap Trick,Ozzy Osbourne and theScorpions in 1989.[3]
The album featured one minor hit, "I Wanna Be Loved" (Hot 100 No. 58). TheStan Bush penned "Love Don't Lie" was the second single but despite MTV airplay, failed to chart. After touring, original guitaristLanny Cordola left in 1990, replaced by exShark Island's Michael Guy.[3]
Their next effort was 1990sSahara,[3] and featured a list of guest musicians. Other notable contributions to the album came fromDoug Aldrich,Rick Nielsen,Chris Impellitteri,Mandy Meyer,David Glen Eisley,Robin Zander,Mike Tramp,Steve Plunkett andRon Keel. Deliberately more guitar-oriented than the debut, the album hit No. 120 on the charts and in the wake of the successful single "Can't Find My Way Home" (a Blind Faith cover). The single and video also did well on Album Rock radio peaking at No. 10. The second single "Remember My Name" was a bigger hit hitting No. 72 on the Hot 100 and a Top 5 regular on DIAL MTV. Soon after, bassist Chuck Wright and drummerKen Mary left the band.
Promoting Sahara, House of Lords toured withNelson, did a short tour with38 Special, and a final show withWarrant andTesla at theUniversal Amphitheater inHollywood.[6] Christian cites this as one of his favorite shows with House of Lords.[6]
For 1992's releaseDemons Down, House of Lords had left BMG.[6] Christian says ofDemon's Down: "This album turned out fabulous. We had a great budget and turned in a beautifully crafted album with great songs, no fillers. I was totally happy with the record and hoped we could really take this album right to the top of the charts."[citation needed] Alongside Christian and Giuffria, line-up changes forDemons Down consisted of a new drummerTommy Aldridge, a new bass player inSean McNabb (exQuiet Riot), and a new guitar player in Dennis Chick (ex-V.V.S.I.).[6] The album spawned two singles, the title track and the ballad "What's Forever For".
The arrival of Grunge would impact on the airplay and overall success ofDemons Down.[6] The band broke up in 1993 despite recording demos to shop for a new label. After the band broke up, guitarist Dennis Chick joinedFreak of Nature, the band formed byMike Tramp after the break-up ofWhite Lion. Chick played on both of their studio albums, released in 1993 and 1994.[7] James Christian recorded and releasedRude Awakening,[3] and spent a short time in the line-up ofManic Eden.[6]
After legal delays over the rights to the band name, the group reformed in 2000, featuring an extended line-up of Christian, Giuffria, Cordola, Guy, Mary, and Wright, although Guy soon departed.
Two years laterThe Power and the Myth was finished but it was 2004 before it was released byFrontiers Records. The album marked the return of Chuck Wright, Lanny Cordola and Ken Mary, but is the first not to feature Giuffria, who had left the project with keyboard work done by guestsDerek Sherinian, Allan Okuye, Sven Martin andRicky Phillips. Directly after ThePower and the Myth was released, Christian released his second solo CD,Meet The Man. House of Lords contacted Jeff Kent to take over the writing of lyrics and melodies due to the band's lowest scores since its inception. After Jeff Kent was finished, the band scored 96% on the 2006 CDWorld Upside Down with 10 of Kent's lyrical and melodic compositions, and 97% of the 2008 CDCome to My Kingdom with 13 of Kent's lyrical and melodic compositions.
After a further reunion in 2005 for the Firefest festival in the UK, House of Lords released a new album,World Upside Down, adding songwriter Jeff Kent/melody & lyric writer and keyboardist, guitarist Jimi Bell, bassist Chris McCarvill, and drummer B.J. Zampa. Kent also played all the keyboard parts on the 2005 Frontier Record release.
A live albumLive in the UK was released in January 2007.
In 2008, the band released their sixth studio albumCome to My Kingdom. The album featured the same line-up asWorld Upside Down, and was produced by frontman James Christian and frequent collaborator Jeff Kent (who played bass prior to McCarvill's joining), who also co-wrote most all of the album's vocal melodies and lyrics. BassistChris McCarvill left the band just before the CTMK release due to prior touring commitments withDokken. He was replaced byMatt McKenna who recorded bass for the band's next albumCartesian Dreams and performed on all theCome to My Kingdom tour dates. The group embarked on a world tour of 39 cities throughout Europe, Brazil, and the United States, commencing between March–July 2008, including main stage performances at Hard in Rio, Rocklahoma and the South Texas Rockfest festivals.
On September 18, 2009, the band's seventh studio albumCartesian Dreams was released. Although bass was recorded byMatt McKenna,Chris McCarvill had rejoined the band following the recording and played bass on the supporting tour for the album in September–November 2009. Jeff Kent produced the album along with Christian, although this time around he did not contribute any songwriting to the album.
On July 26, 2011, it was announced that the band would release their eighth studio albumBig Money on September 23, 2011, in Europe and September 27 in North America. The album was recorded with the same line-up as the 2008 albumCome to My Kingdom, including bassistChris McCarvill, and was promoted with a European tour in October 2011, the band's first tour since 2009.[8]
James Christian released his third solo album,Lay It All On Me in 2013.[9]
In 2014 House of Lords released their ninth studio album,Precious Metal. The album was recorded with the same line-up as the 2008 albumCome to My Kingdom.[10]
In April 2015 it was announced that House of Lords tenth studio albumIndestructible would be released in the EU on June 5 and 9 in North America. The album was recorded with the same line-up as the 2008 albumCome to My Kingdom,[11] this line-up celebrates ten years of togetherness.
According to Christian:The nameIndestructible was chosen because we all felt that we have been through a lot in our long careers and what better way to say, 'Hey, I'm still here' than by giving the CD a bold title. He adds: 'Indestructible' features eleven brand new songs... ...The album is heavier in the beginning, but we love songs that are both melodic and heavy, and the idea was to fill the best of both on one CD without sounding like two different bands. I think we have accomplished that.[12]
In addition to announcing an appearance at the Frontiers Rock Festival in Trezzo (MI), Italy on April 12, 2015, jameschristian.com stated 'a European tour in September, with a very special surprise show to be announced soon. More details soon!'[11] As part of the Indestructible Tour 2015, House of Lords performed in Japan atLoudpark 2015 on October 10, 2015. The Indestructible tours started inHelsinki,Finland on September 25 and concluded on October 19 inPratteln,Switzerland. A U.S. date on October 23 followed.[13]
In January 2017 it was announced that House of Lords eleventh studio albumSaint Of The Lost Souls would be released on March 24. According to a Frontiers press release the album was recorded with essentially the same line-up as previous albums, the only change being Chris Tristram replacing Chris McCarvill on bass guitar.[14]
Current
Former
| Title | Chart | Peak Position |
|---|---|---|
| House of Lords | U.S.Billboard 200 | 78[16] |
| Sahara | U.S.Billboard 200 | 121[16] |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |