Primus, Frizzle Fry
Technically, this is only the band’s first studio album. Their actual first album was a live album, Suck on This, that came out in 1989. However, this was their first proper studio album. Straddling a line between alternative, metal, prog and funk, the trio of Les Claypool, Larry LaLonde and Tim Alexander have a truly unique sound, led by Claypool’s nasal voice and busy basswork. The band went on a hiatus in 2000, reformed in 2003, and in 2013, Tim Alexander rejoined the band, reuniting the trio. The band’s first album with the original lineup since 1995 was a re-imagining of the Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory soundtrack, Primus & the Chocolate Factory with the Fungi Ensemble, and it was released late last year.
Steelheart, S/T
While they’re still around, Steelheart were pretty much a one hit wonder when their first album was released. The power ballad “I’ll Never Let You Go” was anchored by Miljenko Matijevic’s high-pitched and powerful vocals. Based off the strength of that song, the album went platinum, but in the time between then and their second album, grunge was huge, and the album didn’t do as well. And while the band reformed in 1996, then 2006, you’ve probably heard Matijevic’s vocals more than you thought you might have. He provided the vocals for Mark Wahlberg’s character in the film Rock Star in 2001.
Slaughter, Stick it to Ya
In 1984, KISS guitarist Vinnie Vincent was fired from the band. He eventually decided to form his own band, Vinnie Vincent Invasion. the band released two albums, breaking up in 1989. The band’s singer and bassist, Mark Slaughter and Dana Strum, respectively, formed Slaughter. Forming at the tail end of hair metal, the band’s debut album, Stick It To Ya, went multi-platinum off the strength of “Up All Night,” “Fly to the Angels,” and “Spend my Life.” The band continued to release albums throughout the ’90s, but none were as successful as their debut. The band are still playing some festival shows here and there.
Kid Rock, Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast
Yeah, Kid Rock isn’t metal, and this album certainly isn’t, but it did give birth to Bob Ritchie. Whether you like rap-rock or not, it’s undeniable that 1998’s Diamond-selling (10 million copies) Devil Without a Cause was one of the reasons the movement took off. But back in 1990, he was rap without the rock, and this album, which was released on December 30 of that year, pretty much tanked. Over the next few years, he started sampling rock songs, then learned how to play guitar, recruited a band, and the rest is history.
