Legendary Eighties Rockers TAZ Return with Explosive Single ‘Shipwrecked’
Do you remember TAZ? These 80s rockers has just revealed their latest single “Shipwrecked” from their double album set, comprising “Wake Up & Sweat, Vol. 1” and “Shipwrecked, Vol. 2.” The lineup includes Kent “K.K.” Kleven as the lead vocalist, Ethan Gladstone and Rick Berry on guitars, Chris Roy on bass, and Joey Carallo on drums. Joining the crew are Neil “Willie Duet” Carlson on bass and Kenny “Crash” Pierce on drums. The real 80s sleaze glam fans can surely mark their calendars for September 15, 2023, as Eönian Records will release the much-awaited albums on that day.
Track List for Shipwrecked, Vol. 2:
01. Shipwrecked
02. No Relation
03. Desert Dog Night
04. Father McGee
05. Arizona River
06. Day In, Day Out (Keep The Faith)
07. Lady Conniver
08. Where the Angels Play
09. Sink or Swim
10. Day of The Dog
11. Luvin’ Girl
12. Dogtown
13. Easy Come Easy Go (Live at the Whisky A Go-Go)
14. Let It Rain (Live at the Whisky A Go-Go)
15. Round, Round, Round (Live at the Whisky A Go-Go)
16. Shoot Your Steam (Live at the Whisky A Go-Go)
17. Cover Me In Roses (Live at Club Sasch)
18. L.A. Danger Zone (Live at Gazzarris)
Eönian Records‘ press release:
Of the many “almost-famous” rock bands from the Sunset Strip throughout the ‘80s, TAZ stands out as the biggest. This band combined pop, funk, metal, and glam with a stage show that would not let you look away for fear of missing something amazing.
‘Shipwrecked’ was produced by Rob Cavallo, producer, musician, and record industry executive. He is among the biggest-selling producers in history and has produced or been creatively involved in albums that sold over 130 million units worldwide. Primarily known for his production work with Green Day, he has also worked with Linkin Park, My Chemical Romance, Alanis Morissette, Black Sabbath, and Shinedown, among others. He has also won multiple Grammy Awards.
”Rob was great; he loved what we were doing and wanted to work with us,” Ethan Gladstone said. “(He’s a) very talented guy. I think we might have been among one of his first artists. He got us a demo deal with Warner Bros. We recorded with big-time engineer Magic A. Moreno (David Lee Roth, Phil Collins, Steve Vai) and Rob producing. We thought this was going to be it. Unfortunately, Warner ended up passing. Thankful to see the Cavallo/Moreno sessions come to fruition with Eonian Records.”
Playing the Southern California club circuit, songwriters and lyricists Ethan Gladstone and Kent Kleven, along with Neil Carlson and Mike Downey, formed one of the most unique and dynamic bands of the ’80s named Maniac Thrust in 1983.
Playing their breed of energetic pop-metal, Maniac Thrust played throughout Hollywood and Orange County. After several drumming changes and a couple bass players, the band played their final show as Maniac Thrust in the fall of 1985, eventually changing their name to TAZ.
The newly named four-piece band continued playing at numerous Hollywood, Orange County, San Francisco, and Las Vegas clubs. The crowd’s response was exceptional wherever they played, and they always filled the clubs to capacity. TAZ had formed one of the hottest bands to hit the rock scene in years.
In 1987, West Hollywood’s Sunset Strip scene had exploded! Hard rock and glam metal were now dominating the top of the Billboard Music Charts, selling millions of copies multiple times over, selling out worldwide tours, and producing chart-topping singles while opening the door to MTV and commercial success for other bands at the end of the decade. It also became the most competitive market for rock ‘N’ roll that had existed.
During this time, TAZ’s craft had begun to take shape, as they continued to take their songwriting to a new pinnacle. Exceptionally talented, TAZ was taking California by storm. They continued to sell out every venue they played especially throughout West Hollywood, including Gazzarris, The Roxy, Troubadour, L.A. Country Club, and Whisky, they were featured in BAM, Hollywood Rocks, Rock City News, and Screamer, as well as on the best rock radio station in the country, KNAC Pure Rock 105.5.
Over the next three years, TAZ would record with famed producers such as Kim Vincent Fowley and Rob Cavallo, as well as in The Hangar 14 Studio, Music Grinder Studios, Monterey Sound Studios, and Take One Studio. How TAZ never made it big is among rock music’s great mysteries, but at least we can now discover TAZ all over again.
TAZ is K.K. on vocals, Ethan Gladstone on guitar, Rick Berry on guitar, Chris Roy on bass, with Kenny Pierce (Imagine World Peace & Soul) playing drums on Wake Up & Sweat, Vol. 1 and Joey Carallo playing drums on Shipwrecked, Vol. 2.
Wake Up & Sweat, Vol. 1 and Shipwrecked, Vol. 2 will be available via Eonian Records, online retailers worldwide, as well as all digital platforms Friday, September 15, 2023. Pre-orders to begin in August at www.EonianRecords.com.”
There is a great interview with TAZ singer K.K., that you can read for more info about the band, at one and only Metal Sludge
Watch the lyric video for the song “Shiprwrecked” here
