Ripple Music launches “Underground Metal Vault” series; Californian 80s metal unit Violation to issue exclusive »The Anthology« record on September 18th!
Californian 80s metal unit Violation to issue exclusive »The Anthology« record as part of Ripple Music’s “The Underground Metal Vault” series launch!
Bay Area legendary metal outfit Violation is set to issue their first-ever anthology album, as heavy underground powerhouse Ripple Music launches “The Underground Metal Vault” – a brand-new series of 12″ vinyl and CD releases dedicated to the unsung heroes of late 70s and early 80s metal.
Ripple Music’s new series of 12″ vinyl and CD releases, “The Underground Metal Vault”, will shed some light on many of the unheralded metal upstart bands that hit the world between the end of the 70s and the early 80s.
Inspired by the raw fury of the NWOBHM and the resurging popularity of bands like Judas Priest, Scorpions and Van Halen, a generation of hungry, leather-jacketed musicians took over their local scenes with more fire than most major acts could dream of. “Not signed to major labels, these bands never had big budgets for recording or producing, never had a big label push, or big PR, but were just as deserving. Time to bring them back!” enthuses Ripple labelhead Todd Severin.
Leading the charge is none other than Violation. Formed in the late 70s, these Bay Area road warriors gigged relentlessly until they caught the ear of Y&T’s legendary drummer Leonard Haze. He stepped in to produce three tracks for their self-released »Meet Me At Midnight« single, even laying down the thunderous drums on the B-side. Soon after, Shrapnel Records snagged them for their »US Metal Vol. 3« compilation and label chief Mike Varney was hooked. Severin adds, “Now, we’ve collected all their recorded output, including songs only ever released on a demo cassette, to bring you the complete Violation Anthology. Welcome to The Underground Metal Vault.”
Violation »The Anthology« reissue
Out September 18th on Ripple Music (LP/CD) – Preorder
Tracklist:
01. Balls Out
02. Coming After You
03. Don’t Leave Me
04. Following My Heart
05. Goin Down Fighting
06. Gonna Get To You
07. Hot Fire
08. I Found You
09. I Need You Back
10. Longest Night
11. Meet Me At Midnight
12. Ready To Roll
13. Balls Out (original version)
14. Goin Down Fighting (original version)
15. Gonna Get To You (original version)
Formed in the late ’70s in Livermore, CA, Violation brought together longtime friends Paul Harris and Perry Fotos, later joined by bassist Brian Khoury and drummer Mike Pavlick. They rehearsed after hours at Khoury’s family record store, Galaxy Records – a perfect spot for loud, uninterrupted sessions.
Starting as a cover band, Violation won crowds with spot-on takes of UFO, AC/DC, Thin Lizzy and Blue Öyster Cult, while Harris’ note-perfect solo on »Rock Bottom« became a local legend. But originals soon followed, including fan favorites »Hot Fire« and the power ballad »Coming After You«, built on Harris’ melodic hooks and singable solos. The band expanded their reach across the Bay Area, playing iconic venues like the Keystone, The Stone, and the Old Waldorf, sharing bills with Mötley Crüe, Metallica, Quiet Riot, Y&T and more. They eventually headlined clubs including the Whisky a Go Go in Hollywood.
In 1982, after Pavlick’s departure, the remaining members recorded three originals with uncredited Y&T drummer Leonard Haze. The resulting single, »Meet Me At Midnight« b/w »Balls Out«, sold well locally and overseas, boosted by a Kerrang! review that sent it to #1 on their charts. With new drummer Don “Rocket” Stephenson and vocalist Tim Hall, Violation was invited by Shrapnel Records to appear on »US Metal Vol. 3«, recording a new version of »Gonna Get To You«. But soon after its release, Hall left, and Violation disbanded in 1983.
Courtesy of Purple Sage PR
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well