Bang Tango: Difference between revisions

| name = Bang Tango

| image = Bang Tango 2017.jpg

| caption = Bang Tango performing in 2017

| image_size image_upright = 1.25

| origin = [[Los Angeles,= California|Los Angeles]], [[California]], [[United States]]U.S.

| genre = {{hlist|[[Hard rock]], |[[funk rock]], |[[glam metal]]}}

| years_active = 1988–1995, 1996–1999, 2003–present2002–present

| label = World of Hurt (1989)<br />[[MCA Records|MCA]] (1989–1993)<br />[[Music for Nations]] (1993–1995)<br />[[Shrapnel Records|Shrapnel]] (2003–2005)<br />Perris (2005–2010)

| associated_acts = {{flatlist|

| website = {{URL|bangtango.net}}

| current_members = Joe Lesté<br />MarkKyle KnightKyle<br />Kyle[[Rowan KyleRobertson]]<br />KyleJason StevensWalker<br />TiggJeff KetlerTortora

'''Bang Tango''' is an American [[hard rock]] band. The band was formed in 1988 in [[Los Angeles, California]]in 1988 and was signed to [[MCA Records]] the same year.

== History ==

Initially the band was founded by guitarist Mark Knight and bassist Kyle Kyle in 1988.<ref name="LarkinHR">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=1999|edition=First|isbn=0-7535-0257-7|page=49}}</ref> Knight wanted a second guitarist and recruited Kyle Stevens. At the suggestion of [[Rough Cutt]]'s [[Amir Derakh]], vocalist Joe Leste'Lesté joined the band as its frontman which led to LesteLesté's childhood friend, Tigg Ketler, completing the five piece line up as Bang Tango's drummer.<ref name="LarkinHR" />

The band then began to play shows and gained a following on the [[Sunset Strip]] scene in [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]], packing all the popular clubs and venues at the time, which led to a bidding war with many major labels. Bang Tango were then signed to [[MCA Records]].<ref name="LarkinHR" />

=== ''Psycho Café'' (1989-19901989–1990) ===

Their first release — the ''Live Injection'' EP — came out in early 1989, in advance of their [[Howard Benson]]-produced debut album, ''[[Psycho Café]]'',<ref name="LarkinHR" /> which reached number 58 on the [[Billboard 200|Billboard]] top 200 chart. The music video for the single "Someone Like You" was a popular staple on early 1990s [[MTV]] programming such as ''[[Dial MTV]]'' and ''[[Headbangers Ball]]''.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} A video was also made for the single "Breaking Up a Heart of Stone". The band toured extensively during this period with [[Cheap Trick]], [[L.A. Guns]], [[Ratt]], and [[BulletBoys]].

=== ''Dancin' Onon Coals'' (1991-19921991–1992) ===

Their second album, the [[John Jansen (record producer)|John Jansen]]-produced ''[[Dancin' on Coals]]'' (1991), failed to match the success of their debut.<ref name="LarkinHR" /> A music video was shot for the single "Untied and True" and the album peaked on the Billboard Top 200 at number 113. The band then released a second live EP, ''[[Ain't No Jive...Live!]]'' in 1992.

=== ''Love After Death'' (1993-19951993–1995) ===

In 1993, after ''[[Dancin' Onon Coals]]'' proved to be not the success [[MCA Records|MCA]] had hoped for, the band's label still honored Bang Tango's record contract with a third LP. Hoping to recapture the success of their first album, the band decided to re-team with ''Psycho Cafe'Café'' producer Howard Benson for ''Love After Death''. The album ended up being shelved by MCA, due to the label feeling a return would not be possible with how much was already invested monetarily for the recording.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}} After recording was complete, guitarist Kyle Stevens made the decision to leave the band. The album saw a release in the UK and Japan through the [[Music for Nations|Music For Nations]] label.<ref name="LarkinHR" /> Though to this day the band still perform songs from this album during their live set, ''Love After Death'' has yet to see a release in the U.S.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bang-tango-mn0000146478|title=Bang Tango {{!}} Biography, Albums, Streaming Links {{!}} AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=March 3, 2018-03-03}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Citation|last=Drew Fortier|title=Attack of Life: The Bang Tango Movie (2015)|date=2015-10-October 29, 2015|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8vX4qUuy9I|access-date=March 3, 2018-03-03}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/280620/bang-tango/biography|title=Bang Tango|website=Billboard.com|access-date=March 8, 2018-03-08}}</ref>

=== Break upBreakup (1996-20021996–2002) ===

Frontman Joe Leste'Lesté and bassist Kyle Kyle then reformed the band in 1996 with a revolving door of musicians.

In 1997, Leste'Lesté and Kyle Kyle formed the [[alternative rock]] band Eating Crow as a side project. Though no recordings were ever officially released and only a handful of shows were played, the song ''So Abused'' was featured in the [[Wes Craven]] film [[Wishmaster (film)|Wishmaster]] but not released on its soundtrack. With the band being a side project of then current members of Bang Tango, ''So Abused'' was featured heavily in Bang Tango's live set list in the late 1990s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sleazeroxx.com/eating-crow-song-so-abused-from-bang-tango-documentary-released/|title=Eating Crow song "So Abused" from Bang Tango documentary released – Sleaze Roxx|website=sleazeroxx.com|date=January 25, 2016|language=en-CA|access-date=2018-03-March 19, 2018}}</ref>

The Joe Leste'Lesté and Kyle Kyle version of the band continued to tour under the Bang Tango name until dissipating 1999.<ref name=":0" />

Frontman Joe Leste'Lesté went on to sign a record deal with [[Warner Bros.]] and form the hard rock band [[Beautiful Creatures (band)|Beautiful Creatures]] in 2001.

=== Reformation (2003-20182002–present) ===

In 20032002, Joe Leste'Lesté once again reformed the band, this time as its sole original member, and released the ''Ready to Go'' album.

One reunion show with all original members of Bang Tango occurred in 2006. The whole show can be viewed on YouTube but is mislabeled as being from 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|publisher=[[YouTube]]|title=Bang Tango Live 2015 Original Line up|date=2015-04-April 26, 2015|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdRtmiyUFIU|access-date=March 3, 2018-03-03}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}}</ref>

In 2010, the original line-uplineup minus frontman Joe Leste'Lesté reformed with a different vocalist and performed two shows as Bang Tango Redux.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/former-bang-tango-members-reunite-join-forces-with-new-singer|title=Former BANG TANGO Members Reunite, Join Forces With New Singer|date=2010-05-May 24, 2010|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=2018-03-March 15, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2014, Bang Tango recruited former [[Dio (band)|Dio]] guitarist [[Rowan Robertson]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/former-dio-guitarist-rowan-robertson-joins-bang-tango/|title=Former DIO Guitarist ROWAN ROBERTSON Joins BANG TANGO|date=July 17, 2014-07-17|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=March 3, 2018-03-03|language=en-US}}</ref>

Shortly after completing and screening [[Attack of Life: The Bang Tango Movie]], director [[Drew Fortier]] went on to join Bang Tango as their second guitarist in 2015.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://bravewords.com/news/bang-tango-moviemaker-joins-band-as-second-guitarist|title=BANG TANGO Moviemaker Joins Band As Second Guitarist|website=Bravewords.com|access-date=March 3, 2018-03-03|language=en-US}}</ref>

Bang Tango has reportedly been working on a new album.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/bang-tango-working-on-new-material/|title=Bang Tango Working On New Material|date=November 10, 2012-11-10|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=May 26, 2016-05-26}}</ref>

=== Reunion with original lineup (2019-present2021) ===

In November 2019, it was announced that the original Bang Tango line up consisting of Joe Leste, Mark Knight, Kyle Kyle, Kyle Stevens, and Tigg Ketler would be reuniting to tour in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/bang-tangos-original-lineup-to-reunite-for-select-shows-in-2020/|title=BANG TANGO's Original Lineup To Reunite For Select Shows In 2020|date=November 14, 2019-11-14|website=Blabbermouth.net|access-date=November 15, 2019-11-15}}</ref>

Original Bang Tango guitarist Mark Knight went on to form Mark Knight & the Unsung Heroes which features appearances from former Bang Tango bandmates Tigg Ketler and Kyle Stevens.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://bravewords.com/news/original-bang-tango-guitarist-mark-knight-the-unsung-heroes-announce-new-album-dont-kill-the-cat|title=Original BANG TANGO Guitarist MARK KNIGHT & THE UNSUNG HEROES Announce New Album, Don’tDon't Kill The Cat|website=Bravewords.com|access-date=June 1, 2018-06-01|language=en-US}}</ref>

Original Bang Tango bassist Kyle Kyle went on to form Mona Lisa Overdrive.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.last.fm/music/Mona+Lisa+Overdrive/+wiki|title=Mona Lisa Overdrive biography |website=Last.fm|language=en|access-date=June 1, 2018-06-01}}</ref>

== ''Attack of Life: The Bang Tango Movie'' ==

In June 2011, the band had met [[Drew Fortier]], for whom they offered to shoot a studio documentary while they recorded their then new record ''Pistol Whipped in the Bible Belt''. This project was then expanded upon, once Fortier had been put in contact with previous members of the band, as well as its founding members. Over the course of four years Fortier turned the project into a feature-length documentary titled [[Attack of Life: The Bang Tango Movie]]. The film features interviews with all original members of the band as well as most of the players who have performed in the band since its inception.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.legendaryrockinterviews.com/2015/05/28/movie-review-attack-of-life-the-bang-tango-movie-a-drew-fortier-film-2/|title=Movie Review -– Attack Of Life -– The Bang Tango Movie -– A Drew Fortier Film {{!}} Legendary Rock Interviews|date=2015-05-May 28, 2015|work=Legendary Rock Interviews|access-date=2018-05-May 24, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>

The film had very positive reviews from various music websites and publications with the general feeling being that despite its low budget, the film still manages to get its point across in an unbiased, artistic, and engaging manner while being able to appeal to not only fans of the band or genre, but to anyone not familiar with Bang Tango.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.iconvsicon.com/2016/03/07/attack-of-life-drew-fortier-on-bringing-the-bang-tango-movie-to-life/|title=ATTACK OF LIFE: Drew Fortier On Bringing The Bang Tango Movie To Life!|date=March 7, 2016-03-07|work=Icon vs. Icon|access-date=2018-05-May 24, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>

The film has never been given an official release, aside from Fortier himself releasing it on YouTube for free, which he stated was because of song clearing issues regarding Bang Tango's music back cataloguecatalog with UMG.

== Accolades and legacy ==

Bang Tango's ''Psycho Cafe''' landed at No. 37 for [[Rolling Stone|Rolling Stone]]'s]] ''50 Greatest Hair Metal Albums of All Time'' list.<ref>{{Cite webmagazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/50-greatest-hair-metal-albums-of-all-time-20151013/bang-tango-psycho-cafe-1989-20151012|title=50 Greatest Hair Metal Albums of All Time|websitemagazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=2018-02-February 26, 2018}}</ref>

Bang Tango were placed at No. 36 for [[VH1|VH1]]'s]] ''The Hair Metal 100'', a list ranking the top 100 [[hair metal]] bands of the 1980s.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.vh1.com/news/208944/the-hair-metal-100-part-4|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926003159/http://www.vh1.com/news/208944/the-hair-metal-100-part-4/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 26, 2015|title=The Hair Metal 100: Ranking the ’80s'80s Greatest Glam Bands, Part 4|work=VH1 News|access-date=2018-03-March 14, 2018}}</ref>

''Someone Like You'' was featured at number 9 in [[LA Weekly]]'s ''The 10 Greatest One-Hit Wonders of the Hair Metal'' Era list.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.laweekly.com/music/greatest-hair-metal-one-hit-wonders-8816772|title=The 10 Greatest One-Hit Wonders of the Hair Metal Era|last=Wake|first=Matt|date=November 7, 2017-11-07|work=L.A. Weekly|access-date=2018-05-May 22, 2018}}</ref>

[[Slipknot (band)|Slipknot]] and [[Stone Sour]] frontman [[Corey Taylor]] listed Bang Tango's ''Someone Like You'' as a part of his ''Ultimate 80s Rock Mixtape'' list featured on [[Teamrock]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://teamrock.com/feature/2016-05-07/corey-taylor-s-ultimate-80s-rock-mixtape|title=Corey Taylor's Ultimate 80s Rock Mixtape|work=Team Rock|access-date=2018-05-May 22, 2018|language=en}}</ref>

LA Weekly named the former line up of Bang Tango as number 4 on their ''10 Best Hair Metal Shows of 2017'' list for their performance at ''Backyard Bash at the Rainbow'' which also featured [[Enuff Z'Nuff]], [[Dokken]], and [[Bow Wow Wow]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.laweekly.com/music/10-of-the-best-hair-metal-shows-of-2017-8986161|title=10 of the Best Hair Metal Shows of 2017|last=Callwood|first=Brett|date=2017-12-December 29, 2017|work=L.A. Weekly|access-date=2018-05-May 22, 2018}}</ref>

== Members ==

=== Current ===

* Joe Lesté – [[Singing|lead vocals]] (1988-19951988–1995; 1996-19991996–1999; 20032002-present)

* Kyle Kyle – [[bass guitar]] (1988-19951988–1995; 1996-19991996–1999; 2019–present)

* KyleJason StevensWalker – [[guitar]] (1988-1993; 2019–present2022–present)

=== Former ===

==== Drums ====

* Rob Jones (1996-19971996–1997)

* Michael Licata (1997-19981997–1998)

* Trent Anderson (2009-20132009–2013)

* Timmy Russell (2004-20092004–2009; 2013–2019)

==== Guitar ====

* Mark Knight (1988-19951988–1995; 2019-20202019–2021)

* Mark Tremalgia (1993-19991993–1999)

* Dan Aon (1996-19971996–1997)

* Mattie B (1998-19991998–1999)

* Anthony Focx (2003-20042003–2004; 2008-20092008–2009; 2009–2010)

* Michael Thomas (2003; 2005; 2007-20082007–2008)

* Ryan Seelbach (2007-20082007–2008)

* Mark Simpson (2005-20072005–2007)

* [[Alex Grossi]] (2003-20052003–2005; 2008-20102008–2010)

* Scott LaFlamme (2010-20142010–2014)

* Steve Favela (2018-20192018–2019)

==== Bass guitar ====

* Curtis Roach (born Chris Roach) (2003-20052003–2005)

* Lance Eric (2005-20192006–2019)

== Discography ==

=== Studio albums ===

!US Billboard Peak peak

|''[[Dancin' Onon Coals]]''

|''Pistol Whipped in the Bible Belt''

=== Live and compilation albums ===

!US Billboard Peakpeak

|''Rock Andand Roll Est. 1988'' (compilation)

=== Singles ===

| "Attack Ofof Life"

| "Breaking Up Aa Heart Ofof Stone"

| "Dancing Onon Coals"

| "Soul Toto Soul"

| "Untied Andand True"

== See also ==

== References ==

== External links ==

{{Commons category|Bang Tango}}

[[Category:American glamGlam metal musical groups from California]]