| CD REVIEW Hardline |
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Band: Hardline Funny isn’t it, how in sóme cases vocalists will sound somewhat different depending on the band situation they’re put in, while most of the time a singer will dominate! Johnny Gioeli, whom we all know best as frontman of Axel Rudi Pell, is such a rare gifted man! Prior to joining Pell in the late ‘90s, Johnny and his younger brother (rhythm guitar) had created Hardline by joining forces with then current Bad English and former Journey guitarist Neal Schon on the strength of the latter being married to the brothers’ sister! Not the brothers’ debut by a long shot, as they’d started their first band Killerhit in 1980 under the asumed names of Johnny (official name Giovanni Giuseppe Baptista, born 1965) and Jo-Jo Law (Giuseppe Giovanni Antonio, born 1967), then respectively playing drums/vocals and guitar. With the addition of guitarist Christopher Paul and bassist Jay Scott King, the band hit the East Coast club circuit with enough success for them to buy their own lighting rig, truck and tour bus by 1987. The band re-located to Hollywood, and hooked up with Brett Michael (Poison) who put the boys in contact with their future manager. Johnny then made the switch to being a frontman, leaving his drum stool position to Derek Cava. The band then also switched name to Brunette. They got a small part in the movie Smash, Crash And Burn as a band called Smash Palace, and Dana Strum (of Vinnie Vincent’s Invasion and Slaughter repute) producing their first 5-track demo saw the band quickly becoming a hot act on the LA scene (even to the point of setting an all-time record of attendance at the Gazzari’s venue), but a record deal remained elusive! Originally, it was meant for Schon to simply produce a demo for the brothers, but around that time troubles were rising within Bad English, and he had so much fun with his brothers-in-law, that he decided to jump into the project. He also enticed Bad English drummer Deen Castranovo to join ‘em, and soon after the band was completed with the addition of bassist Todd Jensen (formerly of Sequel, Movie Star, American Man, Harlow, the man had also toured with David Lee Roth). The project’s star content ensured ‘em a deal with MCA, whom issued the Double Eclipse album in 1992. In April of that year the project band did three shows opening for Van Halen, and also did some shows with Mr. Big, but later that year both Jensen and Castronovo hooked up with former Free and Bad Company frontman Paul Rodgers for tour work. Schon had already left by then, first doing several projects before rejoining Journey (where Castronovo was also to return). Joey went on with some minor importance music making, but Johnny retired from music altogether, untill he was summoned by Pell to join him for the making of his 1998 album Oceans Of Time. Pushed by Frontiers mainman SerafinoPeruglio, the Gioeli brothers reformed Hardline in the year 2000 with a new line-up including lead guitarist Joey Tafolla, bassist Chris Maloney, and drummer Bob Rock. Comeback album II was eventually issued in 2002, featuring a guest appearance by guitarist Josh Ramos, whom was also present at the band’s appearance on the British Gods AOR festival, and where they got further empowerment by Angel keyboardist Michael T. Ross (a recording of that event resulting in the release of the 2003 live album Live At The Gods Festival 2002). During 2005, Johnny and Joey delved into their recording archives to make early Brunette and Hardline stuff available through their website on two separate releases entitled The Double Eclipse Demos & More, and Live In Auburn 1992 & Live In Philly 1992. Probably after getting a new push from Frontiers, the Gioeli brothers started working on new songs in 2006, but it’s with a renewed line-up in which Joey is missing that Hardline (still with Ramos and Ross, but now with bassist Jamie Brown and drummer Atma Anur) recorded its third album in late 2008. The resulting 11 tracks are a thing of beauty rarely paralleled. A mixture of Hard Rock and AOR with an overall balladesque feeling (because of the lyrical content) which finds its extremes in a “heavier” track like “Give In To This Love”, and the acoustic “In This Moment” on the other side (just some orchestrated keyboards and piano accompanying Johnny’s voice). When I last checked myspace.com/hardlinerocks, the only songs posted were two off the second album, and a song off the 2006 Accomplice album She’s On Fire (a southern Californian band founded by guitarist Sean Michael Clegg which signed a deal with Italian label Adrenaline Records for the release of their self-titled debut album), and none off the new album. However, as the album was leaked onto the Internet during March, the surfer with an inkling of knowledge of the illegal download system should have no trouble tracing that! Personally occupied in the positive promotion of bands and music, that is however something I wiill and cannot help you with! In conclusion, an heavenly album which withstands the test of being listened to repeatedly without getting the listener bored in any sense or way (I know, because I’ve had the promo copy played on a continuous loop for hours on end before even starting to sort out the info needed to start this review)! In spite of these praising words, the album fails to make my year-lists…but only just!!! 94/100 Tony. |