Badlands | History of the Band
A Journey Through Badlands: Talent, Tragedy, and Legacy
Formation and Early Years
Badlands emerged in 1988, conceived by former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Jake E. Lee following his departure from Osbourne's band. Lee sought a charismatic frontman, leading him to Ray Gillen, a vocalist with a brief tenure in Black Sabbath. The lineup solidified with bassist Greg Chaisson, whom Lee knew from auditions for Osbourne's band, and Eric Singer, Gillen's former bandmate from Black Sabbath, on drums. Their collective experience and skill crafted a foundation for dynamic live performances.
Joe Peters suggested this artist for a future Dig Me Out podcast episode. Each month, our Patrons are presented with a selection of albums suggested by listeners and asked to vote for their favorite. The album with the most votes is given another minute in the spotlight. Vote and share your thoughts.
Musical Style and Evolution
The band's style was rooted in hard rock, heavy metal, and hair metal, drawing comparisons to the energy and bluesy undertones of bands like AC/DC. Despite their short-lived career, Badlands carved a niche within the crowded late '80s hair band scene with their exceptional talent and Lee's guitar prowess.
Discography
"Badlands" (1989)
The debut album, released under Atlantic Records, featured the original lineup, including Eric Singer on drums. It received positive reviews, with singles "Dreams in the Dark" and "Winter's Call" gaining significant MTV airplay. The album reached No. 57 on the Billboard charts, establishing Badlands as a formidable presence in the rock scene. This period highlighted the band's potential, with a successful tour opening for acts like Great White and Tesla.
"Voodoo Highway" (1991)
After the debut album's tour, Eric Singer departed from Badlands to join Paul Stanley's solo project and later became a member of KISS. Singer's exit was a pivotal moment for Badlands, leading to the recruitment of Jeff Martin, previously the vocalist for Racer X and a bandmate of Greg Chaisson in other bands. Martin took over the drumming duties, significantly shifting the band's lineup and sound.
With Jeff Martin on drums, Badlands released their second album, "Voodoo Highway." The album showcased the band's evolving sound but faced commercial challenges. Despite internal disagreements and the changing musical landscape, "Voodoo Highway" further solidified Badlands' place in rock history. The album's release was shadowed by Gillen's health issues, which began to affect the band's dynamics and future.
"Dusk" (1998)
Released posthumously, "Dusk" featured demos intended for a third album that never materialized, marking the end of Badlands' journey. Recorded before the band's breakup and Gillen's death, this collection of demos, featuring Martin on drums, offers a glimpse into what could have been for Badlands. Despite not being officially recorded or released during the band's active years, "Dusk" is a testament to their enduring talent and the complex legacy they left behind.
Influence and Legacy
Despite their brief existence, the individual members' talents left a lasting impact. Lee's guitar work and Gillen's vocals are celebrated, marking Badlands as a significant, though fleeting, chapter in rock history.
Gillen's health began to decline around 1990, a situation compounded by internal conflicts within the band and management. His battle with AIDS was primarily kept private, affecting the band's dynamics and their relationship with the label. Gillen passed away from AIDS-related complications in 1993, a loss that significantly impacted the band and its legacy.
The availability of Badlands' music on streaming platforms is hindered by complex legal and financial implications, possibly influenced by Gillen's health issues and the ensuing controversies. Speculation suggests that internal dynamics, management decisions, and the potential for negative publicity might contribute to the band's limited presence in the digital music market. Additionally, Jake E. Lee's apparent disinterest in financial exploitation of the band's work may also play a role in the scarcity of Badlands' discography on streaming services.
Badlands' journey through the late '80s and early '90s was marked by exceptional talent, tragic personal struggles, and complex legacy issues. Their music, encapsulating the spirit of an era transitioning from glam to grittier sounds, remains an important but underexplored contribution to the rock genre. The band's story, particularly Gillen's personal battles and the subsequent impact on their music's availability, offers a poignant reflection on the challenges artists face beyond the public eye.
Sources
Wikipedia
AllMusic
Classic Rock History
Blabbermouth.net
The Rock Tone
Metal Guitarist Forums
This is my kind of guitar driven band. Will have to listen to all the tracks...Just gave the debut album a quick listen and enjoyed the tracks so far. Look forward to getting into your newsletter deeply.
How did I manage to miss this (especially since I'm the one who got the nod for referring this band)
Where to begin with Badlands. They are a bit of a crossover band...or a bridge...from the overblown theatrics and glam of the 80s into a return to music and style rooted more in songwriting and substance over hairspray and spandex. I may be biased in my opinion because over the years I've gotten to know all the members of the band (yes including Jake E.Lee and Ray Gillen RIP). This album came out and I knew from the raw heaviness of the first notes in High Wire that they were digging into something new (and old). In my opinion they don't have a bad track across their entire catalog. The debut has a bit of the late 80s production style (Big gated reverb on the drums etc) and still a hint of the 80s metal vocal stylings (mainly because Ray had a hell of a range) but this band was drawing more from Free, Zeppelin, Cactus, early Jeff Beck Group and other 70s rock monsters that the members cut their teeth on. The whole band have stated many times they wanted to get back to their roots (so to speak) with this band and I think they more than succeeded. Tracks like "Winters Call" "Seasons" off the debut have much more in common with the aforementioned groups than they do with any of their 80s contemporaries. I was fortunate enough to see Badlands 3 times during their short career and I can say without a doubt they were one of the most amazing live straight ahead no frills rock bands I've ever seen. They tore the roof off with each show. Their second record "Voodoo Highway" was an even more raw stripped down chunk of high octane blues infused Rock than the debut. Gone are the triggered explosive snare sounds and really any of the "shiny" hints of late 80s "Hair Band" fatigue. The songs are tight and loose at the same time...the playing is off the charts (Jake E. Lee is in my opinion the best guitarist of this era) and he shows his chops all over their albums but he manages to make his technical prowess very apparent while still serving the strong songs. Ray Gillens voice is like a cross between Robert Plant/Paul Rodgers and Steve Marriott) and lyrically he dives deep into blues concepts and personal stories....over the drugs, cars and girls that more or less drove the knife into the other late 80s early 90s bands. On their posthumous release "Dusk" (originally recorded as a one take set of demo sessions ....Jake and Greg from the band both confirmed all but 1 or 2 of the songs were cut live in 1 or 2 takes) is essentially Badlands live and at their best.
Had this band come out in the 70s rather than the late 80s I think they would have been massive (and rightly so)...their songs are straight ahead Rock/Blues with a hint of funk and a tip of the hat to country bluegrass thrown in. Sadly though...they didn't come out in the 70s they helped usher in the 90s and I think they were part of the end of the Glossy 80s bands. So the albums didn't sell as the label hoped and they were quickly dropped or swept aside while the labels ran as fast as they could to Seattle to capitalize on the burgeoning "Grunge" scene.....and Badlands became a footnote (albeit a powerful foot note).
Over the years....Ive watched Badlands archive almost cult status...online this band is revered as being one of the best and a total "What if?" band. A band that should have been Huge....but they fell between the crack and unfortunately were too "rough" for most 80s fans and not "politically minded" or "self reflective" as most of the bands of the early 90s.
They were quite literally a band out of time.
I love all 3 albums....in fact they are 3 if my absolute favorites. As I said I got to know all the members (excerpt Eric Singer who quit after the first album) and they are/were all great guys.
If you want no BS rock and roll that will give you that same punch that the best Zeppelin/Sabbath/Bad Company gives you...treat yourself to all 3 Badlands albums.
Side note. To put to rest the ugly rumour about Ray Gillen. Yes Ray sadly passed away due to HIV complications in 1993....however....it has never been proven that Ray knowingly infected anyone with the HIV virus (and trust me they have tried). He did try and conceal his illness from the label etc because of the stigma surrounding HIV and because he was trying to make money for his family because he knew his days were numbered. The stories of "The Victims of Ray Gillen" has been told and retold in true internet fashion and as someone who knew him briefly and knew people close to him....There has never been one shred of proof that linked Ray to anyone contracting HIV due to his poor behavior....and as I mentioned...many have tried to seek damages and all accusations have been found to be baseless.
The bands first 2 albums are not streaming due to a massive falling out with the record label...NOT because the label feels it would be in poor taste to support an artist who didn't exexcise good judgement while having a serious contagious illness. In fact...IF Ray had actual "Victims" the label would try to push those albums immensely to try and make as much money as they could in order to compensate these "victims" of Ray Gillen. Fact is.....the internet loves to spread rumors and sadly those rumors gain far too much traction.
So....go seek out the Badlands catalog and be ready for some straight down the middle no nonsense Hard Rock music played by one of the best bands you've never heard of.
Cheers.