House of Lords

House of Lords is a hard rock band from Los Angeles and is the final incarnation of Giuffria, managed by Gene Simmons

History

Gene Simmons signed Giuffria to his record label Simmons Record. He changed the band's name to House of Lords and replaced the band's original vocalist^[1] David Glen Eisley with James Christian. Simmons liked the material presented to him by Gregg Giuffria, a demo for Giuffria's third record, however wasn't a fan of the voice. James Christian was suggested by Chuck Wright, the bassist as the two had worked together in L.A. Rocks.

House of Lords' eponymous debut was released in 1988, featuring a heavier sound than Giuffria with slightly less emphasis on keyboards, the debut received critical acclaim and the band toured with Cheap Trick and opened for Scorpions in 1989. The album featured one major hit, "I Wanna Be Loved" (Hot 100 #58). The Stan Bush penned "Love Don't Lie" was the second single but aside from some airplay on MTV it failed to ignite. Despite a successful tour, original guitarist Lanny Cordola left in 1990, replaced by Michael Guy.

Their next effort, 1990's Sahara, features Michael Guy and an impressive list of guest musicians. Other notable contributions to the album came from Doug Aldrich, Rick Nielsen, Chris Impellitteri, Mandy Meyer, David Glen Eisley, Robin Zander, Mike Tramp, Steve Plunkett and Ron Keel. The first single & video was the Blind Faith cover "Can't Find My Way Home" which did well on Album Rock radio peaking at #10.. The second single "Remember My Name" was a bigger hit at Top 40 radio hitting #72 on the Hot 100 and a Top 5 regular on DIAL MTV. Soon after the single peaked, Chuck Wright and Ken Mary (drummer) would leave.

1992's release Demons Down, described by Christian as his favorite release, features Dennis Chick (guitars), Sean McNabb (bass) and Tommy Aldridge (drums) as well as, sole original members, James Christian and Gregg Giuffria. The album spawned two singles for the title track and the ballad "What's forever for" which would have been massive in a pre-grunge climate. After recording demos to shop for a new label, the band parted ways.

From a business point of view, House of Lords never reached the same level of popularity that Giuffria did in the mid-eighties until Jeff Kent was called to pull the band out of its black hole at the Frontier Records, ready to drop the House of Lords after the bands disastrous ratings of "The Power And The Myth" CD. The sacking of original Giuffria vocalist David Glen Eisley by Gene Simmons was not the most clever decision, but accepted by Gregg Giuffria.

A new album was rumored to be released in 2002, with original members Lanny Cordola, Chuck Wright and Ken Mary. Two years later The Power And The Myth was released by Frontiers Records with lack luster ratings and songs, however Greg Giuffria had pulled out and keyboard work was done by guests Derek Sherinian, Allan Okuye, Sven Martin and Ricky Phillips.

McCarvill performing with the House Of Lords, Lorca Rock Festival 2006
Photo: Raúl Ranz

In 2006 House of Lords released a truly new album with most all the melodies and lyrics written by Jeff Kent (formerly of Pierce Arrow, Dreams, CBS songwriter, MTM Songwriter, and Producer of countless songs and projects, including songs on Robin Beck's "Trouble or Nothin" CD, including the 20th Anniversary newly released version, her "Living on a Dream" CD lyrics written almost exclusively with Jeff Kent) and World Upside Down with a new lineup including Jeff Kent as a “full band member” pictured in his barrette on the CD cover as well as all over the inside jacket of credits. Jeff Kent also played all the Keyboard parts in spite of what their fans were told about Gregg Giuffria, who backed out at the last minute, but was paid for the use of his name and credits to keep the band’s continuity with their fans.

Soon to follow was a live album HOL released Live in the UK which was released in January 2007. To the band’s great pleasure, Melodicrock.com also included two of Jeff Kent's co-compositions on the double 20th Anniversary CD, regularly released by MELODICROCK.COM, the greatest authority on Heavy Melodic Rock music in the world today.

2008 was marked with the release of the long awaited next new studio album, where Jeff Kent was again solicited to write “all the lyrics and melodies” with the exception of one song on this new amazing CD. Even the title came from Jeff Kent's Lyric on the song “Come to My Kingdom”, used as the title of the entire CD Come to My Kingdom, which was again followed by a limited European, US tour. However, unfortunately, due to poor business decisions, this barely supported and promoted new album rated at 97% on Melodicrock.com's website. Jeff Kent's work on the World Upside Down CD raised the bar on Melodicrock.com to being rated at 96% after the bands poor effort on "The Power And The Myth." Recently, the band was asked to play for the first time in Brazil, together with White Lion and Tyketto (both for the first time in Brazil as well), in the Hard in Rio II Hard Rock Festival.

In 2009, the band plans to resume limited touring and continue the infamous Come to My Kingdom tour of Europe, starting in September 2009.

Band members

Current members

• James Christian - lead vocals, guitar, keyboards (1987–1993, 2000–present)
• Jimi Bell - guitar (2005–present)
• Chris McCarvill - bass, backing vocals (2006-2008;2009–present)
• B.J. Zampa - drums, backing vocals (2005–present)

Former Members

• Jeff Kent - keyboards, background vocals and occasional synth bass parts enhancing the electric bass parts by Chirs McCarvil(2005–present)
• Gregg Giuffria - keyboards, backing vocals (1988–1993, 2006)
• Chuck Wright - bass, backing vocals (1988–1990, 2000–2005)
• Lanny Cordola - guitar, backing vocals (1988–1990, 2000–2005)
• Ken Mary - drums, backing vocals (1988–1990, 2000–2005)
• Michael Guy - guitar, backing vocals (1990–1991)
• Sean McNabb - bass, backing vocals (1991–1993)
• Tommy Aldridge - drums, backing vocals (1991–1993)
• Dennis Chick - guitar, backing vocals (1991–1993)
• Matt McKenna - bass, backing vocals (2008-2009–2008)

Discography

• House of Lords - 1988 (Simmons/RCA)
• Sahara - 1990 (Simmons/RCA)
• Demons Down - 1992 (PolyGram)
• The Power And The Myth - 2004 (Dead Line/Frontiers)
• World Upside Down - 2006 (Frontiers)
• Live in the UK - 2007 (Frontiers)
• Come to My Kingdom - 2008 (Blistering/Frontiers)
• Anthology - 2008 (Cleopatra)
• Cartesian Dreams - 2009 (Frontiers)

References

1. ^ Gene Simmons Takes a Spin as a Record Mogul, L.A. Times, 1988-07-12.
2. ^ House of Lords (The Billboard 200 chart) at Billboard, May 20, 1989.
3. ^ Sahara (The Billboard 200 chart) at Billboard, March 23, 1991.