Shotgun Messiah

Shotgun Messiah were a glam metal band originally from Sweden; they crossed over to industrial rock music during the early 1990s.

Biography

First Era, 1985-1991

The band originally went under the name "Kingpin" while in Sweden, recording the album Welcome To Bop City; the line-up featured Zinny J. Zan (vocals), Tim Skold (going by "Tim Tim") (bass), Harry K. Cody (guitar) and Pekka "Stixx" Ollinen (drums). This would become the original line-up of Shotgun Messiah as the band changed their name and relocated to Hollywood, California. The album they released under the "Cools" name was re-recorded and released as Shotgun Messiah's self-titled debut album, Shotgun Messiah. The style of this album was glam metal typical of early 1980s American bands such as Mötley Crüe and Ratt.

Second Era, 1991-1993

Frontman Zinny J. Zan departed the band in 1990 leaving Tim Skold to take over vocal duties; Shotgun Messiah drafted in American bassist, Bobby Lycon, to fill Skold's former position. This would prove to be the band's most successful era.^{[citation needed]} In 1991, the band's follow up album Second Coming was released, spawning their most famous hit "Heartbreak Blvd". Stylistically, due to Skold's less conventional singing style, this era saw the band playing sleaze glam-styled hard rock, closer to Guns N' Roses and Faster Pussycat than their previous effort.

A punk rock influence is also notable during this period. The band released I Want More, an EP featuring cover versions of songs by the Ramones, The Stooges and the New York Dolls; they were also known to cover the Sex Pistols live.^{[citation needed]}

Third Era, 1993

1993 was the final year for the band; Harry K. Cody and Tim Skold were left as the only members of Shotgun Messiah and created what would be the last Shotgun Messiah album Violent New Breed. This album is significantly different from the previous efforts as it focused heavily on industrial rock stylings, bringing in live players for the "Violent New Breed" tour. Soon after the tour, the band split permanently citing artistic differences as the reason.

Post-Messiah

After Shotgun Messiah, Tim Skold's acitivies have been the most notable. Building on the industrial rock of the band's last album, Violent New Breed, he released a a solo album entitled Skold; this was followed by joining bands such as KMFDM, MDFMK and The Newlydeads. From 2002 to 2008, Skold joined the band Marilyn Manson creating two albums; he also replaced Twiggy Ramirez as the tour bassist and later became the tour guitarist. His latest release is a collaboration with KMFDM entitled Skold vs. KMFDM.

Zinny J. Zan has released a solo album and two albums with his new band "Zan Clan".

Lineups

Original

• Zinny J. Zan - Vocals
• Harry K. Cody - Guitar and backing vocals
• Tim Skold - Bass and backing vocals
• Stixx - Drums

Second Coming

• Tim Skold - Vocals
• Harry K. Cody - Guitar
• Bobby Lycon - Bass
• Stixx - Drums

Violent New Breed

• Tim Skold - Vocals and programming
• Harry K. Cody - Guitar and programming
• Ulf "Cybersank" Sandquist - Programming
• Bill Bruce - Live rhythm guitar
• Pat Guyton -Mikee Live bass
• B. J. - Live drums

Discography

External links

• Fanpage
• Interview with Lead Singer Tim Skold
• The Official Unofficial website for Tim Skold (former bassist/singer member)
• The Original Tim Skold: Sycophant Fansite Former Bassist Then Lead Singer For Kingpin/Shotgun Messiah