Shark Island (band)
Encyclopedia
Shark Island was an American hard rock
band from Los Angeles
that played during the 1980s.
guitars. The band practiced out of a small home in a commercial area in Arcadia
on Santa Clara Street. The walls of the studio were lined with empty Mickey's Big Mouth bottles (the official Shark beer) and the inspiration behind the bands original logo. The band also recruited drummer Dave Bishop and bass guitarist Jim Volpicelli.
The original band of Czerny, Sercombe, Volpicelli and Bishop released an independent album called Altar Ego in 1982. This album was produced by Jerry Tolman, and featured organist Muke Finnegan. Both had done work with Stephen Stills
. Executive producer was Jeff Willmitt. It was recorded at That Studio in North Hollywood.
As well as Altar Ego, Sharks released three singles. The first was a unique "triple fin" shaped 45, that when inserted into the jacket, cut through the ocean image on the cover. Side A was "Kid Sister", and side B was "Your Car or Mine". Both were recored at Mystic Studios in Hollywood. "Hey" was a live single recorded on May 10, 1981, at The Ice House in Pasadena
, Shark's home town, and on the flip side was Mark Bolan's "Bang a Gong (Get It On)
". Executive producer was Jeff Willmitt for both 45's. The artwork of "Hey" featured a black 45 rpm sleeve with LIVE SHARKS across the top in bold red letters with three USDA stamps saying, "Guaranteed Live" on the top of the stamp and "Packed in Its Own Juice" on the bottom of the stamp. In the middle of the stamp it said "u.s.d.a. SHARK MEAT choice" looking like an actual stamp from the U.S.D.A. The other single was "I'm Electric" which featured a drum machine rather than Bishop playing the drums. On the backside of that single is "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
" and a Judas Priest
song, "Heading Out to the Highway
". No artwork was created for this second single and it was given out to the fans when Sharks headlined.
During these years, the band became of the most popular bands from the L.A. rock scene. American Heroes/Mondo Cane was an act that either opened for Sharks or had Sharks opening for them. There were numerous occasions when both bands played in the same venues such as The Whiskey
, The Icehouse, The Roxy or The Troubadour. It was at that time that Lanny Cordola
,American Heroes/Mondo Cane's guitarist and songwriter, began noticing the unique and riveting stage persona of Shark's vocalist, Richard Black. Lanny entertained the idea of Black being the frontman for American Heroes/Mondo Cane but both bands continued to perform separately. Richard Black's signature stage moves and dancing were influential to Axl Rose
's stage moves which gave him the stage presence and persona to front Guns N' Roses
.
Dave Bishop was the drummer of Sharks during the height of their popularity in Hollywood. Bishop used various shapes of cowbell-like instruments in his drumming. His drum kit had a shark's jaws permanently fastened to the outer drum head of his bass drum facing the crowd.
Jim Volcipelli was Shark's bass guitarist. One of Volcipelli's bass guitars was custom-designed and had an air-brushed shark's head and teeth painted at the end near the volume/tone knobs. Much like Michael Anthony of Van Halen
, Volcipelli's vocals were strong and melodic bringing a very different sound to Hollywood's rock scene. Many bands, at that time, only had the vocals of the lead singer as opposed to having background vocals too.
In the tradition of Van Halen, Mötley Crüe
and other Los Angeles bands, Shark Island was the house band at the world-famous Gazzari's on Sunset Strip
. Bill Gazzari even helped produce their first single, a cover of the Frank Sinatra
song "New York, New York".
In 1985, they changed their name to Shark Island and released another independent album, S'cool Buss, the next year. This line-up now included Richard Black on lead vocals, Spencer "Burner" Sercombe on guitar/vocals, Walt Woodward III on drums/vocals, Tom Rucci on bass/vocals/keyboards and Michael Guy on guitar/bass. Rick Derringer
produced this album and there were 1,200 copies made (200 in a red cover and 1,000 in a turquoise color). "Palace of Pleasure" was the unofficial single of this album and ex-Shark bass guitarist, Jim Volpicelli and ex-drummer, Dave Bishop helped to write four of its 9 songs.
Sharks Island were able to get a record development deal. They were signed by A&M Records
to a development deal for one year with no promise of being picked up for a record contract. During this time, the line-up continued to shift with drummer Walt Woodward III
leaving to join The Scream
and on-and-off guitarist K.K. Martin parting ways due to "artistic differences".
Bass guitarist Chris Heilmann and drummer Greg Ellis
joined in 1989 to record and release the band's only official album, at that time, entitled, Law of the Order. The single of that album, "Paris Calling" had an elaborate music video
. Sharks/Shark Island had been known in Los Angeles nightclubs for having a raw, rough and hard-edged sound while being melodic and having memorable songs as well. Much like Van Halen
's first album, it was believed that Shark Island's first album would be something very close to what they were live. Rick Derringer
was the producer for Shark Island for the second time on that album on Epic Records
and it is speculated that he was not familiar enough with Sharks/Shark Island's high-energy and bombastic live performances, therefore not being able to fully capture Shark Island as they truly performed live.
With the disappointing sales of the album, the band vanished from the scene with most of its members joining other projects. In 1989, Shark Island's songs, "Dangerous" and "Father Time" were both featured in the movie Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure
and were released on the soundtrack album as well.
In 2006, Shark Island released Gathering Of The Faithful, produced by Spencer Sercombe with additional production from German Villacorta and Richard Black. This line-up featured Richard Black on vocals, Spencer Sercombe on guitars, piano, synthesizer and vocals, Christian Heilmann on bass and new drummer, Glen Sobel.
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
band from Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
that played during the 1980s.
History
Shark Island was started in 1979 by singer Richard Black, whose name then was Rick Czerny, and lead guitarist Spencer Sercombe, under the name of 'Sharks'. Czerny and Sercombe met in high school and played music together. Sercombe, played and worked for B.C. RichB.C. Rich
B.C. Rich is a manufacturer of guitars and bass guitars founded by the late Bernardo Chavez Rico in 1969. Currently, most B.C. Rich guitars are manufactured in Asia, but luthiers of the company's custom shop continue to hand-make instruments. The Hanser Music Group, based in Kentucky, operates B.C....
guitars. The band practiced out of a small home in a commercial area in Arcadia
Arcadia, California
Arcadia is an affluent city in Los Angeles County, California, United States, and located approximately northeast of downtown Los Angeles in the San Gabriel Valley and at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains....
on Santa Clara Street. The walls of the studio were lined with empty Mickey's Big Mouth bottles (the official Shark beer) and the inspiration behind the bands original logo. The band also recruited drummer Dave Bishop and bass guitarist Jim Volpicelli.
The original band of Czerny, Sercombe, Volpicelli and Bishop released an independent album called Altar Ego in 1982. This album was produced by Jerry Tolman, and featured organist Muke Finnegan. Both had done work with Stephen Stills
Stephen Stills
Stephen Arthur Stills is an American guitarist and singer/songwriter best known for his work with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills & Nash . He has performed on a professional level in several other bands as well as maintaining a solo career at the same time...
. Executive producer was Jeff Willmitt. It was recorded at That Studio in North Hollywood.
As well as Altar Ego, Sharks released three singles. The first was a unique "triple fin" shaped 45, that when inserted into the jacket, cut through the ocean image on the cover. Side A was "Kid Sister", and side B was "Your Car or Mine". Both were recored at Mystic Studios in Hollywood. "Hey" was a live single recorded on May 10, 1981, at The Ice House in Pasadena
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
, Shark's home town, and on the flip side was Mark Bolan's "Bang a Gong (Get It On)
Get It On (T. Rex song)
"Get It On" was covered by the Power Station in 1985. Their version – titled "Get It On " – was released as their second single from their debut album. The track was a hit in both the UK, reaching number 22 on the UK Singles Chart, and the U.S., where the song peaked at number nine on the...
". Executive producer was Jeff Willmitt for both 45's. The artwork of "Hey" featured a black 45 rpm sleeve with LIVE SHARKS across the top in bold red letters with three USDA stamps saying, "Guaranteed Live" on the top of the stamp and "Packed in Its Own Juice" on the bottom of the stamp. In the middle of the stamp it said "u.s.d.a. SHARK MEAT choice" looking like an actual stamp from the U.S.D.A. The other single was "I'm Electric" which featured a drum machine rather than Bishop playing the drums. On the backside of that single is "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
"Santa Claus is Coming to Town" is a Christmas song. It was written by John Frederick Coots and Haven Gillespie, and was first sung on Eddie Cantor's radio show in November 1934....
" and a Judas Priest
Judas Priest
Judas Priest are an English heavy metal band from Birmingham, England, formed in 1969. The current line-up consists of lead vocalist Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis. The band has gone through several drummers over the years,...
song, "Heading Out to the Highway
Heading Out to the Highway
"Heading Out to the Highway" is a song by British heavy metal band Judas Priest from their 1981 album, Point of Entry, released as a single later that year...
". No artwork was created for this second single and it was given out to the fans when Sharks headlined.
During these years, the band became of the most popular bands from the L.A. rock scene. American Heroes/Mondo Cane was an act that either opened for Sharks or had Sharks opening for them. There were numerous occasions when both bands played in the same venues such as The Whiskey
Whisky a Go Go
The Whisky a Go Go is a nightclub in West Hollywood, California, United States. It is located at 8901 Sunset Boulevard, on the Sunset Strip.-History:...
, The Icehouse, The Roxy or The Troubadour. It was at that time that Lanny Cordola
Lanny Cordola
Lanny Cordola is an American guitarist, songwriter and producer. He has been a member of bands such as Giuffria, House Of Lords, and Magdallan ....
,American Heroes/Mondo Cane's guitarist and songwriter, began noticing the unique and riveting stage persona of Shark's vocalist, Richard Black. Lanny entertained the idea of Black being the frontman for American Heroes/Mondo Cane but both bands continued to perform separately. Richard Black's signature stage moves and dancing were influential to Axl Rose
Axl Rose
W. Axl Rose is an American singer-songwriter and musician. He is the lead vocalist and only remaining original member of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he enjoyed great success and recognition in the late 1980s and early 1990s, before disappearing from the public eye for several years...
's stage moves which gave him the stage presence and persona to front Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band, formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in 1985. The band has released six studio albums, three EPs, and one live album...
.
Dave Bishop was the drummer of Sharks during the height of their popularity in Hollywood. Bishop used various shapes of cowbell-like instruments in his drumming. His drum kit had a shark's jaws permanently fastened to the outer drum head of his bass drum facing the crowd.
Jim Volcipelli was Shark's bass guitarist. One of Volcipelli's bass guitars was custom-designed and had an air-brushed shark's head and teeth painted at the end near the volume/tone knobs. Much like Michael Anthony of Van Halen
Van Halen
Van Halen is an American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. The band has enjoyed success since the release of its debut album, Van Halen, . As of 2007 Van Halen has sold 80 million albums worldwide and has had the most #1 hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart...
, Volcipelli's vocals were strong and melodic bringing a very different sound to Hollywood's rock scene. Many bands, at that time, only had the vocals of the lead singer as opposed to having background vocals too.
In the tradition of Van Halen, Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1981. The group was founded by bass guitarist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, who were later joined by lead guitarist Mick Mars and lead singer Vince Neil...
and other Los Angeles bands, Shark Island was the house band at the world-famous Gazzari's on Sunset Strip
Sunset Strip
The Sunset Strip is the name given to the mile-and-a-half stretch of Sunset Boulevard that passes through West Hollywood, California. It extends from West Hollywood's eastern border with Hollywood at Harper Avenue, to its western border with Beverly Hills at Sierra Drive...
. Bill Gazzari even helped produce their first single, a cover of the Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
song "New York, New York".
In 1985, they changed their name to Shark Island and released another independent album, S'cool Buss, the next year. This line-up now included Richard Black on lead vocals, Spencer "Burner" Sercombe on guitar/vocals, Walt Woodward III on drums/vocals, Tom Rucci on bass/vocals/keyboards and Michael Guy on guitar/bass. Rick Derringer
Rick Derringer
Rick Derringer is an American guitarist, vocalist, and entertainer.-1960s:When he was seventeen years old, his band The McCoys recorded "Hang on Sloopy" in the summer of 1965, which became the number one song in America before "Yesterday" by The Beatles knocked it out of the top spot. The song was...
produced this album and there were 1,200 copies made (200 in a red cover and 1,000 in a turquoise color). "Palace of Pleasure" was the unofficial single of this album and ex-Shark bass guitarist, Jim Volpicelli and ex-drummer, Dave Bishop helped to write four of its 9 songs.
Sharks Island were able to get a record development deal. They were signed by A&M Records
A&M Records
A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
to a development deal for one year with no promise of being picked up for a record contract. During this time, the line-up continued to shift with drummer Walt Woodward III
Walt Woodward III
Walt Woodward III was an American rock drummer who played in several bands, including Shark Island and Saints Or Sinners/The Scream....
leaving to join The Scream
The Scream (band)
The Scream was a Los Angeles-based hard rock band formed in 1989 as Saints Or Sinners. The band originally featured former Angora singer John Corabi and former Racer X members guitarist Bruce Bouillet, bassist Juan Alderete, and drummer Scott Travis. However, Scott Travis quickly left to join Judas...
and on-and-off guitarist K.K. Martin parting ways due to "artistic differences".
Bass guitarist Chris Heilmann and drummer Greg Ellis
Greg Ellis (musician)
Greg Ellis is a California-born drummer and percussionist, who is currently a member of World/Psytrance/Tribal band Juno Reactor and the ambient group Biomusique....
joined in 1989 to record and release the band's only official album, at that time, entitled, Law of the Order. The single of that album, "Paris Calling" had an elaborate music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
. Sharks/Shark Island had been known in Los Angeles nightclubs for having a raw, rough and hard-edged sound while being melodic and having memorable songs as well. Much like Van Halen
Van Halen
Van Halen is an American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. The band has enjoyed success since the release of its debut album, Van Halen, . As of 2007 Van Halen has sold 80 million albums worldwide and has had the most #1 hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart...
's first album, it was believed that Shark Island's first album would be something very close to what they were live. Rick Derringer
Rick Derringer
Rick Derringer is an American guitarist, vocalist, and entertainer.-1960s:When he was seventeen years old, his band The McCoys recorded "Hang on Sloopy" in the summer of 1965, which became the number one song in America before "Yesterday" by The Beatles knocked it out of the top spot. The song was...
was the producer for Shark Island for the second time on that album on Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
and it is speculated that he was not familiar enough with Sharks/Shark Island's high-energy and bombastic live performances, therefore not being able to fully capture Shark Island as they truly performed live.
With the disappointing sales of the album, the band vanished from the scene with most of its members joining other projects. In 1989, Shark Island's songs, "Dangerous" and "Father Time" were both featured in the movie Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure
Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure
Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure is a 1989 American science fiction–comedy buddy film and the first film in the Bill & Ted franchise in which two metalhead slackers travel through time to assemble a menagerie of historical figures for their high school history presentation.The film was written by...
and were released on the soundtrack album as well.
After the Break-up
- Richard Black went on to join failed supergroupSupergroup (music)In the late 1960s, the term supergroup was coined to describe "a rock music group whose performers are already famous from having performed individually or in other groups"....
ContrabandContraband (band)Contraband was a short-lived supergroup/side project that included members of several famous rock bands from the 1980s, such as The Michael Schenker Group, Ratt, Vixen, Shark Island and L.A. Guns....
in 1991, with Michael SchenkerMichael SchenkerMichael Schenker is a German rock guitarist, best known for his tenure in UFO, in addition to his solo band. He first rose to fame as a founding member of the Scorpions, then achieved fame in the mid 1970s as the lead guitar player for UFO. Since leaving UFO in 1978, he has been leading the...
and Bobby BlotzerBobby BlotzerRobert John Blotzer, better known as Bobby Blotzer and nicknamed "Blotz" , is a drummer most famous for playing drums for glam metal band Ratt...
(RattRattRatt is an American heavy metal band that had significant commercial success in the 1980s. The band is best known for songs such as "Round and Round," "Wanted Man," "Lay It Down," "You're in Love", "Slip of the Lip", "Back For More", "Dance", "Body Talk", "I Want a Woman", and "Way Cool Jr." Ratt...
), Share PedersenShare PedersenSharon "Share" Pedersen is a former bass player of the female hard rock band, Vixen....
(VixenVixenA vixen is a female fox.Vixen may also refer to:-In the military:*HMS Vixen, various British Royal Navy ships*USS Vixen, various ships in the US Navy*Vickers Vixen, a biplane produced in small numbers in the 1920s...
) and Tracii GunsTracii GunsTracii Guns is an American guitarist best known as the founder of glam metal group L.A. Guns as well as the supergroups Brides of Destruction and Contraband. He was also involved in the formation of the first lineup of Guns N' Roses but eventually left the group and was replaced by guitarist...
(L.A. GunsL.A. GunsL.A. Guns is the name of a hard rock group formed in Los Angeles, California, of which two rival incarnations currently exist due to numerous line-up changes. The first incarnation of the group was formed, by Tracii Guns, in 1983 but disbanded in 1985 following its merger with fellow Los Angeles...
). Black later started a band called Black 13 in the mid-1990s but never released any albums.
- Greg EllisGreg Ellis (musician)Greg Ellis is a California-born drummer and percussionist, who is currently a member of World/Psytrance/Tribal band Juno Reactor and the ambient group Biomusique....
left the band and played in Michael MonroeMichael MonroeMatti Antero Kristian Fagerholm , best known by his stage name, Michael Monroe, is a Finnish rock musician, and multi-instrumentalist who rose to fame as the vocalist for the glam punk band Hanoi Rocks, and has served as the frontman for all-star side projects, such as Demolition 23...
's band and in Jerusalem Slim with Michael MonroeMichael MonroeMatti Antero Kristian Fagerholm , best known by his stage name, Michael Monroe, is a Finnish rock musician, and multi-instrumentalist who rose to fame as the vocalist for the glam punk band Hanoi Rocks, and has served as the frontman for all-star side projects, such as Demolition 23...
and Steve StevensSteve StevensSteve Stevens is an American guitarist and songwriter.He is best known for playing for other artists and less known for his critically acclaimed solo efforts , collaborations Steve Stevens (born as Steven Schneider on May 5, 1959, in Brooklyn, New York) is an American guitarist and songwriter.He...
. They released one self-tiled album in 1992.
- Spencer Sercombe played in the band RiverdogsRiverdogs- Band members :The band has featured singer Rob Lamothe, several guitarists, bass guitarists and drummers at different times.Past and present Riverdogs musicians include:Guitarists: Vivian Campbell, Nick Brophy...
with Vivian CampbellVivian CampbellVivian Patrick Campbell is a Northern Irish rock guitarist who is a member of Def Leppard and was, from May 2010 to November 2011, a member of Thin Lizzy. Prior to joining Def Leppard in April 1992, he had been a member of Whitesnake, Sweet Savage, Trinity, Riverdogs, and Shadow King...
(now with Def LeppardDef LeppardDef Leppard are an English rock band formed in 1977 in Sheffield as part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement. Since 1992, the band have consisted of Joe Elliott , Rick Savage , Rick Allen , Phil Collen , and Vivian Campbell...
). They recorded a self-titled album in the mid-1990s. Afterwards, he played in Bill Ward's band (ex-Black SabbathBlack SabbathBlack Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
) and recorded an album in 1997 called When the Bough Breaks. He played in a ZZ TopZZ TopZZ Top is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "That Little Ol' Band from Texas". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based boogie rock, has come to incorporate elements of arena, southern, and boogie rock. The band, from Houston Texas, formed in 1969...
tribute band called "Fandango".
- Chris Heilmann has previously been in TorméTorméTormé were a band featuring Irish guitarist Bernie Tormé, whom the band was named after. Tormé's singer was Phil Lewis, who had previously been in the bands Girl and New Torpedos, and who is now in the version of L.A. Guns featuring drummer Steve Riley...
and went on to play guitar with Chromosapien with Doni Castello from Burning TreeBurning TreeBurning Tree was an American hard rock/blues rock power trio from Los Angeles, California. The band performed from the late 1980s to 1990.The band was started in 1987, by the guitarist Marc Ford and drummer Doni Gray, and were soon joined by bassist Mark 'Muddy' Dutton to complete the three piece,...
vocals, Dan Rothchild bass, formerly of TonicTonic (band)Tonic is an American rock band that has earned two Grammy nominations to date. The band was formed in 1993 by Emerson Hart and Jeff Russo. Later members have included Dan Lavery, Kevin Shepard, and Dan Rothchild. Signed to a recording contract in 1995, the band released its debut album Lemon Parade...
, Craig McCloskey Guitar, and LA session drummer Dan Potruch
In 2006, Shark Island released Gathering Of The Faithful, produced by Spencer Sercombe with additional production from German Villacorta and Richard Black. This line-up featured Richard Black on vocals, Spencer Sercombe on guitars, piano, synthesizer and vocals, Christian Heilmann on bass and new drummer, Glen Sobel.
Band Members
- Richard Black - Lead vocals
- Spencer "Burner" Sercombe - Lead guitar, backing vocals
- Jim Volpicelli - Bass guitar, backing vocals
- Dave Bishop - Drums
- Walt Woodward IIIWalt Woodward IIIWalt Woodward III was an American rock drummer who played in several bands, including Shark Island and Saints Or Sinners/The Scream....
- Drums - Tom Rucci - Bass guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
- Michael Guy - Guitar, bass guitar
- Chris Heilmann - Bass guitar
- Greg EllisGreg Ellis (musician)Greg Ellis is a California-born drummer and percussionist, who is currently a member of World/Psytrance/Tribal band Juno Reactor and the ambient group Biomusique....
- Drums
As Shark Island
- S'cool Buss (1987)
- Bastille Day - Alive At The Whiskey (1989)
- Law of the Order (1988)
- Gathering of the Faithful (2006)