SHARK ISLAND (BAND)

'Shark Island' was a rock band from Los Angeles that played during the 80s.
The band was officially started in 1979 by singer Richard Black and guitarist Spencer Sercombe, with the name ''Sharks''. Black and Sercombe had met in high school and were playing together for some time.
The band changed its line-up frequently during their first years, and released an independent album called ''Altar Ego'' in 1982. During these years the band turned into one of the hottest live bands from the L.A. scene.
Following in the tradition of Van Halen, Mötley Crüe and other LA bands, Shark Island was also the house band at the world famous Gazzaris on the 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 titled ''S'cool Buss'' the next year.
Despite being dubbed as one of the best rock bands of the scene, the band failed to get a record deal. Supposedly they were signed by A&M but dropped later, only to be picked by Epic. They were in fact signed to a development deal for one year with A&M and no promise of being picked up for a record deal, they were not dropped. During these times, the line-up continued to shift with drummer Walt Woodward leaving to join The Scream, and on-and-off guitarist K.K. Martin definitely parting ways with them due to "artistic differences".
Bassist Chris Heilmann and drummer Greg Ellis joined in 1989 to record and release the band's only official album titled ''Law of the Order''.
After that, the band just vanished from the scene, with most of its members joining other projects. Apparently there were some unreleased songs recorded sometime in the late 80s or early 90s, but nothing else was released.
In 1989 Shark Island's "Dangerous" and "Father Time" were both featured in the movie Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, and were released on the soundtrack album.

Contents

After the Break-up

Discography

See also

External links

After the Break-up

★ Richard Black went on to join failed supergroup Contraband in 1991, with Michael Schenker and Bobby Blotzer (Ratt), Share Pedersen (Vixen) and Tracii Guns (L.A. Guns). He later started a band called ''Black 13'' in the mid-90s but never released any album.

★ Greg Ellis left the band and played in Michael Monroe's band and in Jerusalem Slim with Michael Monroe and Steve Stevens. They released one self-tiled album in 1992.

★ Spencer Sercombe played in the band Riverdogs with Vivian Campbell (now with Def Leppard). They recorded a self-titled album in the mid-90s. Afterwards, he played in Bill Ward's band (ex-Black Sabbath) and recorded an album in 1997 called ''When the Bough Breaks''. He also played in a ZZ Top tribute band called "Fandango".

★ Chris Heilmann has previously been in Tormé and went on to play guitar with Chromosapien with Doni Castello from Burning Tree vocals,Dan Rothchild bass, formerly of TonicCraig McCloskeyGuitar, and LA session drummer Dan Potruch
In 2006 Shark Island released "Gathering of the Faithful"
13 songs of true Shark Island magic.
Richard Black (Vocals) , Spencer Sercombe (Guitar) and Chris Heilmann (Bass) were joined on by Glen Sobel (Drums).

Discography

★ Altar Ego - sharks (1982)

★ S'cool Buss (1986)

★ Bastille Day - Alive at The Whiskey (1989)

★ Law of the Order (1990)

★ Gathering Of The Faithful (2005)

See also

★ Contraband

External links

★ Bill Ward's page

★ Richard Black interview