Biography
Australian hard rock outfit Kings of the Sun emerged from Sydney powered by aggressive riffs and a defiant stance. Flamboyant frontman Jeffrey Hoad and his sibling Clifford Hoad had been active in Young Lions when guitarist Bob Spencer departed for the Angels in 1986; once that group dissolved, the Hoad brothers launched Kings of the Sun and secured a deal with Mushroom Records. Their opening release, the double-sided single “Bottom of My Heart”/“Bad Love,” became the band’s strongest commercial success, climbing into the national Top 20.
Near the close of 1986 the group nearly split, yet RCA executive Simon Lowe offered a contract after witnessing a hometown performance. During 1987 the quartet toured the United States, then entered the studio with producer-engineer Eddie Kramer (Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones) to record their first album. Guitarist Ron Thiessen had already exited, leaving Jeffrey Hoad to handle guitar parts on the self-titled debut issued in October 1988; shortly afterward Glen Morris joined on guitar. That album yielded the July single “Serpentine”/“Wild Cat” and the October follow-up “Black Leather”/“Bad Love.”
The band crossed the U.S. in support of Joe Satriani, moved on to Europe opening for Kiss, and returned home late in 1988. A support slot for touring Guns N’ Roses at the Sydney Entertainment Centre ended badly after lead singer Jeffrey Hoad removed his trousers onstage and publicly disparaged the headliners; the resulting feud with Axl Rose caused Australian audiences to reject the group. Overseas dates continued, however, and after Morris briefly joined the Screaming Tribesmen in mid-1989, Kings of the Sun delivered their second album, Full Frontal Attack, in August 1990. The singles “Drop the Gun”/“Haunt You Baby” and “I Get Lonely” preceded another American trek backing Lita Ford.
Early 1991 brought an Australian run with the Screaming Jets, yet Morris and Ragg exited the following year. American bassist Brad Spurr completed the trio for the third album Resurrection, released in May 1993; its singles “Trapped Inside Your Heart” (April) and “Road to Nowhere” (July) accompanied a tour supporting Jimmy Barnes. In 1995 American Phil Soussan replaced Spurr on the single “Bombs Away,” and in May 1998 the band opened for Sammy Hagar across Australia.
Near the close of 1986 the group nearly split, yet RCA executive Simon Lowe offered a contract after witnessing a hometown performance. During 1987 the quartet toured the United States, then entered the studio with producer-engineer Eddie Kramer (Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones) to record their first album. Guitarist Ron Thiessen had already exited, leaving Jeffrey Hoad to handle guitar parts on the self-titled debut issued in October 1988; shortly afterward Glen Morris joined on guitar. That album yielded the July single “Serpentine”/“Wild Cat” and the October follow-up “Black Leather”/“Bad Love.”
The band crossed the U.S. in support of Joe Satriani, moved on to Europe opening for Kiss, and returned home late in 1988. A support slot for touring Guns N’ Roses at the Sydney Entertainment Centre ended badly after lead singer Jeffrey Hoad removed his trousers onstage and publicly disparaged the headliners; the resulting feud with Axl Rose caused Australian audiences to reject the group. Overseas dates continued, however, and after Morris briefly joined the Screaming Tribesmen in mid-1989, Kings of the Sun delivered their second album, Full Frontal Attack, in August 1990. The singles “Drop the Gun”/“Haunt You Baby” and “I Get Lonely” preceded another American trek backing Lita Ford.
Early 1991 brought an Australian run with the Screaming Jets, yet Morris and Ragg exited the following year. American bassist Brad Spurr completed the trio for the third album Resurrection, released in May 1993; its singles “Trapped Inside Your Heart” (April) and “Road to Nowhere” (July) accompanied a tour supporting Jimmy Barnes. In 1995 American Phil Soussan replaced Spurr on the single “Bombs Away,” and in May 1998 the band opened for Sammy Hagar across Australia.
Albums