The Scream

Emerging in the wake of Los Angeles technical-metal stalwarts Racer X, the Scream began with vocalist and guitarist John Corabi, lead guitarist Bruce Bouillet, bassist John Alderete, and powerhouse drummer Scott Travis. Travis soon left to join Judas Priest and was succeeded by Walt Woodward III, locking in the group’s definitive roster. After settling on the Scream name—distinct from the unrelated Washington, D.C., act that once included Dave Grohl—the quartet jettisoned Racer X’s high-precision approach and forged an entirely separate identity. Blending the swagger of Cinderella with the gritty attitude of Aerosmith, the band drew from Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, and Humble Pie alike. Their first release, the Eddie Kramer-produced Let It Scream, arrived in 1991 and earned praise for its polished commercial hard-rock tracks “Man in the Moon,” “Outlaw,” and “Tell Me Why.” Backed by Hollywood Records, the Scream crisscrossed the United States and carved out modest recognition at home. Momentum stalled, however, once Mötley Crüe parted ways with Vince Neil; after considerable deliberation, John Corabi was recruited, only to find himself fronting the commercially disastrous 1994 self-titled Mötley Crüe album. With no viable replacement located, the Scream dissolved. Mötley Crüe’s subsequent tour drew sparse crowds in arenas before dropping to club stages—an unprecedented comedown for the multi-platinum act—while Elektra Records halted sessions for a follow-up album three-quarters of the way through; the remaining material surfaced later as Generation Swine with Neil reinstated. Corabi bore much of the blame for the band’s setbacks. The remaining Scream members briefly regrouped as the Stash with vocalist Billy Scott, yet the project quickly collapsed. Corabi later fronted Union alongside another veteran, ex-Kiss guitarist Bruce Kulick, and also handled rhythm-guitar duties for Ratt.