A 411 Underground Summer Series Interview in Partnership with FlashWounds.com: Marq Torien of Bulletboys
Bulletboys’ Marq Torien
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The Bulletboys proved they were back and ready to tear the house down with their massive release Elefante, which took the world by storm on June 9. This long awaited album showed that the Bulletboys are unstoppable thanks to their suggestive “rock candy”- hard style and incredible vocals courtesy of singer and founding member Marq Torien, whose powerful voice hits every note perfectly but then takes it that little extra bit further to create his trademark sound. Said Marq, who was also responsible for lead guitar duties, before the album was released, “Can’t wait for our fans to hear this album. I put my heart and soul into this music…[It] has sick peaks and valleys … it is NOT a linear album, [it’s] a straight out labor of love that I’ve dedicated to my amazing father, all of our families and our unfaltering Bulletboys fans and friends.”
Marq is not the only band member who gave his all to make Elefante the powerhouse it is: the rest of the guys ~ Nick Rozz (guitar), Chad MacDonald (bass) and Shawn Duncan (drums) all poured their blood, sweat, and tears into the group’s first album of original material since 2009.
Bulletboys
The Bulletboys are best known for their self-titled album released in 1988 on Warner Bros. Records and spawning two major hits: “Smooth Up In Ya” and a remake of the O’Jays’ “For The Love Of Money,” followed by their next album, 1991’s Freakshow, noted for a cover of Tom Waits’ “Hang On St. Christopher,” “THC Groove,” and more. Both albums were produced by Ted Templeman. Also in 1991, Bulletboys covered Montrose’s “Rock Candy” for the Wayne’s World soundtrack.
OK, it’s time…we’ve jogged your memory about Bulletboys (not that we needed to, Bulletboys are certainly on my “unforgettable” list…It’s been years and I still get chills when I listen to the opening vocals of “Smooth Up in Ya), given you an update on their new album Elefante, shared a quick (but characteristically passionate) quote from Marq, and, as you’ll see below, provided even more info on the album and the tour the guys are about to launch ~ but we promised you an interview with Marq, and that’s exactly what you’ll hear by clicking on the link following this paragraph. Talking with Marq was great ~ took us a little bit to “get” each other’s styles, but once we did, we had a blast ~ and that really comes across in the interview, so please listen and enjoy…and then come back and finish reading this article!
soundcloud.com/411-underground-radio/marq-torien-bulletboys-interview-6-9-15
Elefante was produced by Matt Thorne (Trapt/Disturbed) and Marq Torien and engineered by Ryan Greene (Alice Cooper/Lita Ford/Cheap Trick/Usher). The great Anthony Focx (Miley Cyrus/Aerosmith/Santana/Buckcherry) stepped up to master the album that’s already causing a major buzz, with tastemakers noting that the band has managed to preserve the best of their raunchy 80s style, ditch the rest, and somehow present that instantly identifiable sound, only all grown up. “Working with the Bulletboys was an amazing experience,” shared Greene. “Most singers from back in the 80s were pretty good but I will tell you Marq knocked it out of the park on this record. His power and passion was second to none and he can sing in tune! No auto-tune needed, he’s the real freakin’ deal. If you think for a second this is going to be some rehashed 80s record you are completely wrong!”
Photo courtesy of facebook.com/pages/BULLETBOYS/121246147910242
Elephante Track Listing:
- Rollover
- Tsunami
- Symphony
- The Villain
- Kin Folk
- Saving You From Me
- As Dumb As
- Superhuman Girl
- Drop Your Weapon
- Bitch Is Back
- Elefanté
The guys are headlining 3 month tour (see dates below), and to quote Marq, “Feel like I’m gonna jump out my skin … Can’t wait to take this on the road with the fellas!! All year!!! Hell yeah!!! Let’s do this!” And as any Bulletboys fan knows, Marq’s enthusiasm is contagious and translates into one killer performance after another, so catch the band live when they hit a stage near you and if you don’t already have the album, order it now here or via any of the usual reputable outlets!
Bulletboys Tour Schedule
July: Armed Alliance Tour w/ LA Guns’ Tracii Guns
& Killer Bee w/Paul Chapman of U.F.O.
7/06: Tucson, AZ – Club SX
7/08: Oklahoma City, OK – Thunder Alley
7/09: Dallas, TX – Gas Monkey Live
7/10: Houston, TX – Concert Pub North
7/11: Austin, TX – The Gatsby
7/12: San Antonio, TX – Boozehounds
7/13: Marrero, LA – Barataria Live
7/14: Memphis, TN – Rockhouse LIve
7/15: Jones Creek, GA – 37 Main7/17: Pittsburgh, PA – Rex Theater
7/18: Manchester, NH – Jewel Nightclub
7/19: Narragansett, RI – Wheel House
7/20: New York, NY – Eddie Trunk Show – LIVE
7/21: New York, NY – Gramercy Theater — EDDIE TRUNK TO HOST
7/22: Toronto, ON – Rock Pile East
7/23: Toledo, OH – Bar 145
7/24: Westland, MI – The Token Lounge
7/25: Bolingbrook, IL – Tailgaters
7/26: Fridley, MN – GB Leighton’s Pickle Park
7/29: Merriam, KS – Aftershock
7/30: Colorado Springs, CO – Peak 31
7/31: Las Vegas, NV – Vamp’d
August:
8/01: Mesa, AZ – Club Red
(End of first leg of the Armed Alliance Tour)
8/15: Irvine, CA – Cathouse Live Festival w/ Extreme, Sebastian Bach, Dokken, Cinderella’s Tom Kieffer and More
8/27: Melbourne, FL – 80s In The Park Festival
8/28: Tampa, FL – Brass Mug
Stephen Pearcy w/ Marq during their 5/23 show in Big Bear, CA
October:
10/03: Lake Elsinore, CA – Hair of The Dog Festival (at Storm Stadium) w/ Warrant, Dokken, Stephen Pearcy and More
10/16: Green Bay, WI – Phatheadz
10/18: Pekin, IL – Rock N Skull (at Goodfellas) w/ Faster Pussycat
And keep checking here as the band is constantly adding new dates in the North America and overseas!
Really a super-fan? Bulletboys VIP packages are available: you get special early access, a VIP laminate, a meet & greet, signed 8×10, a special “merch package” full of cool stuff, and you can bring 2 items to be signed! Note that show tickets are sold separately and must be purchased to activate the VIP package. Buy your VIP experience here!
Editor’s Note: Although we’re all singing their praises [again!] with the release of Elefante, Bulletboys deserve kudos for some other projects they’re involved in as well: they are huge supporters of Rock Against MS (an amazing organization, thanks to the tireless efforts of their friend and ours, Nancy B. Sayle), are champions of Dr. Doghouse Bully Crew Rescue, participate in USO meet and greets with the soldiers, and are involved in a bunch of other good causes including Ronnie James Dio’s Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund (photo right) …yet another example of hard rockers with heart, a combination we love!
Read the whole story on the 411 Underground Rock Is Alive Summer Series in collaboration with FlashWounds.com (and get the full upcoming show schedule) HERE, and to have weekly episodes delivered to right to your Inbox (seriously, does it get any more convenient that that?!), sign up at 411underground.com/contact.html.
