This Swedish act began life as Kingpin, with Harry K. Cody (guitar), Tim Skold (bass) and Stixx Galore (drums) joined by ex-Easy Action vocalist Zinny J. San, releasing "Welcome To Bop City" in 1988. A subsequent relocation to Los Angeles, USA, saw a name change for both band and (remixed) album.
"Shotgun Messiah" was set apart from other glam albums by the quality of musicianship, Cody evoking Steve Vai and Joe Satriani with his fluid soloing.

San departed after touring was complete, with Skold taking the vocalist slot while Bobby Lycon joined as bassist for "Second Coming", which offered promising songwriting progression and gruff, powerful vocals from Skold. However, the band failed to expand beyond their cult status despite enthusiastic press support, and both Lycon and Stixx left after "I Want More", an EP of covers (Ramones, New York Dolls, Iggy Pop) and acoustic reworkings of older material.

Cody and Skold (now bassist/vocalist) took the bold step of industrializing Shotgun Messiah, using drum machines, synthesizers and samples on "Violent New Breed", and creating a new sound by blending commercial songwriting with abrasive transformation was viewed with cynicism in some quarters. However, this effort still could not enhance Shotgun Messiah's fortunes, and Cody and Skold called it a day soon after.

ALBUMS:
Shotgun Messiah (Relativity 1989)
Second Coming (Relativity 1991)
I Want More (Relativity 1992, mini-album)
Violent New Breed (Relativity 1993)

From The Guinness Who's Who Of Of Heavy Metal (Second Edition).
© 1995 Guinness Publishing, Ltd and Square One Books, Ltd.