Tim Sköld: vocals/bass
Harri "Cody" Kemppainen: guitars

This band was formed in the early 80's under the name Shylock, changed members and also their name to Kingpin. "Welcome To Bop City" was first released under the Kingpin-banner, but in 1988 the band moved to the US. The album was reissued the year after by Relativity Records, under the name Shotgun Messiah. Before the release of "Second Coming", former singer Bo "Zinny San" Stagman was sacked/left and Tim switched from bass to vocals. New bassist was American Bobby Lycon. "I Want More" was just an interlude with some covers (Ramones, The Stooges and New York Dolls) and an alternate semi-acoustic version. Before the recording of "Violent New Breed", Stixx and Lycon left the band, so Tim and Harry made it a cyber-metal studio-project in the vein of Ministry and Nine Inch Nails. The band has now split. Tim is supposed to have gained a big fat major deal and continues in the same style as on "Violent New Breed". Harry also plays guitar on Stuart Hamm's album "Kings Of Sleep" and is currently working with former Saigon Kick vocalist Matt Kramer. The band's first singer, J.K. Knox, is now found in the highly interesting band Cosmic Zoo. Tim is said to have landed a solo deal.

LP:
SHOTGUN MESSIAH 1989 (Relativity (US) 88561-1012)
SECOND COMING 1991 (Big Bag Records (Sweden) 88561-1060)

CD's:
SHOTGUN MESSIAH 1989 (Relativity (US) 88561-1012-2)
SHOTGUN MESSIAH 1992 (Big Bag (Sweden) BBRCD 126)
SECOND COMING 1991 (Relativity (US) 88561-1060-2)
SECOND COMING 1991 (Roadrunner (Germany/Europe) RR 9239)
VIOLENT NEW BREED 1993 (Relativity (US) 88561-1164-2)
VIOLENT NEW BREED 1993 (Roadrunner (Germany/Europe) RR 9036-2)

MCD's:
I WANT MORE (Relativity (US) 88561-1151-2)
I WANT MORE (Roadrunner (Germany/Europe) RR 9103-2)

7"s:
SHOUT IT OUT/THE EXPLORER 1990 (Big Bag Records (Sweden) BBR 029)

From The Encyclopedia Of Swedish Hard Rock And Heavy Metal 1970 - 1996 by Janne Stark (Premium Publishing).
© 1996 Janne Stark.