Q5 is an American hard rock/heavy metal band from Seattle, Washington, who formed in 1983.[1] Their first studio album, titled Steel the Light, came out in 1984. Picking up some critical praise, the outfit toured with the likes of Lita Ford and Twisted Sister. However, the group faced internal divisions that ultimately ended the project before the 1980s came to a close. In 2014, Q5 re-formed to perform at the Sweden Rock Festival, and the band members involved found that the one-off event was not enough, deciding to continue on with the revamped version of the group.[2]
Q5 | |
|---|---|
 Q5 at Headbangers Open Air 2016 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Seattle, Washington, US |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1983–1989, 2014–present |
| Labels | |
| Website | Q5 on Facebook |
Biography
editQ5 started in 1983.[1] It functioned as a supergroup by mixing together members of two popular Seattle bands of the time. Frontman Jonathan K and guitarist Floyd D. Rose from "C.O.R.E." (or "The C.O.R.E.") joined up with guitarist Rick Pierce, bassist Evan Sheeley, and drummer Gary Thompson from "TKO".[1] Their first studio album, 1984's Steel the Light, earned praise from several critics.[2][3] Q5 signed on with Polygram for their 1985 sophomore release, When the Mirror Cracks, but the writing was already on the wall. Personal differences ripped the group apart not long after said release.[2]
They later regrouped as Nightshade and released another album called Dead of Night in 1991. After that the band went quiet for ten years. They made two more albums as Nighshade, Men of Iron in 2001, and Stand And Be True in 2008.
The band has featured a melodic hard rock sound incorporating heavy metal influences, with its songs being covered by the likes of Great White and Wolf. Ex-member Floyd Rose is also better known as the inventor of the guitar locking tremolo system.[1][2]
Members
edit
Current line-up
edit- Jonathan Scott K. – lead vocals
- Dennis Turner – guitar
- Blake Turner – guitar
- Chad Thomas – bass
- Jarratt VanDyke – drums
Founding members
edit- Jonathan Scott K. – lead vocals
- Floyd D. Rose – guitar
- Rick Pierce – guitar
- Gary Thompson – drums
- Evan Sheeley – bass/keyboard
Reunion tour line-up 2014–2019
edit- Jonathan Scott K. – lead vocals
- Rick Pierce – guitar
- Dennis Turner – guitar
- James Nelson – guitar
- Evan Sheeley – bass
- Jeffrey A. McCormack – drums
Discography
editAlbums
edit- 1984 – Steel the Light (Music For Nations)[4]
- 1985 – When the Mirror Cracks (Polygram)
- 2016 – New World Order (Frontiers Records)
Demos
edit- 1983 – Demo
- 1984 – Demo 1984
Singles
edit- 1985 – "Steel the Light"
- 1986 – "Living on the Borderline"
- 2016 – "The Right Way"
References
edit- ^ a b c d Colin Larkin, ed. (1995). The Guinness Who's Who of Heavy Metal (Second ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 283. ISBN 0-85112-656-1.
- ^ a b c d "Reformed Seattle Rockers Q5 Sign With FRONTIERS". Blabbermouth.net. August 6, 2015. Retrieved May 31, 2016.
- ^ "Q5 – Steel The Light (1984) | Album / EP Reviews". Metalforcesmagazine.com. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
- ^ MFN 39