Bang (American band)

American rock band

Bang

Origin| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres|

* Hard rock
* heavy metal
* occult rock[1]

Years active| 1969 (1969)–present
Labels| Capitol
Members|

* Frank Ferrara
* Frank Gilcken
* Tony Diorio

Past members|

* Matt Calvarese
* Jake Leger
* Bruce Gary[2]

Website| bangmusic.com

Bang is an American rock band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,[3] active briefly in the early 1970s and again since 2014.

## History

[edit]

The group was formed by drummer Tony Diorio, bassist/singer Frank Ferrara, and guitarist Frank Gilcken and released three albums on Capitol Records, scoring one minor hit single with "Questions", which reached number 90 on the Billboard Hot 100.[4] They were strongly influenced by Black Sabbath,[5] and are considered forerunners to the doom metal genre.[6]

The group briefly reformed in the early 2000s and recorded two more albums.

In 2004, the concept album Death of a Country was released on CD and LP. This album was recorded in 1971 and was intended to be released as the band's first record, but was shelved by Capitol Records because they did not feel that putting out a "heavy concept album" as the band's debut would be commercially viable. Later that year, their self-titled sophomore record was released and became their official debut instead.

On January 6, 2014, Bang announced their reunion. Original drummer and lyricist Tony Diorio continues to contribute lyrics, while Matt Calvarese performed drums live.[7] In 2016 Bang toured Europe for the first time, including Roadburn Festival .[8]

On August 15, 2017, Bang released their autobiography entitled The BANG Story: From the Basement to the Bright Lights, written with Lawrence Knorr. The book was published by Sunbury Press.[9]

## Members

[edit]

* Frank Ferrara – vocals, bass
* Frank Gilcken – guitar, harmony vocals
* Tony Diorio – drums, lyrics[10]
* Matt Calvarese – drums (2013–2014)
* Jake Leger – drums (2014–2016)

## Discography

[edit]

### Albums

[edit]

* Death of a Country (recorded 1971, released 2004 on Rise Above Records)
* Bang (Capitol Records, 1972) U.S. #164[11]
* Mother/Bow to the King (Capitol, 1972)
* Music (Capitol, 1973)
* Return to Zero (1999)
* The Maze (2004)
* Another Me (2023)

### Charted singles

[edit]

* "Questions" (Bang, 1972) U.S. #90

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Pell, Nicholas (March 26, 2013). "Five '70s Metal Bands Who Are Better Than Black Sabbath". LA Weekly. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
2. ^ "Bruce Gary". Metal-archives.com. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
3. ^ "Bang | Biography, Albums, Streaming Links". AllMusic. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
4. ^ Singles, AllMusic
5. ^ "Black Sabbath | Biography, Albums, Streaming Links". AllMusic. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
6. ^ "Bang – Bullets 4xCD Box Set – The ultimate Bang Release! Pre-Order Now!". Archived from the original on October 29, 2012. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
7. ^ "U.S. '70s Proto-Metal Power Trio BANG Returns". Blabbermouth.net. January 6, 2014. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
8. ^ "U.S. '70s Proto-Metal Power Trio BANG To Tour Europe for The first time ever". www.keysandchords.com. January 22, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
9. ^ "New Book on Legendary Proto-Metal Power Trio BANG "The BANG Story: From the Basement to the Bright Lights"". Powerofmetal.dk. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
10. ^ Joel Whitburn, The Billboard Albums. 6th edition (2006), p. 72.
11. ^ Billboard, AllMusic

## External links

[edit]

* www.bangmusic.com – Official website
* AllMusic biography

Authority control databases: Artists |

* MusicBrainz

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