Biography
The band formed in 1987 in
Los Angeles, California and were signed to
MCA Records that same year.
Psycho Café
(the band's debut album) was released in
1989 and, although
MTV gave considerable exposure to the single "Someone Like You," the album wasn't able to crossover to mainstream success.
Nevertheless, the group trekked on until
1995 when they split up. Bang Tango then reformed in 1996 only to disband again in 1998. In 1999, the band reformed to mount a national tour, Lesté and original bassist Kyle Kyle (born Kyle Keiderling) joining forces with former bay area
S.F. Altar Boys punk rock guitarist Mattie B. The tour was a success and a record was in the works but nothing was released. Lesté reformed the band yet again in
2002, albeit structured around a revolving door of lesser-known musicians. Many of those were also members of Lesté's more modern sounding
alt-metal outfit
Beautiful Creatures.
Lesté was reportedly briefly hired as singer for
L.A. Guns, but no albums were recorded with him. Lesté and
Tracii Guns played together on a cover of
Def Leppard's "Rock Brigade" on the Def Leppard tribute album
Leppardmania
and on a cover of
Guns N' Roses's "Mr. Brownstone" on the Guns N' Roses tribute album
A Rock Tribute To Guns N' Roses
.
Kyle Kyle was later in
The Newlydeads with
Taime Downe of
Faster Pussycat fame.
Mark Knight is currently fronting his new project "Gravy" along with Mark Tremalgia. Gravy released their debut album
Bones
in 2003.
Band members
- Joe Lesté (born Joe McElyea) - vocals
- Michael Thomas - guitar
- Ryan Seelbach - guitar
- Lance Eric - bass
- Timmy Russell - drums
Former members
(This is a partial list. It does not include all of the members that have toured with the band, especially during the late 80's.)
Lead vocals
Joe Lesté
Drums
- Tigg Ketler (born Robert Ketler)
- Rob Jones
- Walter Earl
- Robert Gibb
- Glenn Sobel
- Matt Starr (born Matt Franklin)
- Timmy Russell
Michael Licata
Guitars
- Pete Risi
- Kyle Stevens
- Mark Knight
- Mark Tremaglia
- Dan Aon
- Mattie B.
- Michael Thomas
- Anthony Focx (born Anthony Parcelli)
- Alex Grossi
- Mark Simpson
- Ray
Bass
- Kyle Kyle
- Brian Saunders
- Curtis Roach (born Chris Roach)
- Lance Eric
Discography
Studio albums
Date of Release
| Title
| Label
| US Billboard Peak
| US sales
|
1989
| Psycho Café
| MCA
| 58
|
|
1991
| Dancin' on Coals
| 113
|
|
1994
| Love After Death
| Music for Nations
| Did not chart
|
|
September 14, 2004
| Ready To Go
| Shrapnel
| Did not chart
|
|
May 9, 2006
| From the Hip
| Perris
| Not yet charted
|
|
Live and compilation albums
Date of Release
| Title
| Label
| US Billboard Peak
| US sales
|
1989
| Live Injection
(live)
| World of Hurt
| 95
|
|
1992
| Ain't No Jive...Live!
(live)
| MCA
| 33
|
|
November 10, 1998
| Live
(live)
| Cleopatra
| 96
|
|
May 25, 1999
| United & Live
(live)
| Import
| Did not chart
|
|
November 23, 1999
| Greatest Tricks
(compilation)
| Cleopatra
| Did not chart
|
|
August 24, 2004
| The Ultimate Bang Tango: Rockers and Thieves
(compilation)
| Lemon
| Did not chart
|
|