House of Lords is an American rock band based in Connecticut, with members in New Jersey and Florida.
History
House of Lords was formed in 1987 by former Angel member and keyboardist Gregg Giuffria following his solo project Giuffria. After listening to demos – originally intended for Giuffria's third record – a record deal with Gene Simmons' company Simmons Records was agreed upon, on two conditions: to change the band's name (to House of Lords) and to recruit a new lead singer (firing David Glen Eisley in the process). James Christian replaced Eisley. Christian was suggested by ex-Giuffria and Quiet Riot bassist Chuck Wright, after having worked together in L.A. Rocks.
House of Lords' eponymous debut was released in 1988, featuring a heavier sound than Giuffria’s and less prominent keyboards. The album received critical acclaim, and the band toured with Cheap Trick, Ozzy Osbourne and the Scorpions in 1989.
The album featured one minor hit, "I Wanna Be Loved" (Hot 100 No. 58). The Stan Bush penned "Love Don't Lie" was the second single but despite MTV airplay, failed to chart. After touring, original guitarist Lanny Cordola left in 1990, replaced by ex Shark Island's Michael Guy.
Their next effort was 1990s Sahara, and featured a list of guest musicians. Other notable contributions to the album came from Doug Aldrich, Rick Nielsen, Chris Impellitteri, Mandy Meyer, David Glen Eisley, Robin Zander, Mike Tramp, Steve Plunkett and Ron Keel. Deliberately more guitar-oriented than the debut, the album hit No. 120 on the charts and in the wake of the successful single "Can't Find My Way Home" (a Blind Faith cover). The single and video also did well on Album Rock radio peaking at No. 10. The second single "Remember My Name" was a bigger hit hitting No. 72 on the Hot 100 and a Top 5 regular on DIAL MTV. Soon after, bassist Chuck Wright and drummer Ken Mary left the band.
Promoting Sahara, House of Lords toured with Nelson, did a short tour with 38 Special, and a final show with Warrant and Tesla at the Universal Amphitheater in Hollywood. Christian cites this as one of his favorite shows with House of Lords.
For 1992's release Demons Down, House of Lords had left BMG. Christian says of Demon's Down: "This album turned out fabulous. We had a great budget and turned in a beautifully crafted album with great songs, no fillers. I was totally happy with the record and hoped we could really take this album right to the top of the charts." Alongside Christian and Giuffria, line-up changes for Demons Down consisted of a new drummer Tommy Aldridge, a new bass player in Sean McNabb (ex Quiet Riot), and a new guitar player in Dennis Chick (ex-V.V.S.I.). The album spawned two singles, the title track and the ballad "What's Forever For".
The arrival of Grunge would impact on the airplay and overall success of Demons Down. The band broke up in 1993 despite recording demos to shop for a new label. After the band broke up, guitarist Dennis Chick joined Freak of Nature, the band formed by Mike Tramp after the break-up of White Lion. Chick played on both of their studio albums, released in 1993 and 1994. James Christian recorded and released Rude Awakening, and spent a short time in the line-up of Manic Eden.
After legal delays over the rights to the band name, the group reformed in 2000, featuring an extended line-up of Christian, Giuffria, Cordola, Guy, Mary, and Wright, although Guy soon departed.
Two years later The Power and the Myth was finished but it was 2004 before it was released by Frontiers Records. The album marked the return of Chuck Wright, Lanny Cordola and Ken Mary, but is the first not to feature Giuffria, who had left the project with keyboard work done by guests Derek Sherinian, Allan Okuye, Sven Martin and Ricky Phillips. Directly after The Power and the Myth was released, Christian released his second solo CD, Meet The Man. House of Lords contacted Jeff Kent to take over the writing of lyrics and melodies due to the band's lowest scores since its inception. After Jeff Kent was finished, the band scored 96% on the 2006 CD World Upside Down with 10 of Kent's lyrical and melodic compositions, and 97% of the 2008 CD Come to My Kingdom with 13 of Kent's lyrical and melodic compositions.
After a further reunion in 2005 for the Firefest festival in the UK, House of Lords released a new album, World Upside Down, adding songwriter Jeff Kent/melody & lyric writer and keyboardist, guitarist Jimi Bell, bassist Chris McCarvill, and drummer B.J. Zampa. Kent also played all the keyboard parts on the 2005 Frontier Record release.
A live album Live in the UK was released in January 2007.