Watchtower Biography
Watchtower remains on the most over-the-top prog metal outfits of all-time. Their songs often came off as excuses to shred away and show off their member's instrumental prowess, and although the group remains quite obscure, they (along with Dream Theater) spawned countless musical offspring by the '90s -- Spock's Beard, Dali's Dilemma, Cairo, Ice Age, Royal Hunt, etc. The Texas-based band first came together in the early '80s, drawing inspiration from such established challenging rockers as Rush and Iron Maiden -- and featuring the lineup of frontman Jason McMaster, guitarist Ron Jarzombek, bassist Doug Keyser, and drummer Rick Colaluca. 1986 saw the release of the group's debut album, Energetic Disassembly, as Watchtower immediately built a cult following in Europe, where prog metal is widely worshipped.
Just before recording sessions were to begin for Watchtower's sophomore effort, McMaster left the group to join Guns N' Roses-disciples Dangerous Toys, and was replaced with former Hades vocalist Alan Tecchio in time for 1989's Control and Resistance (a demo of McMaster singing the Control songs became a hot item in fan trading circles). The band split shortly thereafter after Jarzombek came down with an ailment that affected his hands, as not much was heard from the group or its members until the late '90s, when McMaster rejoined the band for a huge metal festival in Germany, which led to further shows opening for Dream Theater and a planned third album in the works. In 2001, Watchtower issued a collection of unreleased demos on the Monster label to tide fans over until a proper third studio effort appears. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide
Popular Biographies:
Mandalay Biography: Ex-Thieves instrumentalist Saul Freeman aimed for his own dream-pop aesthetic when he placed an ad in the now defunct music weekly, Melody Maker. He had already worked with David McAlmont, but wanted...
Manowar Biography: Manowar was formed by ex-Dictators and Shakin' Street guitarist Ross the Boss. The original lineup included vocalist Eric Adams, bassist Joey DeMaio, and drummer Donnie Hamzik. The group's kitschy...
Scorn Biography: Closely allied with post-industrial dub terrorists such as Bill Laswell, Techno Animal, James Plotkin, Robert Musso, and Anton Fier, Birmingham-based artist Mick Harris is something of a study in...
Kula shaker Biography: By reviving the swirling, guitar-heavy sounds of late-'60s psychedelia and infusing it with George Harrison's Indian mysticism and spirituality, Kula Shaker became one of the most popular British...
Lil flip Biography: Amid the flourishing underground rap scene of Houston, Lil' Flip rose to quick and prosperous fame after his independently released Leprechaun album broke through to a national audience, prompting...
Molly hatchet Biography: Named after a legendary Southern prostitute who allegedly beheaded and mutilated her clients, Jacksonville's Molly Hatchet melded loud hard-rock boogie with guitar jam-oriented Southern rock. Formed...
Penguin cafe orchestra Biography: The Penguin Cafe Orchestra creates dreamlike music. It is beautiful, yet illogical, unpredictable, and often bizarre. Lush violins swirl between classical melodies and country hoedowns. Is that...
Sculpture Biography: A collaboration between J. Burger and Wolfgang Voigt. ~ Jason Birchmeier, All Music...