In the Rock and Metal world, few line up numbers have had the impact that the trio has. Yes, quartets and quintets are much more common, but an efficient trio can prove that you don’t need more than three members to have the density of a full orchestra. An excellent trio always seems to be a band that sticks out. There’s good reason for that. Here are the council of 9 trios.
9. The Winery Dogs
The new kids on the block. Well, kind of. The band is a supergroup that actually lives up to the name ‘supergroup’, a rarity indeed. The group is comprised of three true prodigies: Mike Portnoy – Drums (Dream Theater/Avenged Sevenfold), Billy Sheehan – Bass (Racer X, David Lee Roth, Mr. Big, Steve Vai) and the incomparable Richie Kotzen – Guitars/Lead Vocals (Solo, Poison, Mr. Big). To those that know of these players, it should seem obvious. After all it was to famed heavy metal DJ Eddie Trunk who suggested that the trio get together. The band formed in their veteran years, just three years ago. At first it was going to be a single album endeavor. But their debut gained much more momentum then expected, even getting Richie Kotzen back into the mainstream a bit. The tour was a success and a follow up album came with the amazing ‘Hot Streak’. This album completely exceeded not only my expectations, but those of the entire hard rock and metal world. The song’s were perfect, as perfect as the members playing. However, this album had much more to offer than just ballads and ‘technical’ hard rock exercises. The melodies are deep and fluent. The songs are meaningful and full of feeling. All while rocking your socks off. They even manage to mix their technicality with melody in the same songs as opposed to having two types of songs dedicated to each craft. It’s a perfect album that does this trio justice and proves they should be around for a while.
8. Venom
For those who get thrown off by sound of KISS after seeing their image will certainly be more satisfied the band Venom. While they didn’t fair face paint like their less intimidating sounding brethren from the other side of the pond. Venom came out the late 70’s in England while the British New Wave of heavy metal was just beginning to flourish. These guys were anything but however. They traded in the neoclassical sounds of the new wave of heavy metal with a much more violent and deeply deeply satanic image. Like, to the point that they actually might believe what they’re doing on stage (although they claim they’re just entertainers. Their biggest contribution to the heavy metal industry is their second album entitled ‘Black Metal’. This album would go on to be the blueprint of the the sub-genre Black Metal. They grew and grew until line up changes started to ensue. Soon fans couldn’t keep up with the revolving door of members and they started to jump ship. That’s the risk of a Trio. Line up changes effect the groups popularity and image much more profoundly. Venom finally reunited in 1996 and have been steady ever since.
Nirvana
The Kurt Cobain led Nirvana was the most successful band of the 90’s. Hailing from Seattle they get put into the grunge scene. They represented the punk side of the genre, while bands like Soundgarden and Alice in Chains represented the metal side. In all honestly, these punk oriented Seattle bands weren’t particularly talented. What they did do well was use the tools they had to their full potential. Nirvana may not have created the most technical music ever, but they seemed to be a genuine band giving it their all. The audience bought it, and in 1991 they exploded with their sophomore effort ‘Nevermind’. The success was staggering and Nirvana were charged. That is until Cobain shot himself with a very revealing suicide note. It turns out Cobain had become the one thing he hated, started abusing heroin and eventually went crazy. The death of Cobain has martyred Nirvana in a way that no other band had been. Sales of ‘Nevermind’ are reaching the 20 million mark and lets be honest, there are much better albums that represent the Seattle scene than ‘Nevermind’. However, the cards were dealt how they were and Nirvana remains one of the most influential bands of all time.
Zebra
Combining the progressive technicalities of Rush and the soul of Led Zeppelin. Along with pop sensibilities, Zebra remains one of the most overlooked bands of the past 30 years. Actually, their fall into the mainstream abyss is rather puzzling. In 1983, the bands debut was the fastest selling debut in Atlantic records history. The future looked paved and bright for the trio out of New Orleans consisting of: Randy Jackson – Guitars/lead vocals, Guy Gelso – Drums, Felix Hanemann – Bass/keyboards. Unfortunately something dropped off. Maybe the follow up album, 1984’s ‘No Tellin’ Lies’, was a little rushed and lacked the consistent quality of the first album. The record and tour bombed and Randy Jackson went down the addiction road. That road was short lived for the guitar player who’s skill must have been acquired only by being left alone on a space station for 10 years. Jackson got the crew back together for what is arguably their finest hour, 1986’s 3.V. This album should have put them back on the map. Jacksons innovative song ideas flourish, he even scats at times. Who the fuck scats…convincingly, on a hard rock album? However, it wasn’t very well promoted. The tour did alright. The band recorded a live album for contract purposes. The group died a silent death until 2003 when they reunited for a tour and 2004’s excellent album, ‘IV’. Zebra are still active off an on. I highly recommend you check them out.
5. Cream
Perhaps the creators of the power trio and the supergroup, Cream emerged out of the first British invasion consisting of: Jack Bruce – Bass/Vocals (Graham Bond Organization), Ginger Baker – Drums (Graham Bond Organization), and Eric Clapton – Guitars/Vocals (The Yardbirds, John Mayall and the Blues Breakers). While the band itself is not particularly a part of the first British invasion, clearly it’s members were. The band did debut in 1966 so it’s easy why some people categorize them as British invasion. However, their sound was more likened to psychedelic blues jamming. Their second album ‘Disraeli Gears’ was a smash state side and over seas. The album would give legendary song writing that stands to this day. ‘Sunshine of Your Love’ would go on to become their fan signature. Their radio signature however, would be reserved for their next and final album. 1968’s ‘Wheels of Fire’ contained the lead track and smash hit ‘White Room’. The band had morphed into a full fledged psychedelic hard rock act. Unfortunately John Mayall and Ginger Baker fucking hate each other with such a passion as to actually ruin each others instruments in tantrum on stage, middle of performance. So, obviously two and half years and three albums seemed to be enough of a run for the power trio.
4. Prong
I know I know. “How could you possibly put Prong ahead of Cream!!!???” Well, it’s simple, I like them more. Prong are truly a band that learned as they went. Formed in 1985 in New York City. Prong consisted of three staff members of CBGB: Tommy Victor – Guitars/Lead Vocals (Sound Engineer), Mike Kirkland – Bass (Door Security) and Ted Parsons – Drums (Formerly of the Swans). The band initially started out as a group that really didn’t seem to have any direction. They just kind of made noise and it was evident Tommy and Mike were amateurs to the performance side of metal. However, after five years of hard work and two independent albums, Prong had formed into an incredibly efficient thrash metal outfit. Not only that but they became the blueprint for all of 90’s heavy metal. 1990’s ‘Beg to Differ’ proves this. You can literally hear the album fueling the next decade of heavy music. Their influence on Pantera to become the brutal juggernaught they became is clearly evident. Unfortunately Prong would never get the credit they deserved. Most likely due to line-up changes. There were a couple of years where they weren’t a trio even. The follow up album ‘Prove You Wrong’ didn’t do nearly as well as expected. Tommy Victor then took charge and reformed the group for 1994’s ‘Cleansing’. It remains hands down, one of the most overlooked masterpieces of mutha fuckin metal. The record is skewed deeply in heavy, infectious grooves that put any groove metal master to the test. The group would break up in the mid 90’s an reform and then break up again. Currently, Prong are riding on a success wave with three incredible studio albums released back to back.
3. Motorhead
While it is true that Motorhead were not a trio during their entire career, they were a trio for about 90% of it. Much like their unrecognized little brother above. Motorhead came out of the ashes of Hawkwind upon bass player Lemmy Kilmister’s departure. No band has perhaps encountered every turmoil imaginable besides Motorhead. The group was founded on the steadfast strength of Kilmister’s endurance to stick to his guns. Even during the recording of the debut, prominent producer Dave Edmunds was fired by the bass player. Why? Simply due to clash in opinion of what the band should sound like. Raw, ugly, fast, loud with a heavy metal attitude but with a punk vibe. What this amounted to was the creation of what would go on to become known as thrash metal. Lemmy knew what he wanted and he made it happen. This is part of the legacy of the band. He was thirty-two when their debut came out in 1977 so people in your mid to late twenties fretting about it being too late, don’t fret. There’s still plenty of time to get to the 40 year marathon mark that Motorhead reached. Of course, the band’s biggest album, 1980’s ‘Ace of Spades’ would go on to become an ultimate classic. The album influenced pretty much every thrash metal band in The United State and Europe. It’s easy to understand why, it’s a perfect piece of heavy fucking metal. The American thrash movement would have never happened without this band. We owe our allegiance the the forever immortalized Motorhead.
2. Rush
What can one say about Rush? They exceed all necessary calls to arm for a trio. What’s truly impressive is how they replicate what they put on record live without adding any extra musicians. From the 1974 debut album to 2012’s ‘Clockwork Angels’, this is, for many, the band the defines them all. They’ve sold more albums worldwide than just about any other artist. They have the longest running streak of top 10 albums than any other band in history. Sold out show after sold out show, year after year, album after album. Rush has stood the test of time and will forever be embezzled in the echelons of artist royalty. They did after all coin the phrase ‘art rock’. Three world class musicians: Geddy Lee – Bass/Lead Vocals/Keyboards, Alex Lifeson – Guitars, Neil Peart – Drums. These three gentlemen created what others could only dream of. It actually took a while for the band to find it’s melodic side. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t enough tasty technical, progressive heavy rock in the earlier catalogue. The diversity of their catalogue results in a multitude of different types of fans. There are some who love the early progressive works of ‘2112’ and ‘Hemispheres’. There are those who prefer the early 80’s work from their most successful point in their carrier. Some take a liking to the mid to late 80’s work where the band learned to incorporate melody and serious, meaningful lyrics into their songs. As opposed to ski-fi fantasy. Many are drawn to the later years of the band, like myself. They retain their early heavy tone while Neil Pearts lyrics remain 3rd dimensional and relevant. What’s truly incredible is that through all of the phases and changes, Rush always remained Rush. They never deterred from who they are. The never sold out or sold their souls. It’s evident, this is not only one of the great trios of all time, they’re one of the greatest bands of all time.
Number 1 – King’s X
The number one trio is without question King’s X. What this band accomplishes within three members is not only astonishing, it’s revolutionary. It’s revolutionary to the point that no other band has dared try to follow in their footsteps. This is perhaps why they are one of the lesser known bands in the heavy metal cannon. They are so original in their sound that it can be confusing to some, despite the accessibility. This is the perfect melodic heavy metal band. This group combines funk, drop-d heavy metal, pitch perfect beatles vocal harmonies, a hint of gospel and progressive jamming the likes of which no one has seen with exception of Dream Theater. They do this all within three members: Dug Pinnick – Bass/Vocals, Ty Tabor – Guitars/Vocals, Jerry Gaskell – Drums/Vocals. They all possess perfect pitch, making their shows sound just like their records. In fact, after listening to one studio track, I wondered how they replicated it live and whether or not it sounded like the studio recording. I still wonder how they create such a full sound with only their instruments and voices. What’s astonishing though, is their lack of recognition. How is it that a band that can write such fluent, accessible melodies and not become the biggest band in the world? It’s not as if they didn’t have support. They went on the road with Living Colour and AC/DC for crying out loud. Every rock star promoted the hell out the band whenever possible. Sill, King’s X was destined for the underground and they are Gods within it. To this day King’s X has released 15 studio albums and four live albums, a rarity in the record industry despite album sales. A sound that was too original for it’s time is making it’s way into the future.
