Lynch Mob (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Founder | George Lynch |
| Headquarters | California , United States |
| Products | Hard rock music |
| Website | www |
Lynch Mob is a hard rock group from the United States, established in 1989 by George Lynch, formerly the guitarist for Dokken. Lynch remains the only consistent member throughout the band's history.
Formation in 1989
Lynch Mob was created in 1989 following the dissolution of George Lynch's prior band, Dokken. The initial lineup featured Mick Brown, who had also been Dokken's drummer. Their first album, Wicked Sensation (1990), included songs such as the title track, "River of Love," and "For a Million Years," which captured the essence of the late 1980s glam metal sound. However, as the genre's popularity waned, the album did not achieve significant commercial success. Vocalist Oni Logan was dismissed after touring due to difficulties attributed to his personal lifestyle affecting his performances. Former bassist Anthony Esposito mentioned that Logan's live show inconsistencies prompted Lynch to seek a different singer for subsequent recordings.
The self-titled album Lynch Mob released in 1992 faced poor sales amidst the growing dominance of alternative rock. This record featured tracks like "Tangled in the Web" and a rendition of Queen's "Tie Your Mother Down."[1] Robert Mason took over vocal duties from Logan despite attempts to bring Logan back.
After completing the tour, Lynch Mob disbanded, and in 1995 both Lynch and Brown returned to their former band Dokken.[1]
Reunion in 1998
In 1998, tensions resurfaced between Lynch and Don Dokken concerning control and financial matters within Dokken. During this period, Lynch sought to revive the original Lynch Mob lineup. Although the original members briefly regrouped for a single writing session, this effort quickly ended. The session yielded a three-track demo later released as Syzygy. Subsequently, a 13-city U.S. tour took place in 1998 featuring vocalist John West alongside bassist Anthony Esposito.
"Smoke This" period and subsequent hiatus
A third incarnation of Lynch Mob was formed by Lynch with new personnel, adopting a style influenced by rap metal and nu metal genres. The 1999 album Smoke This met with unfavorable reactions from fans and critics alike; Lynch acknowledged that some listeners nicknamed it "Lynch Bizkit." Following a supporting tour for this release, the band disbanded once more.
2003 reunion and later disbandment
In 2003, George Lynch reunited with vocalist Robert Mason and original bassist Anthony Esposito to record refreshed versions of tracks from both Lynch Mob and Dokken catalogs. Mick Brown remained committed to Dokken during this time; Michael Frowein played drums initially but was later replaced by Chas Stumbo (formerly of Earshot) for the REvolution tour. The album REvolution presented heavier and accelerated reinterpretations of classic songs. A live CD/DVD package documenting this era was also released.
In 2006, George Lynch conducted a European tour under his own name while concentrating on his 'Guitar Dojo' online instructional program. The following year, he led a solo band on a 26-show run including an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, featuring Andrew Freeman on vocals, Vinny Appice on drums, and Marten Andersson on bass. Subsequently, Lynch established the band Souls of We.
2008 reunion and subsequent retirement of the Lynch Mob name
Efforts to reunite Dokken for Rocklahoma 2008 did not materialize, leading George Lynch to bring back Lynch Mob with original singer Oni Logan for the same festival, this time without Esposito and Brown. By early 2009, Logan and Lynch collaborated again to produce Smoke and Mirrors, which included Marco Mendoza on bass, followed by a tour featuring Fred Coury on drums. In 2010, drummer Brian Tichy became part of the lineup.
During this period, bassist Anthony Esposito toured with former Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley, contributing to Frehley’s 2009 album Anomaly. Mick Brown maintained his drumming roles with both Dokken and Ted Nugent, while Robert Mason assumed lead vocal duties for Warrant.
In July 2010, James Lomenzo joined Lynch Mob as bassist, taking over from Mendoza; Lomenzo had previously worked alongside Brian Tichy in Pride & Glory and Slash's Snakepit. Vocals were initially managed by Marq Torien (Bullet Boys) for two performances in August 2010, followed by Keith St. John (Montrose, Burning Rain) for subsequent U.S. dates.
Robbie Crane of Ratt was brought in as bassist for the European tour in fall 2010 and remained a permanent member until his departure in September 2012. Mick Brown reunited with Lynch Mob as drummer for a comprehensive U.S. tour launched in January 2011.
George Lynch revealed intentions to record a new Lynch Mob album featuring Oni Logan, Mick Brown, and Jeff Pilson; by April 2012, the project titled I Am Weapon was nearing completion. In June that year, Scot Coogan left to join Lita Ford on tour, prompting Brian Tichy’s return for summer performances promoting the new release.
On June 19, Deadline Music/Cleopatra Records issued a deluxe three-disc edition of REvolution, which included the original studio album along with remastered classic tracks and professionally recorded live footage from the 2005 tour presented in 5.1 surround sound.
In August 2020, George Lynch declared he would cease releasing music or touring under the Lynch Mob name due to its racial implications. Nevertheless, by October 2022, he resumed using the Lynch Mob name for performances. In August 2023, Lynch announced an upcoming album titled Babylon, scheduled for release on October 20—the first new record since 2017’s Brotherhood.
On January 19, 2024, Lynch Mob unveiled plans for a farewell tour spanning eighteen months called The Final Ride in honor of their 35th anniversary. This tour kicked off on February 1, 2024 in Warrendale, Pennsylvania and wrapped up on March 22, 2025 in Medina, Minnesota.
2025 farewell album and encore shows
On October 10, 2025, Lynch Mob revealed their concluding studio album named Dancing with the Devil, with a release date set for November 28. Alongside this announcement came plans for a series of "encore performances" following their previously declared farewell tour.
Current
- George Lynch – guitar, backing vocals (1989–present)
- Andrew Freeman – lead vocals (2003, 2010, 2019, 2025–present)
- Brian Tichy – drums (2010, 2012–2013, 2015, 2020, 2025–present)
- Jaron Gulino – bass guitar, backing vocals (2022–present)
Past Members
- Oni Logan – lead vocalist, tambourine (1989–1991, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2008–2011, 2012–2013, 2014–2018, 2020)
- Jimmy D'Anda – drums, backing vocals (2001–2002, 2013–2014, 2015–2018, 2022–2025)
- Robert Mason – lead singer (1991–1994, 2003–2006, 2018)
- Keith St John – lead singer (2010, 2013–2014)
- John West – lead vocalist (1998–1999)
- Kirk Harper – lead singer (1999)
- Christopher C. Romero – lead vocalist (2011)
- Chas West – lead vocals (2011–2012)
- Nathan Utz – lead singer (2018–2019)
- Anthony Esposito – bass guitarist (1989–1994, 1998, 2003–2006)
- Gabe Rosales – bass guitar (1999)
- Marten Andersson – bass guitar (2003–2007, 2011)
- Marco Mendoza – bass guitar (2008–2010)
- James LoMenzo – bass guitar (2010)
- Michael Devin – bass guitar (2010, 2020)
- Kevin Baldes – bass guitarist (2013–2015)
- Jeff Pilson – bass guitar (2015)
- Sean McNabb – bass guitar (2015–2019)
- Mick Brown – drummer (1989–1994, 1998, 2011)
- Clancy McCarthy – drummer (1999)
- Michael Frowein – drums (2003)
- Chas Stumbo – drums (2003)
- John Macaluso – drums (2004)
- Vinny Appice – drums (2005–2007)
- Tommy Aldridge – drums (2008)
- Fred Coury – drums (2008–2009)
- Scot Coogan – drums (touring) (2009–2011, 2011–2012, 2013, 2014–2015, 2018–2019)
- Robbie Crane – bass guitar (2010–2014, 2020)
- Gabriel Colon – lead vocals (2022–2025)
Studio Albums
| Album Title | Information | Highest Chart Rankings | Sales Figures | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 |
US Top Rock Albums |
US Hard Rock Albums | |||
| Wicked Sensation |
|
46 | — | — | |
| Lynch Mob |
|
56 | — | — | |
| Smoke This |
|
— | — | — | |
| REvolution |
|
— | — | — | |
| Smoke and Mirrors |
|
— | — | — | |
| Rebel |
|
— | 39 | 15 | |
| The Brotherhood |
|
104 | 17 | 4 | |
| Babylon |
|
||||
| Dancing with the Devil |
|
||||
Live recordings
- Evil: Live (2003)
- REvolution: Live! (2006)
Extended plays
- Syzygy (1998)
- Sound Mountain Sessions (2012)
- Unplugged: Live from Sugarhill Studios (2013)
- Sun Red Sun (2014)
Singles
| Year | Title | Mainstream Rock |
Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | "River of Love" | 19 | Wicked Sensation |
| 1990 | "Wicked Sensation" | 31 | Wicked Sensation |
| 1990 | "No Bed of Roses" | - | Wicked Sensation |
| 1992 | "Dream Until Tomorrow" | 23 | Lynch Mob |
| 1992 | "Tangled in the Web" | 13 | Lynch Mob |
| 1999 | "Smoke This" | - | Smoke This |
External links
- Articles with short description
- 1989 establishments in California
- 1994 disestablishments in California
- 1999 disestablishments in California
- 2003 disestablishments in California
- 2020 disestablishments in California
- 2025 disestablishments in California
- Cleopatra Records artists
- Elektra Records artists
- Frontiers Records artists
- Glam metal musical groups from California
- Hard rock musical groups from California
- Musical groups established in 1989
- Musical groups disestablished in 1994
- Musical groups reestablished in 1998
- Musical groups disestablished in 1999
- Musical groups reestablished in 2003
- Musical groups disestablished in 2006
- Musical groups reestablished in 2008
- Musical groups disestablished in 2020
- Musical groups reestablished in 2022
- Musical groups disestablished in 2025
- Pages with reference errors