Nitro (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1988 in Hollywood, California, United States |
| Founder | Jim Gillette, Michael Angelo Batio, T. J. Racer, Bobby Rock |
| Defunct | 1993; 2019 |
| Headquarters | Hollywood, California , United States |
| Products | Music albums, singles, videos |
Nitro was a glam metal group originating from Hollywood, California, established in 1988. The founding members included singer Jim Gillette, guitarist Michael Angelo Batio, bassist T. J. Racer, and drummer Bobby Rock. Their first studio album, O.F.R. (1989), achieved a peak position of 140 on the US Billboard 200 chart. Following the album’s release, Bobby Rock was replaced by K. C. Comet for touring purposes, and T. J. Racer departed shortly thereafter. The band’s sophomore effort, Nitro II: H.W.D.W.S. (1992), featured Ralph Carter on bass and Johnny Thunder handling drums. Nitro disbanded in 1993, with previously unreleased demo tracks later issued on the 1999 compilation Gunnin' for Glory.
In late 2016, Nitro was revived by Gillette and Batio alongside Lamb of God drummer Chris Adler. Plans for a third studio album included bassist Victor Wooten and producer Kane Churko, while Matt DeVries acted as Wooten’s substitute during live shows. The lead single "It Won't Die" was unveiled in 2017. Nevertheless, in May 2019, Batio announced the group had dissolved once more, mentioning that some unfinished tracks from the shelved album would be incorporated into his forthcoming solo work.
1987–1993: Formation and early output
Singer Jim Gillette released his solo album Proud to Be Loud in 1987, which featured guitarist Michael Angelo Batio and bassist T. J. Racer—musicians who would later form Nitro together. Shortly afterward, drummer Bobby Rock joined the lineup with the vision of producing an extravagant, high-impact metal record. After their initial performance, Nitro secured a contract with Rampage Records, an imprint of Rhino Entertainment.
The debut album O.F.R., produced by Charlie Watts and recorded in Costa Mesa, California, reached number 140 on the Billboard 200 chart. Following the recording sessions, Rock exited to join Nelson and was succeeded by K. C. Comet for touring and promotional videos supporting singles such as "Freight Train" and "Long Way from Home." Eventually, Johnny Thunder replaced Comet on drums while Ralph Carter assumed bass responsibilities after Racer's departure. The band's second album, Nitro II: H.W.D.W.S. (1992), included a cover version of Ted Nugent’s "Cat Scratch Fever" as its lead single before the group disbanded in 1993.
After splitting up, unreleased demo recordings surfaced on the 1999 compilation Gunnin' for Glory, released through Batio’s M.A.C.E. Music label. Although both Gillette and Batio occasionally hinted at potential reunions over the years—with Gillette expressing interest in reviving Nitro for new projects and performances as late as 2008—Batio declined due to differing artistic visions concerning the band’s legacy.
2016–2019: Reunion and aborted third album
On November 30, 2016, Gillette and Batio revealed that Nitro had reformed with Chris Adler, then drummer for Lamb of God. Adler commended the fresh material for its contemporary sound infused with heavy grooves. The trio commenced recording sessions in December under engineer Josh Wilbur’s guidance. Bassist Victor Wooten joined subsequently alongside producer and songwriter Kane Churko. By February 2017, Batio indicated that the new tracks would adopt a style closer to death metal rather than their previous glam metal approach, reflecting Gillette's vocal evolution.
The band released "It Won't Die" on July 25, marking their first new single since 1999. During a September 2017 tour in India, Matt DeVries filled in as live bassist.
In May 2019, Batio confirmed that Nitro had disbanded once again and that plans for a third album had been abandoned. He emphasized his close friendship with Gillette and noted that some recordings featuring Adler and Wooten would be included on his upcoming solo release later that year.
Members
Past members
- Jim Gillette – lead vocals
- Michael Angelo Batio – guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
- T. J. Racer – bass guitar
- Bobby Rock – drums
- K. C. Comet – drums
- Ralph Carter – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Johnny Thunder – drums
- Chris Adler – drums
- Matt DeVries – bass guitar
Guest musicians
- Markus Mueller – drums (1992) (Deceased: 1995)
- Victor Wooten – bass guitar
Discography
Albums
- O.F.R. (1989)
- Nitro II: H.W.D.W.S. (1992)
Compilation albums
- Gunnin' for Glory (1999)
Singles
- "Freight Train" (1989)
- "Long Way from Home" (1989)
- "Cat Scratch Fever" (1992)
- "Johnny Died on Christmas" (1992)
- "It Won't Die" (2017)
Videos
- "Freight Train" (1989)
- "Long Way from Home" (1989)
- "Johnny Died on Christmas" (1992)
- "Cat Scratch Fever" (1992)
- "Boyz Will B Boyz" (1993)