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Rough Cutt

From Alfawiki
Rough Cutt
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1981 in Los Angeles, California, United States
Headquarters
Los Angeles
,
United States
ProductsStudio albums, live albums, compilation albums

Rough Cutt is a glam metal group originating from Los Angeles, California, that produced two studio albums under Warner Bros. Records during the mid-1980s. Although they did not reach the commercial heights of many peers, several band members later achieved recognition with other prominent acts: Jake E. Lee with Ozzy Osbourne, Amir Derakh with Orgy and Julien-K, Paul Shortino with Quiet Riot, and both Craig Goldy and Claude Schnell with Dio.

A newer version of Rough Cutt made its debut in November 2019 at the Bossanova Ballroom in Portland, Oregon. This lineup included drummer Dave Alford, guitarists Chris Hager and Darren Housholder (known for his work with Shrapnel Records, Love/Hate, and War & Peace), bassist Jeff Buehner (The Loyal Order), and lead singer Steven St. James (associated with Motown Records and Kagny & The Dirty Rats).

Formation

The founding members of Rough Cutt consisted of vocalist Paul Shortino, drummer Dave Alford, guitarist Jake E. Lee, keyboardist Claude Schnell, and bassist Joey Cristofanilli. Prior to Rough Cutt, Lee and Alford were part of the Los Angeles band Ratt, while Schnell and Cristofanilli had played in Magic.

Shortly after the band's inception, two former Ratt musicians—guitarist Chris Hager and bassist Matt Thorne (also known as Matt Thorr)—joined Rough Cutt, taking over for Cristofanilli. After exiting Rough Cutt, Cristofanilli briefly rejoined Ratt before collaborating with Sin members to release the 1985 album Made in Heaven under the name Jag Wire.

Dio connection

In 1982, Lee departed Rough Cutt to briefly join Dio before replacing the late guitarist Randy Rhoads in Ozzy Osbourne's band. His replacement was guitarist Craig Goldy, who had previously played with San Diego’s Vengeance. The influence of Ronnie James Dio was significant on Rough Cutt's evolution; his wife Wendy Dio managed the group, and Dio co-wrote one of their tracks. The band contributed "A Little Kindness" and "Used & Abused," both produced by Dio featuring Lee on guitar, to the 1983 compilation L.A.'s Hottest Unsigned Bands. Another track produced by Dio, "Try a Little Harder," with Goldy on guitar, appeared on the compilation KLOS 95 1/2: Rock to Riches, which also included Wendy Dio’s project NuHaven. Goldy eventually left to join Giuffria and later played in Dio’s band, leading to Amir Derakh from a San Diego band taking his place.

With the lineup comprising Shortino, Alford, Derakh, Hager, and Thorne firmly established, Rough Cutt secured a contract with Warner Bros. Records in 1984. They gained national attention through appearances on the Rock Palace television program and embarked on a European tour that included performances at London's Marquee Club and Hamburg's Fabrik before entering the studio for their first album.

Debut album

After a year-long wait for producer Ted Templeman, who was engaged with major artists such as David Lee Roth, Eric Clapton, and Aerosmith, Rough Cutt recorded their self-titled debut album Rough Cutt in 1985 with producer Tom Allom. The band toured extensively across the United States, opening for bands like Krokus during their The Blitz tour as well as supporting acts such as Accept. This was followed by a nationwide tour alongside Dio during their Sacred Heart tour from August through December 1985. Additionally, Rough Cutt performed at Japan’s Super Rock '85 festival alongside headliners including Dio and Foreigner. This event was later released on VHS titled Super Rock In Japan '85, featuring four songs from their debut album: "Black Widow," "Take Her," "Dreamin' Again," and "Piece of My Heart."

Second album

The band's sophomore release, Wants You! (1986), was produced by the experienced Jack Douglas, renowned for his work with Aerosmith. Rough Cutt joined Dio for the concluding concert of their Sacred Heart tour in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on October 10, 1986, followed by a tour in Japan. During the Japanese leg, Shortino departed due to disagreements regarding the band's musical direction. Rough Cutt's manager, Wendy Dio, played a key role in facilitating Shortino’s transition to Quiet Riot as their lead vocalist after Kevin DuBrow's dismissal. Parramore McCarty briefly took over vocal duties before Rough Cutt ultimately dissolved. Members Derakh, Thorne, and Alford went on to establish Jailhouse, which released a live EP in 1989; meanwhile, Hager collaborated with Jeff Warner in Woop & the Count; Thorne had a short stint with L.A. Rocks/Eyes; and Derakh achieved success with Orgy during the late 1990s.

In 1996, DeRock Records issued Rough Cutt Live, featuring three newly recorded studio tracks. The same label also released Jailhouse’s full-length album in 1998, incorporating the tracks from their 1989 EP as bonus material.

New lineup

In 2000, Shortino revived Rough Cutt with a fresh lineup that included former Aerosmith guitarist Jimmy Crespo, keyboardist James "J.T." Garrett, bassist Sean McNabb, and drummer John Homan. What began as an EP project titled Sneak Peek evolved into the full album Sacred Place (2002), which was launched under Shortino’s MusicWorks Entertainment label and showcased contributions from various guest guitarists and bassists.

The original Warner Bros. lineup reunited for a single performance in October 2002 at Hollywood’s Viper Room. Later, in late 2005, Wounded Bird Records re-released both Warner Bros. albums as a combined two-for-one package. In 2016, British label Rock Candy Records remastered and reissued these albums again, this time including comprehensive booklets and interviews.

Deadline Records compiled demos and a live set from 1985 into the double-disc Anthology, which was released in 2008. Subsequently, in October 2019, ten tracks from those sessions were issued on limited red vinyl as The Fiddler Sessions '84.

The classic lineup reunited once more in 2016 and performed at the Monsters of Rock cruise in 2018. In 2019, Shortino performed with Carlos Cavazo’s Rough Riot while Alford and Hager assembled an updated Rough Cutt lineup under Integrity Music Management. After recruiting vocalist Steven St. James alongside other members, this formation made its live debut opening for L.A. Guns in Portland on November 29, 2019, closing their set with "You Wanna Be a Star," a song not performed live since the 1980s.

Former bassist Matt Thorne switched to rhythm guitar for Platinum Overdose, whose debut album was released in August 2019.

On June 8, 2021, a reassembled Rough Cutt featuring original members Shortino, Derakh, and Thorne unveiled 3, marking their first album release since 1986’s Wants You. Another version of Rough Cutt included Dave Alford and Chris Hager; both groups confirmed there were no hard feelings between them.

By mid-2024, founding member Dave Alford launched Rockin' Dave's Rough Cutt with North Carolina musicians Shawn Love (bass) and Scott Board (vocals), along with Georgia-based guitarists Tony Baker and Nathan Smith.

Members

Current lineup

  • Paul Shortino – lead vocals (1981–1987, 2016–2019, 2021–present)
  • Matt Thorr – bass guitar, backing vocals (1983–1987, 2016–2019, 2021–present)
  • Amir Derakh – guitar and synthesizers (1984–1987, 2016–2019, 2021–present)

Past members

  • Dave Alford – drums and backing vocals (1982–1987, 2016–2019)
  • Chris Hager – guitar (1983–1987, 2016–2019; deceased 2025)
  • Jake E. Lee – guitar (1981–1982)
  • Claude Schnell – keyboards (1981–1982)
  • Joey Cristofanilli – bass (1981–1982)
  • Craig Goldy – guitar (1982–1983)
  • Parramore McCarty – lead vocals (1987)
  • Jeff Mayer – lead vocals
  • Steven St. James – lead vocals (2019)
  • Jeff Buehner – bass (2019)
  • Darren Housholder – guitar (2019)

Studio albums

Live albums

Compilation albums

  • Anthology (2008)
  • The Fiddler Sessions '84 (2019)

Guest appearances

  • "A Little Kindness", "Used & Abused" featured on the compilation LA's Hottest Unsigned Rock Bands (1983)
  • "Try a Little Harder" included in the compilation KLOS 95 1/2: Rock to Riches (1983)
  • Appeared on the VHS release of Super Rock '85 in Japan (1985)

External links

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