War Babies (band)
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Headquarters | Seattle, Washington , United States |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
War Babies emerged as a rock group from Seattle, Washington, in 1988, led by Brad Sinsel, formerly the lead singer of TKO. Their musical style was predominantly hard rock but also integrated grunge influences. The band released a single self-titled album in 1992.
History
Following the dissolution of TKO, Brad Sinsel and guitarist Rick Pierce created Suicide Squad, which included Seattle drummer Richard Stuverud. Suicide Squad issued the EP Live it While You Can in 1988, engineered by Jack Endino and distributed by Music For Nations across Europe.
Subsequent to Suicide Squad, Sinsel teamed up with Stuverud and guitarist Tommy 'Gunn' McMullin to form War Babies. The group toured extensively throughout Seattle, sharing stages with bands such as Mother Love Bone, Alice in Chains, and Soundgarden. In 1990, Jeff Ament briefly joined the lineup before departing to join Pearl Jam.
The final War Babies lineup—consisting of Sinsel (vocals), McMullin (guitars), Guy Lacey (guitars), Shawn Trotter (bass), and Stuverud (drums)—secured a contract with Columbia Records in 1991. Their debut album was recorded at A&M Studios under the production of Thom Panunzio. The lead single "Hang Me Up," co-written by McMullin and Kiss’s Paul Stanley, gained exposure on MTV. Additional singles featured "Blue Tomorrow," a tribute to Andrew Wood, and the power ballad "Cry Yourself to Sleep," co-written by Sinsel and Stanley. Their song "In The Wind" was featured in the 1992 movie Buffy the Vampire Slayer but did not appear on the official soundtrack release.
By 1993, changing musical tastes led to the decline of War Babies' glam metal style, culminating in their disbandment. Their final appearance was on June 6, 1992, at the "Rock the Environment" charity event alongside Queensrÿche and Heart.
The band's self-titled album saw reissues from German label UlfTone Music in 2003 and French label Bad Reputation in 2007, both editions including radio edits and bonus material.
After War Babies split up, McMullin went on to establish The Dead Letters, while Lacey and Trotter formed 8 Days In Jail before joining Seattle punk outfit Sledgeback. Later, McMullin led Gunn and the Damage Done, releasing Bury My Heart in 2010.
Drummer Stuverud collaborated with various Seattle-based projects including Three Fish—a collaboration with Pearl Jam’s Jeff Ament—and contributed to Tribe After Tribe’s recordings. He also partnered with Ament on Tres Mts., Three Mountains (2011) featuring Doug Pinnick and Mike McCready, as well as RNDM, which produced Acts (2012) and Ghost Riding (2016).
Brad Sinsel’s more recent projects encompass American Standard alongside Flipp guitarist Brynn Arens; Americana duo The McClellans; and Angels Of Dresden, who released the digital single "Doomday" in 2014 featuring Mike McCready.
Studio albums
- War Babies (1992)
- Vault (2024)
Singles
- "Hang Me Up" (1991)
- "Cry Yourself to Sleep" (1992)
- "Blue Tomorrow" (1992)
Soundtrack appearances
- "In the Wind" (from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) (1992)
Music videos
- "Hang Me Up" (1991)
- "Blue Tomorrow" (1992)