Biography
Lizzy Borden is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The band has charted on the Billboard 200 four times. The group is named after its lead vocalist, Lizzy Borden (born Gregory Charles Harges; June 23, 1960).
The band was founded by Lizzy Borden and Joey Scott. They gained attention after the song "Rod of Iron" was featured on Metal Blade Records' compilation "Metal Massacre IV." Lizzy Borden signed with Metal Blade in 1984 and released their debut EP "Give 'Em the Axe" in May of that year. The band was named after Lizzie Borden, a woman accused and acquitted of murder in the late 19th century. In 1985, guitarist Alex Nelson replaced the original guitarist Tony Matuzak and was first featured on the live album "The Murderess Metal Road Show."
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In 1987, the band released their third album "Visual Lies," marking the debut of guitarist Joe Holmes, with the single "Me Against the World" appearing in the film "Black Roses." Holmes later joined Ozzy Osbourne's band. Their fourth studio album, "Master of Disguise," was released on July 15, 1989, and has since been regarded as a cult album, with songs from it frequently performed live. Lizzy Borden appeared in the rockumentary "The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years" directed by Penelope Spheeris. In the early 1990s, the band reduced activity due to changes in the metal scene and went on a short hiatus in 1996 following the departure of guitarists David Philips and Corey James. Lizzy Borden, along with Michael White, Joe Steals, and Joey Scott, performed in the glam band Diamond Dogs (later Starwood) with bassist Marten Andersson.
The band returned in 1999 with members Lizzy Borden, Joey Scott, and Alex Nelson, joined by Marten Andersson. They previewed the album and tour "Deal With the Devil" at Wacken Open Air Festival in Germany. Artist Todd McFarlane contributed to stage design and cover art. On May 17, 2004, guitarist Alex Nelson died in a car collision, leading to a temporary disbandment.
In 2007, Lizzy Borden regrouped with guitarist Ira Black and released the album "Appointment with Death," featuring guest appearances from George Lynch, Dave Meniketti, and Corey Beaulieu. Videos for "Tomorrow Never Comes" and "Under Your Skin" were released, with the former entering the Top 25 Metal Videos of 2008 on MTV Headbangers Ball. The band performed at multiple festivals in Europe and North America and toured with Lordi in the United States. On January 24, 2009, former guitarist Corey James died in a car accident.
Lizzy Borden continued touring in North America and Europe, participating in festivals such as Wacken Open Air, Alcatraz Metal Festival, and Elsrock Festival. In 2011, the "Summer of Blood" and "Death Takes a Holiday Tour" tours took place in North America and Europe. In 2012, the band performed at various festivals including Hellfest, Gods of Metal, Zwarte Cross, Headbangers Open Air, and Kavarna Rock Festival. In 2013, the band premiered the tour "30 Years of American Metal" at 70000 Tons of Metal. Guitarist Dario Lorina left the band on January 1, 2014, after joining Black Label Society, and former guitarist Ira Black performed with the band at the Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival on August 1, 2014.
The band's album "My Midnight Things" was released on June 15, 2018, peaking at number 148 on the Billboard 200 and number 84 on the Canadian Top Hard Music Charts. A new song, "Death of Me," was released on August 23, 2023. Former founding guitarist Tony Matuzak died in February 2021.
Studio albums
Love You to Pieces (1985)
Menace to Society (1986)
Visual Lies (1987)
Master of Disguise (1989)
Deal with the Devil (2000)
Appointment with Death (2007)
My Midnight Things (2018)
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.