Halloween

Halloween was formed in 1981 under the name ***** which included current vocalist Brian Thomas from a band called Alcatraz (not the Graham Bonnett/Malmsteen band), Rick Craig from the band Limousine, Bassist Ed Reynolds, Guitarist guitarist Mark Scott and future Seduce Drummer Chuck Burns. Reynolds did not play any show with *****, as he was booted and replaced by George Neal. On Halloween night 1982, ***** officially became Halloween, when ***** played their final show at the Falcon Lounge. Drummer Chuck Burns left in very early 83 and Guitarist Mark Scott took over the drumming helm. He soon left, citing personal issues and was replaced by Bill Whyte of Detroit based band Nightmare which featured Ed Hillman of The Meanies and Erebus. This lineup went to record their debut album, Don't Metal With Evil at the Disc Ltd Studios in East Detroit in late 83. The initial sessions were aborted and were soon started over in early 84, which ended up becoming the final product. DMWE came out in 1984 on cassette only, but was picked up by a local distributor in 85, and was released on a higher quality cassette as well as vinyl record. The band entered "The Old School House" Studios in Ann Arbor MI with former The Plasmatics guitarist Wes Beech in late 85 to record their follow up. The sessions dragged on through most of 86 and into early 87, when the band shelved the project for good. On Halloween night 1988, Rick Craig and Bill Whyte played their final show at Harpos with opening act "Damien". The show was filmed and was financed by the band, as well as good friend, Crimson Glory guitarist Jon Drenning, who worked with the band extensively, as they were signed to Warren Wyatt management, the same as CG. The band soon recruited guitarist Billy Gray and future Godsmack drummer Tommy Stewart (Known as Tommy Scott back then), and did multiple shows around Detroit and Teledo supporting Crimson Glory. Stewart and Gray recorded the famous demo, "Vicous Demo" in 1989 with producer Rob Tylak, who would go on to produce their next album, as well as Abandon's 1993 demo. Stewart and Gray left in 1990, Gray going on to join Fair Game out of Ann Arbor, and Stewart joining Lillian Axe. The band then hired future Sponge drummer Billy Adams, former Erebus guitarist Tim Wright and former David Neil Cline/Trama, Black Onyx and Wizzard guitarist Donny Allen. This lineup stayed intact for a full year, releasing a demo (two different variants) in August of that year, both produced by Tylak and recorded at the bands personal studio in Detroit. The band then played a show supporting Savatage, which brought aboard Jon Oliva to produce their second album. The band then traveled to New Jersey to a studio, which they found stripped of most of the recording equipment, cut what they could, and returned to Detroit. The band aborted those sessions as well, and re- recorded them with Tylak in 1991. The album was released in 1991. In 1992, Allen and Adams stepped aside for a DMWE era reunion that lasted until Halloween Night of 1993, when the band played their final show at Harpos, until their 1997 reunion, which also saw the release of the long await Victims Of The Night sessions, intended to be a follow up of DMWE. Since, the band has released an album of re-recorded favorites in 2003. In 2003, original bassist George Neal rejoined, after a short break. In 03, former Damien drummer Rob Brug joined, rounding out the lineup for the Horror Fire album. Billy Gray rejoined for a very brief time, recording a handful of new tracks for the Evil Pieces EP. In 2008, guitarist Donny Allen left once again, and was replaced by Don Gurrier. Allen returned and is an active member to this day.