Tormé’s ‘The Bernie Tormé Archives Vol 2 – 1985-1993’ box set to be released on July 26th
Fans of guitarist Bernie Tormé are in for a treat as Cherry Red Records is releasing a second box set pertaining to the guitarist’s musical catalogue. After the release of the four CD box set Lightning Strikes 1982-1983, Cherry Red Records will be releasing The Bernie Tormé Archives Vol 2 – 1985-1993 box set on July 26, 2024.
Cherry Red Records‘ website indicates:
“Follow up to ‘Lightning Strikes – Volume One (1982-1983)’ comes Tormé’s ‘The Bernie Tormé Archives Vol 2: 1985-1993’.
FOR FANS OF: Gillan, Girl, LA Guns.
With all previously released material remastered by Eric Tormey.
Although he came to prominence with the hit albums recorded with the band Gillan, followed by a brief tenure with Ozzy Osbourne, Bernie had originally dabbled in the London punk scene of the late 1970s. Before forming Tormé in 1985, eschewing the power trio format of his previous solo records to team up with former Girl vocalist and future LA Guns Phil Lewis on lead vocals plus Chris Heilmann on bass and Ian Whitewood on drums, with Bernie’s former Gillan band mate Colin Towns guesting on keyboards.
Signing to Cherry Red’s Zebra Records for 1985’s ‘Back To Babylon’ (CD1), which now comes with the three songs from the 1986 ‘So You Wanna Be A Star’ EP plus bonus tracks.
Retaining the same band line-up for 1987’s ‘Die Pretty, Die Young’ (CD2), unfortunately Tormé (the group) didn’t last long enough to properly promote the record, as the band imploded shortly after its release, with singer Phil Lewis relocating to the States to join LA Guns with guitarist Tracii Guns, Chris Heilmann joining Shark Island, Ian Whitewood joining Sham 69 and Bernie forming Desperado with Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider and Iron Maiden’s Clive Burr.
Following its release the band were put on hold, but not before they recorded ‘Official Bootleg‘ (CD3), with Tormé captured live in London during Easter 1987 which now includes ‘The Revolution’ and ‘Arabia’ recorded at Brunel, plus the studio version of ‘My Baby Love A Vampire’.
Reforming Tormé with former Samson vocalist Gary Owen, bassist John Pearce and drummer Chris Jones, ‘Demolition Ball’ (CDs 4 and 5) was released in 1993. This sterling collection of songs was a perfect vehicle for Bernie’s singular and underrated talents as an influential lead guitarist. Eight demos from the album are also included.”
Track List for The Bernie Tormé Archives Vol 2 – 1985-1993:
Disc One – Back To Babylon (1985)
01. All Around The World
02. Star
03. Eyes Of The World
04. Burning Bridges
05. Hardcore
06. Here I Go
07. Family At War
08. Front Line
09. Arabia
10. Mystery Train
Bonus Tracks:
11. T.V.O.D
12. Kerrap
13. Love, Guns And Money
14. My Baby Loves A Vampire (Live at The Marquee)
15. New Orleans (Live at The Marquee)
16. Word Up (Cameo Cover)
17. Bo Diddly
Disc Two – Die Pretty, Die Young (1987)
01. Let It Rock
02. The Real Thing
03. Ready
04. Sex Action
05. The Ways of The East
06. Killer
07. Memphis
08. Louise
09. Crimes Of Passion
10. Ghost Train
Bonus Tracks:
11. All Around The World
12. Chain Gang
13. Mystery Train
14. Let It Rock (Alternate Take)
15. Crimes of Passion (Live at The Marquee)
16. Memphis (Live at The Marquee)
17. Born To Rock (Demo)
18. Mystery Train (Demo)
Disc Three – Official Bootleg (1987)
01. Frontline
02. Turn Out The Lights
03. Hardcore
04. Star
05. Burning Bridges
06. T.V.O.D
07. My Baby Loves A Vampire
08. New Orleans
09. Love, Guns And Money
10. All Around The World
11. Mystery Train
12. Frontline
13. Come The Revolution (Live at Brunel)
14. Arabia (Live at Brunel)
15. My Baby Love A Vampire (Studio Version)
Disc Four – Demolition Ball: Disc 1 (1993)
01. Fallen Angel
02. Black Sheep
03. Action
04. Ball & Chain
05. Slip Away
06. Long Time Coming
07. Spinnin’ Your Wheels
08. Don’t Understand
09. Industry
10. Draw The Line
11. U.S. Maid
12. Let It Go
13. Walk It
14. Man O’means
Disc Five – Demolition Ball: Disc 2 (1993)
01. Monkey Business
02. My Darlene
03. Coast To Coast (Band Demo)
04. Can’t Stop The Rain (Band Demo)
05. Action (Demo)
06. Shoot The DJ (Demo)
07. Coast to Coast (Demo)
08. Snakeskin (Demo)
09. How Long (Demo)
10. The Last Time (Demo)