Band: Poison. Information, Albums, Members, Upcoming Dates

Collection of facts and information about the 80's band Poison.

Like This Fact: There are at least six bands who go by the name Poison, but of course, this page is about the first on the list "The" Poison ;)

1) A glam metal band from the USA.
2) A German death/thrash metal band.
3) A Japanese hardcore punk band.
4) An American heavy/speed metal band.
5) An American funk group.
6) A Finnish band.

Profile of Poison's "Early Years" up till the first record:

Compare the looks, though… Makes me for one think back on the 80's and wonder what we were all thinking.

NOW:

vs. an old video interview with Poison from 1987:

Early Years:

Though glam-influenced hair metal group Poison formed initially as Paris in the area around suburban Harrisburg, Pennysylvania, Michaels, Dall, Rockett and original guitarist Matt Smith soon decided to pursue their dreams of rock and roll stardom (where else?) in the more appropriate showbiz climate of Los Angeles. After the quartet relocated to the West Coast in 1985, Smith left the band and was replaced by DeVille. With its classic lineup now in place, the group began to hone its sound in Sunset Strip clubs, exhibiting a full-tilt glam image through makeup and costumes that often overshadowed its music.

Debut Album & Instant Stardom:

After signing to Enigma records in 1986, Poison issued its debut album, Look What the Cat Dragged In, to relatively little fanfare. What got record buyers' attention initially was the album's cover, which featured unabashedly feminized portraits of each band member, a glammed-up image far more excessive than any preceding pop metal band. Still, as it built slowly into 1987, the album's music began to gain steam, as "I Want Action," "I Won't Forget You," and, especially, "Talk Dirty to Me" became substantial hit singles. Eventually the record would go on to sell more than two million copies within a year's time.

Core Group Members:

Bret Michaels (born Bret Michael Sychak on March 15, 1963 in Butler, Pennsylvania) – Lead vocals, guitar
C.C. DeVille (born Bruce Anthony Johannesson on May 14, 1962 in Brooklyn, New York) – Lead guitar
Bobby Dall (born Robert Harry Kuykendall on November 2, 1958 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) – Bass guitar
Rikki Rockett (born Richard Allan Ream on August 8, 1961 in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania) – Drums

Poison concert tickets and upcoming dates info.

Poison's Greatest Hits CD

Recorded between 1986 & 1999. Includes liner notes by Bret Michaels.

Poison's Greatest Hits 1986-1996 is as definitive as a Poison compilation could hope to be. Featuring a full 18 tracks, including all of their Top 50 hits ("Talk Dirty to Me," "I Want Action," "Nothin' but a Good Time," "Fallen Angel," "Every Rose Has Its Thorn," "Your Mama Don't Dance," "Unskinny Bop," "Something to Belive In," "Stand," among others) plus two unreleased cuts ("Sexual Thing," "Lay Your Body Down"), the album boasts every worthwhile song the group ever recorded, augmented by Bret Michaels' track-by-track commentary. Though the album isn't sequenced in chronological order, it plays like an excellent mixtape, which actually makes the album more listenable. Even on a compilation, Poison wears a little thin — there are still dull moments among these 18 songs, mainly in the form of lesser-known album tracks and singles — but still, Greatest Hits 1986-1996 is the most enteraining album the band ever released. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine