BulletBoys formed in Los Angeles in 1988, just in time to take full advantage of the hair metal and glam rock scene that was the rage of the clubs and bars of the Sunset Strip.
Signing to Warner Bros Records, with Marq Torien on lead vocals, Mick Sweda on guitar, Lonnie Vencent on bass and Jimmy D’Anda on drums, they had a good pedigree, having formed from the ashes of Carmine Appice’s King Kobra. Marq Torien had even featured in an early line-up of Ratt. Ted Templeman, famed for his production work for Montrose, Doobie Brothers, but most notably Van Halen, took the band into the studio to oversee their self-titled debut. Featuring the MTV hit ‘Smooth Up In Ya’ (US Hot 100 #71, US Mainstream Rock #23), the album also featured a cover of the O’Jays ‘For The Love Of Money’ (US Hot 100 #78, US Mainstream Rock #38). The “BulletBoys” debut album was swiftly certified gold after selling half a million copies.