The Scream

Rising from the ashes of L.A. shred icons Racer X, the Scream initially featured vocalist/guitarist John Corabi, lead guitarist Bruce Bouillet, bassist John Alderete, and monster drummer Scott Travis. The latter would soon depart to join Judas Priest, however, he was soon replaced by drummer Walt Woodward III, who completed the band's final lineup. After adopting the Scream moniker (not to be confused with D.C. lineup of the same name which included Dave Grohl at one point), the band quickly abandoned Racer X's ultra-technical direction, becoming a different beast altogether. Coming off as a cross between Cinderella and Aerosmith, the Scream proved to be a versatile combo. With influences that ranged from Led Zeppelin to the Rolling Stones to Humble Pie, the band released its debut album, Let it Scream, in 1991. Masterfully produced by the legendary Eddie Kramer (Jimi Hendrix, Kiss), Let It Scream received many critical accolades for well-crafted commercial hard rock songs like "Man in the Moon," "Outlaw," and "Tell Me Why." And with label Hollywood firmly behind them, the band toured the country making a discreet impact in the U.S. marketplace. But all this hard work would be put to waste after vocalist Vince Neil's departure from L.A. sleaze kings Mötley Crüe. After much personal debating, John Corabi was lured away from the Scream for what proved to be a disastrous business relationship, laid waste by the commercial catastrophe that was the 1994 self-titled album Mötley Crüe. His former band having now disintegrated after failed attempts at finding a replacement, things would go from bad to worse for Corabi. Mötley's ensuing tour found them playing to empty arenas before having to resort to small clubs (a first for the multi-platinum quartet), and following disastrous sessions for a possible follow-up LP (sessions were suspended by Elektra Records three quarters of the way through, and what could be salvaged was later released with a returning Vince Neil under the name Generation Swine), Corabi was effectively used as the scapegoat for Mötley's every failing. The former members of the Scream briefly attempted a new start as the Stash after hiring a new vocalist by the name of Billy Scott, but this was short-lived. For his part, John Corabi went on to front Union, a band featuring another rock & roll castaway in ex-Kiss guitarist Bruce Kulick. Corabi has also played rhythm guitar for '80s metal wash-up Ratt. ~ John Franck & Ed Rivadavia, Rovi