TRAMP was a San Francisco bay-area band that exploded onto the hard rock world in the mid-80s. As part of the same local scene that launched Y&T, Metallica and Tesla among others, they went from unknown to headlining act in less than a year. Started by guitarist Phil Saunders in 1983 with vocalist Jeff Davis, the two shared a similar vision for melodic hard-rock / glam-pop band that focused on catchy songs and a dynamic live show. They recruited Marcus Miller on bass, found drummer Michael Shepp from an ad in BAM magazine and rounded out the group with guitarist John Marquez who was just coming up in the scene.
Tramp recorded a 45rpm single of the songs “Fire” and “Going to the Top”, hard rock scorchers that got them noticed immediately. Their popularity continued to grow as they landed opening spots for touring headliners like Quiet Riot, Great White, Vandenberg, and local favorites Y&T. Their performances were legendary; high-energy, loud and a visual spectacle that included Michael lighting his drum-kit on fire!
As happened with many promising rock acts, TRAMP combusted themselves before a record deal arrived. Now DDR is releasing for the first time all the band’s Eighties recordings on a CD titled “Classy Trash“.
After the sucessful single Tramp was at a creative high-point, with many new songs ready. They recorded some pre-production demos; “Take Me Home Tonight”, “Bad Boys” and “I Never Touched Her”. This featured their newer more melodic rock sound so in-vogue in 1985-86.
Tramp had gained headlining status and quickly went back into the studio to capture their latest songs which really solidified the sound of the band. Going into Hyde Street studios in San Francisco with producer John Cuniberti (of Joe Satriani fame), they recorded the anthemic “Lucky Man”, the power ballad “Just Another Lonely Night” and concert favorite “Hot Summer Nights”. This demo got them noticed by national press and industry people who short listed them as the next big thing to watch out for.
They began selling out venues and rising to the top of the scene but without proper management and ego disputes, tensions within the group grew. In 1986 Jeff announced that he was going to audition for the L.A. band Candy (featuring Gilby Clarke, later of Guns N’ Roses).
The remaining four members decided they would continue on without him. They moved forward with their bassist Marcus now covering the lead vocal duties and worked on a few of Phil’s songs that had a more mainstream melodic / pop metal feel.
They went back to the studio and recorded “Don’t Keep Running Away”, “Don’t Talk to Strangers” and “Can’t Believe the Night is Over” with Marcus singing lead vocals and featuring keyboards more prominently in their sound.
By 1987, Tramp members parted ways.
Now the entire Tramp recording catalog is available on one album, “Classy Trash” from DRR Music Group. The collection includes everything from the first single to the Hyde Street recordings, even the never before released pre-production tracks.
Highly Recommended
1.Fire 02:52
2.Take Me Home Tonight 04:28
3.Lucky Man 03:53
4.Don’t Talk To Strangers 03:54
5.Going To The Top 03:02
6.Just Another Lonely Night 04:04
7.Running Away From Love 04:19
8.Hot Summer Nights 04:19
9.Bad Boyz 03:11
10.I Never Touched Her 04:24
11.Can’t Believe The Night Is Over 05:14