I recently broke down and purchased XYZ's press kit from 1991 when they signed with Capitol Records. First is the cover letter, then the press release, then the band biography.

June 10, 1991

But wait a minute! Before you run screaming from the room, it's not just another rock band. It's XYZ, an instiable, power-packin' foursome that's about to rock the country with its forthcoming Capitol debut, "HUNGRY."

Set for an August 19th release date, "Hungry" is the follow-up to the group's self-titled, Don Dokken-produced debut album released in 1989 on Enigma. Among its many impressive cuts, the latest project boasts a dynamic (in other words shit-kickin') remake of Free's "Fire And Water" as well as other highlighted cuts as "Face Down In The Gutter," "Don't Say No," "When I Find Love," and "Off To The Sun." One of these songs (probably "Face Down In The Gutter") will be released as the first single and will be hitting the airwaves in late July.

To get a first-hand look at what fans can expect, XYZ bandmembers Patt Fontaine and Marc Diglio will be in New York on Thursday, June 13th, and Friday, June 14th, for press and other Big Apple festivities.

If you are interested in setting up an interview to discuss the band's newest release and upcoming activities (both mentionable and unmentionable), please call me at.....[etc.]

New capitol recrods signing, XYZ has begun the ABC's of recording its first album for the Capitol label. The L.A.-based hard rock band -- guitarist Marc Diglio, bassist Patt Fontaine, vocalist Terry Ilous and drummer Paul Monroe -- is currently finishing up tracks in a Hollywood studio with producer George Tutko who has worked behind the boards on recordings for Rod Stewart, Lita Ford, John Mellencamp and Pat Benatar, among others. Tentatively titled Hungry, the August release will be the band's first on a major label; their XYZ debut, produced by Don Dokken, was released by Enigma Records in 1989. Hungry will contain such voracious tracks as "Don't Say No," "Off To The Sun," "Fire & Water" (originally recorded by Free), "The Sun Also Rises In Hell" and "Face Down In The Gutter, " the latter of which the band jokes, "is somewhat autobiographical."
"We've really gotten to the heart of this band with the music on this album," says Fontaine. "This time around we have a great producer who lets us be ourselves, and knows when we hit our stride. As a result, Hungry rocks harder and lays down some smooth grooves. It's personalized, like a signature, and it's letter perfect."
"This is the real shit. It's hard on the outside, yet tender on the inside," obersves Ilous with a wry grin. "Can you tell I watch a lot of porn?"

XYZ is comprised of Marc Diglio on guitars, Patt Fontaine on bass, Terry Ilous on vocals and Paul Monroe on drums; each has a lion's mane, a lion's share of talent and an untamed passion for creating hard-as-granite rock...their own way. Underscoring the voracious appetite that these four metalheads have for their craft, XYZ's new album is appropriately titled Hungry, and it's just what rock fans have ordered for their second taste of this Los Angeles-based band.

Hungry is XYZ's meaty follow-up to their rock-solid, self-titled 1989 premiere issued by Enigma Records, and as their major label debut, it's a disc that lifts them to the big leagues. Hungry's hardy tracks range from the leathery "Don't Say No" and "The Sun Also Rises In Hell," to the powerful melodicism of "When I Find Love" and a blazing cover of Free's "Fire & Water," Hungry's trailblazing single. The album's impressive variety and balance adds up to an album that reflects the band's immeasurable musical progression, insatiable conviction and free-wheeling spirit.

"We like to mix it up in our music," says fretsman Diglio, taking a break from XYZ's recording sessions with producer George Tutko, who's worked behind the boards on recording for Rod Stewart, Lita Ford, John Mellencamp and Pat Benatar, among many others. "Good rock'n' roll should be sincere..."

"...rebellious," adds Monroe.

"...and sick," Fontaine concludes.

"This is the real shit. It's hard on the outside, yet tender on the inside," oberserves Ilous with a wry grin. "Can you tell I watch a lot of porn?"

XYZ is a band that has taken it from the streets of Hollywood to the biggest stages in the country...including a personal tour of a few gutters along the way (check out Hungry's "Face Down In The Gutter" for details). XYZ had its genesis in Hollywood. "We really came together when Terry, Marc and I ran into each other on Hollywood Boulevard on Halloween night," says Fontaine of the fateful eve. "From that moment, we formed a tight alliance and vowed to give it everything we had."

After the band served walking papers to their original drummer ("By way of my fist," grins Ilous, a champion kickboxer and martial arts fanatic. "It was a hell of a fight..."), muscular New Jersey-native Paul Monroe was discovered, and XYZ was letter perfect. "It worked out great from the moment we were all together, the four of us as we stand today." (As for the times the guys weren't standing, they want to thank the girls at the Body Shop, the Seventh Veil and the Star Strip for their TLC.)

During their four-year tenure as veterans of L.A.'s club wars, XYZ followed the familiar progression of recording and mailing demos to every ear they could catch. In early 1989 the band won the devotion of Enigma Records and earned their first accolades from Don Dokken, who was so taken with the band that he demanded to produce XYZ's debut. They emerged from the studio with an auspicious debut, simply titled XYZ, which was poised on the edge between hard rock and heavy metal. Critics hastened to note that the band's brand of rock achieved a fluid power uncommon in an album debut.

XYZ immediately put their performing muscle to work on major national tours as the tourmates of Ted Nugent on the infamous Whiplash Bash tour of 1989. "Everyone involved tells us it was truly a great accomplishment," says Diglio. "It's as if we survived the Bermuda Triangle." The young band's steadfast reputation spread and they were subsequently offered back-to-back tours with Alice Cooper, Steppenwolf and Enuff 'Z Nuff. XYZ then graduated to their own headlining club tour, and continued to rewrite the XYZs of rock 'n' roll.

Now, having won the admiration and dedication of Capitol Records, XYZ gets down to the matter of serious record-making once more. "This time we've really gotten to the heart of this band with the music on this album," says Fontaine. "Our producer, George Tutko, lets us be ourselves, and knows when we hit our stride. As a result, Hungry rocks harder and lays down some smooth grooves. It's personalized, like a signature."

You might even say that, on Hungry, XYZ's musical signature is letter perfect.

XYZ Hungry (Capitol 96114) August, 1991
6/91:VA

Photo credit on vertical press photo is Gene Kirkland. No copyright infringement is intended.