Bulletboys, a metal outfit based in Los Angeles, California, was formed by ex-members of King Cobra and Ratt. Their flamboyant mix of glam metal and hard rock gained popularity with a gold-selling debut album during the 1980s hair metal era. Despite disbanding in 1998 due to lineup changes and stylistic shifts, the band resurfaced in the 2010s with renewed energy, releasing albums like Elefante (2015) and From Out of the Skies (2018). Influenced by Van Halen and AC/DC, Bulletboys was established in 1987 by Marq Torien, Mick Sweda, Lonnie Vencent, and Jimmy D’Anda.
Bulletboys’ self-titled debut album in 1988, signed with Warner Bros., climbed the Billboard 200 on the strength of hits like a cover of the O’Jays’ “For the Love of Money” and their own chart-topper, “Smooth Up in Ya.” The band’s second album, Freakshow (1991), received praise but faced challenges amidst the rise of grunge music. Despite lineup changes and hiatuses, Bulletboys persisted with releases like Acid Monkey (1995) and Sophie (2003), featuring collaborations with artists like Sebastian Bach of Skid Row. With a discography spanning compilations, live recordings, and studio albums like Elefante and From Out of the Skies, Bulletboys continue to uphold the hard rock and glam metal legacy led by founding member Marq Torien.