China (band)

China is a hard rock band from Winterthur, Switzerland, founded in 1985. In 1988 they signed with Phonogram, releasing their debut album the same year. They are best known for their 1989 single "In the Middle of the Night", which peaked at No. 11 in Switzerland. As of 2013, all of the band's studio albums have entered the Top 40 album charts in Switzerland.

Biography

Formed in 1985, the original line-up consisted of vocalist Math Shiverow, guitarists Claudio Matteo (formerly of Bloody Six and Danger) and Freddy Laurence, bassist Marc Lynn (formerly of Stormbringer), and drummer John Dommen. By 1988, China had signed a record contract with the German branch of Phonogram Records, resulting in the band's eponymous debut album, which reached No. 6 on the Swiss albums chart.

Before their 1989 sophomore effort, ''Sign In The Sky,'' former Crown vocalist/guitarist Patrick Mason (who had also briefly with Krokus and Fast Forward) replaced Shiverow on lead vocals, and Brian Kofmehl (formerly of Killer) took over bass duties from Lynn, who re-surfaced with Gotthard a couple of years later. ''Sign In The Sky'', produced by Stephan Galfas and recorded in New York, would become China's most successful album. It reached No. 2 on the Swiss albums chart, eventually achieving gold status, and cracked the Top 50 in Germany, peaking at 45. The band supported the album with an extensive European tour as opening act for Yngwie Malmsteen.

Mason's tenure would be short lived due to health problems, and the band's 1991 ''Live'' album, recorded at the Marlboro Music Rock on September 29, 1990 in Locarno, Switzerland, featured yet another vocalist, Eric St. Michaels, formerly of Big Trouble. St. Michaels would make his studio debut on ''Go All The Way'', released in 1991. Upon St. Michaels' exit and return to the U.S. in 1992, China teamed with vocalist Marc Storace of Krokus for several shows in 1993, including a concert broadcast live on Swiss national radio DRS3, issued in 2000 as the ''Alive'' album.

Newly signed to the EMI label and featuring yet another vocalist, Douglas McCowan, as well as Johnny Giorgi replacing Dommen on drums, 1995's ''Natural Groove'' saw the band explore markedly different musical territory. Struggling with the changing musical climate and financial difficulties, China announced their breakup shortly after the album's release.

Matteo and Kofmehl would reunite with Storace for the Acoustical Mountain unplugged project, performing covers as well as various China and Krokus songs. The trio played across Switzerland for several years.

The 'China Revisited' tour in 2000 had a line-up of Matteo, Laurence, Kofmehl, Giorgi, Shiverow, St. Michaels, and Storace. Laurence would also join former China bandmate Marc Lynn in Gotthard in May 2004, replacing the departing Mandy Meyer.

In the spring of 2007, Matteo received a call from Swiss concert promoters Free & Virgin, asking if China would be interested in reuniting for an appearance at the Spirit of Rock festival to play alongside Heaven & Hell, Mötley Crüe, Motörhead, U.D.O. and Saxon. This performance sparked a full-fledged reunion and the November 2009 'Rock Never Dies' tour in support of ''The Very Best of China'' album. China also made an appearance at Z Rock 2007 in Wigan, Greater Manchester, England.

On 25 March 2010, the band released ''Light Up The Dark'', their first new studio album in 15 years, through Universal Music in Switzerland and the German label Metal Heaven in the rest of Europe. The line-up featured long-time members Matteo, St. Michaels and Kofmehl alongside newcomers Billy La Pietra (drums) and Mack Schildknecht (guitar) who had been joined the band in 2008 and 2009, respectively. They would support Krokus on a number of dates on their 2010 '' Hoodoo tour.''

Dan Grossenbacher replaced Kofmehl on bass before the release of ''We Are The Stars'' in November 2013 via K-tel subsidiary Blue Martin. The album was produced by Tommy Henriksen, guitarist for Alice Cooper and old friend of St. Michaels. It was accompanied by a video for the single "Everywhere You Are".

Discography

Studio albums

References

External links

China official website

{{Authority control

1985 establishments in Switzerland
Musical groups established in 1985
Swiss glam metal musical groups
Swiss hard rock musical groups
Vertigo Records artists
English-language musical groups from Switzerland