Tommy Thayer and Jaime St. James Unite for New EP “Bombshell”
KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer has joined forces with his former bandmate from BLACK ‘N BLUE, singer Jaime St. James, to create a brand-new six-song EP titled “Bombshell”. This exciting collaboration is now available for order on their official website, thayerstjames.com.
Track Listing for “Bombshell”
- 01. Bombshell
- 02. Bulletproof
- 03. Time of My Life
- 04. Tonight’s the Night
- 05. Magnetic
- 06. I Wanna Fly
The Essence of Their Collaboration
In a heartfelt statement, Thayer and St. James shared, “Our story has always been about friendship first. From the beginnings of BLACK ‘N BLUE, before the tours, the records, and craziness of the ’80s, we were two friends writing songs and chasing dreams together. That bond has never changed.”
They further expressed their excitement about the project: “‘Bombshell’ is the first time since the late ’80s that we’ve written and recorded new music side by side. We didn’t come into it with a plan; we just wanted to get together, write, and see where it took us. The joy for us is in the process, and that’s what has kept us coming back to it after all these years.”
The duo concluded their message with warmth: “These six songs are simply two best friends doing what we love most: creating and recording music together. That’s where it started, and that’s where it still lives. Enjoy.”
A Brief History of BLACK ‘N BLUE
BLACK ‘N BLUE originated in the late 1970s as a glam metal band called MOVIE STAR in Portland, Oregon. The lineup included Thayer, St. James, drummer Pete Holmes, bassist Patrick Young, and guitarist Jeff Warner. The band officially changed their name to BLACK ‘N BLUE and released their self-titled debut album in 1984 under Geffen Records, featuring the hit single “Hold On To 18.”
Throughout their career, BLACK ‘N BLUE produced three more albums with Geffen, two of which were helmed by KISS’s Gene Simmons. Despite their breakup in 1989, the band reunited in 1997 and again in 2007, although Thayer was not part of the latter reunions due to his commitment to KISS, where he took over for Ace Frehley in 2002.
A Look Back at Their Legacy
In 2022, Thayer and St. James released a five-song EP titled “The Lost Tapes,” which featured previously unreleased tracks from the late 1980s. Reflecting on their beginnings, Thayer once shared in a 2005 interview: “BLACK ‘N BLUE formed in Portland, Oregon in 1981. Myself, Jaime St. James and the other guys wanted to form a new heavy metal type band because at the time the New Wave of British Heavy Metal was starting to hit Stateside as well as MÖTLEY CRÜE in L.A. It was an exciting time.”
On their first performance, Thayer reminisced, “Jaime was originally the drummer of a band we had prior to BLACK ‘N BLUE. One night at a Portland nightclub, he jumped up front and started fronting the band, and the rest is history.”
BLACK ‘N BLUE released four successful albums through Geffen Records, including their self-titled debut (1984), “Without Love” (1985), “Nasty Nasty” (1986), and “In Heat” (1987). The latter two received production from Simmons, and the band’s catalog sales exceeded one million units in the U.S.
Upcoming Live Stream Event
Fans can catch Thayer and St. James live this Saturday at 5:30 PM PST, as they host a streaming event on their platform, Thayer-St. James.
Conclusion
The reunion of Tommy Thayer and Jaime St. James for the release of “Bombshell” marks a significant moment in rock history, celebrating friendship and the enduring love for music. With a rich history and a promising new EP, fans of BLACK ‘N BLUE and KISS alike have much to look forward to.
FAQs
1. Where can I purchase the “Bombshell” EP?
You can order the EP from the official website at thayerstjames.com.
2. When was BLACK ‘N BLUE formed?
BLACK ‘N BLUE was formed in 1981 in Portland, Oregon.
3. How many albums did BLACK ‘N BLUE release with Geffen Records?
The band released four albums through Geffen Records.
4. When is the live stream event?
The live stream event is scheduled for this Saturday at 5:30 PM PST.
