Biography
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Years Active
1987 – 1993 (6 years)
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Founded In
Skövde, Skövde Municipality, Västra Götaland, Sweden
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Members
- Skold (1987 – 1993)
- Zinny J. Zan
First Era, 1985-1991
The band previously went under the name "Kingpin" while they played in Sweden, recording the album "Welcome To Bop City" the line-up featured Zinny J. Zan (vocals), Tim Skold going by "Tim Tim" (bass), Harry Cody (guitar) and Stixx Galore (drums). This would become the original line-up of Shotgun Messiah as the band changed their name and relocated to Los Angeles, California hungry for more success. The album they released under the Kingpin name was re-recorded and released as Shotgun Messiah's self-titled, debut album, Shotgun Messiah. The style of this album was Glam metal typical of early 1980s American bands, in the vein of Mötley Crüe and Ratt.
Second Era, 1991-1993
Soon after this, frontman Zinny J. Zan departed, leaving Tim Skold to take over vocal duties for the band, Shotgun Messiah drafted in American bassist, Bobby Lycan to fill Tim's former position. This would prove to be the bands most successful era. In 1991, the bands follow up album "Second Coming" was released, spawning their most famous hit "Heartbreak Blvd". Stylistically, due to Skold's less conventional singing style, this era saw the band playing Sleaze Glam styled Hard rock, closer to Guns N' Roses and Faster Pussycat than their previous effort.
A punk rock influence was prevalent during this period. The band released an E.P. "I Want More", featuring cover versions of songs by the Ramones, the Stooges and the New York Dolls, during this time, they were also known to cover the Sex Pistols live.
Third Era, 1993
1993 proved to be the final year for the band, Harry Cody and Tim Skold were left as the only members of Shotgun Messiah, and created what would be the last Shotgun Messiah album "Violent New Breed", this album is significantly different from the previous efforts as it focused heavily on Industrial rock stylings, bringing in live players for the Violent New Breed tour. Soon after the band split permanently, citing artistic differences as the reason.Skold would have a stint in KMFDM.
Zan and Stixx (going only by his first name) reunited in 2012 as Shotgun. They wanted to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Welcome to Bop City, the original debut album from the band's first incarnation as Kingpin before changing their name to Shotgun Messiah. They released a live album under the Shotgun moniker. Their line-up at this point included Zan (lead vocals), Rob Marcello (guitar and backing vocals), Chris Laney (bass and backing vocals), Stixx (drums and backing vocals), and Jonas Beijer (keyboards).
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