Greg Lonesome

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Greg Lonesome started his musical endeavors as the singer for Bad Luck Streak, who were one of Pennsylvania’s first Psychobilly bands (and maybe the first?), and at the time, they were one of only a handful of Psychobilly bands on the entire East Coast. Influenced by Psychobilly bands like the Meteors and the Krewmen, along with punk bands like the Devil Dogs and the Heartbreakers, Bad Luck Streak were known for their energetic live shows and their roots-punk delivery, and developed a decent local following for the short time they were together. However, Bad Luck Streak turned out to be more than just a clever name, as the band lasted only 2 years (1994-1996), breaking up 3 months before they were booked to play the 9th Big Rumble in Leicester, England. The untimely breakup also halted the release of their would-be debut 4-song CD EP on Raucous Records, which was to coincide with their Big Rumble appearance. Bad Luck Streak recorded 6 studio tracks, 2 of which were released posthumously on compilations.
After the breakup of Bad Luck Streak, Greg continued in his quest to find new band members and get back to doing what he loved most, making music. However, musicians who played (or even knew about) Psychobilly were few and far between in central Pennsylvania, and it took 3 more years to get anything solid going.
1999 changed all that. By midway through that year, he was practicing 5 nights a week with two different bands: the Mysterious Men in Black and the Lonesome Kings. Within the same week in late August of 1999 the Lonesome Kings would play their first gig and also record the tracks that would later become their first mini album, "Sunday Morning Hymns." The Mysterious Men in Black album, "Broken Men," was recorded in September of that year.
In 2000, the Lonesome Kings started gaining momentum. They would self-release "Sunday Morning Hymns," appear on 2 compilations, have "Sunday Morning Hymns" re-released on Raucous Records, and release the "Who's Your Daddy" EP, all in the span of 8 months. However, 2000 also brought about the end of the original lineup.
2001 saw the reformation of the Lonesome Kings with a new lineup, 3 more compilation appearances, and work would begin on the writing and recording of the critically acclaimed, "Shotgun Full of Blues." The Mysterious Men in Black CD would finally be released that year, and Greg also made a guest vocal appearance on the airím album "níl na lá."
“Shotgun Full of Blues” was recorded in 2002, and also put Greg behind the mixing desk for the first time, something that would become standard for the remaining Lonesome Kings releases.
"Shotgun Full of Blues" was finally released in August 2003, and the material for the Sweet Little Succubus EP was recorded around the same time. The Kings played the Zombilly Weekender in NYC in November of that year, alongside the likes of Evil Devil, the Monsters, the Memphis Morticians and the Kings of Nuthin'.
In June 2004, the Kings played their last gig at the Psychobilly Car Crash in Atlanta, Georgia, and they would have their last recording session in January of 2005.
2005 would be a new beginning for Greg as he became more involved in behind the scenes work, mixing 4 records that year and helping to form the Kaiser Records label in February.
Early in the year Greg mixed a record for Canada’s Meathookers, lending his signature lead vocals on a track and backing vocals on another. Unfortunately, the album was never released, but it laid the groundwork for the Tortured Souls recording project towards the end of the year.
In addition to mixing the Lonesome Kings “Legendary Suffering” CD that year, Greg also mixed some of the tracks that would appear on the Cosmic Voodoo “Vertigo” CD. “Vertigo” would be the first release on Kaiser Records in September. The Lonesome Kings “Sweet Little Succubus” EP was released in November.
The Tortured Souls project was recorded and mixed during the final 4 months of 2005 and would be Greg’s first new recordings after the Lonesome Kings.
2006 would be a busy year for Kaiser Records, releasing 4 CDs over the span of 6 months: Soundtrack to Oblivion, Lonesome Kings “Legendary Suffering”, Memphis Morticians “Play Primitive Trashman…” and the Nightstalkers “Toxic Cesspool.”
Greg recorded vocals on a track with the legendary Batmobile that year for an Elvis tribute to be released on Rockin’ Raven Records called “God Save the King.” He also started producing the Sleaze Pit podcasts.
2007 saw the first Tortured Souls release in the form of a compilation appearance on the Wrecking Bones Records, “Psychobilly Wreckage” CD. The 2nd Tortured Souls compilation appearance was released in March on Red Five Records: "Muh to the Muh: A Tribute to the Frantic Flintstones," with the Tortured Souls doing their take on “What the Hell.”
“God Save the King” was released in July on Rockin’ Raven Records, and some great Kaiser Records releases hit the streets- Bamboula in April and the killer “Real Boss Hoss International Stomp-o-lation” garage compilation in August. In addition, Greg appeared on the Mad Dog Cole album, "Ultra Violence," in September, singing backing vocals on Mad Dog's cover of the Lonesome Kings track, "Hell's What I'm Used To."
In the 2nd half of 2007, Lonesome teamed with Dave and Eric of Werevilsdare and recorded two demos, "Wasted Life" (featuring Andy of the Stockmen/Tortured Souls on bass) and "Ain't Nothin' Left," which can be heard here on the Myspace page. There will hopefully be more to come.
2008 saw things slowing down a bit. Kaiser Records released the Butchers CD, "Reach Out! With... the Butchers," in June. The Werevilsdare CD, "Full Moon Fury," was released late in the year with Greg doing backing vocals on 3 songs.
At the start of 2009, Greg decided to leave the business aspect of music behind, and parted ways with Kaiser Records. He's now working with a new band, Middle Aged Youth, teaming once again with Rev. Repulsive of the Lonesome Kings (aka Flyin' Ryan O'Brien of the Butchers) on guitar.
Middle Aged Youth is a throwback to the US hardcore punk scene of the early to mid 80's. Their first recording will be released on the Zodiac Killer Records compilation, "Drink, Fight Fuck Vol. 4," which will be a collection of GG Allin covers. Middle Aged Youth have recorded the Jabbers tune, "No Rules," for the compilation. Release date is unknown at this point, but watch this space for a sneak peak.
To be continued...