This page is a loose timeline of events that shaped the bands history.
Triple X was formed in 1987 by Fred "The Shred" Nelson, Scott Bender, Jim Luther and Chris Procopio.
Prior to their debut, bassist Scott Bender got the call to join Baton Rouge. Scott and Baton Rouge would go onto enjoy national success.
After meeting by accident on a beach in California, Fred invited fellow Pittsburgher and Livewire bassist, Nundo Palombo to play bass guitar. Triple X quickly championed a loyal army of faithful followers.
On any given weekend you could find them at one of your favorite local clubs. Sold out shows were not uncommon. Someplace Else served as home base not only for Triple X, but many other local favorites too!
Soon Jim Luther found himself growing weary of the band and decided to go his separate way. Rick Benoit replaced Jim and took Triple X to new unadulterated heights. During Rick’s tenure the band put out a demo cassette titled Triple X. They recorded their first song for WDVE’s Toys for Tot’s CD and won its first Pittsburgh Music Award for "Best Metal Band" in 1989. The band also put out their first video for the anthem HANDS and KNEES. The band continued packing in crowds with Rick and started to gain some label interest. Just when they seemed at the peak of their success Rick would leave the band. For circumstances that I do not recall, Rick would venture out and start a new project called Whiskey High. Ironically Mark Petrocelli played drums "very briefly" in Whiskey High with Rick!
The guy’s decided amongst themselves that Fred would not only continue to play guitar, but take over lead vocals as well. A new guitar player from Ohio was brought in to take over leads. This lineup never really took off and quickly became defunct.
It was once again time for another change in the lineup. It was decided either by Chris or by Fred and Nundo to find a new drummer. Fred and Nundo contacted Torrid Desire drummer, Mark Petrocelli to see if he wanted to join the band. A new singer was also needed. Mark Bailey from Assasin was recruited. This lineup would become the 5th version of XXX. Mark Bailey was a great guy with a great voice but just did not seem to fit. During this time negotiations were in the works with future band manager Tom Marzullo (Musikor Management). In the past Tom worked with acts such as Sheila E. and KISS. Tom managed a Reggae band from Jamaica called Third World. Tom also managed soft porn star, Lori Wagner. Lori recorded some demos with Tim. I believe the rest of the band also played on her demo.
At this point Fred assumed more of a leadership role in the band. Fred and Tom were courting ex 313 and current Dr No singer, Tim Aymar. Tim had an aggressive vocal style that blended into the recipe of Triple X perfectly! Triple X was back and badder than ever! This lineup would go onto record another demo that would never see the light of day. A promo live video was filmed at the Metropol by a student from the Art Institute. This lineup would win the second Pittsburgh Music Award for "Best Metal Band" in 1990 as well as a sponsorship by Budweiser Beer (Their drink of choice). This lineup also recorded a song (D.W.A) for WDVE’s Toys for Tot’s, charity CD.
Eventually Mark was let go and replaced by original drummer Chris Procopio. The band severed ties with Tom Marzullo and teamed up with Barney Lee from Aircraft Studios. Things once again seemed to be doing better than ever. The band recorded a video for the song "Pump up the Gas" and released their 1st official indie record, titled BANG. To this day BANG is considered a rare, hard to find gem and consistently sells for over $100 on EBay.
Nundo would find himself growing tired of inner conflicts and would ultimately leave the band. Nundo was replaced by original bassist Scott Bender. Soon Tim would also feel an underlying urge to leave; he wanted to pursue a musical path that was more aggressive in nature. Paul Skowron from Ohio’s Noisy Mama would join along with former Psycho Scream and Dofka drummer Steve Moore.
In 1987 Triple X was forged out of sexual magnetism coupled with bad boy attitudes but soon Triple X would fall apart due to a changing of the musical guard. What was once considered hot....now was not. This would be the last lineup that Pittsburgh would ever see play live again.
From 1987 - 1994 Triple X played thousands of shows to tens of thousands of fans. They have played shows with several national acts including, Motley Crue, Bullet Boys, Don Dokken, Trixter and Donnie Iris to name a few. They have co hosted PCTV numerous times, appeared on the "In Pittsburgh Music Awards", and has sold tons of XXX merchandise. Triple X has performed and headlined various music festivals in Pennsylvania, including the South Park Rib Cookoff, Regatta Rocks and Music Alley.
Triple X was a band that should have been signed to a major label, but a shift in music would forever prevent that from happening. Triple X still lives in the hearts of many who followed them....and for that they THANK YOU!!!
And as the saying goes....all good things must come to an end!
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