Let’s go back to 1979 when guitarist Jeff Jones formed St. Elmo’s Fire along with vocalist Tim Raynor-Allwein in Sacramento, California. In order to have a genuine band they needed a bass player and drummer to complete the line-up so enter Steve Raynor and Alan Kreutzer. They quickly built a name for themselves on the local club circuit opening up for acts such as Y&T and Nightranger but it would take until 1982 before they put out their first official release, a single called “Really In Love” through Real to Reel Records.
One year later the combo moved to LA and underwent a drastic line-up change. Founder Jeff was now joined by singer Zane Lazar, drummer Kris Gustofson and bassist Simon Evans. Also in 1983 manager/producer Dito Godwon (Great White, Wildside, Peter Criss) took them under his wing and through him they were able to release their self-titled debut on Dream/CBS France in 1986. The platter was well received by both press and fans.
The band continued gigging on the Sunset Strip scene strengthening their live act while also writing new songs that ended up on three more releases: 1988’s “Warning From The Sky”, “Powerdrive” which saw the light in 1990 and “Desperate Years” that came out a month after the combo had officially split up in 1992. All their hard work hadn’t resulted in obtaining a place in the premier league of melodic hard rock/metal and Jeff felt he had taken the band as far as he could.
Next Jeff would join hair metallers Vamp Le Stat and record the awesome “Bloodline” disc but by 1994 he was out on his own and the next year his first solo album was released through Border Records.
And this brings us nicely to the compilation album entitled “Rockhard ’86-‘96” which is currently playing in the background. Included here are several tracks lifted from the first 3 St. Elmos Fire platters, some from VLS’s “Bloodline” and one cut from mister Jones’s “Ride” opus.
The sound produced by St. Elmos Fire is ‘80’s melodic hard rock/metal and comes across as a mix of early Keel, Ratt at the time of their excellent self-titled EP and vintage Dokken. Nothing you haven’t heard before . But that doesn’t change the fact that Jeff’s guitar work is a pleasure for the ears along with the powerful, high pitched vocals of mister Lazar.
The tracks from the debut are a tad heavier than those of the 2 platters that followed cause on “Warning From The Sky” and “Powerdrive” the guys were clearly aiming for a broader appeal by going for a more commercial sound.
Currently guitarist Jeff Jones and drummer Kris Gustofson are planning a possible return of St. Elmos Fire.
The odd tune of the bunch is “Mississippi Wine” from Jeff’s solo debut. On this acoustic tune he dabbles with Southern Rock .Enlarging upon the tracks lifted is a few from from VLS’s “Bloodline” “Rockhard ’86-‘96” showcases a big part of the career of Jeff Jones and is a great way of getting to know this talented musician. (see also Spaced, Keester, Vamp le Stat)

“Rock Hard” depicts the musician’s career points against each other, more precisely, songs of the  group. ELMO’S FIRE and VAMP LE STAT,
Of the former, the debut and the album “Power Drive” and “Warning From the Sky” are covered ( “Desperate Years” are left out), and “Bloodline”, his two successors in the recent past, were also published after 1996 . ST. ELMO’S FIRE offered for the typical eighties hard rock to heavy metal, . On “Gonna Get Wild” or “Madame Blue” (hard grooving Doomer) ruled, however, still credible street attitude and rudimentary yet effective game with accurate melodies between SKID ROW, DOKKEN or SPREAD EAGLE, Exciting, but always reflecting compositional mastery of what can be said of Jones’ solo  “Mississippi Wine”
VAMP LE STAT turn out a greasy side, from the peppy “Bitch”. The gloomy Glam (already established trend in the doldrums in 1992) stand out mainly because of their singer Jimmy Tuttle, and also the performance of Jones seems far more passionate . “Chain Around My Heart” is ominous and heavy as lead, a child of the grunge drawn metal of the early nineties, CONCLUSION: JEFF JONES delivers under its own name, a charming showcase of songs tare . Classic melodic metal with  indestructible themes:

see also Spaced, Keester, Vamp Le Stat

Well, this is a re-issue of the first album of Californian Glam rockers VAMP LE STAT, titled “Bloodline”. VAMP LE STAT was formed in 1991, but it was 1992 when the band really came together. The first line-up of VAMP LE STAT existed of Jimmy Tuttle (vocals, guitar), Jeff Jones (guitar, vocals), Brian Boozer (bass, keyboard, vocals) and Bret Blackburn (drums). This debut album “Bloodline” was released in 1993, and was meant for their fans. At that time there were only 2000 copies pressed of “Bloodline”. So, now “Bloodline” is re-issued by XXX Records America with a new packaging and with 5 bonus tracks. on the album.  Anyway, let’s get back to this album. While I was listening to Bloodline several times, VAMP LE STAT reminded me musically of bands such as BON JOVI, POISON, LED ZEPPELIN, KINGDOM COME and SKID ROW. And I must admit that it still sounds nice after all those years. The band existed of good musicians and Tuttle is a pretty good singer as well. Also the production is good, which was done by Jones. So, “Bloodline” is still a nice Glam-, Hard Rock album which Glam fans should check out (also this re-release is  a limited edition ). The ballad “She’s Not In Love Anymore” sounds nice, . “Guns 4 Hire” is a fast rocker with double bass drums, . Anyway, I would say that the best songs on “Bloodline” are the original album versions of “Madame Blue”, “Swing Child”, “Bitch”, “Guns 4 Hire” and “Chain Around My Heart”.

see also St. Elmo’s Fire, Spaced, Keester

…mixing several styles of hard rock today, this album can satisfy many metal  fans  “Chain Around My Heart” traces the ’70 ‘s  sounding like a new Led Zeppelin and Blue Cheer. Very good. It’s a strong hand! Then they mix four tracks of  good old melodic American metal , good quality.  3  Scorpions-like songs and 3 acoustic tracks (Mr.  Big and Extreme) rather successful, sounding really good. It should pass easily in radio (especially now). But above all there is EXCELLENT instrumental ” Rivethead JAM ” fantastic! Blues Boom ambience,  incredible way it reminds me of the ’70’s  (great ), the limit of psychedelia. Facinating guitar parts …. In addition to the end of the song, reminds me of drummer John Bonham. Eight minutes of  happiness of ’70 ‘s mixed with the ’90’ s (because the sound and some passages are definitely there!). It lsounds like a live jam.  “Desperate Years” is an album of very high quality (good sound, good songs, good musicians ) you will  love this!

(see also spaced and rockhard)

…. great show by the singe ZANE LAZAR , the lyrics aew quite impressive. —–
(see also spaced and rockhard)

XXX Records America artists Vamp Le Stat , St. Elmo’s Fire and Jeff Jones are now getting airplay on one the internet’s largest rock radio networks, the Redeye Radio Network. Tonight March 5th from 7-10pm pacific time,  the queen of rock radio, Norma Jean, will be featuring XXX Records America and playing songs from several albums from Vamp Le Stat, Jeff Jones and St. Elmo’s Fire. You can catch the show here Redeye Radio Network

XXX Records would also like to thank Helena at Redeye  Radio for her support and playing our music also!!!

CD Baby, the worlds largest distributor of independent music, is featuring 5 St. Elmo’s Fire albums just released by XXX Records America in their “Hard Rock New Arrival“ and the “Rock & Roll New Arrival” sections of their website.
They include the  re-releases of “St. Elmo’s Fire”, “Warning From The Sky”, “Powerdrive”, and “Desperate Years” plus the previously unreleased “ Really.. Live ‘82!” (featuring original SEF front man Tim Raynor Allwein)
You can check it out and listen to sample tracks by going to;

St. Elmo\’s Fire featured new release 1

St. Elmo\’s Fire featured nre release 2

St. Elmo\’s Fire featured release 3

The later version of St. Elmos Fire (SEF V2) was the version of the band that most people associate with St. Elmos. After releasing 4 albums on various labels in the ‘80’s ( St. Elmo‘s Fire“, “Warning From The Sky“, “Powerdrive“ and “Desperate Years“) St. Elmo’s broke up in 1992. However there is talk that the band is reforming and will return soon with a new album on XXX RECORDS AMERICA

The 4 St. Elmo’s Fire albums “St. Elmo’s Fire”, “Warning From The Sky”, “Powerdrive”, and “Desperate Years” are being released for digital downloads by XXX Records America. All major digital download sources such as itunes, amazon mp3 etc will have the albums available. This is the first time these albums have been available for digital distribution. No date has been set for these albums to be re-released on CD.