Salty Dog - Lost Treasure + 3 Golden Jewels

The sunset strip had many heroes and casualties when referring to the 80’s hair band revolution.  And, one time-darlings of the strip, Salty Dog, rode the waves of the music industry with vigor and might.

Salty Dog was formed in Los Angeles in 1986 by ex-Ratt/Max Havoc drummer Khurt Maier along with Scott Lane (guitar), Michael Hannon (bass), and eventually lead singer Jimi Bleacher (vocals, guitar, keyboard, piano, harmonica).  Pete Reveen (guitar) would enter the picture and take over guitar duties as Scott Lane left the band.

Some lump Salty Dog in with the sleaze metal genre, but this was do more to their look than their sound.  In all actuality, Salty Dog was more Zeppelin-esque with a bluesy backbone. 

Salty Dog was managed by Vicky Hamilton (known best for her early management of Guns N’ Roses, Poison, and Faster Pussycat).  Through her efforts and the sold-out club shows whenever Salty Dog played, Salty Dog was able to secure that coveted major label record contract (Geffen Records).

Salty Dog  recorded their debut album at Rockfield in Wales, UK (where the first Black Sabbath album and Rush‘s A Farewell To Kings album were recorded)

Released in 1990, Every Dog Has Its Day, Salty Dogs debut album, peaked at No. 176 on the Billboard 200 chart. They toured relentlessly but never made it back overseas.

In 1991, original lead singer Jimmi Bleacher was replaced by Darrel Beach, due to ongoing drug issues at the detriment of the band.

The album was well-received and the critics spoke favorably of the band and their music.  “Come Along” was getting some good radio airplay in the States while two videos, “Come Along” and “Lonesome Fool” were created (but not without controversy) for MTV.

By 1993, it was all over.  With a failed reunion show, the band has definitively called it quits – but not before releasing the Demos that were written and recorded for a sophomore release.  Having received a brief European release in the past, the album is now long out of print and hard to find at a decent price.  Now, FnA Records has given the ‘Lost Treasures’ album a new life with bonus tracks included (3 Golden Jewels).