King Kobra

All For One - Once And For All

1983-1989, 2000-2001, 2010-

Stacks Image 18
Origin
US

Current members
  • Paul Shortino - vocals (2010–present)
  • David Michael-Phillips - guitar (1983-1989, 2001, 2010–present)
  • Mick Sweda - guitar (1983-1987, 2000-2001, 2010-present)
  • Johnny Rod - bass guitar (1983-1986, 2001, 2010–present)
  • Carmine Appice - drums (1983-1989, 2000-2001, 2010-present)
Former members
  • Mike Wolf - guitar (1983)
  • Mark Free - vocals (1983-1987, 2001)
  • Marq Torien - vocals (1987)
  • Lonnie Vencent - bass guitar (1986-1987)
  • Larry Hart - bass guitar (1987-1989)
  • Jeff Northrup - guitar (1987-1989)
  • Johnny Edwards - vocals (1987-1989)
  • Kelly Keeling - vocals, bass guitar (2000-2001)
  • Steve Fisher - guitar (2000-2001)
Stacks Image 86

King Kobra is a hard rock band founded by drummer Carmine Appice after his tenure with Ozzy Osbourne from 1983 to 1984. During the time of their first two albums, the band included four relatively unknown musicians that included vocalist Mark Free, guitarist David Michael-Philips, guitarist Mick Sweda, and bassist Johnny Rod. After two albums on Capitol records—Ready to Strike (November 9, 1985) and Thrill of a Lifetime (1986)—and an independent release entitled King Kobra III in 1988, Appice decided to dissolve the band and join guitarist John Sykes on his Blue Murder project in 1989.
In 2010, a new King Kobra emerged, with Carmine Appice on drums, Paul Shortino taking over vocal duties, Mick Sweda on guitar, David Henzerling (a.k.a. David Michael-Philips) on guitar, and Johnny Rod on bass. This lineup released an eponymous album, King Kobra, in 2011 on Frontiers Records, and another album in 2013 entitled King Kobra II.
The band went on hiatus following the release of their 2013 album, largely due to the other commitments of the individual band members. They did, however, play live gigs in 2016 sans Mick Sweda.



Discography
Studio albums
  • Ready to Strike (1985)
  • Thrill of a Lifetime (1986)
  • King Kobra III (1988)
  • King Kobra (2011)
  • King Kobra II (2013)

Compilation albums
  • The Lost Years (1999)
  • Hollywood Trash (2001)
  • Number One (2005)

Movie soundtracks
  • "Iron Eagle (Never Say Die)" was included in the soundtrack album from the 1986 movie Iron Eagle.
  • Song credits: Jake Hooker-Duane Hitchings - 1986 - Capitol Records.
  • "Hunger", covered by King Kobra but written by Kick Axe (listed as "Spectre General"), was featured in The Transformers: The Movie, and included on the soundtrack album.
  • "Mean Street Machine" & "Redline", were featured in RoadKill (video game) on radio station 69.3 QQQQ.

Notes
  • Rod left the band and joined W.A.S.P. in 1986.
  • Torien, Sweda, and Vincent left to play together in the band BulletBoys.
  • Free went on to form the bands known as Signal (EMI Records), and Unruly Child (Atlantic/Interscope Records). After coming to terms with her gender dysphoria in 1993 she is now known as Marcie Free.