Q5 (band)

Q5 is an American hard rock/heavy metal band, formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1983 by guitarist Floyd Rose and singer Scott Palmerton (AKA Jonathan K.) who were bandmates in Seattle legend The Core. The Core disbanded, Rose and Palmerton having a number of new songs written needed to fill out a new roster. They acquired Rick Pierce (guitar), Evan Sheeley (bass) and Gary Thompson (drums) from local Seattle band TKO. They were signed to management by Ken Kinnear, who also managed Heart. Their first album "Steel The Light" was mostly recorded in Los Angeles at Cherokee Studios, with finishing touches at The Music Source in Seattle. The album was produced by Grammy award-winning producer Mike Flicker and by Floyd Rose. Steel The Light was released in late 1983 on the London based Music For Nations label and became an instant hit in Europe. Lesser known in the U.S. and because of the success of Steel The Light in Europe, Q5 was seen as a European style band and was sometime lumped in with the NWOBHM groups. Steel The light enjoyed great success and is still viewed as an iconic album worldwide. Q5 released its second album in 1986 titled "When The Mirror Cracks"  It was a slight departure from the sound of the first album but was strong enough to get the band signed to Polygram Records and a production deal with Q Prime in New York. A third album of songs was started in 1988. Sadly the band began having the usual musical differences of opinion and the record company also was demanding a slightly watered down sound. The membership fractured in 1989 with two of the members, Palmerton(Jonathan K.)and Pierce, forming a new group named Nightshade. Q5 officially disbanded at that point. Nightshade continued live shows playing new material mixed with Q5 material and in 2009 a version of Q5 reformed with three original members Jonathan K., Rick Pierce and Evan Sheeley playing a show in Germany. It took several more years but the Q5 name was dusted off and the band presented itself at a one-off at the Sweden Rock Festival in 2014. Q5 was back. In 2016 they were signed to Frontiers Records SRL and released the long-awaited third album "New World Order" Q5 still plays and records today and consists of original founding member Jonathan K. surrounded by a set of gifted musicians.

Q5
Q5 at Headbangers Open Air 2016
Background information
OriginSeattle, Washington, US
Genres
Years active1983–1989, 2014-present
Labels
Associated acts
Websitewww.facebook.com/Q5Rocks/

Biography

Q5 started in 1983.[1] It functioned as a kind of 'supergroup' of sorts by mixing together members of two popular Seattle bands of the time. Frontman Jonathan K and guitarist Floyd D. Rose founded the band.

Members

Current Lineup 2020-
  • Jonathan Scott K. – Lead vocals
  • Turner Williams-Guitar
  • Chris Eger – Guitar
  • Chance White – Keys
  • Michael Self – Bass
  • RJ Singleton – Drums

Founding Members
  • Jonathan Scott K. – Lead Vocals
  • Floyd D. Rose – Guitar
  • Rick Pierce – Guitar
  • Gary Thompson – Drums
  • Evan Sheeley – Bass/Keyboards

Reunion Tour Lineup 2014–2019
  • Jonathan Scott K. – Lead Vocals
  • Dennis Turner – Guitar
  • Nick Layton – Guitar
  • Evan Sheeley – Bass
  • Jeffrey A. McCormack – Drums

Discography

Albums
  • 1984 – Steel the Light (Albatross Productions)
  • 1985 – When the Mirror Cracks (Polygram)
  • 2016 – New World Order (Frontiers Records)

Demos
  • 1983 – Demo
  • 1984 – Demo 1984

Singles
  • 1985 – "Steel the Light"
  • 1986 – "Living on the Borderline"
  • 2016 – "The Right Way"

References
  1. Colin Larkin, ed. (1995). The Guinness Who’s Who of Heavy Metal (Second ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 283. ISBN 0-85112-656-1.
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