NITRO, without doubt working to the "faster, higher" ethic, was a strange amalgam between vocal tutor and ex-TUFF singer JIM GILLETTE, guitar teacher Michael Angelo (a.k.a. Michael Batio and previously with the Chicago group HOLLAND) and drummer Craig "KC" Kasin. The latter would be superseded by former VINNIE VINCENT INVASION drummer Bobby Rock. Gillette, known under the stage name Jim L'Amour in his earlier years fronting SLUT, had vocalised on TUFF's first set of demos before bailing out to forge NITRO.

NITRO made a clear statement of intent with 1989 opener 'O.F.R.' ("Out-Fucking-'Rageous"). NITRO's mix of Gillette's stratospheric, glass shattering vocal style and Angelo's breathtaking displays of fretboard wizardry put the band firmly in the love 'em or hate 'em camp. The second album, 1992's 'Hot, Wet, Drippin' With Sweat', featuring bassist Ralph Carter and drummer Johnny Thunder, Rock having long since joined NELSON, contains a version of TED NUGENT's 'Cat Scratch Fever'.

Gillette found himself the envy of a large contingent of the Rock fraternity when he later married guitar diva LITA FORD. MICHAEL ANGELO issued a solo album 'Planet Gemini' on M.A.C.E. Records in 1987. Later years found Bobby Rock working with the resurrected HARDLINE. By 2003 Jim Gillette was fronting a new outfit billed as ORGAN DONAR whilst Rock was touring with SLAUGHTER on 'The Rock Never Stops' tour. In late 2005 Batio guested on German Heavy Metal band CODE OF PERFECTION's debut album 'Last Exit For The Lost'.