On paper, the alliance of ex-STYX guitarist TOMMY SHAW and former NIGHT RANGER bassist Jack Blades with Motor City Madman TED NUGENT in DAMN YANKEES looked far fetched. The fact of the matter is that the working relationship the three enjoyed (with drummer Michael Cartellone bringing up the rear) proved to be immensely successful, spawning two hit albums and a top 3 American single in the power ballad 'High Enough'.

The idea for DAMN YANKEES had been something that had been in the back of the minds of Shaw and Nugent, the pair having crossed paths for many years. Having quit STYX for a solo career in the early 80s, Shaw decided to team up with Nugent after both had finished work on their latest releases. In Shaw's case this turned out to be 1984's 'Ambition' album, whilst Nugent had released 'If You Can't Lick 'Em...Lick 'Em'.

As the duo worked on material, word filtered through that NIGHT RANGER had split. Shaw and Nugent placed a timely call to lure Jack Blades to the cause. As Cleveland, Ohio native Michael Cartellone was already playing in Shaw's band at the time, once Nugent and Blades heard the drummer play the ex-furniture painter was in. This new 'supergroup' quickly gained the attention of the major labels, Warner Brothers beating off Geffen for the quartet's signatures. The debut album was produced by Ron Nevison.

Nugent tended to play something of a backseat role on the debut record, content to just crank some riffs out before being let loose on the closing 'Pile Driver'. Predictably enough, the rest of the album was a sweet mix of STYX's heavier moments and NIGHT RANGER's melodic overdose.

DAMN YANKEES hit the road in earnest with a mammoth American tour with BAD COMPANY once the record was in the stores and charting. The band's set was, naturally, completed by the inclusion of a choice number from STYX, NIGHT RANGER and Nugent's back catalogue.

During 1992 Blades and Shaw collaborated with then ex-MÖTLEY CRÜE vocalist VINCE NEIL to record the track 'You're Invited But Your Friend Can't Come' for the movie soundtrack to the film 'Encino Man'. A few months later, DAMN YANKEES were back with the 'Don't Tread' album.

'Don't Tread' charted in the top 30 in America and found the group with another hit on their hands with the single 'Where You Goin' Now'.

Oddly, the group appeared to be placed in suspended animation as Shaw and Blades stuck together to produce the 'Hallucination' album as Nugent went off to do what Ted does...

By 2000 though DAMN YANKEES reformed but with a new look. Shaw's position being taken by BROTHER CANE guitarist Damon Johnson and Cartellone being replaced by NIGHT RANGER's Kelly Keagy. Although highly anticipated, the DAMN YANKEES album failed to materialise. Subsequently band members acknowledged an album had been recorded but had stalled due to 'mixing' problems. Two tracks, namely 'KLSTRPHNKY', originally entitled 'Clusterfunk', and 'Damned If Ya Do' which were originally slated for these abandoned DAMN YANKEES sessions later materialised on TED NUGENT's 2002 solo album 'Craveman'. DAMN YANKEES original line up would reunite in December of 2004 for an appearance at ALICE COOPER's Arizona 'Christmas Pudding' concert to raise funds for the non-profit, Christian based Solid Rock Foundation.

Michael Cartellone sessioned on album tracks for former DEEP PURPLE and RAINBOW singer JOE LYNN TURNER in late 2006. A stripped down acoustic version of 'High Enough', credited to SHAW/BLADES, was contributed to the 'VH1 Metal Mania Stripped Volume 3' compilation album issued through Sidewinder Music in March 2007.