A Metal band heavily embroiled in 70's retro Doom sounding uncannily like Birmingham's finest, TROUBLE debuted with a self-titled album in 1984 on the Enigma label. Dating back to their formation in Chicago during 1979 TROUBLE remained a cult act throughout the greater portion of their career and it is only with the Stoner Rock trend of the mid 90's their legacy has been recognised. Unfortunately for TROUBLE, their chosen path was taken well in advance of the Stoner and Grunge legions that were to capitalise on their efforts.

The group first committed their Christian imbued brand of Doom onto tape in 1980 by way of a three track demo recording. Two more studio sets ensued capped by a live concert recording in 1983, comprising mostly originals punctuated by takes on ACCEPT's 'Son Of A Bitch', ANGEL WITCH's 'Confused' and even Ken Russell's 'Deathwish' movie theme. TROUBLE at this stage involved singer Eric Wagner, guitarists Bruce Franklin, former WITCH SLAYER bassist Sean McAllister and Rick Wartell with Jeff Olsen on drums. Their ambitions had reached the ears of California's Metal Blade Records, who put out the March 1984 single 'Assassin'.

TROUBLE's opening album, stamped simply as 'Trouble' but often referred to as 'Psalm 9', came clad in an eerie sleeve depicting a weathered tree atop a skull shaped hillock. The record, a collaborative production effort credited to the band, label boss Brian Slagel and engineer Bill Metoyer, was ground out at Track Studios in February 1984 for a quick fire release just weeks later. Thick slabs of Doom, culled from prior demos, closed out with a crushing yet worshipful rendering of CREAM's 'Tales of Brave Ulysses'. Unfortunately Metal Blade's then limited promotional budget could not do justice to the material within and although reviews would be glowing, TROUBLE found it difficult to step up beyond their local support.

Lyrically, their second effort, 'The Skull', touched on personal issues affecting the band ranging from substance abuse and conflicts of character. This album had been recorded at both Preferred Sound in Woodland Hills and Track Record in Los Angeles with production credits going to Bill Metoyer. None too surprisingly the group fractured, Jeff Olson quitting in late 1985 to enter into the church and Ron Holzner usurping McAllister. With two creditable albums behind them, and rising international appreciation, TROUBLE's religious persuasions would come under scrutiny. Questioned on a supposed Christian outlook, the band refuted this supposition.

June 1987's 'Run To The Light' saw TROUBLE in the studio with a fresh rhythm section of Ron Holzner and drummer Dennis Lesh. Again reviews were unanimously positive but still the band struggled.

TROUBLE signed with Rick Rubin's Def American label for the eponymous album released in early 1990. At this point the band had settled on a line-up comprised of Eric Wagner, Rick Wartell, Holzner and ex-ZOETROPE drummer Barry Stern. Rubin took the production chair for this record, encouraging TROUBLE's experiments with Psychedelia.

Fellow American Thrashers TOURNIQUET covered the track 'The Tempter' on their 1991 album 'Psycho Surgery'. Lesh meantime had teamed up with fellow Chicago Metal band STYGIAN fronted by ex-WRATH singer Gary Golwitzer for two EPs and an album.

Following 1992's 'Manic Frustration', their last for Def American, Olsen was welcomed back to the fold for their swansong effort 'Plastic Green Head'. This record, a diverse Vincent Wojno produced set delving deeper into 60s acidity to such a degree it boasted covers of THE BEATLES 'Tomorrow Never Knows' and even THE MONKEES 'Porpoise Song', saw release throughout Europe on the Music For Nations label. European shows in May 1993 saw support from British Folk Metal band SKYCLAD. Stern teamed up with British Doomsters CATHEDRAL for live work in 1994 whilst guitarist Rick Wartell founded WET ANIMAL. Wagner forged the oddly titled LID for a 1997 album with ANATHEMA's guitarist Daniel Cavanagh.

Later shows saw TROUBLE fronted by former EXHORDER vocalist Kyle Thomas. The band also operated for a short period with CROWBAR drummer Craig Nunebacher before Stern's return. TROUBLE eventually added former SHADES OF GREY and CATHEDRAL drummer Dave Hornyak as replacement for Stern.

Olsen and Franklin united with KING'S X frontman Doug Pinnick to create SUPERSHINE releasing an eponymous album in 2000. Lesh joined CHASTAIN and also featured in the offshoot project band SOUTHERN GENTLEMEN. Meantime Holzer forged MUSTACHE then DEBRIS INC., the latter act in union with ST. VITUS frontman Dave Chandler. The band enrolled SKULLSICK NATION frontwoman Karyn Crisis and guitarist Afzaal Nasiruddeen for recording of a cover version of X's 'Nausea'. DEBRIS INC. would later see the addition of former TROUBLE and ZOETROPE drummer Barry Stern.

Wagner would contribute guest vocals to FOO FIGHTERS man Dave Grohl's Metal elite PROBOT project album of 2001. Meantime, TROUBLE bassist Ron Holzner would lay down session bass tracks for NOVEMBERS DOOM's 2001 album. By August of 2002 Holzner had teamed up with PLACE OF SKULLS, the high profile Doom act led by erstwhile PENTAGRAM guitarist Victor Griffin and SAINT VITUS and THE OBSESSED veteran Scott Weinrich.

TROUBLE would reform in October of 2002, re-convening a line-up comprising vocalist Eric Wagner, guitarists Rick Wartell and Bruce Franklin, bassist Ron Holzner and drummer Jeff Olson. However, Holzner would soon break away having his position filled by former THIS TORTURED SOUL bassist Chuck Robinson. This combo set to work on a new album 'Simple Mind Condition', comprising five classic TROUBLE numbers along with two brand new songs. Ex-drummer Dennis Lesh was back in action, featuring on SOUTHERN GENTLEMEN's 2003's 'Double Your Pleasure' album.

PROBOT, fronted by Eric Wagner, put in a one off live performance of 'My Tortured Soul' on January 28th 2004 at the MTV studios in New York City. Joining the TROUBLE frontman for the occasion would be project mentor Dave Grohl, ex-THE OBSESSED, SAINT VITUS, SPIRIT CARAVAN guitarist Wino, Greg Anderson of Southern Lord Records and FOO FIGHTERS mixer Nick Raskulinecz.

'Simple Mind Condition', having undergone a remix by Vinny Wojno, would still be in progress by mid 2004. Sadly, former TROUBLE drummer Barry Stern passed away in early 2005.

British Dark Ambient act ANTIMATTER included a cover version of TROUBLE's 'Mr. White' on their July 2005 'Planetary Confinement' album. Meantime, TROUBLE completed work on their new Vinny Wojno produced album, 'Simple Mind Condition', in November. The record saw release through Escapi Music in Europe and Century Media in North America.

In May 2006 ex-singer Kyle Thomas joined up with Richmond, Virginia's ALABAMA THUNDERPUSSY as their new frontman. The TROUBLE classics 'Psalm 9' and 'The Skull' were re-issued during October 2006, both hosting extra material. 'Psalm 9' added film footage of interviews conducted in 1982 plus live tracks 'Assassin', 'Psalm 9' and 'Victim Of The Insane' whilst 'The Skull' was boosted by a DVD of a concert filmed at Malos in Aurora, Illinois on November 10th 1984, this including cover versions of the YARDBIRDS 'Heart Full Of Soul', CREAM's 'Tales of Brave Ulysses' and BLACK SABBATH's 'Children Of The Grave'.

European headline concerts in May 2007 saw UK act RISE TO ADDICTION as support act. Upon completion of European concerts in May 2008 the group surprisingly announced the departure of Eric Wagner. The singer, citing his disdain for the touring life as the main reason for his departure, stated "It is with my deepest regret that by mutual agreement that TROUBLE and I have parted ways effective immediately. I love them very much and I wish them nothing but the best. At this moment in time I just can't handle touring anymore". Wagner also revealed he would be pursuing a new solo project branded BLACKFINGER.

Even more of a revelation would be the identity of Wagner's immediate successor - WARRIOR SOUL, DIRTY RIG and SPACE AGE PLAYBOYS frontman Kory Clarke. TROUBLE and PENTAGRAM teamed up for the 'Doom Over Europe' tour starting in late September 2009 hitting Germany, Denmark, France, Switzerland, Hungary and the Czech Republic. TROUBLE alsp the headlined the 'Hammer Of Doom' festival, taking place on 17th October 2009 at Posthalle in Würzburg, Germany.

Garry Sharpe-Young