Though they never met with success the way other like-minded sleaze metal bands did (Skid Row being a prime example), Spread Eagle created a minor splash with tracks like “Switchblade Serenade” and “Scratch Like a Cat” from their self-titled MCA debut in 1990. Both videos received limited airplay on MTV’s Headbanger’s Ball and the video for “Scratch Like a Cat” was shown on an episode of “Life Goes On” (it might have been in the episode entitled “Corky Rebels”).
After a (saleswise) disappointing second release, Open to the Public, in 1993, Spread Eagle called it quits. Singer Ray West joined a band called Girls of Porn but then disappeared for a number of years. Rumors around the internet were that Ray had AIDs and had moved back to Florida (where he got his start) to live with his mom. As you’ll soon read, those rumors were completely unfounded and Ray knows who started them.
In 2006, Ray resurfaced with a MySpace page, posted some solo tracks he was working on as well as Hostel, Inc. tracks he had recorded, and also hooked back up with Spread Eagle bassist Rob DeLuca for a short run of reunion tour dates.
Just a few weeks ago, Ray released his first solo CD (under the name All Pointz West) and while it’s definitely NOT an ’80s hair metal rehash (think more like modern metal bands Avenged Sevenfold, Seether, Killswitch Engage), Spread Eagle fans should recognize Ray’s vocals pretty easily on many of the tracks.
I’m a huge fan of Spread Eagle AND the Metal Sludge website so I figured I’d copy that site’s 20 Questions format and send questions to Ray in hopes that maybe Metal Sludge would be interested in running it on their site (offer is still there, Stevie!).
Continue reading “20 Q’s with singer Ray West (ex-Spread Eagle)”
