Hardline

hard rock

More than one artist exists by this name: 1) Hardline is a melodic hard rock band. The group was formed by brothers, and former Brunette band members, Johnny (vocals) and Joey Gioeli (guitar). They recruited former Bad English members Neal Schon (a guitarist best known for his work in Journey) and Deen Castronovo (drums). Bassist Todd Jensen, who'd worked with Doro and David Lee Roth, rounded out the band. The group began a major tour with Van Halen prior to the release of an album. Their one and only release, 1992's Double Eclipse, featured a platter of upbeat melodic hard rock reminiscent of the 80s metal boom, tracks that arguably showed an even harder edge than that of Bad English. While that album has received praise from several critics, it appeared at a time when alternative rock was ascendant, getting a modest commercial response. Schon, Jensen, and Castronovo took time away from the band to work with seminal solo artist Paul Rodgers. However, the Gioeli's felt the other members were spending too much time on side projects, and Hardline ended up folding sadly before too long. Schon and Castronovo would rejoin Journey in the late 90s. Jensen worked and toured with Alice Cooper while Johnny Gioeli sang on Axel Rudi Pell's Oceans Of Time album. A new version of Hardline consisting of the Gioeli's, Josh Ramos (guitar), Chris Maloney (bass), Bobby Rock (drums, ex-Vinnie Vincent Invasion) and Michael Ross (keyboards) released Hardline II roughly ten years after the band...