Lion's Share

1993 An early incarnation of Lion's Share existed during the late Eighties, releasing the single "Ghost Town Queen" - now an international collector's item. However, 1993 sees founding members and songwriters Lars Chriss (guitar) and Kay Backlund (keyboards) form a new version of the band by enlisting drummer Johan Koleberg, vocalist Andy Engberg (ex-Sorcerer) and bassist Andy Loos (ex-Glory). It isn't long before this line-up of Lion's Share lands a deal with Japan's Zero Corporation Records and Germany's Long Island Records.

1994 The band performs a few gigs, but spends most of their time rehearsing and recording their debut album.

1995 The self-titled debut album sees the light of day in early 1995 and is met with universal acclaim. After parting ways with the newly-married Loos, Lion's Share recruit bassist Pontus Egberg, who proves to have been the missing link in the line-up.

1996 In 1996, Lion's Share ink a worldwide deal with the Century Media label, in the process tightening their sound by becoming heavier and more guitar-oriented then ever before, as evidenced by the band's sophomore effort, simply entitled "Two". The band is also the only Scandinavian band to appear on the "A Tribute to Judas Priest- Legends of Metal Vol.1", to which the group contribute their version of "A Touch of Evil". The CD also features Saxon, Mercyful Fate, Helloween, U.D.O, among others. In November and December of 1996 Lion's Share join metal legends Saxon on their European tour.

1997 The "Two" album is released on January 3rd. April and May 1997 see the band doing a 3 1/2 week European tour with Iced Earth and Nevermore. By now, Lion's Share prove to have hardcore fans all around Europe. Another tour with Saxon rounded off the year.

1998 Word is by now spreading that Lion's Share is something special and in 1998 a Scandinavian tour with U.D.O. (ex-Accept) follows. Additional club dates in Sweden take place. With boosted confidence the band record their third album in Stockholm, with Chriss producing. Lion's Share also sign to AVEX Inc. (Japan).

1999 1999 sees the Japanese release of the band's masterpiece, the uncompromisingly riff-laden and melodic "Fall From Grace". Packed with catchy material and featuring a sound tightened by successful touring and an increased self-confidence stemming from all the rave reviews, the album is the band's heaviest ever without losing the melodic sensibility that makes the band stand out as songwriters. Along with a stunning cover of City Boy's 1979 masterpiece, "The Day The Earth Caught Fire", the sought-after Priest cover is also included on the album.

Early 1999 sees Lion's Share touring with another legend - Dee Snider (ex-Twisted Sister). The band also makes an appearance at the renowned Sweden Rock Festival together with bands like Scorpions, Deep Purple, David Lee Roth, Manowar, Motörhead, Dio and others.

In autumn 1999, the band contribute a classy version of "I Don't Believe In Love" to an American Queensryche tribute and "Ready To Believe" (Electric Boys) to a Swedish Metal tribute that also features, among others, Yngwie Malmsteen, Entombed, In Flames and Hammerfall.

The year ends on a high note, as Lion's Share announce a new record deal with Germany's Massacre Records (Playground in Sweden & Finland), and embark on an extensive Scandinavian tour with Dio, Manowar and Motörhead. A hugely successful trek, the latter tour goes a long way towards establishing the band as one of Europe's premier hard rock outfits and paves the way for Lion's Share's world dominance in the 21st century.

Source: http://www.lionsshare.org/