Phantom Blue

Phantom Blue
Phantom Blue - L-R: Michelle Meldrum, Kim Nielsen, Gigi Hangach, Linda McDonald, and Karen Kreutzer.
Background information
Origin Los Angeles, California, United States
Genres Heavy metal, hard rock
Years active 1987–2001, 2009
Labels Shrapnel, Geffen, Roadrunner, Marlin, DRZ
Associated acts The Iron Maidens, Meldrum, The Little Dolls, Warbride, ThundHerStruck, Vixen, Sinboy, Post Mortem
Website www.phantomblue.com

Phantom Blue was an all-female American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1987. Phantom Blue were the first and only female artists to be signed to Mike Varney's Shrapnel Records, only three months after forming.

Biography

Formation and main career (1988-2001)

Phantom Blue was formed in 1988 in Hollywood, California by Michelle Meldrum and Nicole Couch. Couch and Meldrum were students of Paul Gilbert and Bruce Bouillet of Racer X.[1] Michelle Meldrum had played with drummer Linda McDonald in previous projects and together with vocalist Gigi Hangach and original bassist, Debra Armstrong. Armstrong left the band in June 1988, prior to the band signing with Shrapnel Records, in October 1988, and was replaced by Kim Nielsen, a student of John Alderete, bassist for Racer X and The Mars Volta.[1] Phantom Blue recorded their self-titled first album with the help of producer Steve Fontano and fellow Shrapnel label mate, Marty Friedman. Couch and Meldrum also co-wrote a track on the album with Marty Freidman.[1] Roadrunner Records, who owned the bands European distribution rights, were responsible for the band shooting a video for the single "Why Call It Love?" and a successful European tour followed.

Upon returning to the States, Phantom Blue caught the attention of singer Don Dokken who introduced them to Tom Zutaut of Geffen Records. Other major labels were interested in signing the band, most notably Disney's Hollywood Records, but the band signed with Geffen. Couch and Meldrum began writing the material for the Geffen release. Couch left the band prior to recording and Meldrum successfully recorded all the guitar parts for Built to Perform. Guitarist Karen Kreutzer replaced Couch and the band embarked on another successful European tour and shot a video for the single "Time to Run".

The band was eventually dropped from Geffen, sued by manager Byron Hontas and the management position was taken over by Mark Dawson, boyfriend of drummer Linda McDonald. Guitarist Michelle Meldrum was the first to leave due to disagreement as to the direction of the band under Dawson and vocalist Gigi Hangach soon followed. By 1996, McDonald was the only original member left and she continued to use the name Phantom Blue, enlisting a total of ten different members until finally calling it quits in early 2001.

Post-disbandment (2001-present)


Drummer Linda McDonald went on to form The Iron Maidens (billed as "The World's Only Female Tribute to Iron Maiden"), who released a self-titled tribute album worldwide and Japanese release version, the CD/DVD release Route 666 and the EP The Root of All Evil in Japan. In addition, she played drums in the cover bands Crabby Patty (I'm So Unclear!), Unholy Pink and Valley Dolls. She was also the drummer of the all-female Ozzy Osbourne tribute The Little Dolls from 2005 to 2010.

Guitarist Karen Kreutzer (from the 1993-1997 lineups) retired after moving to West River, Maryland. She is currently married with one daughter and has worked as a data analyst for a content solutions company.

Bassist Kim Nielsen (who, for a brief period, went by her married name Kim Nielsen-Parsons) worked in tour production and as an artist management assistant, working with many top bands in the music industry. Her most notable work outside of Phantom Blue is on Asia's 2004 album Silent Nation. She has been working with UK band, Wraith, and appeared on their 2017 album Revelation.

Lead vocalist Gigi Hangach currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada and is a supporter of animal rights.

Guitarist Nicole Couch currently lives in New York City with her husband and two kids and has worked as a music teacher.

Original bassist Debra Armstrong[2] currently lives in Sioux City, Iowa with her husband. She left the music industry soon after being replaced by Kim Nielsen in 1988, and went on to pursue a career in 3D modeling and engineering, working for clients such as Disney Imagineering, DARPA and others.

Guitarist Michelle Meldrum went on to form an international band called Meldrum. The band has toured with Zakk Wylde's Black Label Society, Motörhead, Sepultura, Nashville Pussy and Danzig. They have released a live DVD, Loaded Live, and two albums, Loaded Mental Cannon and Blowin' Up the Machine, the latter featuring her former Phantom Blue band mate, drummer Linda McDonald. On May 21, 2008, Meldrum died as a result of a cerebral hemorrhage.[3] She left behind her husband John Norum (of Europe) and their son Jake.[3]

Reunion (2009)

On May 26, 2009, Linda McDonald, Gigi Hangach and Kim Nielsen reunited as Phantom Blue for the Michelle Meldrum Memorial Concert at the Whisky a Go Go in Hollywood, California. Meldrum's position was filled by Tina Wood (from the 1997 lineup), while Sara Marsh and Courtney Cox of The Iron Maidens filled in for Nicole Couch.[4][5][6]

Original members Gigi Hangach and Nicole Couch are constructing the website www.phantomblue.net in honor of Michelle Meldrum.

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

Singles

  • "Why Call It Love?" (1989)
  • "Time to Run" (1993)
  • "My Misery" (1994, promo CD)

Members

Phantom Blue lineups
Pre-Shrapnel Era
(Early 1988)
Shrapnel/Roadrunner Era
(Late 1988–1993)
  • Gigi Hangach – lead vocals
  • Michelle Meldrum – guitar
  • Nicole Couch – guitar
  • Kim Nielsen – bass
  • Linda McDonald – drums
Geffen Era
(1993–1994)
  • Gigi Hangach – lead vocals
  • Michelle Meldrum – guitar
  • Nicole Couch - guitar
  • Karen Kreutzer – guitar
  • Kim Nielsen – bass
  • Linda McDonald – drums
(1994–1996)
  • Gigi Hangach – lead vocals
  • Michelle Meldrum – guitar
  • Karen Kreutzer – guitar
  • Rana Ross – bass
  • Linda McDonald – drums
Reunion
(2009)
  • Gigi Hangach – lead vocals
  • Tina Wood - guitar
  • Sara Marsh – guitar
  • Courtney Cox - guitar
  • Kim Nielsen – bass
  • Linda McDonald – drums

References

  1. 1 2 3 Reynolds, Dave (July 22, 1989). "The Girls in Blue". Kerrang!. 248. United Magazines Ltd. pp. 8–9. Retrieved September 6, 2011.
  2. ↑ Encyclopaedia Metallum: Debra Armstrong
  3. 1 2 "Guitarist MICHELLE MELDRUM Passes Away At Age 39 - May 22, 2008". Roadrunnerrecords.com. Archived from the original on August 4, 2009. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
  4. ↑ Michelle Meldrum (May 26, 2009). "Michelle Meldrum Memorial Concert site". Michellemeldrum.com. Archived from the original on October 7, 2011. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
  5. ↑ "The Iron Maidens Forums - Phantom Blue Reunion Show - May 26, 2009". Ultimatemetal.com. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
  6. ↑ "The Iron Maidens Forums - Michelle Meldrum Tribute Show 05/26/09 @ The Whisky". Ultimatemetal.com. Retrieved October 22, 2011.


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