Release date July 8th 2016
Track listing: We Came Here To Rock; One Night In Hellas; The Right Way; New World Order; Tear Up The
Night; Halfway To Hell; A Prisoner Of Mind; Unrequited (A Woman Of Darkness And Steel); Just One Kiss; Fear
Is The Killer; Land Of The Setting Sun; A Warriors Song; Mach Opus 206 (Instrumental); Get Next To You
(Bonus Track).
Q5 was formed in 1983, from members of two popular Seattle bands; vocalist Jonathan K and guitarist
(famous guitar tremolo inventor) Floyd Rose from “The C.O.R.E.”, and Rick Pierce (guitar), Evan Sheeley (Bass)
and Gary Thompson (drums) from “TKO”.
The band released its first album, “STEEL THE LIGHT” (MUSIC FOR NATIONS) in 1984, receiving immediate
worldwide critical acclaim, and landing them touring spots with TWISTED SISTER, Y&T and LITA FORD… The
success of “STEEL THE LIGHT” led them to eventually sign with Polygram/Squawk for their 1985
sophomore release “WHEN THE MIRROR CRACKS”.
Due to personal differences, the original lineup dissolved shortly after this release.
In 1991, Jonathan K and Rick Pierce released a new project called “NIGHTSHADE” with its first album titled
“DEAD OF NIGHT” (Music For Nations), with drummer Jeffrey McCormack and bassist Anthony Magnelli. This
album was partially comprised of material that was to be the third Q5 cd, and it too received worldwide
critical acclaim.
Nightshade would release 2 additional cds over the next decade with multiple lineups, and would
perform alongside many national and international acts.
In 2009, when Nightshade was slated to perform at the “Headbanger’s Open Air” Festival (Germany), with
Evan Sheeley now on bass, the promoters asked if they would perform a second set as “Q5”, to which they
agreed. The fan response was overwhelming!
In 2014, Q5 was asked to perform at Sweden Rock, a performance that the band had agreed would be a “one
off” show, but at the completion of the performance, it was obvious that this was not an ending, but merely
a beginning.
Upon returning to Seattle, The band secured drummer Jeffrey McCormack (Former Heir Apparent, Fifth
Angel) again, and guitarist Kendall Bechtel (former Fifth Angel) and began rehearsing formally as “Q5”.
The band’s relaunch debuted at the “Rock You To Hell Festival” in Athens, Greece followed by a headlining
performance in Cyprus. The band then returned to Seattle to begin work on music for a new CD.
Kendall Bechtel, however, was unable to stay with the band due to personal reasons, so the band secured
guitar virtuoso Dennis Turner to complete the lineup.
“STEEL THE LIGHT” continues to grow in popularity all over the world. Critics are still touting the album as a
“classic” and a “must have in any metal head’s collection”. Bands such as Great White, Wolf and October 31
and many others have covered songs from the album on their own releases, and fans are writing from all
corners of the globe, eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the Q5 story…
That chapter begins NOW!
With an official lineup in tact, and a new CD slated for release, Q5 is poised to take its rightful place again in
the hard rock / heavy metal hierarchy!
Q5:
Jonathan Scott K.: Vocals, Backgr. Vocals
Rick Pierce: Lead Guitars, Rhythm Guitars
Dennis Turner: Rhythm Guitars, Lead Guitars, Backgr. Vocals
Evan Sheeley: Bass Guitar, Backgr. Vocals
Jeffrey Mccormack: Drums And Percussion, Backgr. Vocals
Visit Q5 On Facebook