Cry Wolf

A melodic hard rock band from the San Francisco Bay Area, originally named Heroes formed in the mid '80's with Tim Hall (vocals), Steve McKnight (guitar), Phil Deckard (bass), John Freixas (drums) and JC Crampton (Keyboards).



In 1986, the band moved to Los Angeles and started working the Hollywood club circuit, soon thereafter recruiting Hall's friend Paul Cancilla on drums. During recording sessions for their demo, the keyboardist, JC left and they were forced to change the name of the band. To generate a mailing list and search for a name at the same time the band ran a contest in the local BAM magazine. The person(s) who came up with the winning name would win Mötley Crüe tickets. The name "Cry Wolf" was chosen out of hundreds of entries.



At about the same time, a demo of the band was out on the streets and was starting a buzz on the strip. Word got out overseas and Cry Wolf was convinced to release it as a limited red vinyl in Japan and do a handful of live shows, all of which sold out. The band was promptly offered a recording contract and released their critically acclaimed self-titled debut on Epic/Sony which featured the Beatles song "I Am The Walrus".



The Japanese success led to an American recording contract and the re-release of the debut album on Grand Slamm/IRS, titled "Crunch". This album, along with the debut in Japan were produced and engineered by David DeVore (REO Speedwagon, Foreigner), and mixed by Joe Barresi (Queens of the Stone Age, The Melvins). The US release had a little different track listing. The band dropped "I Am The Walrus" and "Wings" and replaced them with "Road To Ruin", "On The Run" and "Dirty Dog Night". Along with an immensely popular MTV Japan video of "West Wind Blows", the band also released a video for "Pretender" on MTV's Headbangers Ball. While touring in support of Crunch, the band had played along side such bands as Kings-X, Savatage, Every Mother's Nightmare, Saigon Kick, Judas Priest, Lynch Mob as well as many others.



While in Houston, TX, during a tour in support of "Crunch", however, the band's equipment truck was stolen along with all of their gear. At this point, Paul Cancilla had decided to leave the band. The band brought in Murder Bay drummer John Link, as well as changed management. The band continued on as Cry Wolf through 1992 with a darker/heavier new sound and began recording song demos for their second album. Unfortunately the second album was never recorded due to Grand Slam's failure to support and fund the second album. As such the band took legal action and was released from Grand Slamm Records in 1992. Soon after being released John left the band and the remaining members changed their name to Shed, but as the Seattle Grunge scene emerged essentially killing off any hopes of getting noticed in the LA scene, the band decided to part ways and embark on new musical endeavours.



Since that time, Paul has played drums on a Kuni album released in 2000, and is presently working for KOCH Entertainment in Minnesota. Steve McKnight is a member of original Anthrax frontman Neil Turbin's new band DEATHRIDERS. Time permitting, Steve also writes and records with old friend Mike Inez (Alice in Chains, Heart) and drummer Ben Smith (Heart). Tim Hall has since started a solo career, releasing the cd "Imperfection" (1997). In 2001, Tim went a whole new and refreshing direction with the release of the cd "Tumble". Describing the new sound as "Hot Rod Country" or "Bluesabilly", his latest band is called "FAST OTTO". Bassist Phil Deckard played alongside and recorded with Tim for years, but has since left and is now writing and recording on his own. John Link started Sonic Legacy Records an independent record label. John continues to play drums as well as compose music and engineer, mix, and produce artist for his label.



On August 18th, 2007, Cry Wolf played together for the first time in nearly 15 years at Vinnie’s in Concord, CA. To celebrate this reunion, Cry Wolf recorded a three song EP (available on iTunes) featuring newly recorded versions of a few unreleased old favorites. The EP was produced by John Link and features Tim Hall (Lead Vocals), Steve McKnight (Guitar and Vocals), Phil Deckard (Bass and Vocals), and John Link (Drums). The reunion show also included original Cry Wolf drummer Paul Cancilla playing with the band on songs from their 1989 Japanese release "Cry Wolf" and 1990 US release "Crunch".



Anyhow, this is my dedication to a great bunch of guys and dear friends. I hope you enjoy the trip down memory lane.



As of August 2007, the actual band members have begun monitoring this site, so you may get a response from one of them from time to time.



Peace,



Mikey



*** 2009 Update ***



Cry Wolf has reformed with original members Tim Hall, Steve McKnight, Phil Deckard, and new drummer Chris Moore. A new, full CD is in the works for a 2009 release, as well as plans for a series of shows up and down the West Coast (and anywhere else that will have them).



Please check back periodically for updates!