Warrant (American band)

Warrant was an American hair metal band that enjoyed their greatest success in 1990 with the smash single and album "Cherry Pie".

Formed in Los Angeles, California, in July 1984, Warrant consisted of vocalist Jani Lane, guitarist Erik Turner, guitarist Joey Allen, bassist Jerry Dixon, and drummer Steven "Sweet" Chamberlain.

After having spent some time on L.A. club scene, the band recorded a demo tape in September 1987 for Paisley Park Records, a record label owned by musician Prince. In January 1988 Warrant signed a contract with Columbia Records, and in April they began recording their debut album "Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich". "Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich" was a success, spawning 3 hits: the #2 power ballad "Heaven", "Sometimes She Cries", and "Down Boys".

Shortly following the release of the album, Warrant toured with with Paul Stanley, Queensrÿche, Cinderella, Poison (band), and Kingdom Come.

The band's second album, "Cherry Pie", was released in March 1990. The album, which featured the hits "I Saw Red" and "Cherry Pie", reached the Top Ten in the United States. The video for the title track received constant rotation on MTV. The album carried a parental advisroy sticker, due to a rather short ending track entitled "Ode to Tipper Gore". The "song" consisted of a collection of swear words cut from the band's live performances.

The release of "Cherry Pie" was followed by a tour with the band Poison, which is rumoured to have ended in January 1991 after a conflict between the two bands over stage room.

In 1993, Warrant released "Dog Eat Dog", but at that time hair metal had lost popularity and the album achieved only moderate commercial success.

Later that year, vocalist Jani Lane temporarily left the band, which was then dropped by Columbia, following the arrival of grunge and the death of Warrant's long-time manager Tom Hulet.

Lane returned to the band and a new record deal was signed with Tom Lipsky of CMC Records in September 1994. A Japanese deal was signed with Pony Canyon Records at the same time. "Ultraphobic", released in 1995, was even less successful than "Dog Eat Dog".

Warrant's latest release, "Under the Influence", was released in spring 2001.

Lane left Warrant again in January of 2004. He was forced to cancel his first series of solo shows in Michigan after former band members took legal action to prevent the Warrant logo from being used on tour posters.