FALLON – Fallon [FnA Records remaster +2] (2024) HQ *Exclusive*

FALLON was a commercial hard rock band from NJ formed in the early 1990’s by singer Matt Fallon, previously the first Skid Row frontman before their fame and fortune. Matt also previously played with Dave “The Snake” Sabo in a band called Steel Fortune, and also for Anthrax in 1984 and they began recording “Spreading the Disease”, however he left before finishing the album and was replaced by Joey Belladonna.
FALLON performed the area, released an EP and recorded several songs. The band was asked to appear on the 1993 Shore Records compilation CD, “Tri States Best Unsigned Artists”. Unfortunately, by the time the CD was released, FALLON had broken up. They did reunite to support the release, but it was a short-lived reunion as most of the members had moved on to other projects by that time.
Years later, that compilation CD fell into the hands of FnA Records, which led to the release of this “Fallon” self-titled release containing the songs from the original 4-song EP, as well as other material that the band was performing and recording before going their separate ways.
“Fallon“was released by FnA some years ago, but it was a CDr. Now it’s being re-released silver pressed and with revised remastered audio. This is hard rock with melody akin Skid Row, professionally recorded & mixed songs, and there’s two demos as bonus tracks.

In the early 80’s, Matt played with “The Snake” Sabo in a cover band called Steel Fortune and opened up for Metallica on their last show of their promo tour for the upcoming album ‘Kill ‘Em All’ at Willy’s in Sayerwille, New Jersey. On the same bill were Anthrax where he first met Scott Ian. Scott Ian asked Matt to join Anthrax after they had played a show together at L’Amour, Brooklyn at a later date.
Anthrax were working on a follow up album to ‘Fistful Of Metal’ so Scott Ian sent Matt a cassette with some raw tracks they had been working on and asked him to write lyrics – Matt was replaced before the album was released and instead of crediting individuals for lyrics, the album simply credited “Anthrax” as songwriters.

After taking some time off music, Sabo called him in 1986 and asked to form a band, and Skid Row born with Rachel Bolan on bass, Jim Yuhas & Steve Brotherton on guitar and John Ratkowski Jr. on drums. “The Snake” Sabo was a close friend with Jon Bon Jovi and the band ended up recording some demo songs (Skid Row – Matt Who?) in Jon Bon Jovi’s personal studio that same year.
Skid Row started playing shows with Matt in Pennsylvania opening up for Bon Jovi on their “Slippery When Wet” tour after Cinderella had some booking conflicts. They also played some New Jersey, Staten Island and Long Island shows, Zakk Wylde’s band Zirus opened up for them for a few shows before Matt was kicked / left (?) and replaced by Sebastian Bach.

In the early 90s Matt formed his own band with experienced guys like Aaron Wilkinson (Raze) on guitar and vocals, Glen Moran (Pierce, Monroe) on bass and vocals, and Jon Nicholson (Atom Stranger) on drums. This band was named FALLON because his bandmates thought it would make it easier to get a record deal due to the name’s familiarity with Anthrax and Skid Row.
FALLON recorded a 4 song EP at Sound Design Studios in Philadelphia, PA with Bill Fitch. The band was shopping the EP when they caught the attention of the program director of WSOU at Seton Hall.
At the time WSOU was playing some of the best music around and was considered “the” college radio station in the area. They put Fallon’s ballad “The Rain Inside” into regular rotation, and were soon playing the groups other songs as well. During the early 90’s Fallon was also featured on WPAT, and played many NJ clubs including the Stone Pony, Club Bene, and the Fastlane.

This is melodic hard with that distinctive American (or we should say New Jersey?) sound.
Good late ’80s classic stuff quite similar to Skid Row’s first album, with solid songs. A band with a lot of potential for bigger things.
Highly Recommended

You’ve seen it first at 0dayrox

01 – Blue Sky in the Rain
02 – Light It Up
03 – Not a Thing
04 – Queen
05 – The Rain Inside
06 – No Stranger
07 – Modern Love
08 – Feel It for the First Time
09 – Me
10 – Bad Attitude
BONUS TRACKS:
11 – Tears (Demo)
12 – Easy Come, Easy Go (Demo)

Matt Fallon – Vocals
Aaron Wilkinson – Guitars
Glen Moran – Bass
Jon Nicholson – Drums

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