Loaded Gun

The Zoo Crew is thrilled to spin "Loaded Gun" by Bangalore Choir from their 1992 album On Target for all you Zoo Freaks out there. This track, a melodic hard rock anthem, has a cool story behind its music video. According to an interview with lead singer David Reece on Sleaze Roxx, the video featured a young Jared Leto, long before his fame as an actor and frontman for 30 Seconds to Mars. Reece recalled meeting Leto, then about 14, during casting. Leto’s mom brought him in, and Reece picked him for his James Dean vibe. Years later, at a 30 Seconds to Mars show, Reece reminded Leto of their connection, and Leto excitedly recalled it as his first acting gig, jumping up and down in recognition.

Another tidbit about "Loaded Gun" comes from its brief moment in the spotlight. Despite its catchy hooks and radio-ready sound, the song’s video only aired on MTV for about two weeks, as noted on La Estación de los Sueños. Released at the dawn of the grunge era, the album struggled to gain traction as musical tastes shifted. Still, the track, co-written by Curt Como, Harry Paress, and Ricky Phillips (of Styx and Bad English), channels a Whitesnake-like energy with its mid-tempo, commercial melody, making it a fan favorite for those who caught it.

Bangalore Choir was formed by vocalist David Reece, who’d previously stepped into the tough role of replacing Udo Dirkschneider in Accept for their 1989 album Eat the Heat. After parting ways with Accept, Reece teamed up with guitarist Curt Mitchell, formerly of Hericane Alice, and John Kirk to create a band aimed at delivering melodic hard rock. They recruited bassist Ian Mayo and drummer Jackie Ramos, also ex-Hericane Alice, and named the band after a torpedo, a nod to their explosive ambitions. Their debut, On Target, produced by Max Norman (known for work with Ozzy Osbourne and Megadeth), featured songwriting contributions from heavyweights like Jon Bon Jovi and Aldo Nova. Despite the talent involved, the band’s timing was off, debuting just as grunge took over, and they disbanded after one album, though Reece has continued his career with various projects.

Zoo Freaks looking to dive deeper can check out Bangalore Choir on the web, though the band doesn’t maintain an official website or active social media presence. David Reece, however, is active as a solo artist and with other projects. You can follow him on his official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. For fan communities, the Rock The Nights Facebook group often shares posts about Bangalore Choir, including "Loaded Gun," and is a great spot for Zoo Freaks to connect with other hair metal enthusiasts. There’s also a fan-driven presence on Reddit’s r/hairmetal community, where a post about "Loaded Gun" from October 2024 sparked discussion comparing the band’s sound to Bon Jovi.