Effective period / Period of releases: 1990

Members: Sean O'Neill (4), Jim Makowski, David Leeds, Scott Bittner, Rich Daly, Billy Kohout

The Grimm Jack story began in 1985 with guitarist Jimmie Mack and drummer Dave Leeds, two Long Island rockers who joined forces to create a contemporary rock band with an edge. Original members included vocalist Robin DesForges, guitarist Rich Daly, and bassist Sean O’Neill. The group released their first single “Janet”, on the independent label CYN CITY RECORDS in 1986. The following year brought the release of a five-song EP entitled GO FOR YOUR GUNS, which gained airplay on radio outside the New York metro area.

By 1988, Grimm Jack shifted into full throttle; original vocalist Robin DesForges departed and was replaced by singer Billy Kohout. Bassist Scott Bittner was on board, and the group started gaining national recognition with the release of their next EP, PARTNERS IN CRIME. This recording featured the songs “One Track Mind” and “Shy Boy”, both which gained a steady amount of airplay on various rock radio stations, especially in the south and mid-Atlantic regions. Legendary music publications such as CIRCUS and HIT PARADER gave Grimm Jack’s PARTNERS IN CRIME very positive reviews during 1988, and the group was also featured prominently in numerous regional and local magazines nationwide.

In early 1989, Daly and Bittner chose to part company with Grimm Jack and guitarist Tom Lestat and bassist Paul Vassa were brought into the band. With this lineup in place, Grimm Jack forged ahead to create a respectable reputation based on energetic live performances and high caliber songs that fans still remember today.