Znowhite

In 1982, the heavy metal band Znowhite was founded by two African American brothers, guitarist Ian Tafoya and drummer Sparks Tafoya (real names Greg Fulton and Tony Heath), along with cousin Nicky Tafoya (real name Curtis Fulton) on bass.[2] Nicole Lee (real name Sue Sharp) joined the group soon after as lead vocalist. The band originally performed under the title Snowhite, but later replaced the S with a Z. They independently released their three-song flexi disc which featured the song "Hellbent". This caught the attention of Metal Blade Records founder Brian Slagel. On the strength of the recording Znowhite landed a spot on volume three of the Metal Massacre compilation, which helped give them some exposure.[3]

After Znowhite's initial success, Nicole, Ian, and Sparks decided to replace then bassist Amp Dawg. In 1985, Scott Schafer joined Znowhite taking over the bass duties. Four years of grueling back-to-back tours of America and Canada produced the independently released live album Live Suicide. Back in their hometown of Chicago the band started work on what would be the last Znowhite release, their magnum opus, Act of God. AOG was a true labor of love for Fulton and Schafer. The duo produced and performed all the music. Later, Nicole Lee came in to record her incendiary vocals alone. Schafer pulled double duty in the studio as bassist and drummer with Fulton laying the bass for one track - A Soldier's Creed. Toward the end of the recording sessions Lee made a surprise decision to leave Znowhite. Act of God was released in 1988 through Roadrunner Records.[2] To fill the Znowhite lineup, Fulton and Schafer exhausted all their industry connections looking for new members. Sentinel Beast's Debbie Gunn and Detante's Dawn Crosby were auditioned - with Gunn ultimately proving to be a better fit. Drummer John Slattery (formally of Tools of Ignorance) was recommended by George Sulmers after Slattery auditioned for the then recently vacated spot in Slayer. Schafer resumed his original duty as Znowhite's bassist and an extensive American tour followed. Gunn left after the AOG tour due to health issues. Fulton, Schafer, and Slattery went on to form Cyclone Temple[3] When Cyclone Temple disbanded Fulton, Schafer, and Fulton's brother, former Znowhite drummer Tony Heath, formed a new group named Rebels Without Applause.[4] Gunn went on to sing for the group Ice Age[5] and, later, to reform Sentinel Beast.[6]

• All Hail to Thee (EP, 1984)
• Kick 'Em When They're Down (EP, 1985)
• Act of God (1988)[7]

• Live Suicide (EP, 1986)

• ZnöWhite (1998)[8]
• ZnöWhite (2007 re-issue with albums All Hail to Thee + Kick 'Em When They're Down + Live Suicide)

• Live for the Weekend (1983)

• "Hell Bent" on Metal Massacre III (1983)
• "Baptized by Fire" on Stars on Thrash (1988)