Country USA         

Style Hard Rock

Rating 78/100

Band Members Mike Ledesma – Vocals, Graig Hollander – Drums, Jack Styslinger – Guitars, Ross Boughton – Bass

Tracks 01. Mary, 02. Go Go Girls, 03. Love Is The Enemy, 04. You Make Me Want You, 05. Never Had A Chance

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Profile Singer/songwriter/guitarist Mike Ledesma fronted many bands including Next of Kin, a NYC metal band from the late ’80’s that has been described by one music critic as “Motley Crue meets King Crimson at The Beatles house” They were a hard metal outfit with progressive overtones. The band was formed from the ashes of his former metal band Panther. He enlisted bassist Ross Boughton, former bassist of The Spin Doctors, guitarist Jack Styslinger, and Craig Hollander, drummer. They were a major local act rocking the local NYC clubs such as The Cat Club, Limelight, Lamours, Woody’s, Nobody’s, and many other NYC venues.

They opened up for such luminaries as Vince Neil, Child’s Play, Love Hate, Dee Snyder, Firehouse, Ace Frehley, Savatage, Paul Dianno. Their lineup changed a few times, but their sound remained intact. Hair metal with a progressive twist. They toured the United States on the heavy metal circuit a few times over. Their demos made the rounds of NYC record labels and created a bidding war among several labels that ended with the onset of grunge.

Mike Ledesma now fronts Foreigner tribute band HEAD GAMES and recently played ROCKLAHOMA with Wild August. Mike has also recently worked with Danger Danger singer Ted Poley and Adriangale mainman Vic Rivera. Jack Styslinger has disappeared into space, but if anyone knows his whereabouts, please have him contact the band at once!

Times have changed and with the recent resurgence of 80’s metal, Next of Kin are being asked to once again showcase their brand of NY rock. Hence, a new song, “Mary”, was recorded with a new lineup. There already has been label interest in releasing this material and requests for more of their music is being considered to bring it all back. Keep checking back for updates!