Alongside Bon Jovi and Def Leppard, Poison were undoubtedly one of the biggest names in hard rock in the late 80’s/early 90’s.

Unbelievably, Poison are still together 21 years after their first album – Look What The Cat Dragged In – was released. Earlier this summer, Poison released their 9th album – Poison’d – featuring their favourite covers from their career. Being a fan of their earlier work, I decided to put together this history of the band told using their albums as milestones.

Prologue – Paris

Poison were originally named Paris when they began life in 1984. Apparently they changed the name to Poison after relocating to LA in 1985. The first guitarist for the band was a guy by the name of Matt Smith, who was replaced by C.C. DeVille.

Perhaps the best-known fact about the band before they started their recording career was that Slash (yes, from Gun’s N Roses) auditioned for Poison at the same time as DeVille. Presumably it was because he already had his own top hat…

Look What The Cat Dragged In (1986)

The scrappy debut album from the boys was low on production values but high on energy. Poison were drawing good crowds on Sunset Strip and their glam look – backcombed hair, big pouts and neon-bright clothes was attracting attention.

Although Michaels later described the album as a glorified demo, it helped the band gain profile in time for what would be a much refined second album. In general, Look What The Cat Dragged In has a lot in common with the early sleaze-rock of Motley Crue.

Open Up And Say…Ahh! (1988)

In 1988, Poison returned with a far more slick arena rock sound, and a slightly less effeminate image, falling slightly more in line with the Bon Jovi look.

Open Up.. spawned Poison’s greatest commercial successes to date, including the anthemic Every Rose Has Its Thorn and the Loggins and Messina cover Your Mama Don’t Dance. The album went on to sell over 8 millions copies.

There was much controversy surrounding the original album cover (pictured here) and the label bowed to pressure to censor the long-tongued demon on the cover. Disappointingly, the new cover focused on the model’s eyes and obscured that phenomenal tongue!

Flesh & Blood (1990)

In the years between Open Up And Say Ahh! and Flesh & Blood, Poison had built a strong reputation as a live act. Apparently in response to criticism of their party-rock sound, Flesh & Blood was a far more mature record, with more serious themes creeping into the songs.

As the band cemented their position as one of the key players in hard rock and hair metal, the grunge explosion was about to hit hard, and internal bickering within Poison was about to reach breaking point.

Swallow This Live (1991)

By the time the double live album Swallow This hit the shelves, C.C. DeVille was out of the band. His various drug and booze addictions had culminated in him screwing up a performance at the MTV Video Music Awards and having a backstage scrap with Bret Michaels.

Swallow This was notably light on new material, but included four new studio tracks which were recorded before DeVille got booted.

Native Tongue (1993)

With DeVille gone, the band quickly hired guitarist Ritchie Kotzen to fill his shoes. This had the effect of transforming the Poison sound toward a more meaty, blues rock sound.

Despite the sophistication of the songwriting and playing on this album (especially the soulful Until You Suffer Some (Fire And Ice)), Native Tongue will mostly be remembered for Kotzen’s sleeping with Rikki Rockett’s fiance. Shame, because there are more than a few cracking moments on that album.

Notice how the album cover is the first to deviate the Poison logo away from the usual acid green.

Crack A Smile…And More! (2000)

Crack A Smile found Poison looking for another guitarist to fill the acrimonious departure of Ritchie Kotzen. They drafted in yet another guitar wizard – Blues Saraceno – who was again given creative freedom within the band.

At the time, Bret Michaels smashed himself (and his Ferrari) up badly in a road accident. During his recovery Capitol Records pushed out a greatest hits package as a stop gap. Crack A Smile was an album ultimately 6 years in the making. By the time it hit the shelves, Michaels and DeVille had patched up their differences and DeVille was back in the band at the expense of Saraceno.

Power To The People (2000)

The 7th album by Poison is yet another live/studio hybrid (their third if you count Swallow This Live and Crack A Smile). It was released only two months after Crack A Smile to celebrate the successful reuniting of the original lineup and the subsequent tour.

Probably the most notable feature of this album is that DeVille gets his first lead vocal on a Poison recording – I Hate Every Bone In Your Body But Mine

Hollyweird (2002)

Finally! After a slew of half-assed albums and lead guitarists coming and going, the original Poison release a full new studio album. Hollyweird is either a regression in musical style or a triumphant return their roots.

Hollyweird sees the band riding the crest of renewed interest in the 80’s rock/metal movement, and the sound is vaguely reminiscent of that era, although production quality leaves a lot to be desired.

Poison’d (2007)

The latest offering from Poison is a collection of their favourite cover versions from throughout their career. I’ve read good reviews of the album, but most people were disappointed at the lack of original material.

For what it’s worth, in a back catalog spanning almost 25 years and nine albums (not counting greatest hits compilations), three of those albums have been hybrids of live and original material and one is a compilation of cover versions, many of which were released as B-Sides. As I come to the end of this round-up, I’m slightly disappointed at that fact.

Nevertheless, we can only hope that Poison release another good record before the wave of nostalgia passes or the band implodes/retires. They still have a fantastic back catalog of songs that actually stand up quite well given their age. I’d love to catch Poison live if they ever make it to the UK…