House of Lords

House of Lords

House of Lords is a hard rock band from Los Angeles, United States, active from 1988 to the present. The group is known for a melodic hard rock and AOR style, with a sound that moves between heavier guitar work and strong keyboard-led hooks.

Formation and early line-up

The band begins as Giuffria. Gene Simmons signs Gregg Giuffria to Simmons Records and changes the group’s name to House of Lords. He also replaces original vocalist David Glen Eisley with James Christian, who is suggested by bassist Chuck Wright, a musician Christian has already worked with in L.A. Rocks. The early House of Lords line-up includes Giuffria and Christian, with Lanny Cordola on guitar, Chuck Wright on bass and Ken Mary on drums.

Debut album and early success

House of Lords releases its self-titled debut in 1988. The album has a heavier approach than Giuffria, with less emphasis on keyboards, and receives critical acclaim. It includes the single “I Wanna Be Loved,” which reaches No. 58 on the Billboard Hot 100, and “Love Don’t Lie,” written by Stan Bush. The band tours with Cheap Trick and opens for Scorpions in 1989.

Line-up changes and the 1990s

After the early touring cycle, guitarist Lanny Cordola leaves in 1990 and is replaced by Michael Guy. The next album, Sahara, appears in 1990 and features a long list of guest musicians, including Doug Aldrich, Rick Nielsen, Chris Impellitteri, Mandy Meyer, David Glen Eisley, Robin Zander, Mike Tramp, Steve Plunkett and Ron Keel. Its first single is a cover of Blind Faith’s “Can’t Find My Way Home,” and the second single, “Remember My Name,” becomes a bigger hit, reaching No. 72 on the Hot 100 and gaining strong MTV airplay. Around this period, Chuck Wright and Ken Mary leave the band.

In 1992, House of Lords releases Demons Down. James Christian and Gregg Giuffria are the only original members remaining on the album, alongside Dennis Chick on guitars, Sean McNabb on bass and Tommy Aldridge on drums. The record spawns the title track and “What’s Forever For.” After recording demos in search of a new label, the band parts ways.

Reformation and later albums

House of Lords returns in the early 2000s. The Power and the Myth appears after a period in which the band is close to being dropped by Frontier Records. By this stage Gregg Giuffria has pulled out, and keyboard parts are performed by guests Derek Sherinian, Allan Okuye, Sven Martin and Ricky Phillips. The band then releases World Upside Down in 2006, with much of the writing handled by Jeff Kent, who also plays the keyboard parts and is credited as a full band member. A live album, Live in the UK, follows in 2007.

Come to My Kingdom is released in 2008, again with Jeff Kent writing most of the lyrics and melodies, and the band tours in support of it in Europe and the United States. Cartesian Dreams follows in 2009, with Matt McKenna recording bass and Chris McCarvill rejoining for the supporting tour. Big Money appears in 2011, with the same line-up as Come to My Kingdom, and is promoted with a European tour. James Christian also releases the solo album Lay It All On Me in 2013.

Further studio albums include Precious Metal in 2014, Indestructible in 2015, Saint Of The Lost Souls in 2017, New World - New Eyes in 2020, Saints & Sinners in 2022 and Full Tilt Overdrive in 2024. By the time of Full Tilt Overdrive, the line-up includes James Christian, guitarist Jimi Bell, keyboardist Mark Mangold and drummer Johan Koleberg.

Style and collaborators

Across its catalogue, House of Lords combines hard rock with melodic and AOR elements. Its recordings involve a wide range of musicians across different periods, including several well-known guest players and former members from the wider hard rock scene. The band’s output is marked by changes in personnel but a continuing focus on melodic choruses, heavier guitar parts and prominent keyboards.