Warrior Soul

Warrior Soul is a New York hard rock band formed in 1987 by singer Kory Clarke, with early line-ups that include guitarists Cliff St. Croix, John Ricco, Alex, a Scotsman living in New York City also known as X-Factor and Gene, and Chris Moffett. The group is active from 1987 to the present and is associated with hard rock. Its members include Kory Clarke, Paul Ferguson, Christian Kimmett, Todd Swalla and Pete McClanahan.

History and line-up changes

The band begins in New York City and goes through several personnel changes in its early years. Bass player Robert Pauls is later replaced by Pete McClanahan. On drums, Sam Manelli is followed by Mark Archebald, then Paul Ferguson, then Mark Evans and Scott Duboys. These line-up changes become part of the band’s long-running history.

Recordings and label work

Warrior Soul signs to Geffen Records and remains with the label from 1989 to 1994. The band develops a politically charged style, with songs such as “In Conclusion” and “Children of the Winter” reflecting the first George Bush presidency. Clarke coins the term “Acid Punk” to describe the band’s hard-driving, psychedelic sound, particularly on the album Space Age Playboys, which is mixed by Ben Gross.

Reception and influence

The band receives critical recognition and builds stronger record sales in Europe than in the United States, where touring and label support are not enough to break them more widely. The group is also noted by peers, including Lars Ulrich of Metallica, who names Space Age Playboys as a favourite album.

Break-up and later activity

Warrior Soul disbands in 1995. A collection of demos and unreleased material, Odds & Ends, appears in 1996. Clarke later records the spoken-word solo album Opium Hotel on Cargo Records and works with Dirty Rig, co-producing their album for Escapi Records in 2006. The Warrior Soul catalogue is reissued in 2006, and Clarke reforms the band for a UK tour in 2007 using long-time musician friends from England and Sweden.

Subsequent releases and projects

The band issues a limited-edition studio album titled Chinese Democracy in 2008, then renames it Destroy the War Machine. Reissues on vinyl and a European tour follow in 2009. Clarke is later based in Berlin and performs his rock cabaret project Kory On The Rocks with Stashbox. In 2021, Warrior Soul releases the single “We’re Alive” from the studio album Out On Bail.

Live reputation

Warrior Soul plays the second edition of Hard Rock Hell in North Wales in 2008, and also performs at Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London and the Academy Glasgow in December of that year. Their live return becomes part of the band’s later profile as an active touring act.