Dee Snider

After the 1987 dissolution of Long Island pop-metal hitmakers Twisted Sister, frontman Dee Snider embarked on a series of solo and group projects that kept him busy through the '90s. Snider first formed a new band called Desperado with guitarist Bernie Torme, bassist Marc Russel, and drummer Clive Burr. The group recorded an album, Bloodied but Unbowed, which was never officially released (although some copies did eventually pop up overseas). Snider next formed the heavier Widowmaker, retaining Russel on bass and recruiting guitarist Al Pitrelli and drummer Joey Franco (a member of Twisted Sister for that group's last album). Widowmaker debuted with 1992's Blood and Bullets and managed to record one more album, 1994's Stand By For Pain, before disbanding. Snider next turned his attention to film, specifically the horror genre; he wrote, produced, and acted in Strangeland, which was released in 1998. Snider also performed off and on with an outfit called the SMFs, which was devoted mostly to Twisted Sister repertoire. In 2000, Snider released his first solo album (with Bernie Torme on guitar). Titled Never Let The Bastards Wear You Down, the record was composed mostly of songs from the '80s that Snider had never previously recorded for official release. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide