Tora

Biography

Tora Tora is an American glam metal and hard rock band formed in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1985 by vocalist Anthony Corder, guitarist Keith Douglas, bassist Patrick Francis, and drummer John Patterson. Starting as a local garage band, they won a Battle of the Bands contest, earning free studio time to record their independent EP To Rock to Roll (1987), which gained local radio airplay for tracks like 'Phantom Rider' and 'Love's A Bitch'. Signing with A&M Records, they released their debut album Surprise Attack (1989), which peaked at No. 47 on the Billboard 200, featuring singles 'Walkin' Shoes' (No. 86 on Hot 100) and 'Guilty', with 'Dancing With a Gypsy' appearing on the Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure soundtrack. They were the first Memphis band to have an MTV music video with 'Walkin' Shoes'.[1][2]

Their 1992 follow-up Wild America reached No. 132 on Billboard but sold fewer copies amid shifting musical tastes, marking a more mature songwriting evolution. A third album, Revolution Day (recorded 1994), was shelved due to label issues, leading to the band's breakup. Despite lacking major label support, Tora Tora built a cult following in the glam metal scene. The original lineup reunited in 2008 for anniversary shows, releasing The Warehouse… 20 Years Later, and signed with FNA Records, issuing archival albums like Before & After (2009), Bombs Away (2009), Miss B. Haven' (2010), and finally Revolution Day in 2011.[1][2]

Since then, Tora Tora has remained active, releasing Bastards of Beale (2019) to strong reviews and the compilation Best of the Rest (2024) with recent singles and outtakes. They continue touring, embodying Memphis hard rock resilience with their high-energy glam metal style influenced by the 1980s scene.[1][2]

Fun Facts

• The band name Tora Tora was chosen from a list of 60-70 suggestions by a friend; their original name was 'Free Beer', and it may reference Van Halen's song from Women and Children First rather than the Pearl Harbor code.[1]
• Tora Tora was the first band from Memphis, Tennessee, to have a music video ('Walkin' Shoes') played on MTV.[2]
• Their 'lost' third album Revolution Day, recorded in 1994, was finally released in 2011 after 17 years due to label issues.[1][2]
• They reunited in 2008 for a sold-out 20th anniversary show at Newby's in Memphis, selling a special live album The Warehouse… 20 Years Later post-performance.[1][2]

Musical Connections

Key Collaborators

• Anthony Corder - vocalist and founding member (all albums including Surprise Attack, Wild America) [1985–present]
• Keith Douglas - guitarist and founding member (all albums including Surprise Attack, Wild America) [1985–present]
• Patrick Francis - bassist and founding member (all albums including Surprise Attack, Wild America) [1985–present]
• John Patterson - drummer and founding member (all albums including Surprise Attack, Wild America) [1985–present]

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia