Tones of Rock are a Portuguese glam metal and hard rock band formed in 2009 in Mafra. Today, the lineup consists of Francis Venus (vocals), Danny Shred (guitar), Rick Madison (bass), and Dylan Krash (drums).
History: The Beginning
In 2009, influenced by the legendary names that defined the Sunset Strip in the 1980s, Francis Venus and his brother Danny Shred created a project—initially for covers—named “Tones of Rock.” In the months that followed, the band recruited Danny’s childhood friend Jonny Roxxx (drums) and Francis’s girlfriend Katy Kiss (bass), completing the first official lineup. With Jonny and Katy on board, Tones of Rock transitioned from a cover project to composing their first original tracks.
In 2010, around the same time the band began performing live, they released the song “She’s Talking.”
Glamourized (2011–2015)
Emerging with the New Wave of Hair Metal in Portugal, Tones of Rock won over audiences with their extravagance, sensuality, and high-energy stage performances.
In 2011, following the departure of Katy Kiss, Rick Madison (bass, formerly of Kabala) stepped in. Over the next few years, the band embarked on a long journey, performing dozens of concerts from the north to the south of Portugal. During this period, they finalized the songwriting and recording of the tracks that would later be featured on their debut album.
In 2015, Tones of Rock released their first album, Glamourized. Recorded, edited, and mixed by the band themselves, the album received positive reviews for its revivalist sound, which honored the legacy of bands like Poison, Mötley Crüe, Guns N’ Roses, and Ratt. In addition to “She’s Talking,” the album featured the singles “Hot Tiger, Love Desire,” “Glam Robot,” and “At The Motel.”
Banzaw Mansion (2016–2021)
By mid-2016, Jonny Roxxx left the band, and Tones of Rock introduced a new drummer: Dylan Krash! With a fresh lineup and a renewed image, the band returned to the stage while simultaneously beginning work on new material.
At the end of 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, Tones of Rock fought against the odds and refreshed the hair metal scene by releasing their second studio album, Banzaw Mansion. The singles “Milfshake” and “Volcano” stood out as highlights of the record.
The release of Banzaw Mansion projected the band toward international audiences, garnering positive critical reactions in South America, the United Kingdom, and Central Europe.
New Projects (2022–Present)
Unable to perform live due to pandemic restrictions, Tones of Rock returned to the studio to begin composing new music for the successor to Banzaw Mansion.
In May 2024, the band released the single “Hell Ravine.” The song is part of the soundtrack for Barranco do Inferno, a fiction film also inspired by the band’s own adventures.
Musical Genre and Influences
Tones of Rock are described as a glam metal, hard rock, and glam rock band, forming part of the 21st-century revivalist wave. In Portugal, they are also widely known as the “Portuguese Poison.”
Although Tones of Rock is primarily a glam metal band, their sound also reveals strong influences from heavy metal, punk rock, pop rock, and progressive rock.
