Final Strike

**Final Strike** is an American nu metal band formed in Belmont, Massachusetts in 1994. A part of the Boston nu metal scene. The band were well-known for their Power Rangers-based image.

## Final Strike

Final Strike in 1999 from top left to top right; Axel Bates (bass), Emily Briggs (rhythm guitar), Byron Wor (drums), Jessika Bronze (lead guitar) and Ryan Spears (lead vocals)

## Members

### Current members

Ryan Spears, Axel Bates, Emily Briggs, Jessika Bronze, Byron Wor

## History

The band formed in 1994 under the name Batsu, which means X in Japanese by girlfriend and boyfriend Jessika Bronze and Ryan Spears on guitar and vocals respectively, they were later joined by Axel Bates, Emily Briggs and Byron Wor on bass, guitar and drums respectively. They were the first Boston scene band to be signed to the local label Dayglow Records. The band were advised by Rusty Novello and representative Mark Gallows to have a more Power Rangers feel. They all agreed and changed their name to Final Strike. In 1997, the band released their debut album *Megazord* on the same exact day Playhouse Disney launched. The band went on tour with The Bronze Knuckle Syndicate called "Mobsters vs. Rangers Tour '97-'98". In 1999, the band released their second album *Good V. Evil* which featured a more pop metal influence and went on tour which concluded in late 2000, where they recorded their third and final album, 2001's *Fearful Stories to Tell to Fucked Up Children*. The band went on tour from 2002 to 2003 with Brink called "Brink to Morph Tour '02-'03". The band informed Rusty Novello that the third album is the last album they'll do because they want to try their own jobs. Rusty supported the decision. The band went on to other things, with Jessika and Ryan becoming producers for multiple artists such as Royal Blood, Ayron Jones, Motley Crue and Falling In Reverse, Axel Bates becoming a monster truck driver and Byron and Emily becoming country singers. In 2013, the band reunited for two one off shows at the Resch Center and their real final album *Truly Right*. In 2018, while being interviewed on Talk is Jericho, Axel was asked about a Final Strike reunion, he replied "If we ever reunited Final Strike, we would need to do it in a more logical sense. We can't just reunite because anybody tells us to." However, this would all change on November 29, 2022 to which, the band announced 4 reunion shows at Sick New World, Upheaval Festival, Dayglow's annual Wicked Festival and Louder than Life for 2023 and a tour with Kittie, Cold, Fang and Crossfire. The reason for this is because both Jason David Frank and Morgan Archer passed away and that the band members want to come back for Sick New World.

## Members

Ryan Spears-lead vocals (1994-2003, 2013, 2022-present) \*has 8 different Sennheiser microphones\*

Axel Bates-bass (1994-2003, 2013, 2022-present) \*plays a Schecter Elite Satin Black Evil Twin 5-String Electric Bass\*

Emily Briggs-rhythm guitar (1994-2003, 2013, 2022-present) \*plays a ESP SH-207 Satin Purple 7 string guitar with Ibanez Sonic Distortion pedal\*

Jessika Bronze-lead guitar (1994-2003, 2013, 2022-present) \*plays a Jackson Pro Series Dinky JS22-7 DKA HT Arch Top Satin Blue 7-string guitar with Maestro Fuzz Tone pedal\*

Byron Wor-drums (1994-2003, 2013, 2022-present) \*plays a double bass 9 piece drum set made by Tama and Meinl\*

## Influences

Genres the band were characterized in were nu metal and alternative metal. The bands cites Led Zeppelin, U2, The Beach Boys, Black Sabbath, Helmet, Vice Squad and Rage Against The Machine as major influence.

## Discography

*Megazord (1997)*

*Good V. Evil (1999)*

*Fearful Stories to Tell to Fucked Up Children (2001)*

*Truly Right (2013)*

*Final Strike (2023)*