Ted Nugent Blames Label For Damn Yankees’ Failure

Ted Nugent is not holding back when it comes to the failed attempt at a third album by his supergroup Damn Yankees. After two successful albums in the early ‘90s, the band, which included Nugent, Styx’s Tommy Shaw, and Night Ranger’s Jack Blades, was ready to dive into the studio for another round of rock. But by the time they were ready to record, the world had shifted, with grunge taking over the music scene. Record executives suggested Damn Yankees evolve their sound to fit the times—something that didn’t sit well with the band.

“If AC/DC goes into the studio if somebody goes, ‘That sounds like your other stuff’ in a negative way, you might want to sucker punch that motherfucker,” Nugent told UCR. “That’s who we are! Of course, it sounds like us! We’re us you dumb fuck!” He also added that the band’s third album was “de-balled” by outside influences, which, in his view, sped up the end of the group. “A couple of influences were so contrary to what the Damn Yankees believed in, that instead of arguing, we just went off with our next chapter of dreams.”

The Band’s Split: A Natural Evolution

Shaw recently said the band was “pulling away at the seams” by the time it all fell apart. Nugent agreed but saw it a little differently. “Coming apart at the seams wasn’t like we weren’t getting along,” he said. “Coming apart at the seams means that we were eager and horny to pursue the foundation that brought us together in the first place. Styx, Night Ranger, Ted Nugent. That’s what brought us together.”

Returning to Their Roots

With the pressure from the record label and a shifting music landscape, the band members started looking back at their roots. Nugent explained, “We want to go back and nurture and mine those musical solo dreams or in the case of Styx and Night Ranger, the band dreams.” It was clear that, for the band members, returning to their original projects had its own appeal.