Armored Saint Family Tree

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Metal Family Tree

This is a project aimed at making it easy to see who inspired the bands you love or even hate. For this I try not to use any influences that the band don’t claim themselves. There will be a focus on predecessors but successors will be added as they site the band. These trees become more and more interactive as new bands are added, allowing you to click any band that has a tree and jump to it.

We want our lists to be better. If you know something that belongs on this list, let us know. When in doubt we will leave it out, so we need reliable sources.

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Armored Saint were playing heavy metal in a time when most bands were either playing thrash or glam. There were some still delivering a more traditional style and among them Armored Saint must be mentioned. The classic line up for the first three albums consisted of Joh Bush on vocals, guitarists Dave Prichard and Phil Sandoval, bassists Joey Vera, and drummer Gonzo Sandoval. The only line up change in Armored Saint was after the death of Dave in 1990 who’s positions was filled by Jeff Duncan. Phil was not with the band for the second and third albums but was there for all others. All members have contributed to writing over the years.

Louie Bellson was a big band / swing drummer. Gonzo named him as an inspiration.

Louie Bellson was a big band / swing drummer. Gonzo named him as an inspiration.

Buddy Rich

Buddy Rich has been a hugely influential drumming coming from the big band days. Gonzo named him as an inspiration.

Buddy Rich has been a hugely influential drumming coming from the big band days. Gonzo named him as an inspiration.

Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye was known as the price of Mowtown and Soul. John named him as an influence and one of the greatest R&B singers.

Marvin Gaye was known as the price of Mowtown and Soul. John named him as an influence and one of the greatest R&B singers.

Four Tops

The Four Tops were an important Mowtown quartet. John named lead singer Levi Stubbs as an influence.

The Four Tops were an important Mowtown quartet. John named lead singer Levi Stubbs as an influence.

Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder is hugely important for several pop genres. John named him as an influence.

Stevie Wonder is hugely important for several pop genres. John named him as an influence.

Led Zeppelin are probably the most important hard rock band and inspired nearly everything after them and even bands who had formed before them. John names Robert Plant as an influence and Zeppelin as his favorite band. Phil said they are the main b…

Led Zeppelin are probably the most important hard rock band and inspired nearly everything after them and even bands who had formed before them. John names Robert Plant as an influence and Zeppelin as his favorite band. Phil said they are the main band he was into when he was young and Jimmy Page was his first big influence. Joey named John Paul Jones as an influence. Gonzo named Bonham as an influence.

Black Sabbath are the fathers of metal. John named Ozzy as an influence loving his bluesy sound in the early days. He also names Dio as an influence. Phil also named Black Sabbath as an influence. Jeff said Tony Iommi was the first big influence on …

Black Sabbath are the fathers of metal. John named Ozzy as an influence loving his bluesy sound in the early days. He also names Dio as an influence. Phil also named Black Sabbath as an influence. Jeff said Tony Iommi was the first big influence on him. Joey named Geezer as an influence.

UFO was a hugely influential band with Michael Schenker on guitar. John said they helped inspire some of the more ballady songs. Phil and Jeff named Schenker as an influence.

UFO was a hugely influential band with Michael Schenker on guitar. John said they helped inspire some of the more ballady songs. Phil and Jeff named Schenker as an influence.

Thin Lizzy were an influential rock / hard rock band known for their harmonies. John names Phil Lynnot as a influence.

Thin Lizzy were an influential rock / hard rock band known for their harmonies. John names Phil Lynnot as a influence.

Earth, Wind & Fire wrote in the style of multiple popular genres. John named them as the greatest R&B band and named singers Maurice White & Phillip Bailey as influences. He said they had a big impact on him as a kid. Joey also named Ve…

Earth, Wind & Fire wrote in the style of multiple popular genres. John named them as the greatest R&B band and named singers Maurice White & Phillip Bailey as influences. He said they had a big impact on him as a kid. Joey also named Verdine White as an influence.

Aerosmith are a huge American blues based hard rock band. John names Steven Tyler as one of his biggest influences, which should be a surprise given how much he sounds like him.

Aerosmith are a huge American blues based hard rock band. John names Steven Tyler as one of his biggest influences, which should be a surprise given how much he sounds like him.

Queen need no introduction being one of the biggest and most diverse rock bands. John named Freddie Mercury as an influence. Joey named John Deacon as a an influence.

Queen need no introduction being one of the biggest and most diverse rock bands. John named Freddie Mercury as an influence. Joey named John Deacon as a an influence.

Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan sung with R&B / Funk band Rufus as well as doing a bunch of solo albums. John names her as a influce.

Chaka Khan sung with R&B / Funk band Rufus as well as doing a bunch of solo albums. John names her as a influce.

Steve Gadd

Steve Gadd is a jazz and rock session player. Gonzo named him as a favorite.

Steve Gadd is a jazz and rock session player. Gonzo named him as a favorite.

Jeff Poccaro

Jeff Poccaro was best known from Toto but was a very prolific session player. Gonzo named him as a favorite.

Jeff Poccaro was best known from Toto but was a very prolific session player. Gonzo named him as a favorite.

Judas Priest are the metal gods. John named Halford as an influence. Phil said that Judas Priest was a huge influence on Armored Saint.

Judas Priest are the metal gods. John named Halford as an influence. Phil said that Judas Priest was a huge influence on Armored Saint.

Gary Moore was a blues player. Jeff named him as an influence.

Gary Moore was a blues player. Jeff named him as an influence.

Jaco Pastorius was an influential bassist who has played with a number of bands and solo, maybe best known for Weather Report. Joey named him as an influence.

Jaco Pastorius was an influential bassist who has played with a number of bands and solo, maybe best known for Weather Report. Joey named him as an influence.

Rush are an important progressive hard rock band. Gonzo named Niel Peart as a favorite.

Rush are an important progressive hard rock band. Gonzo named Niel Peart as a favorite.

Blackfoot was a hard / southern rock band. John names Rickey Medlocke as an influence and names Marauder as one of his favorite rock albums.

Blackfoot was a hard / southern rock band. John names Rickey Medlocke as an influence and names Marauder as one of his favorite rock albums.

Steve Smith

Steve Smith is best known for his work with Journey. Gonzo named him as a favorite.

Steve Smith is best known for his work with Journey. Gonzo named him as a favorite.

AC/DC are the quintessential hard rock band. John names Bon Scott as his biggest influence. Gonzo named Phil Rudd as an influence.

AC/DC are the quintessential hard rock band. John names Bon Scott as his biggest influence. Gonzo named Phil Rudd as an influence.

Al Di Meola

Al Di Meola was an influential jazz guitarist. Phil named him as an influence even though he says he can’t play like that.

Al Di Meola was an influential jazz guitarist. Phil named him as an influence even though he says he can’t play like that.

Y&T ore Yesterday and Today as they were known in their early days were a hard rock / glam/ heavy metal band. Phil said they played local clubs and were an influence on them.

Y&T ore Yesterday and Today as they were known in their early days were a hard rock / glam/ heavy metal band. Phil said they played local clubs and were an influence on them.

Simmon Phillips

Simmon Phillips has played with more bands than I can count. Gonzo named him as an inspiration.

Simmon Phillips has played with more bands than I can count. Gonzo named him as an inspiration.

 

Randy Rhoads

Randy Rhoads is known for being the first guitarist in Ozzy’s band before his tragic death. Before his time with Ozzy though he played in Quiet Riot. Phil named Randy as an influence and said he use to see him playing in Quite Riot at local clubs.

Randy Rhoads is known for being the first guitarist in Ozzy’s band before his tragic death. Before his time with Ozzy though he played in Quiet Riot. Phil named Randy as an influence and said he use to see him playing in Quite Riot at local clubs.

 
Van Halen are a hard rock band that had one of the biggest influences when they came out. Phil and Jeff named Eddie as a big influence.

Van Halen are a hard rock band that had one of the biggest influences when they came out. Phil and Jeff named Eddie as a big influence.

The biggest of the NWOBHM scene and one of the most influential bands of all time. Phil named them as an influence.

The biggest of the NWOBHM scene and one of the most influential bands of all time. Phil named them as an influence.

U2 were a post punk rock band. John names Bono as an influence despite his political insertions. He says that Joshua Tree is one of the best rock albums.

U2 were a post punk rock band. John names Bono as an influence despite his political insertions. He says that Joshua Tree is one of the best rock albums.

Louis Johnson

Louis Johnson was a session player who played with the likes of Aretha Franklin and Micheal Jackson. Joey named him as an influence.

Louis Johnson was a session player who played with the likes of Aretha Franklin and Micheal Jackson. Joey named him as an influence.

David Weckl

David Weckl was a jazz fusion durmmer. Gonzo named him as an inspiration.

David Weckl was a jazz fusion durmmer. Gonzo named him as an inspiration.

Ronnie James Dio was an icon and legend in Rainbow and Black Sabbath before starting his band Dio. John names him as an influence.

Ronnie James Dio was an icon and legend in Rainbow and Black Sabbath before starting his band Dio. John names him as an influence.

Jake E. Lee

Jake E. Lee is best known for the two album he did with Ozzy. His band Badlands is also notable. Jeff named him as an influence.

Jake E. Lee is best known for the two album he did with Ozzy. His band Badlands is also notable. Jeff named him as an influence.

Ratt were a heavy metal / Glam band. Jeff named guitarist Warren DeMartini as an influence.

Ratt were a heavy metal / Glam band. Jeff named guitarist Warren DeMartini as an influence.

Faith No More have a diverse sound but are often considered an early alternative metal band. John named Mike Patton as an influence.

Faith No More have a diverse sound but are often considered an early alternative metal band. John named Mike Patton as an influence.

Soundgarden were pioneers of grunge. John names Chris Cornell as an influence.

Soundgarden were pioneers of grunge. John names Chris Cornell as an influence.

Radiohead were an English alt rock band. John is a big fan of singer Thom Yorke.

Radiohead were an English alt rock band. John is a big fan of singer Thom Yorke.

On John’s list of 20 biggest influences he names James Hetfield but calls him a peer and also says he put him on the list because James had put him on a list and he was returning the favor.

Dave was the main guitarist for the first three albums before his death from leukemia. I unfortunately have not been able to find his influences.

Bands influenced by Armored Saint!

As this project advances, bands will be added here.

Progressive Metal Pioneers

Progressive Metal Pioneers

Sources:

https://www.ranker.com/list/john-bush-of-anthrax-and-armored-saint_s-top-20-vocal-influences/celebrity-lists
http://vitriolinc.com/interview-with-phil-sandoval-armored-saint-09-18-2017/
https://allthatshreds.com/jeff-duncan-keeping-busy-armored-saint-upcoming-dc4-album/
http://fateswarning.com/2017/10/21/interview-with-joey-vera-by-bass-my-fever-10-21-2017/
https://alternative-zine.com/interviews/en/128