Formed in the late ’70s in Livermore, CA, Violation brought together longtime friends Paul Harris and Perry Fotos, later joined by bassist Brian Khoury and drummer Mike Pavlick. They rehearsed after hours at Khoury’s family record store, Galaxy Records—a perfect spot for loud, uninterrupted sessions.
Starting as a cover band, Violation won crowds with spot-on takes of UFO, AC/DC, Thin Lizzy and Blue Öyster Cult, while Harris’ note-perfect solo on “Rock Bottom” became a local legend. But originals soon followed, including fan favorites “Hot Fire” and the power ballad “Coming After You”, built on Harris’ melodic hooks and singable solos. The band expanded their reach across the Bay Area, playing iconic venues like the Keystone, The Stone, and the Old Waldorf, sharing bills with Mötley Crüe, Metallica, Quiet Riot, Y&T and more. They eventually headlined clubs including the Whisky a Go Go in Hollywood.
In 1982, after Pavlick’s departure, the remaining members recorded three originals with uncredited Y&T drummer Leonard Haze. The resulting single, “Meet Me at Midnight” b/w “Balls Out”, sold well locally and overseas, boosted by a Kerrang! review that sent it to #1 on their charts. With new drummer Don “Rocket” Stephenson and vocalist Tim Hall, Violation was invited by Shrapnel Records to appear on *US Metal, Vol. 3*, recording a new version of “Gonna Get to You”. But soon after its release, Hall left, and Violation disbanded in 1983.
Violation links
Website⎪Bandcamp
Ripple Music links
Website⎪Facebook⎪Bandcamp⎪Instagram
