Red Dragon Cartel split with Smith

Jake E Lee’s Red Dragon Cartel have split with singer DJ Smith and replaced him with Michael Beck.

Smith was part of the lineup put together by former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Lee when he decided to come out of retirement in 2013.

The frontman’s time with the band was overshadowed by negative reviews for their first-ever show, in which he appeared to be drunk and under-rehearsed. Lee later laughed off the incident.

Smith says: “It’s true I left Red Dragon Cartel. It’s kind of complicated, but I think it was the right thing to do. One day I’ll comment more – for now, that’s all, folks!”

He returns to duties with his other band, Harem Scarem. Beck is an Arizona-based producer who’s worked with Marilyn Manson, Soilwork, The Black Dahlia Murder and others.

Last year Lee hired Badlands colleague Greg Chaisson in place of original bassist Ron Mancuso, who left to concentrate on his production career.

Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.