CHINA - SWITZERLAND

China - 1988 - Vertigo
Sign In The Sky - 1989 - Vertigo
Go All The Way - 1991 - Vertigo
Natural Groove - 1995 - EMI
Light Up The Dark - 2010 - Universal Switzerland/Metal Heaven
We Are The Stars - 2013 - Blue Martin

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Members
Vocals
Math Shiverow - Crown>>Patrick Mason [Patrick Mahassen] - Motherfuckers, Criminal Minds, The Heavys>>Eric St. Michaels>>Southern Comfort, The Windfields, Solo, King Zebra - Douglas McCowan

Guitar
Blacktimes>>FREDDY LAURENCE [FREDDY SCHERER]>>Gotthard - Bloody Six, Witchcraft, Danger, Acoustical Mountain>>CLAUDIO MATTEO>>Acoustical Mountain - Crown, Krokus, Fast Forward>>Patrick Mason [Patrick Mahassen] - Mack Schildknecht>>Fueled By Grace, Eranaës

Bass
Stormbringer>>Marc Lynn>>Krak, Gotthard, Scar For Life - Killer, Netz, Headhunter, Krokus>>Brian Kofmehl>>Killer, Acoustical Mountain - Dan Grossenbacher

Drum
John Dommen - Johnny Giorgi - Rock-N-Roll Soul, Boris Pilleri's Jammin>>Billy La Pietra>>Boris Pilleri's Jammin, Squaw, Achim Brugger, Jill's Well




History & Biography
China was from Switzerland and was founded by guitarist Freddy Laurenc and drummer John Dommen in 1985. They recruited singer Math Shiverow, ex-Bloody Six guitarist Claudio Matteo and former Stormbringer bassist Marc Lynn. The band gained a major record company deal and obtained the assistance of Krokus' singer Marc Storace, who contributed backing vocals, and guitarist Fernando Von Arb who penned a song called Back To You for the debut. The act opened for Victory in Germany. Further gigging, with Bonfire, was cancelled when that band's guitarist was met with an accident. The second album featured a new line-up with former Crown and Krokus singer/guitarist Patrick Mason and new bassist Brian "Beat Tiger" Kofmehl following the departures of both Math Shiverow and Marc Lynn respectively. The Sign In The Sky album should have told the band there is no future. Certainly going all the way was not in the cards, something which is a given for AOR bands which didn't possess their own natural groove. Still, the band opened for Yngwie Malmsteen to promote The Sign In The Sky. Patrick Mason did not last, which was attributed to his health, and 1991's Live record featured Eric St. Michaels of Motherfuckers and Criminal Minds. Nevertheless, the band gave a Swiss radio performance with Marc Storace on the mike. It was placed on CD as Alive 2000 seven years later. In the meantime, Natural Groove was fronted by Douglas McCowan. Johnny Giorgi was the new drummer. The act disbanded in 1995.

All bands return and so the China-Revisited tour of 2000 featured Marc Storace, Eric St. Michaels and Math Shiverow! Laurence also joined Gotthard. The band, with singer Patrick Mason, was working on a new album in 2003. This did not transpire. Another version of the band conducted the Rock Never Dies tour in 2007. The act had gotten together to play at the Spirit Of Rock festival. Then the act regrouped with three original members including Claudio Matteo in 2010. Light Up The Dark was the comeback record of 2010. The band was Matteo, St. Michaels and Kofmehl, as well as newcomers guitarist Mack Schildknecht and drummer Billy La Pietra. There were several concerts as openers for Krokus's comeback tour of 2010. 2013's We Are The Stars featured Dan Grossenbacher on bass. China with singer Hardy Hartmeier was touring as part of its 40th anniversary. One concert had Eric St. Michaels as the frontman. Another couple of concerts featured Patrick Mason.


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