View source for Dana Strum

{{Short description|American bassist}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{COI|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name             = Dana Strum
| image            = Dana Strum - Wacken Open Air 2018 (cropped).jpg
| caption          = Strum at [[Wacken Open Air]] 2018
| birth_name       = Dana Strumwasser
| birth_date       = {{Birth date and age|1957|12|13}}
| birth_place      = [[Washington, D.C.]], U.S.
| genre            = {{flatlist|
* [[Hard rock]]
* [[glam metal]]
* [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]]
}}
| occupations      = {{flatlist|
*Bassist
*songwriter
*record producer
}}
| years_active     = 1970s–present
| current_member_of = {{flatlist|
*[[Slaughter (band)|Slaughter]]
*[[Vince Neil]]
}}
| past_member_of   = {{flatlist|
*[[Vinnie Vincent Invasion]]
*Danny Spanos
*Modern Design
*BadAxe
}}
| website          = * {{URL|danastrum.com}}
* {{URL|slaughterusa.com}}
}}

'''Dana Strum''' (born '''Dana Strumwasser''' on December 13, 1957) is an American musician who is a co-founder, bass player, and one of the two primary songwriters of the [[hard rock]] band [[Slaughter (band)|Slaughter]], an [[American Music Awards]] winner, formed in 1988.<ref name="slaughter">{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p5451|pure_url=yes}}|title=Biography-Slaughter|last=Huey|first=Steve |website=[[Allmusic]]|access-date=28 January 2010}}</ref> He first achieved commercial success as a member of an ex-[[Kiss (band)|Kiss]] guitarist act, [[Vinnie Vincent Invasion]], along with his future Slaughter bandmate [[Mark Slaughter]].<ref name="vvi">{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p198512|pure_url=yes}}|title=Biography-Vinnie Vincent Invasion|last=Prato|first=Greg|website=[[Allmusic]]|access-date=January 28, 2010}}</ref><ref name=":47">{{Cite book |last=Zeitz |first=Petra |url=http://archive.org/details/rockstarintervie0000zeit |title=Rock star interviews: conversations with leading performers and songwriters |date=1993 |location=Jefferson, N.C. |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-89950-898-6}}</ref>

Based in Los Angeles, Strum has claimed responsibility for introducing the guitarist [[Randy Rhoads]] to [[Ozzy Osbourne]],<ref name=":2">{{cite AV media |title=Slaughter Dana Strum "Finding Randy Rhoads" Special Edition |publisher=80's Metal Recycle Bin |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeGC3kaX4Ak |language=en |access-date=June 4, 2022 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref name=":55">{{Cite web |last=Wall |first=Mick |date=February 1, 2012 |title=Randy Rhoads: The Guitarist Who Changed The World |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/randy-rhoads-the-guitarist-who-changed-the-world |access-date=June 4, 2022 |website=Loudersound |language=en}}</ref> as well as bringing [[Jake E. Lee]] to Ozzy's solo band following Rhoads's death.<ref name=":54">{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/intovoidozzyosbo0000unse |title=Into the void: Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath: a Rock's backpages reader |date=2004 |location=London |publisher=Omnibus |isbn=978-1-84449-150-6}}</ref> Strum has worked with a number of artists and groups, playing bass, co-writing, and/or producing songs, such as [[The Beach Boys]],<ref name=":53">{{cite AV media |title=Friday Night FeedBack™ Dana Strum and Blando |publisher=Lee Jackson |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJqxGEjQZrs |language=en |access-date=June 4, 2022 |via=YouTube}}</ref> [[Detente (band)|Détente]],<ref name=":59">{{Cite magazine |title=DÉTENTE – Breaking The Law |department=Features |magazine=Metal Forces |url=http://www.metalforcesmagazine.com/site/feature-detente-mf19/ |access-date=June 4, 2022}}</ref> Sweet Savage,<ref name=":63">{{Cite magazine |title=Metal Wire |url=https://joeycjones.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/sweet-savage-bon-jovi-and-others.jpg |magazine= |via=Joey C Jones}}</ref> [[Ace Frehley]],<ref name=":65">{{Cite magazine |date=October 18, 2018 |title=Reconsidering Frehley's Comet |url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2018/10/18/reconsidering-frehleys-comet/ |access-date=June 4, 2022 |magazine=Decibel |language=en-US}}</ref> [[Kik Tracee]],<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=November 10, 1990 |title=Studio Savagery |url=https://archive.org/details/cashbox54unse_14/page/9/mode/1up |magazine=Cash Box |pages=9}}</ref> Dennis Bono, [[Vince Neil]],<ref>{{Cite news |author=Jim Dyar |date=April 19, 2007 |title=Crue's Neil to kick-start the party at Win-River |page=4 |newspaper=Record Searchlight |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98995619/vince-neil-band-2007-record/ |access-date=June 4, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and [[Ozzy Osbourne]],<ref name=":64">{{Cite magazine |title=Engineer/Producer Index |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Audio/Archive-REP-IDX/IDX/80s/Recording-1989-08-OCR-Page-0055.pdf |magazine=Recording Engineer/Producer |date=August 1989 |page=60 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> among others.

== Early life ==
Strum's family came from [[Trinidad and Tobago|Trinidad, British West Indies]]. He was born in [[Washington, D.C.]] and spent his childhood in [[Pasadena, California]].<ref name=":67">{{Cite magazine |author=Moira McCormick |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_circus_1990-07-31/page/n37/mode/1up |url-access=registration |title=Slaughter rises from ruins of Vinnie Vincent Invasion |date=July 31, 1990 |magazine=Circus |page=36 |language=en}}</ref> His father was a scientist working in [[Neuroscience|neurobiology]] and a professor and researcher of [[psychiatry]] and [[neuroscience]].<ref>{{Cite periodical |title=Obituaries |periodical=Engineering & Science |volume=70 |issue=2 |pages=40–43 |date=2007 |url=https://calteches.library.caltech.edu/4264/1/Obituaries.pdf |via=Caltech Magazine}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine |date=June 30, 1991 |title=Slaughter sticks with the fans |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_circus_1991-06-30/page/n33/mode/1up |url-access=registration |magazine=Circus |page=33}}</ref> Strum's mother worked on creating cling-free [[nylon]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |author=William S. Dutton |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_pta-magazine_1955-06_49_10/page/7/mode/1up |title=Dr. Meister's "Beautiful" School |magazine=National Parent-Teacher |date=June 1955 |volume=49 |issue=10 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=November 16, 1964 |title=Mandl, Dr. Fritz, M.D. |page=III-11 |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99310700/mariana-strumwasser/ |access-date=June 24, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

Strum began playing bass guitar aged eight despite his parents' disapproval.<ref name="danastrum.com">{{cite web |title=Dana Strum Biography |url=http://danastrum.com/biography |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111106211639/http://danastrum.com/biography |archive-date=November 6, 2011 |access-date=November 11, 2018 |website=Dana Strum}}</ref> Growing up in Los Angeles during his teenage years, his playing was influenced by [[Rock music|rock]] performers such as [[Black Sabbath]] and [[Grand Funk Railroad]]. His first concert was a Black Sabbath/[[Captain Beyond]] gig in Hollywood, California.<ref name=":0" /> He began playing professionally on the Los Angeles Club Circuit aged sixteen.<ref name=":0" />

== Music career ==

=== 1976–1979: BadAxe ===
Strum began his career in the late 1970s as a member of the progressive hard rock band BadAxe in [[Los Angeles]], California.<ref name=":0" /> The band performed on the LA Circuit Scene alongside [[Van Halen]] and [[Quiet Riot]]. BadAxe gained attention for their sound, which was similar to that of bands like [[Black Sabbath]] and [[Deep Purple]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 11, 1978 |title=BadAxe Cuts Up at the Starwood |pages=52 |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99021198/badaxe-1978-la-times/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In November 1976, BadAxe recorded an album at Stronghold Studios with Strum also serving as producer.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pSQEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22dana+strum%22&pg=PT125 |magazine=Billboard |title=Studio Track |date=November 6, 1976 |page=70 |language=en}}</ref> A limited number of test pressings of the album were released by Earth Breeze Productions. The following year, the band recorded the single "Cry For Me" / "All You Can Stand" at Dalton Studios in [[Santa Monica, California|Santa Monica, CA]] with Strum also co-producing.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sUUEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22dana+strum%22&pg=PT62 |magazine=Billboard |title=Studio Track |date=March 19, 1977 |page=43 |language=en}}</ref>

Strum left BadAxe in the summer of 1979 when he was offered the opportunity to audition for [[Ozzy Osbourne]] and become his new bass player. Osbourne was looking to form a new band following his split from [[Black Sabbath]]. Strum is credited with introducing [[Randy Rhoads]] to Osbourne at that time.<ref name=":55" /><ref name=":56">{{Cite web |title=Dana Strum Interviews On Randy-1986 |type=Forum |url=http://www.nobitching.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=92&view=previous |access-date=June 25, 2022 |website=No Bitching}}{{unreliable source?|date=September 2022}}</ref><ref name=":2" />

=== 1981–1983: Modern Design ===
In the early 1980s, Strum joined the group Modern Design, with Ron Mancuso on guitar, Louie Merlino on vocals, and Joey DePompeis on drums.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Carlson |first=Taylor T. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rqSyBQAAQBAJ&dq=%22dana+strum%22+&pg=PA23 |title=HAIRcyclopedia |date=July 27, 2013 |volume=2 – The Vault |publisher=Lulu |isbn=978-1-300-68755-9 |language=en}}{{self-published inline|date=September 2022}}</ref> According to Mancuso in an interview from 2010, the band had significant interest from well-known producers and engineers. Modern Design began working with [[Pasha Records]], a label that at the time was releasing records for [[The Beach Boys]] and [[Vanilla Fudge]], among others. Despite being close to securing a record deal with multiple labels, it ultimately fell through.<ref name=":1">{{Cite interview |subject=Ronnie Mancuso |interviewer=Brent Rusche |title=Ronnie Mancuso (Beggars and Thieves) – Firefest 2010 Post-Show Interview |date=October 31, 2010 |url=https://rocktopia.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=842:ronnie-mancuso-beggars-and-thieves-firefest-2010-post-show-interview&catid=924:interviews&Itemid=498 |access-date=June 25, 2022 |website=Rocktopia}}</ref>

In January 1983, while still a member of Modern Design, Strum held auditions for [[Ozzy Osbourne]], who was searching for a replacement guitar player following the death of [[Randy Rhoads]] in a plane crash in March 1982.<ref name=":60">{{Cite news |date=January 13, 1983 |title=L.A. Dee Daa on the Streets |pages=29 |work=LA Weekly |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99035462/dana-strum-ozzy-1983-la-times/ |access-date=June 25, 2022}}</ref> [[Jake E. Lee]], lead guitarist for the band [[Rough Cutt]], was ultimately chosen for the position, beating out [[George Lynch (musician)|George Lynch]], the former guitar player for [[Xciter]] and [[The Boyz (American band)|The Boyz]].<ref name=":61">{{Cite book |last=Sharpe-Young |first=Garry |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KNrV3iQ_qrIC&dq=%22dana+strum%22&pg=PA53 |title=Metal: The Definitive Guide: Heavy, NWOBH, Progressive, Thrash, Death, Black, Gothic, Doom, Nu |date=2007 |publisher=Jawbone Press |isbn=978-1-906002-01-5 |language=en}}</ref>

=== 1983–1985: Danny Spanos ===
While working at [[Pasha Records]], Strum along with other members of Modern Design collaborated with [[Danny Spanos]], a former drummer turned singer, who was also recording at the studio.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |author=Louise King |date=November 21, 1983 |title=Cheap Trick, Spanos, Nova Exciting |page=4E |newspaper=St. Louis Post-Dispatch |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99039936/danny-spanos-1983-st-louos-post/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In late November 1983, they opened for [[Cheap Trick]] in [[Kiel Opera House (St. Louis)|Kiel Opera House]], [[St. Louis]], MO, and the performance was recorded live for the [[RKO Radio Network]].<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{cite AV media |title=Danny Spanos – Last Chance (Captured Live) |publisher=Manuel Fonseca |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bq4MEqaqbVQ |language=en |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=YouTube}}</ref> The band's album ''Looks Like Trouble'' was produced by Spencer Proffer and released in 1984.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Patty English |author2=Kyle Schurman |date=March 7, 1985 |title=Album Review |page=3C |newspaper=The Schuyler Sun |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99013067/danny-spanos-1985-the-schuyler-sun/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Strum also contributed to the album as a writer on the tracks "Good Girl" and "Looks Like Trouble".<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uCQEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22Danny+Spanos%22&pg=RA1-PA39 |title=Reviews: Pop |magazine=Billboard |volume=97 |issue=6 |page=64 |date=February 9, 1985 |language=en}}</ref>

=== 1985–1988: Vinnie Vincent Invasion ===
In 1985, Strum joined former [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]] guitarist [[Vinnie Vincent]] to form [[Vinnie Vincent Invasion]]. [[Robert Fleischman|Robert Fleishman]], the ex-vocalist for [[Journey (band)|Journey]], was hired as their lead singer.<ref name=":7">{{Cite periodical |date=November 8, 1985 |title=The Rock Report |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-FMQB-IDX/IDX/1985/FMQB-1985-11-08-IDX-24.pdf#search=%22dana%20strum%22 |periodical=The Friday Moring Quarterback Album Report |via=World Radio History}}</ref><ref name=":70">{{Cite news |author=Anne M Raso |date=May 18, 1986 |title=Rock-O-Rama |page=25 |work=Daily News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99008706/vinnie-vincent-invasion-1986-daily/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Over the next few months, the band went through a process of auditioning drummers until the [[Houston]]-born [[Bobby Rock]] joined the band in October 1985.<ref name=":79">{{Cite news |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y4ZGAAAAIBAJ&dq=%22dana+strum%22&pg=PA10 |title=Vinnie Vincent Invasion Set to Appear at the Chance July 23 |newspaper=The Evening News |page=5C |date=July 13, 1988 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |author=Tim McPhate |title=The Rock Behind The Invasion |url=http://www.kissconcerthistory.com/interviews/interview_rock.php |website=KISS Concert History}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |author=Robyn Flans |url=https://archive.org/details/modern-drummer-issue-93/page/n9/mode/1up |title=Update |magazine=Modern Drummer |issue=93 |page=8 |date=August 1987 |language=en}}</ref> Vinnie Vincent Invasion signed an eight-album deal with [[Chrysalis Records]].<ref name=":7" />

After releasing their self-titled debut album in 1986, Fleischman left the group.<ref name="Windsor Star 1986-10-25">{{Cite news |author=Ted Shaw |date=October 25, 1986 |title=Fast Style Covers Mistakes |page=C3 |newspaper=The Windsor Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99040074/vinnie-vincent-invasion-1986-the/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=":4" /> [[Mark Slaughter]], who Strum met while producing Sin, was brought in as the Vinnie Vincent Invasion new lead vocalist.<ref name=":5">{{Cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_circus_1990-08-31/page/n32/mode/1up |url-access=registration |title=Arena Crowds Deal Slaughter First Taste Of Fame |date=August 31, 1990 |magazine=Circus |pages=31, 32 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":35">{{Cite news |last=Patterson |first=Spencer |date=July 8, 2005 |title=Hair, there & everywhere: Vegas-bred metal icons Slaughter still true to rock roots |newspaper=Las Vegas Sun |url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2005/jul/08/hair-there-everywhere-vegas-bred-metal-icons-slaug/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite news |author=Jason Fraley |date=March 14, 2022 |title=Slaughter ready to be 'up all night' at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races |url=https://wtop.com/entertainment/2022/03/slaughter-ready-to-be-up-all-night-at-hollywood-casino-at-charles-town-races/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |work=WTOP News |language=en}}</ref> The video "Boys Are Gonna Rock", directed by Jeff Stein, was produced featuring [[Mark Slaughter]] as the singer over Fleischman's vocal track.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Marianne Meyer |date=January 13, 1987 |title=Rock View |page=4 |newspaper=Washington County News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99038052/vinnie-vincent-invasion-1987/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The video received heavy rotation on [[MTV]].<ref>{{Cite news |author=Debroah K. Mann |date=January 30, 1987 |title=Vinnie Vincent Invasion |page=9 |newspaper=Corpus Christi Caller-Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98952065/vinnie-vincent-invasion-1987-corpus/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> At that time, the band's look was entirely over the top glam. Strum spent the next months touring [[North America]] with Vinnie Vincent Invasion, opening for acts such as [[Alice Cooper]] and [[Iron Maiden]].<ref>{{Cite news |author=Jim Braden |date=February 27, 1987 |title=Blockbuster Bands |page=6 |newspaper=El Paso Herald-Post |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99040483/vinnie-vincent-invasion-1987-el-paso/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |author=Dorian Smith |date=February 12, 1987 |title=To Find How Good Vincent is, Ask Him |page=F4 |newspaper=The Sacramento Bee |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98995843/vinnie-vincent-invasion-1987-the/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name="Windsor Star 1986-10-25" />

{{Quote box
| quote = Dana played somewhat of a producer role to Vinnie as they tracked solos, since he offered excellent suggestions and direction along the way, and got great performances out of him. Dana was also an extraordinary engineer when it came to "punching in", which is kind of like doing live edits.
| author = — [[Bobby Rock]], on Strum's role while recording The Invasion's albums
| align = left
| width = 300px
| border = 1px
| qalign = left
| quoted = true
}}

[[All Systems Go (Vinnie Vincent Invasion album)|''All Systems Go'']], the Vinnie Vincent Invasion's second LP for Chrysalis, was recorded at [[Cherokee Studios]].<ref name=":71">{{Cite magazine |date=January 23, 1988 |magazine=Billboard |title=Audio Track |page=60 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1988/1988-01-23-Billboard-Page-0086.pdf#search=%22dana%20strum%22 |via=World Radio History}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=May 7, 1988 |magazine=Billboard |title=Album Reviews |page=76 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1988/1988-05-07-Billboard-Page-0094.pdf#search=%22dana%20strum%22 |via=World Radio History}}</ref><ref name="newspapers.com">{{Cite news |date=July 7, 1988 |title=Vinnie Vincent Invasion |page=B14 |newspaper=Herald and Review |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98953447/vinnie-vincent-invasion-1988-herald/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Strum was credited as co-producer, arranger, and engineer while recording the band's albums.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_circus_1988-03-31/page/n88/mode/1up |url-access=registration |title=Equal Parts Speed and Style, the Guitar Hero Tradition continues |date=March 31, 1988 |magazine=Circus |page=89 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/movie-mirror-march-1988-50-metal-pix/page/n19/mode/1up |title=Spotlight On Vinnie Vincent |date=March 1, 1988 |magazine=Movie Mirror |volume=32 |issue=3 |page=20}}</ref><ref name=":4" /> Bobby Rock stated in an interview that Strum played a producer role to Vinnie Vincent, offering suggestions and direction while tracking solos, and being "an extraordinary engineer when it came to "punching in."<ref name=":4" />

''All Systems Go'', released in May 1988, had a more accessible [[hard rock]] sound than their debut album<ref name="newspapers.com" /><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=March 11, 1988 |magazine=The Hard Report |title=Music Now! |issue=69 |page=33 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Hard-IDX/IDX/88/Hard-1988-03-11-OCR-Page-0033.pdf#search=%22dana%20strum%22 |via=World Radio History}}</ref>  and the band went on a headlining club tour with a few theaters included.<ref name=":4" /> The music video for "That Time of Year" became an [[MTV]] hit. In August, the band put out "Love Kills", the title song for the movie ''[[A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master]]''.<ref name=":90">{{Cite news |author=Debbie Ridenour |date=July 21, 1988 |title=Invasion |page=1B |newspaper=The Newark Advocate |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99092292/vinnie-vincent-invasion-1988-the/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The single was also released as a music video.

Three months after the release of their second album, [[Vinnie Vincent Invasion]] played their final concert on August 26, 1988, in [[Anaheim, California]], and it was officially announced that the group had disbanded.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=August 26, 1988 |magazine=The Hard Report |issue=93 |page=38 |title=Metal Music News |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Hard-IDX/IDX/88/Hard-1988-08-26-OCR-Page-0036.pdf#search=%22dana%20strum%22 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> In an interview with [[Circus (magazine)|Circus magazine]] in late 1988, [[Mark Slaughter]] stated that the split was amicable, saying "When we first joined the Invasion, we were told that it would be a group situation, but it gradually changed to the point where we were all sidemen. Vinnie wants to be a guitar hero, we want to be a band."<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_circus_1988-12-31/page/n25/mode/1up |url-access=registration |title=Vinnie Vincent's Next Invasion |date=December 31, 1988 |magazine=Circus |page=26 |language=en}}</ref> Slaughter also explained that Strum was fired by Vincent, and Slaughter had the choice to stay but chose to leave the band and go with Strum.<ref>{{Cite web |last=BraveWords |title=MARK SLAUGHTER Remembers The Decision To Leave The VINNIE VINCENT INVASION – “Vinnie Pulled Me Down And Said ‘Are You Gonna Be In My Band Or Are You Go With Dana (Strum)?’ I Said I’d Rather Be In The Gutter With Dana” |url=https://bravewords.com/news/mark-slaughter-remembers-the-decision-to-leave-the-vinnie-vincent-invasion-vinnie-pulled-me-down-and-said-are-you-gonna-be-in-my-band-or-are-you-go-with-dana-strum-i-said-id-rather-be-in-the-gutter-with-dana |access-date=2024-05-11 |website=bravewords.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== Since 1988: Slaughter ===

==== 1988–1989: Formation ====
After leaving [[Vinnie Vincent Invasion]] in August 1988, Dana Strum shared a cramped apartment in [[Los Angeles]] with seven other struggling musicians, including his former and future bandmate Mark Slaughter.<ref name=":5" /><ref name="Billings Gazette 1990-08-25">{{Cite news |date=August 25, 1990 |title=Slaughter Blends Hard Rock Sound and edgy Lyrics |page=C1 |newspaper=The Billings Gazette |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98956492/slaughter-1990-the-billings-gazette/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Strum revealed that despite having similar modes of thought, he and Slaughter were "two distinctly different animals". However, their differences worked to their advantage, and after securing a deal with [[Chrysalis Records]], they wrote songs, often penning lyrics on top of [[Domino's Pizza]] boxes at 3 a.m., and held formal auditions for their new band <ref>{{Cite news |date=February 22, 1991 |title=Slaughter Relies on Honesty, Fast Food and Rock 'n' Roll |page=3W |newspaper=Asheville Citizen-Times |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98949538/slaughter-1991-asheville-citizen/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=":5" /> They sought two individuals who shared their "one for all and all for one" philosophy, had no issues with substance abuse, and were "fan oriented".<ref name=":28">{{Cite book |last=Zeitz |first=Petra |url=https://archive.org/details/rockstarintervie0000zeit/page/165/mode/1up |url-access=registration |title=Rock star interviews: conversations with leading performers and songwriters |date=1993 |location=Jefferson, N.C. |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-89950-898-6 |page=165}}</ref>

Guitarist [[Tim Kelly (musician)|Tim Kelly]] joined after meeting Mark Slaughter at a barbecue, while drummer Blas Elias secured his spot after impressing the two in a videotaped audition and playing live in [[Los Angeles]].<ref name=":67" />

==== 1989–1992: Breakthrough with ''Stick It To Ya'' ====
After forming the band in January 1989, all four members lived together in a small apartment working on songs with a drum machine and four-track. Soon, they entered the [[Record Plant]] to start tracking demos.<ref name=":9">{{Cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/modern-drummer-issue-151/page/n26/mode/1up |title=Slaughter's Blas Elias |date=June 1992 |magazine=Modern Drummer |issue=151 |page=25 |language=en}}</ref>

His skills in the studio helped Slaughter create the band's unique sound with "bluesy feel", a "definite melodic bass", and a "gutsy, nasty attitude",<ref name=":10">{{Cite news |date=February 9, 1990 |title=Slaughter – Stick It To Ya |language=en |volume=19 |page=19 |newspaper=Boston Phoenix |issue=6 |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_boston-phoenix_february-9-15-1990_19_6/page/n18/mode/1up}}</ref> and also achieve their goal of creating songs with an eye towards commercial success on radio and MTV, and playing concert arenas.<ref name=":9" />

The band aimed "to bring back emotion into rock 'n' roll",<ref name=":10" /> characterizing their music as “very energetic and very raw”. According to Dana Strum, the band's songs were inspired by true-life experiences, ”either about something that we went through or something we both perceive a lot of people go through but can't get a chance to express for themselves."<ref name="Billings Gazette 1990-08-25" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=August 17, 1990 |title=Success is a Plus, But Lack of Time is a Minus |page=3C |work=The Times |location=Shreveport |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98955497/slaughter-1990-the-times/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

Strum produced the band's debut album, ''[[Stick It to Ya|Stick It To Ya]]'', alongside Mark Slaughter. It was recorded at several studios in [[Los Angeles]], California, and was released in January 1990 on Chrysalis Records.<ref name=":12">{{Cite magazine |date=January 27, 1990 |title=Album Reviews |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1990/1990-01-27-Billboard-Page-0120.pdf |magazine=Billboard |page=84 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> ''[[Stick It to Ya|Stick It To Ya]]'' was the first album on the label to be released exclusively on CD and cassette, with a limited number of vinyl copies distributed to select fans and media members.<ref name=":29">{{Cite news |date=December 7, 1995 |title=Rock on the Edge |page=8 |newspaper=Quad-City Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99034751/slaughter-1995-quad-city-times/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=":30">{{Cite news |author=Dan Craft |date=June 20, 1997 |title=On The Go – Billboard |page=D4 |newspaper=The Pantagraph |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99032133/slaughter-1997-the-pantagraph/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Prior to its release, the band conducted extensive test marketing in multiple cities, including [[Chicago]].<ref name=":23">{{Cite news |date=1992-05-04 |title=Up The Chart Without a Gig: Slaughter Finds Success |pages=61 |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99002033/slaughter-1992-chicago-tribune/ |access-date=2022-06-04}}</ref> The album received positive reviews, with critics calling it "a smart, sassy pop-metal effort", "full of musical talent".<ref>{{Cite news |author=Tom Loftus |date=April 19, 1990 |title=Recordings: Slaughter – Stick It To Ya |page=19E |work=Chicago Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99030420/slaughter-1990-chicago-tribune/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=":11">{{Cite news |author=Debbie Madding |date=April 27, 1990 |title=Slaughter – Stick It To Ya |page=A-6 |newspaper=The Vincennes Sun-Commercial |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99093293/slaughter-vincennes-sun/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Slaughter's first hit single, [[Up All Night (Slaughter song)|"Up All Night"]], directed by [[Michael Bay]],<ref name=":6" /> debuted on [[Headbangers Ball|Headbangers' Ball]] and held the No 1 spot on [[Dial MTV|Dial-MTV]] for eight weeks in March and April 1990.<ref name=":11" /><ref name=":14">{{Cite magazine |author=Corey Levitan |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_circus_1990-12-31/page/n39/mode/1up |url-access=registration |title=Slaughter Rises from Scrags to Riches in 1990 |date=December 31, 1990 |magazine=Circus |page=38 |language=en}}</ref>

The cover of ''[[Stick It to Ya]]'' caused some controversy for depicting a woman bound to a carnival wheel with knives being thrown. Responding to the criticism, Strum clarified that it was not intended to be anti-women and meant to represent the "wheel of life". The band was originally planned to be featured on the wheel, but the record company opted to use a photo of [[Robbin Crosby]]'s girlfriend, Lori Carr, instead.<ref name=":15">{{Cite news |date=May 1, 1991 |title=Slaughter / Band to Rock at Mosque |page=4D |newspaper=The News-Leader |location=Springfield |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99099055/slaughter-1990-springfield-news/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=":16">{{Cite news |author=Gary Graff |date=May 17, 1990 |title=A Few Words with Mark Slaughter |page=7F |newspaper=Detroit Free Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98942124/slaughter-1990-detroit-free-press/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

In an interview, Strum revealed that Slaughter was "actually formed at the [[Record Plant]] in [[Los Angeles]], rather than by going out and playing the club circuit".<ref name=":67" /> The band made their live debut on May 4, 1990, opening for [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]] on the [[Hot in the Shade Tour|''Hot In The Shade Tour'']] in [[Lubbock, Texas]], on the day when Slaughter's first album received a [[Music recording certification|gold record]], signifying 500,000 copies sold.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":14" />

Stick It To Ya became the band's most commercially successful album thanks to heavy airplay on [[MTV]] and support slots on [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]]'s American tour, that was certified [[Music recording certification|Platinum]] three months later.<ref name=":22">{{Cite news |author=James Bass |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Nrg_AAAAIBAJ&dq=%22dana+strum%22&pg=PA5 |title=Slaughter Seizes Saturday |newspaper=The Robesonian |date=June 22, 1995 |page=8A |language=en}}</ref> The album peaked at number 18 and remained on the [[Billboard 200]] album chart for six months.<ref name=":19">{{Cite book |editor=Colin Larkin |url=https://archive.org/details/guinnesswhoswhoo0000unse_r9e9/page/238/mode/1up |title=The Guinness who's who of heavy metal |date=1992 |location=Enfield [England] |publisher=Guinness |page=238 |isbn=978-0-85112-581-7}}</ref> Three months after its release, Stick It To Ya received a Platinum certification, indicating that it had sold over one million copies.<ref name=":17">{{Cite news |date=August 6, 1998 |title=Slaughter Ready to Rock B.C. |page=7 |newspaper=Battle Creek Enquirer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99037783/rock-never-stops-1998-battle-creek/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=":18">{{Cite magazine |date=December 31, 1990 |title=Slaughter Rises from Scrags to Riches in 1990 |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_circus_1990-12-31/page/n40/mode/1up |magazine=Circus |language=en |page=39 |url-access=registration}}</ref> [[Slaughter (band)|Slaughter]]'s single and video, ''[[Fly to the Angels|Fly To The Angels]]'', reached No.1 on MTV.<ref name=":20">{{Cite news |author=Greg Jaklewicz |date=March 15, 1991 |title=Slaughter New Big Name |page=1D |work=Abilene Reporter-News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99032813/slaughter-1991-abilene-reporter/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=October 20, 1990 |title=Flying To Platinum |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1990/1990-10-20-Billboard-Page-0112.pdf |magazine=Billboard |page=88 |via=World Radio History}}</ref>

In 1990, Slaughter released a live mini-album called ''[[Stick It Live]]'', featuring five songs from their debut release, which sold 500,000 copies and certified Gold.<ref name=":18" /><ref>{{Cite magazine |author=Corey Levitan |date=January 31, 1991 |title=Slaughter Sticks It To Ya Live |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_circus_1991-01-31/page/n116/mode/1up |magazine=Circus |language=en |page=93 |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref name=":13">{{Cite news |date=May 4, 1992 |title=Slaughter |page=§&nbsp;5-5 |newspaper=Chicago Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99002033/slaughter-1992-chicago-tribune/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> They also released their first long-form video, titled ''From The Beginning'', including their first clips and behind-the-scenes footage on tour with Kiss, which ultimately, also certified [[Music recording certification|Gold.]]<ref name=":73">{{Cite magazine |author=Clinton S. Freeman |date=September 30, 1990 |title=New Clips from Poison and Slaughter |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_circus_1990-09-30/page/n27/mode/1up |magazine=Circus |language=en |page=26 |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref name=":21">{{Cite web |title=Slaughter |url=https://biggtimeinc.com/slaughter/website/Slaughter%20Bio%202011.pdf |website=Bigg Time Inc}}</ref> In August of that year, the band participated in the MTV Celebrity Challenge at the Denver Grand Prix along with members of [[Mötley Crüe]], [[Skid Row (American band)|Skid Row]] and [[Winger (band)|Winger]], among others, with Dana Strum finishing fifth in the race.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Bill Cooksey |date=August 17, 1990 |title=Opener's Music is Energetic and Raw |page=1C |newspaper=The Times |location=Shreveport |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98955260/slaughter-1990-the-times/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

With Strum and the rest of the band members moving to [[Las Vegas]], Slaughter became the first internationally recognized hard rock band based in Las Vegas, Nevada by December 1990.<ref name=":7" /> They played their first-ever concert in their hometown of Las Vegas on December 15, 1990. The day prior, the mayor proclaimed December 14 as Slaughter Rock Band Day and changed the name of [[Las Vegas Boulevard]] to Slaughter Boulevard for the day. The band also received the keys to the city, and the event was covered on national TV.<ref name=":48">{{Cite news |date=March 31, 1991 |title=Slaughter |page=336 |work=Newsday |edition=Nassau |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99098024/slaughter-1990-newsday/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=":85">{{Cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_circus_1991-03-31/page/n57/mode/1up |url-access=registration |title=Mark Slaughter Comes Home |date=March 31, 1991 |magazine=Circus |page=56 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |title=Slaughter – 'On The Road With' MTV Special 1990.12.29 (Headbanger's Ball Full HD Remastered) |publisher=Vince Distefano |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JFN9E98dBE |language=en |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

In January 1991, Strum and the other members of [[Slaughter (band)|Slaughter]] collectively received the [[American Music Awards|''American Music Award'']] for [[American Music Awards of 1991|Best New Hard Rock/Heavy Metal Artist]], and their album ''[[Stick It to Ya|Stick It To Ya]]'' went double [[Music recording certification|Platinum]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 12, 1991 |magazine=Radio and Records |title=Newsbreakers |page=12 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1991/RR-1991-07-12.pdf |via=World Radio History}}</ref><ref name=":17" /> The band also released their third music video for the song ''Spend My Life'', which reached No.1 on [[MTV]] chart.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=January 28, 1991 |magazine=Hits |title=Slaughter – Spend My Life |volume=5 |issue=226 |page=25 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Hits-IDX/IDX/90s/Hits-1991-01-28-OCR-Page-0023.pdf |via=World Radio History}}</ref>

{{Quote box
| quote = We've spoken very openly that we don't. A lot of people said that was totally wrong, that's not rock 'n' roll. But I want to be a musician, not a drug addict. I wanted to play music and make people feel good.
| author = — Dana Strum on the band's attitude to drugs
| align = left
| width = 300px
| bgcolor = 
| quoted = yes
}}

The band was vocal about their stance on drugs from the beginning, stating in interviews that they don't do drugs and wanted to focus on making music.<ref name=":50">{{Cite news |author=Linda Cearley |date=June 12, 1992 |title=Slaughter: With This Metal Band Fans Rate, Drugs Don't |page=H4 |newspaper=The Modesto Bee |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98943526/slaughter-1992-the-modesto-bee/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> As a testament to this commitment, [[Slaughter (band)|Slaughter]] performed a free concert outside a [[Taco Bell]] in [[Miami]] in March 1991 to raise money for the Miami Coalition for a Drug-Free Community. Dana Strum described it as the "most ridiculously fun thing" they had done as a band.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Monica Rhor |date=March 24, 1991 |title=Fans Flock To Fast-Food Eatery To See Slaughter |page=7B |newspaper=Sun Sentinel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98998113/slaughter-1991-south-florida-sun/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

During their tour with [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]], Slaughter received a request from [[Interscope Records]] to write a song for the movie ''[[Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey]]'', which starred [[Keanu Reeves]]. Despite their commitment to opening for [[Cinderella (band)|Cinderella]]'s tour, Dana Strum and Mark Slaughter wrote the song "Shout It Out" in a hotel conference room. The track went on to achieve gold status,<ref name=":21" /> and a music video was produced that featured scenes from the movie.<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{cite AV media |title=Slaughter Recording Shout It Out |publisher=Jon Fever |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y57VLZG96YM |language=en |access-date=July 17, 2022 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref name=":80">{{Cite magazine |author=Gary Cee |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_circus_1991-09-30/page/n67/mode/1up |url-access=registration |title=Slaughter Bangs Out A Hit |date=September 30, 1991 |magazine=Circus |pages=60–62 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":81">{{Cite magazine |date=August 17, 1991 |magazine=Billboard |title=Audio Track |page=41 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1991/1991-08-17-Billboard-Page-0051.pdf |via=World Radio History}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Zeitz |first=Petra |url=https://archive.org/details/rockstarintervie0000zeit/page/161/mode/1up |title=Rock star interviews: conversations with leading performers and songwriters |date=1993 |location=Jefferson, N.C. |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-89950-898-6 |page=161}}</ref>

==== 1992–1995: Living ''The Wild Life'' ====
Dana Strum, along with Mark Slaughter, co-wrote and co-produced [[Slaughter (band)|Slaughter]]'s second studio LP, ''[[The Wild Life (album)|The Wild Life]].'' The album was recorded in the same studio the band tracked their first, The Red Zone in [[Burbank, California]],<ref name=":24">{{Cite news |date=July 9, 1992 |title=Slaughter Take 'The Wild Life' On The Road |page=12 |newspaper=The Indiana Gazette |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98957924/slaughter-1992-indiana-gazette/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> with drums recorded at [[Pasha Records]], where Strum had previously worked and lived. [[Blas Elias]] commented to The [[Modern Drummer]] magazine, "Dana grew up there. When he was starting out as an engineer, he was sweeping floors at Pasha and working for [owner] [[Spencer Proffer]], so he knew the studio really well and liked the sound of it. And of course, when you have a good thing, you don't want to change it."<ref name=":32">{{Cite magazine |date=1992 |title=Slaughter's Blas Elias |url=https://archive.org/details/modern-drummer-issue-151/page/n69/mode/1up |magazine=Modern Drummer |volume=16 |issue=6 |page=68}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Zeitz |first=Petra |url=https://archive.org/details/rockstarintervie0000zeit/page/159/mode/1up |title=Rock star interviews: conversations with leading performers and songwriters |date=1993 |location=Jefferson, N.C. |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-89950-898-6 |page=159}}</ref>

Discussing ''[[The Wild Life (album)|The Wild Life]]'' in interviews, Dana Strum and [[Mark Slaughter]] inevitably mentioned classic rock giants like [[Queen (band)|Queen]], [[Boston (band)|Boston]] and [[Journey (band)|Journey]]. While Strum characterized the album as a "harder-edged record", music critics described [[Slaughter (band)|Slaughter]]'s second studio effort as "over-flowing with quick 'n' catchy riffs, memorable melodies, layers of vocal harmonies, and stretches of sound effects."<ref name=":25">{{Cite magazine |author=Gary Cee |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_circus_1992-06-30/page/n61/mode/1up |title=How Slaughter trapped 'The Wild Life' |date=June 30, 1992 |magazine=Circus |page=60 |language=en}}</ref> The album featured 13 tracks, and debuted at No.8 on the [[Billboard 200|Billboard album chart]] in April 1992, continuing the commercial success of [[Stick It to Ya|''Stick It To Ya'']],<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 15, 1992 |title=Respectful of Fans |page=A-2 |work=The Record |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99036485/slaughter-1992-the-record/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=":24" /> two months after [[Slaughter (band)|Slaughter]] sent out a six-song [[Demo (music)|demo tape]] of [[The Wild Life (album)|''The Wild Life'']] to a large number of active members of its fan club. Strum later explained that it was their "way of giving the fans something the regular public couldn't get".<ref name=":13" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Zeitz |first=Petra |url=https://archive.org/details/rockstarintervie0000zeit/page/163/mode/1up |title=Rock star interviews: conversations with leading performers and songwriters |date=1993 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-89950-898-6 |location=Jefferson, N.C. |page=163}}</ref> In an interview with [[Chicago Tribune]], Strum emphasized that [[Slaughter (band)|Slaughter]] was "the only self-produced, self-written" new American rock band at the time. He added, "When the fans hear something by Slaughter, they know it's ours."<ref name=":13" />[[File:Slaughter tòlt śò a 'l California State Fair - 15 ad Luj dal 2010.jpg|alt=Dana Strum and Mark Slaughter performing live at California State Fair in 2010|thumb|276x276px|Dana Strum and Mark Slaughter performing live at California State Fair in 2010]]Accompanying the album was a home video documentary also called "The Wild Life", which showcased the making of the album, also including profiles of the band members.<ref name=":13" /> The video eventually certified [[Music recording certification|Gold]].<ref name=":21" /> It featured the title track video as well as videos to "Days Gone By" and the unreleased at the time clip of "Mad About You". In addition, it contained the video of the recording of "Times They Change" that was inspired by [[Slaughter (band)|Slaughter]]'s European tour during the [[Gulf War]], among others.<ref name=":27">{{Cite news |author=Shay Farr |date=October 26, 1992 |title=Welcome Everyone to "The Wild Life" According to Slaughter |page=8 |newspaper=The Signpost |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98938775/slaughter-1992-the-signpost/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=July 23, 1992 |title=New Videos from Bocephus, Slaughter, Bolton |page=C9 |newspaper=The Dispatch |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99005966/slaughter-1992-the-dispatch-the/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Describing the documentary, Dana Strum explained that he "wanted to show more than the usual band on the road, in the tour bus, leaving the hotel, signing autographs". In fact, all of the music on the home video, except for the finished video clips was [[Slaughter (band)|Slaughter]] working on demos.<ref name=":87">{{Cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_circus_1992-10-31/page/n33/mode/1up |url-access=registration |title=Slaughter Shoots 'Wild Life' |date=October 31, 1992 |magazine=Circus |pages=34 |language=en}}</ref>

The cover art for [[The Wild Life (album)|''The Wild Life'']] was controversial, featuring a 17th-century line drawing of a man cracking a whip high over the head of a child who shields himself as he holds a guitar,<ref name=":24" /> which the band explained was supposed to show the oppression of youth by adults.<ref name=":27" /> Guitarist [[Tim Kelly (musician)|Tim Kelly]] explained, "when we saw this picture, we saw Dana and myself as the child who was not supported in his ambitions.<ref name=":24" />

The tour in support of the record launched in June with [[Ozzy Osbourne]] and [[Ugly Kid Joe]] in [[Portland, Oregon]].<ref name=":24" /> [[The Wild Life (album)|''The Wild Life'']] was certified [[Music recording certification|Platinum]] in the [[United States]] by July 1992.<ref name=":22" /> The music video for "Real Love" was released around this time and became the band's first world premiere.<ref name=":24" />

In September 1992, Strum was invited to serve as a guest host for the popular radio show [[Rockline]], filling in for [[Bob Coburn]]. During his episode, Strum welcomed [[Joe Satriani]] and his band as well as Bonham, as special guests.<ref name="George Harrison on George Harrison: Interviews and Encounters – Ashley Kahn – Google Books">{{Cite book |last=Kahn |first=Ashley |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ACOvDwAAQBAJ&dq=%22dana+strum%22&pg=PT370 |title=George Harrison on George Harrison: Interviews and Encounters |date=August 4, 2020 |publisher=Chicago Review Press |isbn=978-1-64160-054-5 |language=en}}</ref>

==== 1995–1998: ''Fear No Evil'' ====
Strum played an instrumental role in the production of Slaughter's third studio album, ''[[Fear No Evil (Slaughter album)|Fear No Evil]].'' During the writing of the album, Strum and the rest of the band encountered several setbacks.<ref>{{Cite news |author=C. Patrick Cleary |date=October 26, 1995 |title=Slaughter Brings Newest Album to 3rd GJ Visit |page=3 |newspaper=The Daily Sentinel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99032269/slaughter-1995-the-daily-sentinel/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In 1993, Guitarist [[Tim Kelly (musician)|Tim Kelly]] and the band's tour manager were arrested on six-year-old drug charges, causing uncertainty as to whether Kelly would ever tour with the band again.<ref name=":21" /><ref name=":312">{{Cite news |date=June 9, 1995 |title=Slaughter Has Lived Wild Life Last 3 Years |page=10 |work=Abilene Reporter-News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98935359/slaughter-1995/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In July of that year, Strum's dirt bike was struck by a drunk driver within a half-mile of his house in [[Las Vegas]], Nevada, causing 17 broken bones including his left wrist and two fingers on the left hand he plays bass with.<ref name=":21" /><ref name=":36">{{Cite news |date=July 22, 1999 |title=Rock Never Stops Tour Stops in Binghamton Next Week |page=4 |newspaper=Press and Sun-Bulletin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98997879/rock-never-stops-1999-press-and-sun/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=":41">{{Cite news |author=Lori Cumpston |date=June 18, 1999 |title=Slaughter Returns After Rough Times |pages=9 |newspaper=The Daily Sentinel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98942996/slaughter-1999-the-daily-sentinel/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> He later admitted that if he hadn't been wearing a helmet he'd be dead.<ref name=":312"/>

Despite these challenges, ''[[Fear No Evil (Slaughter album)|Fear No Evil]]'' was completed in February 1994, followed by the tour with [[Damn Yankees (band)|Damn Yankees]] that started that same month.,<ref name=":21" /> when the band headed to [[South America]] and began 1994 touring, this time as headliners, in the [[Midwestern United States|Midwest]].<ref name=":312"/> By that time, the band's record label, [[Chrysalis Records|Chrysalis]], was sold to [[EMI]].<ref name=":28" /> Leaning on his credentials as the band's producer, Strum helped [[Slaughter (band)|Slaughter]] successfully leave [[Chrysalis Records|Chrysalis]] and they signed a deal with an independent label,[[CMC International]] Records, a [[North Carolina]]–based label<ref name=":30" /> that supported "American self-written, self-produced rock 'n' roll".<ref name=":21" /><ref name=":37">{{Cite news |date=June 9, 1995 |title=Slaughter Has Lived Wild Life Last 3 Years |page=13 |newspaper=Abilene Reporter-News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98935958/slaughter-1995-1/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=":312"/> According to Strum, "it was definitely a risky decision".<ref name=":17" /> "No one knew what was going to happen with [[CMC International|CMC]] at the time, but we were fed up with the corporate thinking of a major label and we liked the hands-on attitude that [[CMC International|CMC]] label president Tom Lipsky seemed to have," he explained.<ref name=":17" />

[[Fear No Evil (Slaughter album)|''Fear No Evil'']] was finally released in May 1995<ref name=":34">{{Cite magazine |date=March 10, 1995 |magazine=Hard Report |title=Metal Filings |issue=414 |page=48 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Hard-Report/1995/Hard-Report-1995-03-10.pdf#search=%22dana%20strum%22 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> in [[Europe]] and [[Japan]] and showed the band's growth and diversity, with a mix of traditional Slaughter rockers and a more diverse musical style.<ref name=":37" /> "The band has grown as people and as musicians, but we still stay true to our kind of music," Strum stated.<ref name=":32" />  "Unknown Destination", the band's final cut, which Strum called their "most aggressive rocker" was influenced by the days when Strum and Slaughter were in Vinnie Vincent Invasion and toured with [[Iron Maiden]].

However, the album failed to have the same commercial impact as previous releases and received mixed reviews from critics.<ref name=":37" /> The band embarked on a long, 18-month American tour to promote it.<ref name=":17" /><ref name=":34" /> During this tour, [[Slaughter (band)|Slaughter]] took a month in the late summer of 1995 to embark on their first tour of [[Japan]].<ref name=":33">{{Cite news |date=July 8, 1995 |title=Rock Band Slaughter Has No Fear About Staying In The Mainstream |page=A65 |newspaper=The Morning Call |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99030032/slaughter-1995-the-morning-call/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> According to the band, the tour was a long overdue overwhelming success even though Kelly's ongoing legal issues forced [[Slaughter (band)|Slaughter]] to perform with [[Vince Neil]]'s guitarist [[Dave Marshall (musician)|Dave Marshall]], [[Tim Kelly (musician)|Tim Kelly]]'s long-time friend.<ref name=":21" /><ref name=":45">{{Cite web |last=Syrjala |first=Marko |date=August 1, 2012 |title=SLAUGHTER – Bassist Dana Strum discusses the state of Slaughter, working with Vince Neil, Vinnie Vincent, Jake E. Lee and more |url=https://www.metal-rules.com/2012/08/01/slaughter-bassist-dana-strum/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |website=Metal-Rules |language=en-US}}</ref>

{{Quote box
| quote = We've never run on our fans. We're not a band that's going to shave our heads just because it's popular. We want to re-establish old memories and tell new fans to come out and hear who we are. That's our attitude. [105]
| author = — Dana Strum on the band's attitude
| align = left
| width = 300px
| bgcolor = 
| quoted = yes
}}

The band's notorious album covers continued with ''Fear No Evil'' which featured a woman being "intimate with a snake".<ref name=":29" />

Despite facing adversity, the band did not disband or made any personnel changes. Dana Strum emphasized that Slaughter was among the few bands in their genre to have remained intact, stating, "We were one of the few bands of our genre that has not broken up... never changed our members and never given up." He further explained, "Our collective decision is to simply make a [[Slaughter (band)|Slaughter]] record and not be concerned with passing trends or the business we're in."<ref name=":30" />

==== 1997–1998: ''Revolution'' ====
[[Slaughter (band)|Slaughter]]'s fourth studio album, ''Revolution'', was released in May 1997 by [[CMC International]] Records.<ref name=":17" /> Along with [[Mark Slaughter]], Strum wrote all the album's songs in [[Nashville, Tennessee]], where the band's lead singer relocated in 1996. The band then embarked on a two-month tour to promote the album.<ref name=":75">{{Cite news |author=Brad Schmitt |date=May 25, 1997 |title=Even Rock Stars Need Baby Sitters |page=3A |newspaper=The Tennessean |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99104168/slaughter-1997-the-tennessean/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

At the time, ''Revolution'' showcased the band's ambition to be at the forefront of rock technology, it was one of the first albums to be an [[enhanced CD]], allowing audiences not only to listen to the music, but also to watch it via [[CD-ROM|CD-Rom]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 3, 1997 |title=Slaughter at Fiddlestyx |page=C5 |newspaper=The Daily Item |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99006771/slaughter-1997-the-daily-item/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Dana Strum saw this as "the wave of the future" and believed that it was the logical next step in "the marriage of music, computers and video."<ref>{{Cite news |author=Tim Haddock |date=August 22, 1997 |title=Music Notes |page=48 |newspaper=The Signal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99005757/slaughter-1997-the-signal/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

Critics noted that ''Revolution'' had a different sound from the band's previous three albums, with subdued vocals from [[Mark Slaughter]] and a range of musical styles. However, despite the album's technological innovation and experimentation with new sound, [[Slaughter (band)|Slaughter]], like many other [[Hard rock|hard-rock]] bands, struggled to maintain commercial success amidst the rising popularity of alternative rock music. Despite some airplay on radio stations, the album found it challenging to get support from [[MTV]] and radio play.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Alan K. Stout |date=June 11, 1997 |title=Slaughter Always Strives For Something Different |page=1C |newspaper=The Times Leader |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98959436/slaughter-1997-the-times-leader/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

Despite the challenges, [[Slaughter (band)|Slaughter]] continued to tour extensively in an attempt to capture the renewed interest in the hard rock music of the late 1980s and early 1990s. The band opened for [[Alice Cooper]] and [[Mötley Crüe]] singer [[Vince Neil]] on package tours.<ref name=":21" /><ref>{{Cite news |author=Stephanie Simons |date=January 19, 1999 |title=Slaughter Singer Sees Hard Rock Revival |page=SL3 |newspaper=The News Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98939079/slaughter-1999-the-news-tribune/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

==== 1998–1999: ''Eternal Live'' and ''Rock Never Stops'' tour ====
On February 5, 1998, tragedy struck when [[Tim Kelly (musician)|Tim Kelly]], the guitarist of the band, was involved in a fatal car accident in Arizona.<ref name=":42">{{Cite news |date=February 7, 1998 |title=Guitar Player for Slaughter Band Killed |page=3A |newspaper=The Tennessean |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99036073/slaughter-1998-the-tennessean-tim/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> At the time of his death, [[Slaughter (band)|Slaughter]] was in the process of compiling tracks for their planned live album for [[CMC International]], and the album they were finishing, ''Eternal Live'', became a tribute to Kelly.<ref name=":38">{{Cite news |author=Mark Voger |date=July 31, 1998 |title=He Slaughtered 'em: Band Remembers Late Guitarist |page=3 |newspaper=The Central New Jersey Home News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99001198/slaughter-1998-central-new-jersey/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

The album, which featured live tracks recorded in late 1997 in [[Mexico City]]  and [[Las Vegas]], included some of Kelly's last moments on stage. Dana Strum and [[Mark Slaughter]] both agreed that using these recordings was the best way to honor Kelly's memory.<ref name=":39">{{Cite news |date=August 23, 1998 |title=Slaughter Mourns Loss, Keeps Playing |page=E-15 |newspaper=The Times |location=Munster, IN |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99105014/slaughter-1998-the-times/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=":21" />

''[[Eternal Live]]'' contained many of Slaughter's biggest hits, five of the songs were [[Top 40 radio]] tracks, and six of them were No.1 [[MTV]] video hits, including [[Up All Night (Slaughter song)|"Up All Night"]], "The Wild Life", "Mad About You" and [[Fly to the Angels|"Fly To The Angels"]] and was a fitting tribute to the late guitarist.<ref name=":39" />

After Kelly's death, the band members were unsure whether to continue or tour.<ref name=":42" /> However, they ultimately decided to recruit [[Jeff Blando]], former guitarist for Left For Dead and a friend of Kelly's, to join the band.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 19, 1999 |title=Slaughter Singer Sees Hard Rock Revival |page=SL-11 |newspaper=The News Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98939379/slaughter-1999-the-news-tribune/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=":38" /> Blando had toured with the band the previous summer as a front of house sound technician. "He was just the obvious, logical choice," Strum said of the guitarist who was chosen without an audition.<ref name=":40">{{Cite news |author=Mike Weatherford |date=January 24, 2005 |title=Slaughter Returns Home For 'Special' Club Date |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/1998/Oct-02-Fri-1998/weekly/8306206.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050124235201/http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/1998/Oct-02-Fri-1998/weekly/8306206.html |archive-date=January 24, 2005 |access-date=June 25, 2022 |newspaper=Review-Journal}}</ref>

They rehearsed with [[Jeff Blando|Blando]] in May 1998 and continued their commitment to  the [[Rock Never Stops Tour|''Rock Never Stops'']] tour, which began in mid-May and ran through mid-September.<ref name=":21" /><ref>{{Cite news |author=Chuck Cox |date=June 19, 1998 |title='Rock Never Stops' Tour Hits Tyler |page=§&nbsp;6-5 |newspaper=Tyler Morning Telegraph |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99035653/rock-never-stops-1998-tyler-morning/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The tour, for which Strum came up with the name and concept, was created to showcase bands from the "[[Hair metal|hair-metal]]" era, with acts like [[Whitesnake]], [[Vince Neil]], [[Warrant (American band)|Warrant]], and [[Ratt]].<ref name=":35" /><ref name=":40" />

==== 1999–2001: ''Back To Reality'' ====
In June 1999, [[Slaughter (band)|Slaughter]] released their seventh album, ''Back to Reality'', which marked a return to their signature style of "crunchy lead guitar and ear-piercing vocals".<ref name=":46">{{Cite news |author=Scott Tady |date=August 9, 1999 |title=Tour Brings '80s Heavy Hitters Back to Town |page=C6 |newspaper=Beaver County Times |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P3wyAAAAIBAJ&dq=%22dana+strum%22&pg=PA12}}</ref> The album was the band's first joint writing effort involving all four members and featured new guitarist [[Jeff Blando]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Slaughter – Back to Reality |website=Heavy Harmonies |url=https://heavyharmonies.com/cgi-bin/glamcd.cgi?BandNum=355&CDName=Back%20to%20Reality |access-date=June 25, 2022}}</ref><ref name=":21" />
{{CSS image crop
|Image = Vince Neil - Wacken Open Air 2018-0284.jpg
|bSize = 270
|cWidth = 225
|cHeight = 260
|oTop = 60
|oLeft = 35
|Location =left
|Description = Dana Strum and Jeff Blando on stage in 2018}}
In a press release for the album, [[Mark Slaughter]] and Dana Strum expressed their satisfaction with returning to their "musical roots." In Strum's words, "A lot of bands that started in our time felt the pull to sound like the current trends over the past few years and we were no different." He added, "But now we've made an album for us, not for radio stations or anyone else for that matter."<ref name=":43">{{Cite news |author=Doug Fox |date=July 16, 1999 |title=Slaughter CD is a Real Killer |page=C2 |newspaper=The Daily Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99019329/slaughter-1999-the-daily-herald/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

''Back to Reality'' received positive reviews from music critics and the band embarked on a supporting tour, joining [[Quiet Riot]], [[Night Ranger]] and headliner [[Ted Nugent]] on the [[Rock Never Stops Tour|Rock Never Stops]] Tour.<ref name=":43" /><ref name=":36" /> The tour was well-received, with up to 8,000 to 12,000 fans attending the shows.<ref name=":46" /> Strum noted the resurgence of hard rock music and positive feelings associated with the genre saying, "The music of all hard rock bands will last the test of time because it has a real positive memory. It brings back great, positive feelings. It's supposed to make you feel good, and that's what it does every night."<ref name=":44">{{Cite news |author=Nick Giannandrea |date=September 4, 1999 |title=Hard Rock Hot Again |page=14 |newspaper=Tulare Advance-Register |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99105410/rock-never-stops-1999-tulare-advance/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

The band also received increased media attention, with their new material being played on 60 American rock stations. Strum remarked that it was "five times the amount of airplay we've had in the last four years."<ref name=":46" /> In addition, the band made an appearance on a [[VH1|VH-1]] special ''Where Are They Now?''  and was featured in a major, full-page story in [[Forbes]].<ref name=":41" /><ref name=":66">{{Cite magazine |author=Peter Kafka |url=https://archive.org/details/forbes164sepforb/page/n563/mode/1up |title=Rock On |date=September 20, 1999 |magazine=Forbes |page=142}}</ref>

In 2000, [[Slaughter (band)|Slaughter]] completed a successful 60-city tour with [[Poison (American band)|Poison]], [[Cinderella (band)|Cinderella]] and [[Dokken]], and in 2001, they took part in ''The Voices of Metal'' tour with [[Vince Neil]] of [[Mötley Crüe]], [[Stephen Pearcy]]'s [[Ratt]], and [[Vixen (band)|Vixen]].<ref name=":21" /><ref>{{Cite news |author=Roger Hillis |date=August 17, 2001 |title=Voices of Metal |page=4 |newspaper=The Daily Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99017517/slaughter-2001-the-daily-times/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=October 19, 2000 |title=Slaughter's Back |page=B-3 |newspaper=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98957729/slaughter-2000-honolulu-star/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

==== 2002 – present ====
Dana Strum has remained active with [[Slaughter (band)|Slaughter]] in the last two decades even though they haven't released any new studio material since their album ''Back To Reality.'' The band has been touring extensively, mostly in the US, and has taken part in several tours with other [[Heavy metal music|classic metal]] and [[hard rock]] groups from the same era. In 2003, [[Slaughter (band)|Slaughter]] joined headliner [[Whitesnake]] on the annual [[Rock Never Stops Tour|Rock Never Stops]] tour, sponsored by [[VH1|VH-1]] Classic television.<ref>{{Cite news |date=July 3, 2003 |title=Rock Never Stops |page=D1 |newspaper=The Sheboygan Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99023745/rock-never-stops-2003-the-sheboygan/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The band has also released DVDs, CDs, and reissued albums.

[[Slaughter (band)|Slaughter]] has performed concert dates each year for the past 32 years in all 50 states and different countries.<ref name=":51">{{Cite web |title=Slaughter |url=https://www.biggtimeinc.com/slaughter.html |access-date=June 25, 2022 |website=Bigg Time}}</ref> The band has performed at various venues and notable rock festivals such as [[Rocklahoma]], [[Sweden Rock Festival]], M3 Rock Festival, and Rokisland Fest.<ref name=":21" /><ref>{{Cite news |author=Käri Knutson |date=July 1, 2008 |title=Wired for Survival |page=A2 |newspaper=The La Crosse Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98948288/slaughter-2008-la-cross-tribune/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |author=Jim Davis |date=November 18, 2015 |title=Still makin' memories |language=en-US |newspaper=Sidney Daily News |url=https://www.sidneydailynews.com/top-stories/10485/still-makin-memories |access-date=June 25, 2022}}</ref> In 2020, the band took a break from touring due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but in early 2021, they teamed up with Kiss My Wax Records for a limited reissue of their [[Fear No Evil (Slaughter album)|Fear No Evil]] album on vinyl.<ref>{{Cite web |title=KISS My Wax Records |url=https://www.kissmywaxrecords.com/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |website=KISS MY WAX Records |language=en}}</ref>

=== 2007–present: Vince Neil band ===
{{CSS image crop
|Image = Vince Neil - Wacken Open Air 2018-1444.jpg
|bSize = 460
|cWidth = 280
|cHeight = 160
|oTop = 130
|oLeft = 40
|Location = left
|Description = Dana Strum with Vince Neil live in 2018}}
In 2007, Dana Strum joined [[Vince Neil]]'s solo band as the bass player. The decision to recruit Strum was made at [[Jeff Blando]]'s suggestion, who was tasked with assembling a backing band for Neil. Although the idea was initially met with mixed feelings from the Neil's management team, they eventually agreed to the addition of Strum. The band, which includes Strum on bass, Jeff Blando on guitar and [[Will Hunt]] on drums, who later was replaced by Zoltan Chaney, has been touring and playing various venues such as casinos, theaters and music festivals ever since.<ref name=":53" /><ref>{{Cite news |author=Andrea Seastrand |title=Interview with Vince Neil: Vice By Vice |url=https://www.theaquarian.com/2009/11/23/interview-with-vince-neil-vice-by-vice/ |access-date=July 12, 2022 |newspaper=The Aquarian |language=en-US}}</ref> The band's setlist usually includes a mix of [[Mötley Crüe]] songs, songs from Vince Neil's solo albums and some covers.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Marty Clear |date=April 11, 2013 |title=Vince Neil Headlines Gulf Coast Rhythm And Ribfest |page=3D |newspaper=The Bradenton Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99107006/vince-neil-band-2013-bradenton/ |access-date=July 12, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |author=Debby Jet Jennings |date=April 8, 2011 |title=Loyal Fans Keep Rockers Touring |page=2D |newspaper=The Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99019688/slaughter-2011-the-herald/ |access-date=July 12, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

Strum also co-engineered and played bass on Vince Neil's third solo album, ''[[Tattoos & Tequila]]'', released via [[Frontiers Records]] and [[Eleven Seven Label Group|Eleven Seven Music]] in June 2010. Recorded in the winter of 2009, the album included two new songs: "Tattoos & Tequila" that was also released as a music video, and "Another Bad Day", both produced by [[Marti Frederiksen]] ([[Aerosmith]], [[Ozzy Osbourne]], [[Def Leppard]]), along with classic rock songs that had influenced [[Vince Neil]] throughout his musical career. The cover songs were produced by Neil and [[Jack Blades]] ([[Damn Yankees (band)|Damn Yankees]], [[Night Ranger]]).<ref>{{Cite web |title=VINCE NEIL – Audio Samples Of Entire Tattoos & Tequila Available |url=https://bravewords.com/news/vince-neil-audio-samples-of-entire-tattoos-tequila-available |access-date=July 12, 2022 |website=BraveWords |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Blabbermouth 2010-01-19">{{Cite web |date=January 19, 2010 |title=VINCE NEIL To Cover SEX PISTOLS On Upcoming Solo Album? |url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=133667 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606051653/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=133667 |archive-date=June 6, 2011 |access-date=July 12, 2022 |website=Blabbermouth}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=May 31, 2019 |title=A Mötley Legacy |page=E2 |newspaper=The Spokesman-Review |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99019953/vince-neil-band-2019-the-spokesman/ |access-date=July 12, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>

== Talent scout ==

=== Randy Rhoads ===
In 1978, Dana Strum played bass in the band BadAxe and regularly performed on the LA Club Circuit, sharing the stage with the acts such as [[Van Halen]] and [[Quiet Riot]]. During this time, he frequently watched Quiet Riot's guitar player, [[Randy Rhoads]], perform. In an interview Strum stated that Rhoads' performances were "extraordinary." In late 1978, Strum approached Rhoads and told him that he believed there was something more out there for him.<ref name=":55" /><ref name=":2" />

In early 1979, [[Ozzy Osbourne]] was fired from [[Black Sabbath]] and had spent months drinking in a room at Le Parc Hotel in [[West Hollywood, California|West Hollywood]]. Attempts were made by [[Jet Records]] to convince Osbourne to start a new band. In the summer of 1979, Osbourne attended one of Strum's performances at the Starwood and subsequently offered him an invitation to audition for him, which led to the break up of Strum's band.<ref name=":55" /><ref name=":2" />

Strum was ultimately recruited as Osbourne's new bassist and the two spent time driving around [[Los Angeles|LA]] to audition prospective guitarists. "He had a list with names and addresses, and we would just show up. It was bizarre," Strum said. They were going to people's garages, and apartments, even ran across [[George Lynch (musician)|George Lynch]] at some point. Strum suggested Rhoads as the ideal candidate for the band, however, Osbourne did not take his suggestion.<ref name=":55" /><ref name=":56" /><ref name=":2" />

In September 1979,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Randy Rhoads: Beginnings |url=https://library.csun.edu/SCA/OnlineExhibits/rhoadsbeginnings |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927195235/https://library.csun.edu/SCA/OnlineExhibits/rhoadsbeginnings |archive-date=September 27, 2013 |website=California Ste University Northridge Oviatt Library}}</ref> Strum contacted Rhoads frequently to persuade him to audition for a new band that Ozzy Osbourne was forming. Rhoads initially expressed disinterest.<ref name=":55" /><ref name=":2" />

When Rhoads arrived at the studio with his old [[Gibson Brands|Gibson]] practice amp, his old six-band equalizer and his [[Gibson Les Paul|Les Paul]] guitar,<ref name=":56" /><ref name=":2" /> Ozzy was stoned and fell asleep. However, Dana Strum, who had booked the studio time and convinced Rhoads to come down to play despite his lack of interest in Black Sabbath, was determined not to let this opportunity pass.<ref name=":55" /> He woke Osbourne up, pulled him into a dimly lit control room and made him listen to Rhoads' playing.<ref name=":56" /> Initially resistant, Osbourne was willing to "see this Jesus of guitar players." Strum asked Rhoads to play the guitar solo he had performed at the Starwood. Strum said, "It was louder than hell, it sounded huge." Despite Osbourne's initial skepticism, after listening to Rhoads perform the guitar solo, he immediately offered him the job.<ref name=":55" /><ref name=":2" />

With Rhoads still playing, Strum rushed Ozzy back to his hotel and then returned to inform the guitarist of the news. After a brief meeting at Osbourne's hotel the following day, where Rhoads reportedly failed to impress Osbourne by drinking Diet Coke and dressing "very extravagantly"<ref name=":55" /> a jam session was held at Mars rehearsal studio. The session included Osbourne, Strum and Rhoads and drummer [[Frankie Banali]] who was suggested by Rhoads, and was described by Strum as "a pretty wild band."<ref name=":55" /><ref name=":58">{{Cite web |date=July 13, 2017 |title=FRANKIE BANALI Says He Came Up With Opening Drum Pattern In OZZY OSBOURNE's 'Over The Mountain' Song |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/frankie-banali-says-he-came-up-with-opening-drum-pattern-in-ozzy-osbournes-over-the-mountain-song/ |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=Blabbermouth |language=en}}</ref> The group rehearsed for approximately one week until Jet Records abruptly sent Strum and Banali home.<ref name=":56" /><ref name=":58" /> In a 1986 interview with Metal Mania, Strum reflected on the disappointment of losing a promising collaboration at such a young age stating that the group had potential, but expressed his confidence that Rhoads' talent would lead to great success in the future.<ref name=":56" /><ref name=":2" />

[[Randy Rhoads]] recorded two studio albums with Ozzy Osbourne, [[Blizzard of Ozz|Blizzard Of Ozz]] (1980) and [[Diary of a Madman (album)|Diary Of A Madman]] (1981). He also toured with Osbourne's band in Europe and North America. Tragically, Rhoads died in a small plane crash on March 19, 1982, in [[Leesburg, Florida]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 15, 2013 |title=Aircraft Incident/Accident Report: Leesburg, Florida 32748 Friday, March 19, 1982 10:00 EST |url=http://www.aircraftone.com/aircraft/accidents/20020917X02406.asp |access-date=July 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005001902/http://www.aircraftone.com/aircraft/accidents/20020917X02406.asp |archive-date=October 5, 2013 }}</ref> "He was the best guitarist I'd ever seen," Dana Strum said. "It was Randy's sound – along with [[Eddie Van Halen]]'s – that changed the whole way the next generation of guitar players thought about music. The ones they tried to emulate but never could."<ref name=":55" />

=== Jake E. Lee ===
In January 1983, Strum's connections within the music industry proved instrumental wnen [[Ozzy Osbourne]] found himself in need of a guitar player to replace [[Brad Gillis]] on tour following the tragic death of [[Randy Rhoads]]. He once again turned to Strum,<ref name=":60" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Jake E. Lee Opens Up on Worst Ozzy Firing: He Assaulted Him, Covered It Up, Then Humiliated Him in Front of Family |url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/interviews/jake_e_lee_opens_up_on_worst_ozzy_firing_he_assaulted_him_covered_it_up_then_humiliated_him_in_front_of_family.html |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=Ultimate Guitar |language=en}}</ref> who organized auditions for 10 guitar players who were supposed to be the best in L.A. at that time, including [[Jake E. Lee]], lead guitarist for the band [[Rough Cutt]], and [[George Lynch (musician)|George Lynch]], the former guitar player for [[Xciter]] and the Boyz.<ref name=":61" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=George Lynch Speaks on How Ozzy Treated Him During Brief '80s Stint + Brutal Way He Was Fired, Says Osbourne 'Never Paid Him a Nickel' |url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/george_lynch_speaks_on_how_ozzy_treated_him_during_brief_80s_stint__brutal_way_he_was_fired_says_osbourne_never_paid_him_a_nickel.html |access-date=July 15, 2022 |website=Ultimate Guitar |language=en}}</ref>

Although Lynch was initially selected to play on the tour, but, in fact, played only during soundchecks, Osbourne was not completely satisfied with his sound, leading him to request additional auditions. Strum arranged for [[Mitch Perry (musician)|Mitch Perry]] and Jake E. Lee to audition with him at S.I.R. studios in [[Los Angeles]], with Lee ultimately being offered the position despite showing up late, not knowing the songs as well as he should have and refusing to do an "off-the-cuff solo" for them. Within days, Jake E. Lee joined Osbourne on tour in Europe and became the first guitarist to play on Osbourne's studio album after Randy Rhoads' passing, featuring on the 1983 album [[Bark at the Moon|Bark At The Moon]]. George Lynch was reportedly upset by the decision, with Strum later recalling that [[Ozzy Osbourne|Ozzy]] and [[Sharon Osbourne|Sharon]] Osbourne favored Jake E. Lee's overall vibe and style.<ref name=":54" /><ref name=":61" /><ref name=":62">{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/dearguitarherowo0000unse |url-access=registration |title=Dear guitar hero: the world's most celebrated guitarists answer their fans' most burning questions |date=2012 |location=Milwaukee, WI |publisher=Backbeat Books |isbn=978-1-61713-039-7}}</ref>

== Style and influences ==
Dana Strum was influenced by various musical styles throughout his life. In a 1990 interview with [[Circus (magazine)|''Circus'' magazine]], Strum stated that he attributed the bluesy feel of much of [[Slaughter (band)|Slaughter]]'s music to his early exposure to R&B music during his childhood in [[Pasadena, California]], the population of which was known to be highly mixed at the time.<ref name=":67" />

Strum's musical inspirations were further shaped as he grew older, and he cited [[Black Sabbath]] and [[Grand Funk Railroad]] as two bands he played along with as a teenager. He also recalled attending a Black Sabbath/[[Captain Beyond]] concert, which he described as a transformative experience.<ref name=":0" /> In 2012, Strum acknowledged Black Sabbath's groundbreaking approach to music, stating that "nobody sounds like these people" and that they were "onto something different". He also singled out [[the Beatles]], saying: "I love music. I love the Beatles. Nobody sounds like them, you know. It's so different, so unique, and so interesting." He credited [[Paul McCartney]] and [[Geezer Butler]] for inspiring him to pursue the bass guitar, stating that without their influence, he may never have become a bassist himself.<ref name=":45" />

In addition to these influences, Strum also acknowledged the heavy impact of [[Queen (band)|Queen]] on his musical development. He praised the band's innovative approach to creating music, stating, "They changed my life in high school. I went from being totally enthralled with Black Sabbath to Queen, with those distorted guitar sounds and wild arrangements. They really gave me a whole new enthusiasm for music."<ref name=":25" />

== Equipment ==
{{CSS image crop
|Image = Vince Neil - Wacken Open Air 2018-1650.jpg
|bSize = 560
|cWidth = 430
|cHeight = 150
|oTop = 383
|oLeft = 130
|Location = right
|Description = One of Strum's V-shape custom basses, 2018}}Throughout his music career, Strum played custom designed V-shape basses manufactured for him by Arbor Guitars.<ref>{{cite AV media |title=Bobby Rock Talks 1986 Vinnie Vincent Invasion Album, Dana Strum, Recording Guitars, Interview – 2021 |publisher=Full in bloom |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jG67TeLBNqA |language=en |access-date=July 16, 2022 |via=YouTube}}</ref> In a 1988 issue of [[Circus (magazine)|''Circus'' magazine]], it was reported that, Strum used a Korean-made Arbor bass that had been modified with a Badass II bridge as part of his music equipment. Strum described the bass as a neck-through-the-body model with a maple fretboard and having a single [[Seymour Duncan]] vintage single-coil pickup wired directly into a 500K potentiometer with no tone circuit, stating that it was "a simple bass."<ref name=":68">{{Cite magazine |author=Paul Gallotta |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_circus_1988-11-30/page/n93/mode/1up |url-access=registration |title=Stars' Instruments: Dana Strum |date=November 30, 1988 |magazine=Circus |page=94 |language=en}}</ref>

In addition, Strum owned two more Arbors at the time — one with a [[Jackson Guitars|Jackson]] passive pickup, the other with an [[EMG, Inc.|EMG]] active single coil — and a mid '70s Black [[Fender Precision Bass|Fender Precision]] that he used in the studio. Strum revealed that the Fender Prcision still had its stock pickups, stating that it was the only bass that he had ever recorded with. He also preferred to use [[Dean Markley USA|Dean Markley]] .105 gauge strings, a [[Sunn]] Coliseum preamp, two [[Carvin Guitars|Carvin]] DC-900 power amps and 1330 Carvin bottoms loaded with [[Electro-Voice]] 15L speakers.<ref name=":68" /> In recent years, Strum has been using a white Bluesman Vintage custom Superbird bass during his live performances.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Bluesman Artists |url=https://www.bluesmanvintage.com/Artists |access-date=July 16, 2022 |website=Bluesman Vintage |language=en}}</ref>

== Discography ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Year
!Album title
!Band/Artist
!Record label
!Credits
!Ref(s)
|-
|1976
|''BadAxe''
| rowspan="2" |'''BadAxe'''
|Earth Breeze Productions
| rowspan="2" |Bass guitar, co-writer, co-producer
|<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pSQEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22dana+strum%22&pg=PT125 |title=Studio Track |date=November 6, 1976 |magazine=Billboard |page=70 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|1977
|''She Cried For Me / All You Can Take (Single)''
|Progrezzive Records
|<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sUUEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22dana+strum%22&pg=PT62 |title=Studio Track |date=March 19, 1977 |magazine=Billboard |page=43 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|1984
|''Rules of Attraction''
|'''Rod Falconer'''
|[[MCA Records]]
|Bass guitar
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rod Falconer (Rod Taylor) / Rules Of Attraction (Promo) |url=https://www.disk-market.com/?pid=126796368 |access-date=July 16, 2022 |website=Disk Market |language=ja}}</ref>
|-
|1985
|''Looks Like Trouble''
|'''[[Danny Spanos]]'''
|[[Epic Records]]
|Bass guitar, co-writer
|<ref name=":1" />
|-
|1986
|[[Vinnie Vincent Invasion (album)|''Vinnie Vincent Invasion'']]
| rowspan="2" |'''[[Vinnie Vincent Invasion]]'''
| rowspan="2" |[[Chrysalis Records|Chrysalis]]
| rowspan="2" |Bass guitar, co-producer
|<ref name=":70" />
|-
|1988
|''[[All Systems Go (Vinnie Vincent Invasion album)|All Systems Go]]''
|<ref name=":71" />
|-
|2010
|''[[Tattoos & Tequila]]''
|'''[[Vince Neil]]'''
|[[Eleven Seven Label Group|Eleven Seven Music]]
|Bass guitar, co-engineer
|<ref name="Blabbermouth 2010-01-19" />
|}

=== With Slaughter ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year
!Album/Single title
!Label
!'''Billboard 200'''
Chart Positions
!Certifications
!Sales
!Credits
!Ref(s)
|-
|1989
|[[Stick It to Ya|''Stick It To Ya'']]
| rowspan="2" |[[Chrysalis Records|Chrysalis]]
| style="text-align: center;"|18<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=September 28, 1991 |title=Billboard 200 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/1991-09-28/ |magazine=Billboard}}</ref>
|US: 2xPlatinum<ref name=":76">{{Cite web |title=Slaughter RIAA Certifications |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=slaughter&ti=&lab=&genre=&format=&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section |website=RIAA}}</ref>
|US: 2,000,000<ref name=":76" />
| rowspan="9" |Bass guitar, co-writer, co-producer
|<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=January 27, 1990 |title=Album Reviews |magazine=Billboard |page=84 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1990/1990-01-27-Billboard-Page-0120.pdf#search=%22dana%20strum%22 |via=World Radio History}}</ref>
|-
|1990
|''[[Stick It Live]]''
| style="text-align: center;"|123<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=March 30, 1991 |title=Billboard 200 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/1991-03-30/ |magazine=Billboard}}</ref>
|
|
|<ref name=":14" />
|-
|1991
|''Shout It Out'' ''(Single)''
|[[Interscope Records]]
| style="text-align: center;"|40*<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=August 10, 1991 |title=Mainstream Rock Airplay |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-mainstream-rock-tracks/1991-08-10/ |magazine=Billboard}}</ref>

|
|
|<ref name=":73" />
|-
|1992
|[[The Wild Life (album)|''The Wild Life'']]
|[[Chrysalis Records|Chrysalis]]
| style="text-align: center;"|8<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=October 10, 1992 |title=Billboard 200 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/1992-10-10/ |magazine=Billboard}}</ref>
|US: Gold<ref name=":76" />
|US: 500,000<ref name=":76" />
|<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=March 20, 1992 |title=Black Crowes, Lionel Richie LPs Coming |magazine=Radio & Records |issue=933 |page=31 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/90s/92/R&R-1992-03-20-IDX-31.pdf#search=%22dana%20strum%22 |via=World Radio History}}</ref>
|-
|1995
|[[Fear No Evil (Slaughter album)|''Fear No Evil'']]
|[[CMC International]]
| style="text-align: center;"|182<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=May 20, 1995 |title=Billboard 200 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/1995-05-20/ |magazine=Billboard}}</ref>
|
|
|<ref name=":34" />
|-
|1995
|''Mass Slaughter''
|[[EMI]]
| style="text-align: center;"|—
|
|
|<ref name=":74">{{Cite news |author=Lisa Jackson |date=May 5, 1995 |title=After Rocky Road, Band Feras No Evil |language=en |pages=B8 |newspaper=The Vindicator |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tS9KAAAAIBAJ&dq=%22dana%20strum%22&pg=PA24}}</ref>
|-
|1997
|''Revolution''
| rowspan="3" |[[CMC International]]
| style="text-align: center;"|—
|
|
|<ref name=":75" />
|-
|1998
|''Eternal Live''
| style="text-align: center;"|—
|
|
|<ref name=":38" />
|-
|1999
|''Back To Reality''
| style="text-align: center;"|—
|
|
|<ref name=":41" />
|-
| colspan="8" |"—" denotes items which were not released in that country or failed to chart. "*" denotes Billboard Mainstream Rock chart position
|}

=== Other notable contributions ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Year
!Band/Artist
!Album/Song title
!Credits
!Ref(s)
|-
|1977
|'''American Dream'''
|''Demo''
| rowspan="2" |Bass guitar, producer
|{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}}
|-
|1979
|'''The Millionaires'''
|''Demo''
|{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}}
|-
|1981
|'''[[Barry Manilow]]'''
|''Demo''
|Bass guitar
|
|-
|1984
|'''[[Ozzy Osbourne]]'''
|''I'm So Tired: Live & More''
| rowspan="10" |Producer
|<ref name=":64" />
|-
| rowspan="3" |1985
|'''SIN'''
|''Demo''
|<ref name=":5" />
|-
|'''Burn ([[Hellion (band)|Hellion]])'''
|''Demo''
|<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=August 1, 1989 |title=Sessions |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Audio/Archive-REP-IDX/IDX/80s/Recording-1989-08-OCR-Page-0055.pdf#search=%22dana%20strum%22 |magazine=Mix |volume=9 |issue=8 |pages=8 |via=World Radio History}}{{clarify|reason={{pipe}}url= (Recording Engineer/Producer) does not match the rest of the citation (Mix magazine);|date=September 2022}}</ref>
|-
|'''Sweet Savage'''
|''Sweet Savage''
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Olivier |date=January 28, 2021 |title=Joey C. Jones recalls Poison signing same record deal that Sweet Savage had previously turned down |url=https://sleazeroxx.com/joey-c-jones-recalls-poison-signing-same-record-deal-that-sweet-savage-had-previously-turned-down/ |access-date=July 16, 2022 |website=Sleaze Roxx |language=en-CA}}</ref>
|-
|1986
|'''[[Detente (band)|Detente]]'''
|''Recognize No Authority''
|<ref name=":63" /><ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |title=Detente |encyclopedia=The Guinness encyclopedia of popular music |publisher=Guinness |location=Enfield, Middlesex, England |url=https://archive.org/details/guinnessencyclop0001unse_u1w4/page/681/mode/1up |date=1992 |editor=Colin Larkin |page=681 |isbn=978-0-85112-939-6 |entry=}}</ref><ref name=":89">{{cite AV media |title=Detente Vultures in the Sky |publisher=Detente |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnJSRts0RoY |language=en |access-date=July 16, 2022 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" |1987
|'''Rated-X'''
|''Demo''
|<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=July 18, 1987 |title=Audio Track |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1987/1987-07-18-Billboard-Page-0096.pdf#search=%22dana%20strum%22 |magazine=Billboard |page=60 |via=World Radio History}}</ref>
|-
|'''St. Valentine'''
|''Demo''
|
|-
| rowspan="4" |1988
|'''[[Ozzy Osbourne]]'''
|''MTV: Live In Japan''
|<ref name=":79" />
|-
|'''[[FireHouse|Firehouse]] (White Heat)'''
|''Demo''
|<ref>{{Cite news |author=Debby Jet Jennings |date=September 20, 1989 |title=White Heat Performs Showcase |page=7 |newspaper=The Charlotte Observer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99009025/white-heat-1989-the-charlotte/ |access-date=July 16, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
|-
|'''Kuni'''
|''Lookin' For Action''
|<ref>{{cite web |title=Kuni – Lookin' for Action |website=Metal Kingdom |url=https://www.metalkingdom.net/album/kuni-lookin%27-for-action-122982 |language=en |access-date=July 16, 2022}}</ref>
|-
|'''[[Frehley's Comet]]'''
|''[[Second Sighting]]/Dancin' With Danger''
|Co-writer
|<ref name=":65" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Dancin' With Danger |url=http://www.kissconcerthistory.com/song_stories/song_stories_second_03.php |website=KISS Concert History}}</ref>
|-
|1989
|'''Brunette'''
|''Smash, Crash & Burn''
| rowspan="2" |Producer
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Huge Sunset Strip Band That Fizzled |url=https://www.bringbackglam.com/journal/2021/10/19/brunette-the-huge-sunset-strip-band-that-fizzled.html |access-date=July 16, 2022 |website=Bring Back Glam |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="3" |1991
|'''[[Slaughter (band)|Slaughter]]'''
|''[[Westwood One]] Live Show''
|<ref name=":81" />
|-
|'''[[Kik Tracee]]'''
|''No Rules''
|Producer, co-writer
|<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":80" /><ref>{{cite AV media |title=Kik Tracee – from MetalHead Video Magazine Volume V 1991, also w/ Dana Strum (Headbangers Ball/MTV) |publisher=Sterf En Bederf |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EprA3FEFY6Y |language=en |access-date=July 16, 2022 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
|'''Randy Jackson's China Rain'''
|''Bed Of Nails / Before It's Too Late''
| rowspan="6" |Producer
|<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Late-breaking Metal News |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_circus_1991-02-28/page/n20/mode/1up |url-access=registration |magazine=Circus |page=19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |author=Sheila Rene |date=March 8, 1991 |title=Hear and there |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Gavin-IDX/IDX/90s/91/Gavin-1991-03-08-OCR-Page-0038.pdf#search=%22dana%20strum%22 |magazine=The Gavin Report |page=36 |via=World Radio History}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" |1993
|'''[[Gipsy Kings]]'''
|''Greatest Hits''
|
|-
|'''Sister Whiskey'''
|''Liquor & Poker''
|<ref>{{Cite news |author=Roger McBain |date=July 8, 1993 |title=Sister Whiskey|page=B1 |newspaper=Evansville Courier and Press |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99003924/sister-whiskey-1993-evansville/ |access-date=July 16, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Olivier |title=Sister Whiskey – Liquor & Poker |url=https://sleazeroxx.com/reviews/sister-whiskey-liquor-poker-2/ |access-date=July 16, 2022 |website=Sleaze Roxx |date=June 30, 2015 |language=en-CA}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=June 18, 1993 |title=Hard Acts To Follow |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Hard-Report/1993/Hard-1993-06-18.pdf |magazine=The Hard Report |issue=330 |page=3 |via=World Radio History}}</ref>
|-
|2003
|'''Dennis Bono'''
|''Reflections Of Las Vegas''
|
|-
|2015
| rowspan="2" |'''Erica Chase'''
|''Demos / We Can Fly, Paris''
|
|-
|2018
|''The Letter''
|
|}

=== Soundtracks ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Year
!Movie/TV series/Video game title
!Song title
!Band/Artist
!Credits
!Ref(s)
|-
|1984
|''[[Up the Creek (1984 film)|Up The Creek]]''
|Chasin' The Sky
|[[The Beach Boys]]
|Bass Guitar
|<ref name=":53" />
|-
|1987
|''[[Summer School (1987 film)|Summer School]]''
|Animal
| rowspan="2" |[[Vinnie Vincent Invasion]]
| rowspan="2" |Bass Guitar, co-producer
|<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |last=Weiss |first=Brett |entry=Animal |entry-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qEwzDAAAQBAJ&dq=summer+school+animal+vinnie+vincent+invasion&pg=PA15 |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of KISS: Music, Personnel, Events and Related Subjects |date=August 11, 2017 |location=Jefferson, NC |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-1-4766-2540-9 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=October 12, 2018 |title=The Cassette Chronicles – Vinnie Vincent Invasion's self-titled debut |url=https://limelightmagazine.com/2018/10/12/cassettechronicles68vinnievincent/ |access-date=July 17, 2022 |magazine=Limelight Magazine |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|1988
|''[[A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master|A Nightmare On Elm Street IV]]''
|Love Kills
|<ref name=":90" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=December 31, 1990 |title=Slaughter: Rock Band Gambled On Success |pages=B-3 |newspaper=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98958112/slaughter-1990-honolulu-star/ |access-date=July 17, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
|-
|1991
|''[[Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey]]''
|''[[Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey: Music from the Motion Picture|Shout It Out]]''
| rowspan="7" |[[Slaughter (band)|Slaughter]]
| rowspan="7" |Bass guitar, co-writer, co-producer
|<ref name=":80" /><ref>{{Cite magazine |author=Mark Kermode |date=January 1, 1992 |title=Reviews |url=https://archive.org/details/Sight_and_Sound_1992_01_BFI_GB/page/n39/mode/1up |magazine=Sight & Sound |pages=38, 39}}</ref><ref name=":6" />
|-
|1993
|''[[Beavis and Butt-Head]]'' (S.1 E.1)
|''Real Love''
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |1999
|''Final Rinse''
|''Tongue N' Groove''
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Final Rinse (1999) |url=https://www.sweetsoundtrack.com/Movies/final-rinse-1999 |access-date=July 16, 2022 |website=Sweet Soundtrack}}</ref>
|-
|''Films That Suck''
|''American Pie''
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Films That Suck Soundtrack (1999) OST |url=https://ringostrack.com/en/movie/films-that-suck/20612 |access-date=July 16, 2022 |website=RingosTrack |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|2004
|''[[Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude]]''
(Video Game)
|''[[Up All Night (Slaughter song)|Up All Night]]''
|<ref>{{Cite book |publisher=Sierra Entertainment |url=http://archive.org/details/LeisureSuitLarryMagnaCumLaudeManual |title=Leisure Suit Larry: Magna Cum Laude |date=October 5, 2004}}</ref>
|-
|2008
|''[[The Wrestler (2008 film)|The Wrestler]]''
|''Dangerous''
|
|-
|2010
|''[[FUBAR 2|Fubar II: Balls To The Wall]]''
|''[[Fly to the Angels|Fly To The Angels]]''
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fubar II Soundtrack (2010) OST |url=https://ringostrack.com/en/movie/fubar-ii/86073 |access-date=July 17, 2022 |website=RingosTrack |language=en}}</ref>
|}
Dana Strum also produced and co-wrote the themes for the syndicated radio programs "[[Rockline]]" and "Powercuts".{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}}

== Filmography ==

=== Music videos ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Year
!Title
!Band/Artist
!Director
!Ref(s)
|-
|1983
|''Lie To You For Your Love''
|'''[[Danny Spanos]]'''
|
|{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}}
|-
|1986
|''Boyz Are Gonna Rock''
| rowspan="3" |'''[[Vinnie Vincent Invasion]]'''
|Jeff Stein
|<ref>{{cite AV media |title=Vinnie Vincent Invasion: Making of Boyz are gonna rock 1986 |publisher=Tolvis77 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVcYgO9H-40 |language=en |access-date=July 17, 2022 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" |1988
|''That Time Of Year''
|Nigel Dick
|<ref>{{cite AV media |title=Vinnie Vincent Invasion – That Time Of Year 1988 [Official Video] |publisher=Melodic Rock |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zp3H8P0nGE |language=en |access-date=July 17, 2022 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
|''Love Kills''
|Nigel Dick
|<ref>{{cite AV media |title=Vinnie Vincent Invasion – Love Kills (H/M) |publisher=Bijkcat |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeSuPB_5wr4 |language=en |access-date=July 17, 2022 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="3" |1990
|''[[Up All Night (Slaughter song)|Up All Night]]''
| rowspan="9" |'''[[Slaughter (band)|Slaughter]]'''
|[[Michael Bay]]
|<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=March 30, 1990 |title=Newsbreakers |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1990/RR-1990-03-30.pdf#search=%22dana%20strum%22 |magazine=Radio & Records |issue=833 |page=52 |via=World Radio History}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |title=Slaughter – Up All Night (Official Video) |publisher=SlaughterVEVO |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Za0gWXJW1w |language=en |access-date=July 17, 2022 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
|''[[Fly to the Angels|Fly To The Angels]]''
| rowspan="5" |Charles Randazzo
|<ref>{{cite AV media |title=Slaughter – Fly To The Angels (Official Video) |publisher=SlaughterVEVO |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukmobha2krY |language=en |access-date=July 17, 2022 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
|''Spend My Life''
|<ref>{{cite AV media |title=Slaughter – Spend My Life |publisher=SlaughterVEVO |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJPz0VhJlSw |language=en |access-date=July 17, 2022 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" |1991
|''Shout It Out''
|
|-
|''Mad About You''
|<ref>{{cite AV media |title=Slaughter – Mad About You (HQ) |publisher=Herbert Toth Channel - 🎸 Toth Rocks |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YO7OcFjqYOI |language=en |access-date=July 17, 2022 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="3" |1992
|''Real Love''
|<ref>{{cite AV media |title=Slaughter – Real love |publisher=Nickelback070 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xv6AGoGGxRE |language=en |access-date=July 17, 2022 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
|''The Wild Life''
|Tom Calabreze
|<ref>{{cite AV media |title=SLAUGHTER – The Wild Life (1992) |publisher=Deranged |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLjOLgnqNos |language=en |access-date=July 17, 2022 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
|''Days Gone By''
| rowspan="2" |Charles Randazzo
|<ref>{{cite AV media |title=Slaughter "Days Gone By" |publisher=Slaughterrocks |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mU5Y-URX0V0 |language=en |access-date=July 17, 2022 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
|1995
|''Searchin'''
|<ref>{{cite AV media |title=Slaughter – "Searchin'" Music Video, 1995 |publisher=The Video Vault |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBzCTmWw4n8 |language=en |access-date=July 17, 2022 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
|2010
|''Tattoos & Tequila''
|'''[[Vince Neil]]'''
|
|<ref>{{cite AV media |title=Vince Neil – Tattoos and Tequila (Official Video) |publisher=The Video Vault |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XUFkgtdaNQ |language=en |access-date=July 17, 2022 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
|2019
|''Vultures In The Sky''
|'''[[Detente (band)|Detente]]'''
|Josh Noyes
|<ref name=":89" />
|}

=== Documentaries, TV series, and other appearances ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year
!Title
!Role
!Certifications
!Sales
!Ref(s)
|-
|1990
|''Slaughter: From The Beginning'' (Documentary)
| rowspan="15" |Himself
|US: Gold<ref name=":76" />
|US: 500,000<ref name=":76" />
|<ref name=":14" /><ref name=":13" /><ref>{{cite AV media |title=Slaughter – From The Beginning The Video |publisher=Mark Saw |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fB3qu_w5goo |language=en |access-date=July 17, 2022 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
|1990
|''Slaughter: Metalhead Video Magazine'' (Volume 2)
|
|
|
|-
|1991
|''Slaughter: MTV: Unplugged''
|
|
|<ref name=":86">{{Cite news |author=Tony Kiss |date=March 8, 1991 |title=Private Gig Chance For Slaughter to Have Some Fun |page=5W |work=Asheville Citizen-Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/99096845/slaughter-1990-asheville-citizen/ |access-date=June 25, 2022 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
|-
|1991
|''Slaughter: Up All Night'' (TV series)
|
|
|
|-
|1992
|''Dana Strum: Bass Essentials. Star Licks Master Sessions'' (Instructional video)
|
|
|<ref>{{Cite periodical |date=Winter–Spring 1994 |title=Bass Videos |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Audio/Mix-Magazine/Mix-Bookshelf-1994-Winter-Spring.pdf#search=%22dana%20strum%22 |periodical=Mix-Bookshelf |page=40 |via=World Radio History}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/bowkerscompletev0004unse |url-access=registration |title=Bowker's complete video directory, 1998 |date=1998 |location=New Providence, N.J. |publisher=R.R. Bowker |isbn=978-0-8352-4014-7}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |url=http://archive.org/details/sim_circus_1992-01-31 |url-access=registration |title=Take A Lesson From Slaughter |date=January 31, 1992 |magazine=Circus |page=28 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|1992
|''Slaughter: The Wild Life'' (Documentary)
|US: Gold<ref name=":76" />
|US: 500,000<ref name=":76" />
|<ref name=":13" /><ref name=":87" /><ref>{{cite AV media |title=Slaughter – The Wild Life (Documentary 1991) |publisher=For Rockers Only |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79vuCcTHZ84 |language=en |access-date=July 17, 2022 |via=YouTube}}</ref>
|-
|1997
|''Slaughter: Live At The Hard Rock''
|
|
|
|-
|1998
|''VH1: My Generation''
|
|
|
|-
|2002
|''VH-1: Where Are They Now'' (S.3.E.10)
|
|
|<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 27, 2004 |title=Slaughter |page=17 |newspaper=El Paso Times |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/98948028/slaughter-2004-el-paso-times-part/ |access-date=July 17, 2022 |via=Newspaper.com}}</ref>
|-
|2006
|''VH1 Metal Mania: Stripped Across America Live!''
|
|
|
|-
|2011
|''Rockin the Red Carpet'' (TV special)
|
|
|
|-
|2014
|''Quiet Riot: Well Now You're Here, There's No Way Back'' (Documentary)
|
|
|
|-
|2014
|''War of Rock'' (TV series)
|
|
|
|-
|2022
|''Randy Rhoads: Reflections of a Guitar Icon'' (Documentary)
|
|
|
|-
|2002
|''Mötley Crüe's Vince Neil: My Story'' (Documentary)
|
|
|<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 21, 2022 |title=Here Is The Trailer For VINCE NEIL's Upcoming Two-Hour Documentary From REELZ |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/here-is-the-trailer-for-vince-neils-upcoming-two-hour-documentary-from-reelz |access-date=July 17, 2022 |website=Blabbermouth  |language=en}}</ref>
|}
Strum is often falsely credited as the guitar store clerk in the movie ''[[Wayne's World (film)|Wayne's World]]'' (1992). In 1993, in [[Circus (magazine)|''Circus magazine'']] he affirmed: "Although I've been told there is an amazing resemblance, the guy in the movie is definitely not me. When they were filming that movie, I was submerged in the studio recording [[The Wild Life (album)|''The Wild Life'']]."<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=http://archive.org/details/sim_circus_1993-03-31 |url-access=registration |title=Hard Rock Hot Line |date=March 31, 1993 |magazine=Circus |pages=12 |language=en}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.fullinbloommusic.com/charlesengland.html Historical interview with Charles England]

{{Slaughter}}
{{Vince Neil}}
{{Vinnie Vincent Invasion}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Strum, Dana}}
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:Guitarists from Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:American rock bass guitarists]]
[[Category:American heavy metal musicians]]
[[Category:American heavy metal bass guitarists]]
[[Category:American male bass guitarists]]
[[Category:Glam metal musicians]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American people of German descent]]
[[Category:Slaughter (band) members]]
[[Category:Vinnie Vincent Invasion members]]
[[Category:American male guitarists]]
[[Category:20th-century American guitarists]]