The Silent Rage Story: The Rebels With a Cause
Act I: The Triple-Threat Ignition (1985–1987)
In 1985, the Los Angeles Sunset Strip was flooded with hairspray and look-alikes. But out of that neon haze emerged Silent Rage, founded by E.J. Curse, Jesse Damon, and Mark Hawkins. They weren't just another club band; they possessed a lethal songwriting weapon: blending razor-sharp, hard-driving rock with massive, polished melodic hooks.
What truly separated Silent Rage from the pack was their vocal arsenal. While other bands relied on a single frontman, Silent Rage deployed a triple-threat attack, with Damon, Hawkins, and Curse fiercely sharing lead vocal duties.
By 1987, their explosive sound caught the attention of legendary producer/artist Paul Sabu. Together, they forged their critically acclaimed debut album, “Shattered Hearts.” The record turned heads industry-wide, leading to the band being signed to Chameleon/Capitol Records by industry veteran Steve Brownlee.
Almost overnight, Silent Rage was everywhere—appearing on three different albums simultaneously that year, including the Million Dollar Mystery movie soundtrack and the iconic KNAC compilation Ten Best From the West. Across the Atlantic, the buzz was deafening: Shattered Hearts skyrocketed to #1 on the European Import Charts.
Act II: The God of Thunder and the MTV Era (1988–1990s)
The European success was loud, but it was about to get heavier. In 1988, rock royalty took notice. Gene Simmons of KISS fell for the band's sonic punch and signed them to his own Simmons Records/RCA imprint. With powerhouse drummer Brian James Fox (formerly of White Tiger) locking down the throne, the stage was set for a masterpiece.
With a production dream-team consisting of Paul Sabu and Gene Simmons, the band dropped “Don't Touch Me There” in 1989. The album was a melodic rock masterclass, earning rave reviews and securing the band their second consecutive #1 on the European Import Charts.
The anthemic single “Rebel with a Cause” exploded onto MTV’s Headbanger’s Ball, its music video capturing the band’s raw, arena-ready energy. Soon after, they hit the road, sharing the arena stages with heavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath on the legendary Headless Cross tour.
As the 90s dawned, the band kept writing and touring, while also flexing their muscles in outside projects—E.J. rocked stages with Doro Pesch, and Jesse co-wrote anthems with Gene Simmons for KISS. But as the Seattle grunge wave swept the nation, Silent Rage, like many purveyors of pure rock, was forced into a temporary hiatus.
Act III: Still Alive and Four-Letter Words (2000–Present)
You can’t keep a good rock band down. In 2000, Silent Rage reunited, locked in a new record deal, and welcomed Rodney Pino behind the kit. After reissuing their classic catalog, they unleashed their thunderous third studio album, “Still Alive,” in 2002. The album boasted a pedigree few bands could dream of: helmed by legendary stadium-rock producer Bob Ezrin (KISS, Pink Floyd, Alice Cooper) and co-produced by hitmaker Kevin Beamish. The comeback was cemented with their triumphant UK debut at the Z Rock Festival.
By 2007, the melodic rock authority Frontiers Records snapped up the band for their heavy-hitting fourth album, 2008’s “Four Letter Word.” Produced by Gilby Clarke, the record was a masterclass in big choruses and driving metal. It doubled as a celebration of the L.A. rock family, featuring guest appearances by Bruce Kulick (KISS), Bobby Blotzer (Ratt), Dilana, Gilby Clarke himself, and their former timekeeper, Brian James Fox.
The legacy only grew. In 2009, Retrospect Records dropped a newly remastered Shattered Hearts, featuring a brand-new bonus track, "Sole Survivor," with long-time sonic architect Paul Sabu back at the board. That same year, they tore up the stage at Rocklahoma, America's premier 80s rock festival, before embarking on a European tour. The demand for their classic sound remained so high that in 2021, the prestigious Rock Candy Records gave Shattered Hearts and Don't Touch Me There the deluxe reissue treatment, packed with rare photos and untold stories.
Today, the brotherhood remains unbroken. Whether it's Jesse Damon releasing eight acclaimed solo albums, or E.J. Curse anchoring the low-end for Doro Pesch, White Lion, and Gilby Clarke, Silent Rage remains the definitive heartbeat of their musical lives.
They are the survivors. They are Rebels With A Cause. They are Still Alive. And they are ready to touch you, shatter your heart, and rock you hard for another 25 years.
Original Rage Band Member Family Tree:
1976 - 1977 EJ Curcio / Tim Reilly (aka Jesse Damon) / Mark Hawkins / Ron Stone
1977 - 1982 - EJ Curcio / Tim Reilly (aka Jesse Damon) / Mark Hawkins / Steve Garaffa
1982 - 1983 - EJ Curcio / Tim Reilly (aka Jesse Damon) / Mark Hawkins / Brett Keys (Medusa)
1983 - 1984 - EJ Curcio / Tim Reilly (aka Jesse Damon) / Mark Hawkins / Pete Laufman (Malice)
Original Silent Rage Band Member Family Tree:
1987 - 1988 EJ Curcio / Timmy James Reilly (aka Jesse Damon) / Mark Hawkins / Jerry Grant (Holiday Inn)
1988 - 1989 EJ Curcio / Timmy James Reilly (aka Jesse Damon) / Mark Hawkins / Kelly Martella (WASP)
1989 - 2001 EJ Curse (formerly known as EJ Curcio) / Jesse Damon / Mark Hawkins / Brian James Fox (White Tiger)
2002 - present - EJ Curse (formerly known as EJ Curcio) / Jesse Damon / Mark Hawkins / Rodney Pino (Love-Hate)
Side Band Projects - 1983 to Present
EJ Curse The Latest Rage / Band X / No Duh / Gilby Clarke Band / Doro Pesch /White Lion / Coda / Lost Angels
Jesse Damon The Latest Rage / Band X / Jesse Damon Band / Electric Caravan / Brothers In Arms / Barnabus Sky
Mark Hawkins The Latest Rage / Band X / No Duh / Dave Sprock Band
Rodney Pino Data Clan / Love-Hate / No Duh / Hollywood Hot Rod / So Madonna
Silent Rage Albums & Producers
1987 Shattered Hearts produced by Paul Sabu
1989 Don't Touch Me There produced by Paul Sabu & Gene Simmons
2002 Still Alive produced by Bob Ezrin / Kevin Beamish / Silent Rage
2008 Four Letter Word produced by Gilby Clarke & Silent Rage
Silent Rage Record Label History
Label: Foxhole Music (USA)
Silent Rage 1986 Single 45 vinyl record
Side A - Make It Or Break It
Side B - Sarina
Label: Chameleon Music Group / Capital Records (USA)
Silent Rage 1987 Album
Title: Shattered Hearts
Label: Simmons Records / RCA / BMG (USA)
Silent Rage 1989 Album
Title: Don't Touch Me There
Label: Z Records (UK)
Silent Rage 2002 Album
Title: Still Alive
Label: Frontiers Records (Italy)
Silent Rage 2008 Album
Title: Four Letter Word
Silent Rage Re-issued Albums:
Label: Z Records (UK)
Silent Rage 2001 Album
Title: Shattered Hearts
Label: Z Records (UK)
Silent Rage 2001 Album
Title: Don't Touch Me There
Label: Retrospect Records (USA)
Silent Rage 2009 Album
Title: Shattered Hearts w/bonus track
Soul Survivor
Label: Rock Candy Records (UK)
Silent Rage 2021 Album
Title: Shattered Hearts Re-Mastered
Label: Rock Candy Records (UK)
Silent Rage 2021 Album
Title: Don't Touch Me There Re-Mastered
Silent Rage Notable Live Show History
Edgar Winter / Silent Rage Crackers, Las Vegas 1985
Mahogany Rush / Silent Rage Fox Theater, San Diego 1986
Seagram's Wine Cooler National Competition Gazzarri's Night Club, Hollywood 1987
Chameleon Records Video-Shoot for Rebel With A Cause The Roxy Theater, Hollywood 1987
Silent Rage Showcase for Howard Marks Stage West Night Club, Granada Hills 1987
Silent Rage / Lion / Ron Keel Country Club, Reseda 1988
Kix / Silent Rage /Hurricane The Roxy Theater, Hollywood 1988
Simmons Records / RCA Video Shoot for Rebel With a Cause A&M Studios / Chaplin Stage, Hollywood 1989
Silent Rage Headliner Anson Ford Theater, Hollywood 1989
Black Sabbath / Kingdom Come / Silent Rage National Tour Starting in Poughkeepsie, New York June, 1989
Silent Rage Headliner The Whiskey, Hollywood 1989
Silent Rage & KISS perform at Gene Simmons Birthday Party Jam Burbank Bowl, Burbank 1990
Sammy Hagar / Silent Rage Red Rocker Clothing line Party The Shark Club, Las Vegas 1990
Foghat / Silent Rage Club Rock, Las Vegas 1991
Pantera / Dangerous Toys / Silent Rage C-5 Club, Honolulu 1992
Silent Rage Headliner Hurricanes, Las Vegas 1993
9/11 Salvation Army Benefit Concert Silent Rage / Don Dokken / Joshua Parahia & Guests Galaxy Theater, Santa Ana 2001
Silent Rage performs at Z Rock Festival The Marquee Club, Manchester UK 2002
Silent Rage performs at Z Rock Festival Ludwigshaffen, Germany 2002
Jackyl / Silent Rage The Key Club, Hollywood 2003
Silent Rage performs South Bay Music Awards Hermosa Beach 2003
Silent Rage European Tour Italy/Switzerland - 2009
Silent Rage performs at Rocklahoma Prior, Oklahoma 2009
Silent Rage Reunion The Brixton, Redondo Beach 2010
Silent Rage / Dilana The Dive, Redondo Beach 2011
Silent Rage performs at Firefest 9 Rock City, Nottingham UK 2011
