Kory Clarke wanted to be the Iggy Pop of the '90s. Through his band, Warrior Soul, the Detroit native concocted his own Stooges- and MC5-style blend of political activism and art rock tendencies, gave it a '90s spin, and tried to impart it upon Generation X (the kids, not the band), but they never listened. Originally a drummer for a number of bands, including Detroit punks L7 (not the all-female L.A. band) and Pennsylvania Southern rockers Raging Slab, Kory Clarke promoted himself to stage front when he founded Warrior Soul with guitarist John Ricco, bassist Pete McLanahan, and drummer Paul Ferguson. Their first album, 1990's Last Decade, Dead Century, was a critical sensation, especially in the U.K., who readily embraced the band's political invective and insurrectionist rantings as the next big thing. But while Clarke certainly had the potential to become Generation X's leading mainstream-bashing poet, the metallic hard rock sound he chose as his vehicle ultimately lost out to Nirvana's nihilistic post-punk/alternative style.

1991's Drugs, God, and the New Republic (featuring new drummer Mark Evans) took their anarchist leanings even further, but was significantly inferior on the songwriting front, and not even a nationwide support tour with Queensryche (with whom they shared management from the mighty Q Prime agency) helped further their cause. The following year's much improved Salutations From the Ghetto Nation fared no better, and Clarke's interviews became increasingly bitter, focusing on the band's record label, Geffen, whom he accused of ignoring the group's potential. Eventually, Clarke resorted to an all-out war, telling all who would listen that 1993's glaringly average Chill Pill had been botched on purpose in order to fulfill the band's contract. The ploy worked, and by early 1994, Warrior Soul was dropped by Geffen.

A number of lineup changes ensued, beginning with the departure of drummer Evans and the eventual ousting of longtime axeman Ricco, replaced by two guitarists: Chris Moffet and Alexander Arundel (aka X-Factor). Clarke then sought to reinvent Warrior Soul as self-appointed cyberpunks for their fifth album, 1995's Space Age Playboys, released on the independent Futurist label. Unfortunately, the buying public's continued indifference only served to confirm that the band's best days were behind them, and McLanahan and Arundel soon quit the group. Left with no one to blame but himself, Clarke finally disbanded Warrior Soul later that year. A posthumous collection of demos and outtakes entitled Odds and Ends was released in 1996, and Clarke went on to form a new band called Space Age Playboys. ~ Ed Rivadavia


Addition by Gletscherwolf, September 2010:

As might be expected for an outfit led by a guy which had managed to built up a monumentally bad reputation like Cory Clarke, Space Age Playboys gradually fizzled out. But Cory is just not the man to sit still forever and by 2008 he was in full swing making a comeback with a completely new line-up of Warrior Soul. Cory can never do something without stepping on some VIP's toes and he proved that once more. The self produced 2008 release "Chinese Democracy", although containing some great, very recognizable Warrior Soul songs, remarkably lacked any reference to Chinese Democracy or China whatsoever, (The songs are one continuos rant against the US capitalist system and appeals to set up geurilla units to overthrow it) But, well, the record was never meant to have anything to do with China, the title was just another painful snub in his long standing vendetta with with Axel Rose, (Guns and Roses), who had for several years been working on an album, which was almost ready for release at that time, which, surprise, surprise, was long destined to be released under the name "Chinese Democracy". Little wonder that Axel and his record company got a little mad and threatened Warrior Soul with law suits. Cory chose to remain "politely" silent until his production had nearly sold out and than annouced it would be taken out of circulation!
All completely in style! And it paid off, as all the fuzz had induced acetate records to get unguided missile Cory Clarke on board. On this label the album, with some studio adjustment, but the same tracklist, was re-released in 2009 under the title "Destroy the War Machine", (Which does much more right to the lyrics of the albums's songs anyway).
Is this the long awaited rebirth of Warrior Soul and is Cory here to stay? One could put serious doubts to that. Not only will Cory's quarrelsome character easily lead to line-up changes and being sacked by record companies, the law might just catch up with his lyrics: Author of this counted at least 8 clear violations of the Patriot Act and other applicable US laws. Still, can't help saying, Good luck, Cory!


Source : http://new.music.yahoo.com/warrior-soul/biography/