Issue 45: Erik Turner of Warrant
Welcome to The Band Bible! I’m truly glad to have you here. If you’re a new reader, purpose of this newsletter is to address, break down, and shine a light on the business of being in a band. Each issue, this is done by interviewing (and celebrating!) someone who is making waves through their incredible work with artists, or is an artist themselves. Learning the business of being in a band is something that is often inaccessible or shrouded in mystery, and it shouldn’t be, so I hope The Band Bible is able to play even a small role in helping to change that.
Multi-platinum albums. Gigs around the globe. Awards recognition. Hardship. Top 10 singles. Loss. Global fame. Renewal. Endurance. A lasting legacy.
But before there was any of that, there was Erik Turner.
Turner is the sole remaining member of what was technically Warrant’s original lineup, which formed in 1984, and bassist Jerry Dixon came into the picture shortly thereafter within the same year. When that incarnation of Warrant splintered, leaving the band in need of a new singer and drummer, Turner played a role in orchestrating contact with potential replacements from a band they knew via the L.A. circuit: Plain Jane.
The singer and drummer in question were Jani Lane and Steven Sweet. As it turns out, Warrant reached them within the increasingly narrowing window that they could have said yes to the job.
Coincidentally, Plain Jane had just splintered too. As a result, a cross-country move to Florida was being prepared to start a new chapter. If Warrant had decided to get in touch any later, they could have already been long gone.
But, they were still there — and they took the job. Turner, Dixon, Lane, and Sweet were later joined by additional guitarist Joey Allen. Together, the five of them became the Warrant that the world got to know.
And it certainly wasn’t for a lack of trying.
Before Warrant got signed, they put in years of groundwork in L.A. They spent nights dispersed across the city so they could hand out flyers for their live sets simultaneously in different neighborhoods. What’s more, they turned to cheeky copywriting to ensure that theirs stood out amidst all the other flyers circulating from various bands; one line used was “Warrant: Quality You Can Taste.” When the crowds came, they weren’t given “just” a gig — they were given a show. Warrant took care to eventize their performances, considering stage design and even themes (one was Western). Their grassroots and go-for-broke efforts led to word traveling fast around town. Eventually, Warrant was selling out consecutive nights at some of the Sunset Strip’s most iconic venues as an unsigned band.
However, they weren’t unsigned for long. Warrant inked a deal with Columbia Records in 1988. While that deal may have come relatively quickly on the face of it, Warrant put themselves in a position where they were impossible to ignore. Every little thing they did along the way to help themselves stand out played a part in getting them to where they wanted to be — even if it didn’t necessarily feel like it in the moment. Warrant’s early years are a story of the power of being your own catalyst.
A year later their debut album, Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich, was released. The album was an enormous success; it charted along with its singles “Down Boys,” “Heaven,” “Big Talk,” and “Sometimes She Cries.” Eventually, it went multi-platinum. No longer were Warrant merely one of L.A.’s buzziest bands. Now, the world knew who Erik Turner, Jerry Dixon, Jani Lane, Steven Sweet, and Joey Allen were, and that they made undeniable music together.
The resounding triumph of Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich propelled Warrant straight into another multi-platinum album in late 1990: Cherry Pie. Cherry Pie, of course, gave the world the single of the same name. The impact “Cherry Pie” had was explosive, and it quickly became one of the tracks that Warrant was best known for — something that remains true to this day. It’s easy to see why “Cherry Pie” was and continues to be such a massive hit: it’s anthemic, catchy, and fun as hell.
To have a hit, let alone a hit of such a magnitude, is something special and rare. Yet, the overwhelming success of “Cherry Pie” arguably overshadowed the album’s other tracks, and later, other tracks in their discography at large. For example, Cherry Pie also contains the impeccable “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” a song that chronicles the story of local police officers involved in murder. “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” showcases so much of what has always made Warrant stand out. It showcases their storytelling capabilities, where the music is used as just as much of a communicative tool as the lyrics — the pulse can’t help but quicken when the score gets harder and heavier upon the arrival of a verse that delivers a new, sinister twist in the tale. That said, it also showcases their range. “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” is both a bluesy ballad and a horror-filled headbanger, and the ease in which Warrant oscillates between the two differing styles throughout the track is a nod to their skill and versatility.
Because “Cherry Pie” wound up becoming Warrant’s calling card, folks who primarily know them through that track may not fully realize the extent to which their work has always gone deeper than girls and good times. Similarly, they may also not realize that the tenderness in their work does not begin and end with “Heaven.” Warrant never shied away from vulnerability. “I Saw Red” details the emotional fallout of being a victim of romantic betrayal without a hint of machismo. “The Bitter Pill” lays bare the wounds that can form when a relationship begins to lose its way. The wholesome “Mr. Rainmaker” opens up about the delight of finding a love that’s like sunshine when “your life is one long downpour.”
Warrant’s ability to address emotion without hiding behind bravado is notable. This isn’t how similar artists were typically writing at the time — it’s not the more comfortable option, which is using “being a rockstar” as a shield. For instance, it would have been easy to anchor “I Saw Red” and “The Bitter Pill” in the “evil woman” trope, or for “Mr. Rainmaker” to engage in the timeless trick of writing about sex when one really wants to write about love because it’s the less daunting route to travel. These tropes remain so common in songwriting because they help create emotional distance. They make writing about something exposing more palatable, lighter on the heart. But, there’s a hell of a lot to be said about the richness and magic that comes when you don’t back down from how you feel. Warrant never backed down, and in doing so, they infused humanity into the world’s perception of Sunset Strip swagger.
Furthermore, a knowledge of “Cherry Pie” alone doesn’t fully clue the listener into Warrant’s wider ability to treat songs as fully fleshed out stories. As mentioned, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” is a shining example of this, yet it is far from the only one. Many of their songs contain characters whose lives and worlds we get to know well. For example, “Bed of Roses” introduces us to Desiree. We know she works late, lives in a motel “on a dead end street in a dead end town,” and doesn’t have many friends with whom she’s close. The scene is something Warrant has made it easy to picture in the mind’s eye. We can see the yellowed streetlights in the motel’s parking lot; we can see Desiree unlocking the door to her empty room. The chilling “Andy Warhol Was Right” takes us into the bleak mind of a neglected child who grows up to scheme about committing acts of violence to finally receive attention. With each line, we see the thoughts of our protagonist become increasingly malicious and anguished as they grow up. In “Sometimes She Cries,” we meet Mercy. We learn that she’s someone who works hard to keep her pain and loneliness swallowed down until she’s alone at night, where she then lets it all out. Her pain is visceral; it’s a song we can acutely feel.
So, while “Cherry Pie” highlighted the extent to which Warrant can bring the fun and hedonism, they have always equally been able to bring a well of open-heartedness and evocative storytelling too. This degree of multiplicity, something Turner, Dixon, Lane, Sweet, and Allen honed so well together, is something that Warrant always deserved to receive greater recognition for.
While Cherry Pie was making ripples through culture, so was grunge. Warrant was one of the final glam metal bands to get in the door before the music industry began to shift. The world was changing, and so was Warrant. Their third album, 1992’s Dog Eat Dog, would be a success — but it would also be the final album that Warrant’s then-existing lineup would ever make together. With the exception of Turner and Dixon, different folks came in and out of the band over the ensuing years. Warrant prevailed nonetheless despite these ongoing changes, and never stopped releasing new work. During this era, they gave the world four new albums.
2004 saw what was the second exit of Lane and the return of Allen and Sweet, who had been the first two to depart years prior. Lane temporarily reunited with the band in 2008, marking a highly anticipated reunion of the original lineup. However, it didn’t last long. Lane left Warrant once more a few months later, and Lynch Mob’s Robert Mason subsequently became the new lead vocalist.
Jani Lane passed on August 11th, 2011, at the age of 47. His songwriting and vocal talents continue to be celebrated.
Erik Turner, Jerry Dixon, Steven Sweet, Joey Allen, and Robert Mason have remained as Warrant’s lineup ever since 2008. Together, they have continued to hit the road and release new music. Their most recent album, Louder Harder Faster, charted internationally.
Warrant’s story is a portrait of persistence. They were still there after the grunge era. They were still there after the hip-hop boom. They were still there after digitalization brought radical change to the industry. They were still there after setbacks and letdowns. They were still there after members of the band came, went, and came back again. They’re still here now.
Warrant survived through it all.
Of course, so much of this survival is down to how Turner and Dixon kept Warrant’s flame lit in the face of ongoing change. Warrant’s enduring influence, one that has lasted over forty years and counting, can be largely attributed to them never giving up.
They never gave up, and neither did the world. “Cherry Pie” has been in countless films and television shows, and won Warrant a legion of younger fans due to its inclusion in the video game Guitar Hero II. “Heaven” features on the soundtrack of the musical Rock of Ages, which has been performed on Broadway, the West End, and even received its own film adaptation. These are, of course, a mere few examples of the extent to which Warrant’s cultural legacy has transcended mediums and generations, acing the test of time. As a result, Warrant is one of the few bands privileged enough to simultaneously enjoy the everlasting impact they’ve created while forging paths and experiences anew.
In fact, at the time of writing, Warrant is currently on tour.
In the interview you’re about to read, Erik Turner shares what it really feels like when you’re in a band that has achieved such widespread success, what folks may still not know about Warrant, the commandment he’s leaving in The Band Bible, and many of the lessons he has learned since seeing Warrant through from the very beginning. Enjoy.
Warrant has cemented an incredible legacy. When you reflect upon it, which elements are you most proud of?
When I reflect on Warrant’s legacy, what I’m most proud of is the musical connection we’ve made with our fans. Whether it’s through the energy of our live shows, the creativity in our lyrics, or the anthem like quality of songs like “Down Boys,” “Cherry Pie,” “Heaven,” or “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” it’s clear that the music struck a chord with melodic rock music fans across generations.
I’m also proud of how we’ve endured. The music industry has changed so much since we started, but we’ve kept going through highs, lows, lineup changes, and everything in between. There’s a kind of grit and heart that’s defined this band, and it means a lot to know our songs still resonate today.
A music career that has lasted over forty years isn't achieved without resilience. How have you navigated the peaks and valleys of being in the industry?
Over more than four decades, the industry has thrown just about everything at us: changing trends, shifting fan expectations, personal losses, label shakeups, you name it. Navigating those peaks and valleys has taken a combination of thick skin, and a deep love for the music and performing live.
One key for me personally has been staying grounded. Success is thrilling, but it can also be fleeting if you let it get to your head. On the flip side, when things got tough, whether it was losing Jani, bankruptcy, dealing with the rise of grunge, or fighting to stay relevant we leaned into each other, kept writing, kept playing, and remembered why we started this band in the first place.
You also learn to adapt without losing your identity. We’ve evolved musically over the years, but never at the cost of who Warrant is. That balance of growth and authenticity has been essential for our longevity.
Warrant has achieved what is the textbook definition of "the dream" for countless bands. What is it like to be at the top? Did anything surprise you when you first got there?
Being at the top, it’s surreal. When you’re coming up, you dream about the big moments: hearing your song on the radio, playing packed arenas, seeing your name on the charts. And when it actually happens, it’s a whirlwind. There’s excitement, adrenaline, and a sense of “We really did it.”
But what surprised me the most was how fast everything moves once you get there. You work so hard to break through, and then suddenly it’s nonstop tours, press, videos, recording. You’re living the dream, but it’s easy to get caught up in the machine and lose track of the moment. I don’t think any of us were fully prepared for that pace or the pressure that came with it.
Another surprise was how different “success” can feel from the inside. From the outside, it all looks glamorous and some of it absolutely is, but behind the scenes, it can be exhausting and isolating at times. You learn real quick who’s truly in your corner and how important it is to stay grounded.
That said, standing on stage and hearing a crowd sing your lyrics back to you, that’s the kind of high that never gets old, that we still chase today. That’s when you realize you’re part of something bigger than yourself.
Despite decades spent in the public eye, is there anything folks may not know about Warrant that you'd like to share?
Definitely, there are a few things people might not know about Warrant beyond the big hits and the MTV era.
First off, people might be surprised at how diverse our musical influences really are. Sure, we’re known for glam and hard rock, but behind the scenes, we’ve always had deep respect for everything from blues and country to classic rock and even soul. That mix has found its way into our songwriting over the years, even if it’s not always front and center.
Another thing is the work ethic. A lot of people saw the image, the parties, the wild videos, but they didn’t see the long nights in the studio, the endless rehearsals, or the pressure to keep delivering. This band has always worked hard, and we’ve never taken any of our fans for granted.
Also, there’s a deep brotherhood in this band that’s often overlooked. We’ve been through a lot personally and professionally and it’s that bond that’s helped us survive the music business rollercoaster. Through lineup changes, tragedy, and industry shifts, fights and lots of good times too, that connection has kept us going, like the touring machine we are today.
And maybe most importantly, we’ve always been about the fans. Whether we’re playing a massive festival or an intimate club, the goal is the same: connect with people and give them everything we’ve got. That’s something that’s never changed.
Lastly, which "commandment" would you like to leave in The Band Bible?
“Thou shalt stay true to thy musical self, always.”
If there’s one commandment I’d leave in The Band Bible, it’s that. Trends will come and go. Labels will have opinions. The industry will try to mold you. But if you lose who you are in the process, none of it will last. The fans can smell BS a mile away!
Know your identity as a band, believe in your sound, and don’t compromise your core just to chase what’s hot. Authenticity is what truly connects with people and it’s what gives your music staying power.
Also: take care of each other. A band is a family, and just like any family, you’ll go through highs and lows. Respect, communication, and having each other’s backs are just as important as the songs you write. It only takes one back stabbing member to ruin a great thing.
Oh...and have fun. Never forget why you picked up the instrument in the first place. That love for the music. That’s your compass. Let it guide everything.
An enormous thank you to Erik for taking the time to share such detailed, insightful answers. To keep up with Warrant, click here for their official website. There, you can access tour dates, VIP info, official merchandise, links to socials, and more. Special thanks to Noah Turner.