About
Judge Mercy was formed in 1991 by Andy Cichon, a former bass player for Swanee.
History
The band’s first product would be the live EP ‘Live With It’, recorded at The Venue in Sydney’s northern beach suburbs on 9th May 1991 and released that June. A full length album, ‘Protocol So Holy’, arrived in late 1993. JUDGE MERCY garnered an enviable live reputation and such was the band’s standing they landed the prestigious support slot to AC/DC’s ‘Razor’s Edge’ Australian dates. Other noteworthy guest spots saw the band opening for IRON MAIDEN, MEGADETH and IAN GILLAN.
JUDGE MERCY was set to record a follow up during 1994 but a protracted legal battle with Management ended the bands career. With the band’s demise drummer Mick O’Shea teamed up with the final line up of Kiwi act DRAGON in 1996. Cichon relocated to New York where he came to the fore as touring bassist for Pop-Rock diva SHANIA TWAIN as well as working for BILLY JOEL.
From Rock Detector
Members
- Andy Cichon - Vocals and Guitar
- Ismet Osmanovic - Guitar
- Craig Forster - Bass
- Mick O’Shea -Drums
Recordings
- EP “Live With It” - 1991
- Album “Protocol So Holy” - 1993
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
For ANDY CICHON 11 December 2007
I have seen YOU in a live concert with Billy Joel at Rome July 2006, YOU are a peerless bass player.
After I have looked something about YOU, I have listened your wonderful song…open it up, straight time, bury me down….all fantastic!!!
Andy, why don’t you sing again?
Your voice is heavently, your music is great! Why not???
Nobody can do it well as YOU, YOU are the ONE!!!
Please, come back in Italy and play again!!!Do it quickly!
I’m waiting for YOU here in Italy for your live concert.
Why not to Venice? it’s near my house.
I’m your huge fan, Please Andy, come to my place!
If YOU’ll come in Italy for a live concert,
I’ll be there with YOU!!!
Your friend Clara Ciao!!!
clarado@alice.it
Andy!
You should take Clara up on her offer - she’s obviously got taste. ‘The Judge’ was the kind of band that made Springfields worth visting - you and the boys will long be remembered as one of the most promising musical offerings that the Ozzy industry let slip through it’s fingers.
Respect.
Yes, I remember Judge Mercy at Springfields. Hmmm.
I bought the Judge Mercy album in 93 from a promo mailer through Hot Metal. Having lost the cd around 2002, I just bought another copy off Ebay. Still a solid, enjoyable album. Good guitar and vocals from a seemingly otherwise bassplayer. I knew Andy had played with Angry/Tatts and Shania Twain, but looking around today, he sure has played bass with a lot of artists. If bass pays the bills, good luck to him, but it would be cool to hear another Andy vocal/guitar album. If not, join god Coverdale in Whitesnake when they get rid of yet another bassist
(By buying a WS shirt through Hot Metal, they contacted me about the Judge M album). Time goes by, riffs rule eternal.
My Brother Has just moved OS and left me his old CD’s. As soon as i saw the Live With It EP, I flipped out! I remembered seeing them in the Tom Tom club at the Cross in Sydney around 92′3 and at the Forrest Inn at Bexley. I was 16 and it blew me away. I threw the album on and WOW. The memories that came back had been suppressed deep down for years. Would love to hear more of Andy’s original stuff, if there is any.
Hi Andy (oz)
If you ever read these messages it would be great to get a reply. We worked together in surry hills in that fabric company with Bruce. Judge mercy must have just begun, around that time you were playing in that concert bar in kings cross. “Two of the same one of a kind” did you ever publish that one ? it would have been at hit but maybe not the right image for the group !
Still, great to find this blog and thanks for some fantastic memories
Andy