5th Column formed in Chicago in 1983. They were a hard rock band that built a following in the city's underground music circles with energetic live shows. In 1985, they released their debut album "Here Come the Bombs," which drew some attention for its political themes.
The band is best remembered for their 1986 cover of Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train." Their version had a raw, energetic quality that connected with listeners and gave them a moment of national recognition. They followed it with albums like "Zero Hour" in 1987 and "Code Name: Wolf" in 1989.
Like many bands from that era, 5th Column dealt with lineup changes and other challenges over time. They reunited in 2004 for a tour and released "The Last American Rock Band" that same year. Their cover of "Crazy Train" remains the track most people associate with the band.
Keep it compact: a lyric you come back to, a live memory, or the part of the catalog you would point someone toward first.
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