Burning Tree was an American hard rock/blues rock power trio from Los Angeles, California. The band performed from the late 1980s to 1990.
The band was started in 1987, by the guitarist Marc Ford and drummer Doni Gray, and were soon joined by bassist Mark 'Muddy' Dutton to complete the three piece, but not before trying half a dozen bass players, including Jay Bentley from Bad Religion. Gray and Dutton had already been playing the local Los Angeles scene in a band called The March, and started an interest playing in a band called Citadel.
The band secured a residency at the Coconut Teaszer in Hollywood, California, from 1988-89. By the end of that year they landed a recording contract with Epic Records. The release of their self titled debut album was met with positive reviews. However, for reasons that remain unknown, Burning Tree's did not fulfill their contractual obligations, and no further recordings followed.
Marc Ford joined the Black Crowes and is presently pursuing a solo career. Doni Gray recorded an album with Izzy Stradlin & the Ju Ju Hounds and later started God's Hotel with Spike Gray, but now has his own band, Chromosapien. Mark 'Muddy' Dutton recorded and toured with Gilby Clarke in Col. Parker as well as with L. A. Guns. Dutton has formed the group Up The Dose and is a record producer and is currently touring as bass player in the Chris Robinson Brotherhood. As of 2011, Gray joined L.A. Guns. Thus, two members of Burning Tree (Dutton & Gray) have been active members of L.A. Guns.
Burning Tree reunited in October 2006, playing three shows in Los Angeles. The live shows went well and the band planned to release live tracks from those performances, and record new material.
Famous quotes containing the words burning and/or tree:
“Some of us who sit upon this platform have many a time been clamored down, and told that we had no right to speak, and that we were out of our place in public meetings; far be it from us, when women assemble, and a man has a thought in his soul, burning for utterance, to retaliate upon him.”
—Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906)
“Every tree sends its fibres forth in search of the Wild. The cities import it at any price. Men plow and sail for it. From the forest and wilderness come the tonics and barks which brace mankind.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)