THE REAL McCOYS was an extension of the JOHNNY CRASH, an act that issued the solitary 1990 'Neighborhood Threat' album. JOHNNY CRASH, fronted by Englishman Vicki James Wright, a TOKYO BLADE veteran, toured America with BONHAM. A second record was planned but the recording process proved tumultuous.

Once material started to be laid down it was deemed the band's existing drummer was unsatisfactory. No less a figure than Matt Sorum of GUNS N' ROSES was drafted to session the drums, he in turn bringing in GUNS N' ROSES ally Dizzy Reed to commit keyboards and piano. Problems in the guitar department were solved by the introduction of J.J. Bolt but tragedy struck as, once bass parts had been laid down, Andy Rogers died of a heroin overdose. With Sorum off on other projects Sid Riggs was enlisted on the drums but at this juncture JOHNNY CRASH and their record label severed ties.

Wright persevered, assembling THE REAL McCOYS with Dizzy Reed, J.J. Bolt, new guitarist Danny Gunn and bassist Krys Baratto. This new combo recorded demos with the LED ZEPPELIN credited Andy Johns handling production. Although close to a major deal, this band too disintigrated. Baratto would go on to join Robbin Crosby's SECRET SERVICE before putting in stints with JUICE 13, SAMANTHA 7 and GREAT WHITE. Sid Riggs would figure in Rob Halford's TWO project. Mid 2004 saw Baratto working with Modern Rock outfit MODIFY in Minneapolis, Minnesota.