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Poison's history traces back to Mechanicburg, Pennsylvania, a blue-collar town that starkly contrasted with the excesses of 1980s Los Angeles. Formed in 1983, originally as Paris, the band consisted of lead singer Bret Michaels, guitarist Matt Smith, bassist Bobby Dall, and drummer Ricky Rocket. They played local venues, honing their craft, until their relocation to Los Angeles in 1984 catalyzed their rise in the music industry.
With Smith's departure, CC DeVille joined, allowing them to secure a record deal with Enigma and Capitol Records. Their debut album, "Look What the Cat Dragged In," dropped in 1986 and was propelled by hits like "Talk Dirty to Me," gaining critical and commercial acclaim.