Wrathchild
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Wrathchild (known as Wrathchild UK in the United States) formed in 1980 is a Glam Metal/NWOBHM band from Evesham, England. The group were one of the first (if not the first) bands of the Glam Metal genre, formed a year before Mötley Crüe, though they did not gain the same level of success as their American counterparts. They managed to release a string of albums during their time.
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[edit] History
[edit] Origins
Wrathchild was formed by during 1980, the original line-up of the band consisted of; Rocky Shades (vocals), Marc Angel (bass), Phil "Wrathchild" Vokins and former member of NWOBHM band Grim Reaper Brian "Thunderburst" Parry (drums).
In the United Kingdom the band were well known for their D.I.Y. asethic, over the top stage shows and image. During their early days Wrathchild would often play pubs but still used confetti pyro, as well as dressing in full Glam Metal regelia, including their trademark platform boots.
[edit] Evolving and Recordings
The group soon added two members from the band Medusa; guitarist Lance Rocket, who would become a mainstay in the band, along with a new drummer Eddie Starr.
After releasing a string of demos, such as "Mascara Massacre" (1982) the band was offered a record deal by Bullet Records, on this label the group put out their first official release, an EP called "Stackheel Strutt".
The following year in 1984, Wrathchild recording their debut full-length album "Stakk Attak". It would spawn a singer; a cover version of Gary Glitter classic "Alrite with the Boys". The same year Wrathchild opened for fellow Glam metal band W.A.S.P. on their UK tour.
Unfortunatetly for the band, just as they were garnering success they came embroiled in contractual problems with their label "Heavy Metal Records", a major label; RCA Records unsuccessfully attempted to sign the band from "Heavy Metal Records" in an effort to free the band from their contract. Wrathchild release a video compilation in 1986 called "War Machine".
[edit] Re-emergence
After finally settling the dispute with "Heavy Metal Records", Wrathchild released their second album "The Biz Suxx", in 1988 a single from the album "Nukklear Rokket" spawned a promotional video, which was directed by Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden.
Wrathchild's third and final album "Delirium" was released the year after in 1989, featuring Grim Reaper's Steve Grimmet on backing vocals, shortly after the group split up.
Bassist Marc Angel ( under the name Stan Lee) went on to co-found Bang Bang Machine, an Indie / Rock outfit fronted by singer Elizabeth 1 (who later married). They went on to record two albums Eternal Happiness and Amphibian for London Records. They had a John Peel 'festive fifty' number one (famous BBC Radio one show)with the extraordinary song GEEK LOVE.
Marc Angel is currently with Eddie Star and original Wrathchild guitarist Phil Vokins and new singer Gaz Harris in a band called PSYCHOWRATH. Psychowrath are due to release some new material in 2007.
[edit] Members
[edit] Original line-up
- Rocky Shades - vocals
- Marc Angel - bass
- Phil "Wrathchild" Vokins - guitar
- Brian "Thunderburst" Parry - drums
[edit] Other members
- Lance Rocket - guitar
- Eddie Starr - drums
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
[edit] EP
- Stackheel Strutt - {1983)
