Shy (band)

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SHY
Origin England
Genre(s) Hard rock
Album-oriented rock
Years active 1983 – present
Website http://www.shyonline.co.uk

Shy is a British classic rock/metal band formed in 1980 under the name Trojan, hailing from Birmingham, England.

Contents

[edit] Biography

The band originally known as Trojan was a lot heavier in style than the music that made Shy an AOR staple.

Vocalist Tony Mills was sacked on the same day that Steve Harris (guitars), Paddy McKenna (keyboards), Mark Badrick (bass) and drummer Alan Kelly were offered to make a record for Ebony Records. Their first album Once Bitten...Twice... was released in 1983. Initial reports from Kerrang! were incredibly positive, however a reporter was increasingly sarcastic to the band in the interview that would follow. After the release, Mills ditched the David Bowie-esque make up, and Mark Badrick was replaced by Roy Davies.

Shy left Ebony Records and moved to major label, RCA. Their major label debut came in 1985 with Brave The storm which featured impressive vocals on the track of the same name. This release gained much success, despite the single "Hold On (To Your love)" being disqualified from the charts, as early copies included a shrink-wrapped T-shirt. Kerrang! were this time more positive, comparing Mills' soaring vocals of that of Geoff Tate, vocalist of Queensrÿche.

In the eighteen months that preceded the band's third album, Shy had already become a big name by touring with Bon Jovi, Meat Loaf, Twisted Sister, Gary Moore and UFO (band). Shy were also famously kicked of a tour with Manowar tour, whilst in front of 6,000 people, Shy were unplugged mid-set. Manowar cited "incompatibility" as the reason, however Shy suggest they were getting too much attention.

Shy relocated to Los Angeles to start recording their next album, Excess All Areas, released in 1987. The album featured Shy's biggest hit, Break Down The Walls co-written with Don Dokken. The album quickly rocketed into Britain's top 75, Metal Hammer magazine being particularly appreciative, suggesting Steve Harris could give Bon Jovi's Richie Sambora a run for his money

1989 saw the release of aptly titled Misspent Youth, now under the label of MCA. However pre-production, the band fell out with producer Roy Thomas Baker, who then chose to barely bother to make any effort on the album. The result was an album that the band themselves didn't believe in.

Shortly after that release, Mills left apparently unhappy with new material. Former singer of After Hours (originally known as XS), John Francis was brought in. Billing themselves as Blackcat, Francis never cut an album with Shy however a demo track can be found on their Anthology album. Internal tension led to Francis being replaced by John Ward, who preferred the moniker of "Wardi".

1994 saw the release of the first Shy album without Mills, Welcome To The Madhouse. Reviews were mixed, the grunge invasion forced reviewers to apologise for any major acclaim. Although "Wardi" was considered a good singer, the fans wanted Mills.

1999 saw the release of a live album recorded in Europe and two albums containing unreleased songs, Let The Hammer Fall and Regeneration.

Mills agreed to return in 2000 2002 and Shy released their first album with the returning Mills, Unfinished Business, with positive reviews however it was in 2005 that Sunset And Vine that really put Shy back on the map.

In 2006, Mills met with Norwegian rock act TNT, and announced he was leaving Shy to take up the vocalist slot, empty since the announced departure of Tony Harnell, Shy ironically supported TNT on their final tour.

Shy originally had planned for Tony O'Hora, to replace however Lee Small, formerly of Surveillance has taken the helm. The band are currently finishing the writing of their new album, due for release early in 2008.

[edit] Discography

  • 1983 Once Bitten...Twice...
  • 1985 Brave the Storm
  • 1987 Excess All Areas
  • 1989 Misspent Youth
  • 1994 Welcome to the Madhouse
  • 1999 Regeneration
  • 1999 Let the Hammer Fall
  • 1999 Live in Europe
  • 2001 Breakaway (EP)
  • 2002 Unfinished Business
  • 2005 Sunset and Vine
  • 2006 Reflections: The Anthology 1983-2005

[edit] Current members

[edit] Previous members

[edit] External links

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