| Strike | |
|---|---|
| Origin | United Kingdom |
| Genres | Euro House, Disco House |
| Years active | 1994 - 2006 |
| Labels | Fresh Records |
| Members | |
| Victoria Newton Matt Cantor Andy Gardner |
|
Strike are a British dance band formed in 1994 consisting of Matt Cantor, Andy Gardner and the vocalist Victoria Newton.[1]
Contents |
Strike formed towards the end of 1994. A chance vocal session for Victoria Newton at the studios of Fresh Records in Ladbroke Grove, landed her the role as the lead singer.[2]
Strike’s first non-charting single was "Formula One". They did not break through until "U Sure Do" was released in December 1994 originally charting at number 31 in the UK Singles Chart, only to re-enter the chart and climb to number 4 in April 1995.[3] This was likely due to the track's being an instantaneous monster of a club hit.[4] They then began to tour extensively, appearing on television programs such as Top of the Pops, Deal or no Deal and MTV and playing to audiences as large as 70,000. "U Sure Do" achieved chart success in many territories and this took the band to Spain, Italy, Denmark, Norway, Holland, Germany and Japan.[1][2]
Strike went on to produce another four UK Top 40 hits and a critically acclaimed album I Saw the Future released in 1997 on Fresh Records.[5] They toured with and supported many international artists including the Backstreet Boys, Jocelyn Brown and the Spice Girls.[2]
A Sol Bros remix, in 1998, of Strike's track "I Saw The Future" appeared on a compilation album; a clip of which appeared online too.
Newton was offered a solo recording contract with Strike's label, Fresh. In September 1999, she made her debut release with "Martha's Harbour"', a cover of the All About Eve hit, including mixes by Mike Koglin and Blu. Although it failed to reach the UK Singles Chart, it was a #8 UK club hit and a favourite of DJ, Paul Van Dyk.
A solo album was recorded and planned for release for late 1999, entitled 'Live For Today' but was cancelled. In the 2000s, Newton turned her attention to jazz and Latin music, and in 2003 released a solo album of jazz and Brazilian music entitled The Song is You.
In 2006, remixes of "U Sure Do" were released.[4]