Tank (band)

Tank
Origin London, England
Genres Heavy metal, speed metal
Years active 1980-1989
1997–present
Labels Kamaflage, Music For Nations, Spiritual Beast/Zoom Club
Website http://tankofficial.com/
Members
Michael John "Mick" Tucker
Cliff Evans
Chris Dale
Doogie White
Mark Cross
Past members
Algy Ward
Mark Brabbs
Peter Brabbs
Graeme Crallan
Michael Bettell
Gary Taylor
Bruce Bisland
Steve Hopgood
Dave 'Grav' Cavill

Tank is a British heavy metal band, formed in 1980 by Algy Ward, a former member of The Damned. The band is known as part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement. Tank was often compared to Motörhead as both bands, trios fronted by singing bassists, played a loose, almost punk-styled metal music with often colourful lyrics.[1][2]

Their 1982 debut album, Filth Hounds of Hades, was positively received by both punk and metal fans as well as most critics, regarded now as one of the best albums of the NWOBHM movement.[3][4] Allmusic critic, Eduardo Rivadavia; described it as "Tank's best album ever, and qualifying it as an essential item in the record collection of any serious '80s metal fan."

As was the case with many other bands of the era, Tank was never able to build on the promise shown by their first album. The band continued on for years through lineup changes and waning commercial fortunes before finally disbanding in 1989. Ward resurrected the band in 1997 playing tour dates around Europe and Japan for a couple of years. A new album, Still At War, emerged in 2002. In August 2006 Ward reported that he was putting the finishing touches on the demos for the next Tank album, Sturmpanzer.[5] The band's website has listed the release date for this album as "TBA" for years.

On December 20, 2008, a new lineup was announced. Guitarists Mick Tucker and Cliff Evans were joined by original drummer Mark Brabbs and former Bruce Dickinson bassist Chris Dale. Algy Ward was replaced by former Rainbow singer Doogie White. The first Tank album featuring this new lineup is entitled War Machine and was released in October 2010.

Contents

Discography

Albums

Singles

Compilation / live albums

Members

Tank personnel
Dates Releases Instruments Notes
Vocalist Bassist Guitarist Guitarist Drummer
1980–1982 Filth Hounds of Hades

& Power of the Hunter

 Algy Ward Pete Brabbs Mark Brabbs Original line up as a 3 piece
1983 This Means War Pete Brabbs Mick Tucker 1st line up as a 4 piece
1984 Honour & Blood Cliff Evans Graeme Crallan

Michael Bettel
1985 - 1988 Tank Gary Taylor
1997 - 2001 Steve Hopgood
2001 - 2008 Still At War Bruce Bisland
2009 Doogie White Chris Dale Mark Brabbs (returns) 1st line up as a 5 piece
2010 War Machine Dave "Grav" Cavill
2011–Present Mark Cross

Timeline




See also

References

  1. ^ "NWOBHM Encyclopedia". http://www.tankfilthhounds.net/nwobhmenc.htm. Retrieved 20 July 2009. 
  2. ^ Popoff, Martin (2005). The Collector's Guide To Heavy Metal Volume 2: The Eighties. Toronto: Collector's Guide Publishing. p. 350. ISBN 1-894959-31-0. 
  3. ^ http://www.metal-archives.com/review.php?id=2746
  4. ^ http://www.allmusic.com/album/r238833
  5. ^ "TANK Mainman Putting Finishing Touches On 'Sturmpanzer'". http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/Blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=57453. 
  6. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 549. ISBN 1-904994-10-5. 

External links