Tokyo Blade

Tokyo Blade is an English heavy metal band, active since 1982.^[1] Tokyo Blade is one of the many acts considered part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) movement from the late 1970s / early 1980s. Tokyo Blade went through many changes of formation and disbanded twice, often changing their musical style during the years of activity. However, the band is still active today, with three of the original members in the line-up.

History

NWOBHM (1981-1985)

The band was formed in Salisbury in the late 1970s under the moniker White Diamond later changed to Killer in 1981 and then changed again to Genghis Khan.^[2] The original line-up consisted of Alan Marsh (vocals), Andy Boulton (guitar), Ray Dismore (guitar), Andy Robbins (bass), and Steve Pierce (drums). Later in the year, the band changed their name again, signed with the British independent record label Powerstation Records and recorded their first album. This album was self-titled in all regions, except in the United States, where it came out as Midnight Rendezvous on the Combat Records label. Also in 1981, the band shared the stages of clubs and festivals with notable acts such as Metallica and Venom.

Like many other acts of the period, Tokyo Blade was plagued by frequent changes of band members. By the time the follow-up album was released, vocalist Alan Marsh was replaced with Vic Wright. The album Night of the Blade was issued in 1984 with Wright on vocals. However in 1998, an edition of the album featuring Marsh's original vocals was eventually released as Night of the Blade... The Night Before. In that period, Tokyo Blade took part in tours and festival packages with Blue Öyster Cult and others with Dio, Ozzy Osbourne and Scorpions. The band's third record Black Hearts & Jaded Spades was released in 1985 by the band's own label in Europe and available in the USA as an import only. The band filmed a concert at London's Camden Palace, which was aired on Channel 4 in 1985, and has since made its way on to multiple bootleg DVD releases. By the end of the year, Tokyo Blade disbanded, with all members dedicating their time and efforts to other projects.

Andy Boulton's Tokyo Blade (1985-1989)

Original vocalist Alan Marsh formed another Far East-influenced band called Shogun, alongside former Chinatown guitarist Danny Gwilym. They released two albums, and worked with noted producer Bob Ezrin. Shogun eventually worked with Tokyo Blade bandmates Steve Pierce, Andy Wrighton and Andy Robbins. Guitarist John Wiggins (Deep Machine, Slam) would go on to play in the first edition of Battlezone with ex-Iron Maiden vocalist Paul DiAnno. Original bassist Andy Robbins would be a part of the bands Jagged Edge and Taste, which recorded a single with Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson and later became the hard rock band Skin. Vic Wright formed the band Johnny Crash, being the first project related to Tokyo Blade to have a major label home in the USA, releasing the album "Neighbourhood Threat." A new line-up of the band, including future Guns N' Roses members Dizzy Reed and Matt Sorum, recorded a second album, originally called "Damnation Alley," which saw release in 2008 on Sun City Records, re-titled "Unfinished Business."

Original guitarist Andy Boulton continued recording under the name "Andy Boulton's Tokyo Blade', with an entirely new line-up. This new incarnation of Tokyo Blade released the album "Ain't Misbehavin'" in 1987 and toured on the festival circuit, playing also on the same stage of Black Sabbath. In 1988, Boulton recruited members of the German band The Dead Ballerinas (featuring former Kin Ping Meh vocalist Michael Pozz) to record "No Remorse," issued under the GAMA International sub-label Hot Blood Records. Like the debut, the album has since been reissued with multiple covers. Tokyo Blade again disbanded, with Boulton returning to work with Alan Marsh.

Mr. Ice and reformation (1989-1998)

As record company problems plagued Shogun, Marsh formed a group called Mr. Ice, which eventually included guitarist Andy Boulton. As the group featured two key members from Tokyo Blade, a move from the band's management to resurrect the old name for a European tour with Uriah Heep led to additional issues. Boulton exited the group and was replaced by guitarist Steve Kerr. At the conclusion of the tour, both Kerr and the management exited. Some of the tracks from Mr. Ice were released as a Tokyo Blade record in the mid-1990s.

By 1994, Marsh and Boulton were again playing together and creating new music, releasing "Burning Down Paradise"'on SPV in 1996. Key tracks were also released as a Tokyo Blade record in the mid-to-late 1990s.

The early records by the band were reissued in 1997 by High Vaultage, and the later period recordings were gathered by Zoom Club, and a live album, "Live in Germany" was released in 2009.

Solo projects and new activities (2008-present)

Andy Boulton went on to be in the band XFX, later concentrating his efforts on a solo album and on teaching electric and bass guitar. Alan Marsh joined for a while the cast of a musical based on Jack the Ripper. Second vocalist Vic Wright has written a book, has a comedy show in production and is currently seeking a publishing deal. However, a new version of Tokyo Blade, including Boulton and lead singer Chris Gillen, toured in Europe in 2008.

Following the conclusion of the 2008 tour and release of the "Live in Germany" album, the line-up was again revamped, and four parts of the classic line up, John Wiggins, Andy Boulton, Andy Wrighton and Steve Pierce, reformed Tokyo Blade with new vocalist Chris Gillen staying on board. Gillen was soon replaced by Domain singer Nicolaj Ruhnow and the band recorded the new album "Thousand Men Strong" with producer Chris Tsangarides, released in March 2011.^[3] Tokyo Blade was a live attraction at metal festivals in 2010 and 2011.

Bassist Andy Wrighton (Deep Machine, Shogun) and guitarist John Wiggins (Deep Machine, Slam) are currently in the reformed Deep Machine with guitarist Bob Hooker, singer Lenny Baxter (Ex-Gangland) and drummer Chas Towler (Slam). Formed in East London in the 1980s, Deep Machine's roots go back to the early NWOBHM movement.

Members

Current members

• Nicolaj Ruhnow - Lead vocals (2010–present)
• Andy Boulton - Lead guitar (1982-1986; 1987; 1995-1996; 2007-present)
• John Wiggins - Rhythm guitar (1983-1986; 2010–present)
• Andy Wrighton - Bass guitar (1984-1986; 2010–present)
• Steve Pierce - Drums (1982-1986; 1987; 2010–present)

Former members

• Alan Marsh - Lead vocals (1982-1984; 1990-1991; 1995-1996)
• Vic Wright - Lead vocals (1984-1986)
• Michael Pozz - Lead vocals (1989)
• Pete Zito - Lead vocals (1986-1988)
• Brian George - Lead vocals (1987)
• Carl Sentance - Lead vocals (1986)
• Chris Gillen - Lead vocals (2008-2010)
• Danny Gwilym - Rhythm guitar (1990-1991)
• Sean Cooper - Rhythm guitar (1987)
• Ray Dismore - Rhythm guitar (1982-1983)
• Steve Kerr- Lead guitar
• Bryan Holland - Lead guitar (2007-2009)
• Andy Robbins - Bass guitar (1982-1984)
• Dave Donaldson - Bass guitar (1987)
• Dave Sale - Bass guitar (1989)
• Colin Riggs - Bass guitar (1990-1991;1995-1996)
• Frank Saparddi - Bass guitar (2007-2009)
• Ace Finchum - Drums
• Alex Lee - Drums (1987)
• Marc Angel - Drums (1990-1991; 1995-1996)
• Lorenzo Gonzalez - Drums (2007-2009)
• Martin Machwitz - Keyboards (1989)
• Atilla - Keyboards (1990)

Discography

Studio albums

• Tokyo Blade (1983)
• Midnight Rendezvous (1984, US release)
• Night of the Blade (1984)
• Black Hearts & Jaded Spades (1985)
• Ain't Misbehavin' (1987)
• No Remorse (1989)
• Burning Down Paradise (1995)
• Pumphouse (1998)
• Mr. Ice (1998)
• Eye of The Storm (2008, re-release of No Remorse)
• Thousand Men Strong (2011)

EPs

• Lightning Strikes (1984)
• Midnight Rendezvous (1984)
• Madame Guillotine (1985)

Live albums

• Live in Germany (2009)

Related releases

• Shogun - Shogun (Alan Marsh)
• Shogun - 31 Days (Alan Marsh/Andy Wrighton/Steve Pierce)
• Johnny Crash - Neighbourhood Threat (Vic Wright)
• Battlezone - Fighting Back (John Wiggins)
• Battlezone - Children of Madness (John Wiggins)
• Battlezone - Feel My Pain (John Wiggins/Colin Riggs/Marc Angel)
• 12 Apostel - 12 Apostel (Martin Machwitz)
• Dead Ballerinas - Dead Ballerinas (Michael Pozz)
• Kin Ping Meh - Kin Ping Meh (Michael Pozz)
• Skin - Multiple records/CD's (Andy Robbins)

References

External links

• Official Homepage
• Vicki James Wright Interview
• Official MySpace Page
• Official Lost and Found Records website Retrieved August 27, 2009.