We’re looking at Brute Force, a compilation album released at the height of NWOBHM frenzy, when record companies were falling over themselves to cater to the whims of 14 year old pubescent boys, obsessed with the thought of something electric strapped round their necks and slung low down between their legs.
Last time around, things had started to dip ominously with the pretty rubbish Prowler and the not at all metal Colin Towns, only being salvaged by a pretty decent tune from Sledgehammer.
However, as we abandon Side 1 and head for Side 2 (ask your gramps, kiddies), things start to pick up a bit. Of course I say that, but I’m kind of lying. Well, totally lying. Because the first tune is from another metal beast. Erstwhile Gillan drummer, Mick Underwood. You read that right. A track from the drummer in Gillan. To be fair, I did like Quatermass and even Strapps, but did the world really need a solo single from Mick? I suspect not, as you listen to the A-side, just below. And, yes, it really was released as a single.
MP3 one – Mick Underwood – Earthquake At The Savoy
Luckily for us, things then get back on track with the arrival of White Spirit. Sadly now just a footnote in metal history thanks to them harbouring Janick Gers pre Gillan / Iron Maiden, they were actually a bit good. Had a major label come along at the right time, who knows, it might have been them. Unfortunately, post Neat Records, it was MCA who picked them up. You know, the band who killed Diamond Head.
MP3 two – White Spirit – Back To The Grind
And this is how Gillan got to nick him.
I saw them at the Embra Odeon gig. I was a bit out of it, so don’t have much recall, but former GHMI stars, Chevy, may also have been on the bill.
And now for a band who had more chances than is fair. And blew them all. Mainly because they weren’t so hot. However, Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath was their bezzy friend, which explains the number of chances they had. Yup, it’s Brummie losers, Quartz. They’d been on the go for about a thousand years pre NWOBHM, but the chancers decided to have another go. Gits. Their first single had come up back in 1977, but this was the level they were best suited for.
I’ve still not quite forgiven Iommi for wasting £2.99 on their self titled debut. They even blagged a support on a Rush tour, you know. Tony, if you’re reading. A refund would be nice.
Their keyboard player, Geoff Nicholls, ended up hidden behind a curtain for most of Black Sabbaths eighties and nineties tours. I’d have been ashamed to be seen in public after this as well.
MP3 three – Quartz – Can’t Say No To You
White Spirit haven’t convinced me yet. They tend to be described as “melodic”, which with NWOBHM productions is usually a synonym for “tinny” and “lightweight”.
A Mick Underwood single! I can’t wait for the John McCoy track in the next installment!
Well “a bit good” is hardly glistening praise, and look who they were up against. And, let me tell you, they’ll seem like rock legends after you’ve heard the John McCoy tune.
I actually bought his 2CD retrospective that came out a few years back, only because of his brief involvement with Atomic Rooster. I still wake up screaming at night when his jazz fusion experiments come back to haunt me.
You’ve never seen a CD hit the second hand shop with such alacrity.
A second hand CD shop that buys John McCoy 2 CD Retrospectives? Will you be sharing the name of this threshold-free, we-buy-fucking-anything retailer with your readers?
*goes off to get Marillion, Elastica and The Mission albums from attic*
Quartz – were very up and down indeed but I did enjoy the plodding track “Mainline Riders”, and in my opinion their pièce de résistance – the rather tasty, “Satan’s Serenade”.
Of course the other Sabs connection was keyboard wizard Geoff Nicholls.
And somebody somewhere tell me that I am not imagining the idea Quartz covered Mountain’s Mighty “Nantucket Sleighride” live?
I refuse, on account of my lazy Sunday disposition, to ask Professor Google for clues…
Thumper – I didn’t say they bought it, I just flung it through the window and ran away.
Jimmy – indeed yes, they may even have released it as a single – nips off to rummage – released on Reddingtons Records 1980
1. Nantucket Sleighride
2. Wildfire
Deary me.
I have now reminded myself of the Mountain cover by Quartz via the wonders of the Internet , not their finest hour by any manner of means.