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Wrathchild

Not to be confused with the Iron Maiden song of the same name.

Wrathchild (sometimes known as Wrathchild UK in the United States due to a naming conflict with Wrathchild America) are an English rock band. Formed in 1980, the group are one of the first (if not the first) true bands of the glam metal genre, starting off at least a year before other bands of the genre such as Mötley Crüe. In addition, they were part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal scene and their work could also be described as glam rock. However, they did not gain the same level of success or influence as their American counterparts.

In their home country, the band were well known for their D.I.Y. aesthetic (common for many NWOBHM bands), over the top stage shows, and striking image. During their early days, they would often play in pubs but still used confetti, pyrotechnics, and dressed in full glam metal gear, including their trademark platform boots and huge, teased hair.

History

Wrathchild was formed in 1980 in Evesham, England. The original line-up of the band consisted of Rocky Shades on vocals, Phil "Wrathchild" Vokins on guitar, Marc Angel on bass, and former Grim Reaper member Brian "Thunderburst" Parry on drums.

The band soon added two members from the band Medusa; guitarist Lance Rocket, who would become a mainstay in the band, and new drummer Eddie Starr, who would replace Brian Parry.

After releasing a string of demos, such as Mascara Massacre in 1982, the band was offered a record deal by Bullet Records. On this label the group put out their first official release in 1983, an EP called Stackheel Strutt.

In 1984, the band recorded and released their debut studio album, Stakk Attakk. It would spawn two singles; a cover version of the Gary Glitter classic Doing Alright with the Boys and Trash Queen. A music video was made for the title track. Also in that year, the band opened for fellow glam metal band W.A.S.P. on their UK tour.

Unfortunately, just as Wrathchild was garnering success, they came embroiled in contractual problems with their label, Heavy Metal Records. RCA Records, a major label, unsuccessfully attempted to sign the band from Heavy Metal Records in an effort to free them from their contract. Meanwhile, the group released a video compilation in called War Machine in 1986.

After finally settling the dispute with Heavy Metal Records nearly four years later, the band released their second album, The Biz Suxx, in 1988. The album spawned a single, Nukklear Rokket, which had a promotional video that was directed by Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden.

The band's third and final studio album, Delirium, was released shortly after in 1989. It featured Grim Reaper's Steve Grimmet on backing vocals. Soon after the release, Wrathchild broke up.

Post-Wrathchild

Bang Bang Machine

Marc Angel, under the name Stan Lee, went to co-found Bang Bang Machine, an indie rock outfit fronted by singer Elizabeth Freeth (whom he later married in 2005) in 1989. The band released two albums, Eternal Happiness and Amphibian, through London Records. They had a John Peel 'festive fifty' number one (famous BBC Radio one show) with the song "Geek Love." Bang Bang Machine disbanded in 1996.

Psychowrath

Marc Angel, Eddie Star, and Phil Vokins, along with new singer Gaz Harris, are currently in a band called Psychowrath. They released their debut album in 2007.

R.S.W

Rocky Shades is currently involved with a new project, R.S.W. (which stands for Rocky Shades Wrathchild). The band members are Rocky "Wrekkless" Shades on vocals, Clem Ydia on guitar, Remus Bliss on bass, and Sonic Eruptor on drums. More information on the band can be found at their myspace page