KICK AXE
Kick Axe is the name of a heavy metal band from Canada that reached its climax in the 1980s. In that period, they produced 4 albums during their career, with the longest gap between albums being 18 years. They were: Vices, Welcome to the Club, Rock The World and Kick Axe IV.
The band had minor success and was able to tour with some of the biggest names in the mid-eighties before disbanding. The band was able to get signed to the label that made Quiet Riot headliners, but were never able to match the same level of stardom.
The band's classic line-up was George Criston (vocals), Brian Gillstrom (drums, percussion), Victor Langen (bass), Larry Gillstrom (guitar) and Raymond Harvey (guitar). For their new album, Kick Axe returned without notable singer George Criston, but instead with their original (before the band's commercial debut) singer Gary Langen behind the mic.
Kick Axe's greatest hits include "Vices", "Alive and Kickin´", "Heavy Metal Shuffle", "Stay on Top", "On the Road to Rock", "Welcome to the Club", "Make Your Move", "Rock the World" and the ballad "Never Let Go
History of the band
Early years (1976 - 1980)
Kick Axe was formed in Regina in 1976 by Larry Gillstrom (guitar), Victor Langen (vocals/bass) and his brother Gary Langen (drums). By 1978 they added a second guitarist in Raymond Arthur Harvey and decided to relocate to Vancouver, B.C. and it's more lively music scene. Gary Langen did not move with the band and was replaced with Larry's brother Brian Gillstrom. The group began recording in 1979 but scrapped the sessions because they felt they needed a more distinguished front man. Vocalist Charles McNary was brought in and the band started to make waves, even appearing on a Playboy compilation album.
Career expansion, decline and fall (1981 - 1988)
McNary walked away from the band in 1981, and it would be almost two years before George Criston replaced him. Shortly after his inclusion the group landed a major label deal with Spencer Proffer's Pasha records. Vices was released in 1984 to critical acclaim, and the band hit the road behind such acts as Quiet Riot, Judas Priest and Whitesnake. The third single from the album (appearing only on the cassette version), a cover of Humble Pie's "30 Days in the Hole" appeared on the Up the Creek (1984) soundtrack. The band's follow-up album Welcome to the Club was released in 1985 and strayed away from their rock anthems for a softer sound, and included a handful of guest stars. It reached the Billboard top 200, but disappointed die hard fans. Meanwhile, the group appeared on the Transformers: The Movie soundtrack under the name of Spectre General due to U.S. legal troubles. They recorded two songs under that name: "Hunger" (a cover of the original King Kobra song) and "Nothin's Gonna Stand in Our Way" (a cover of the original John Farnham song) which were included on the soundtrack. Harvey left the band in 1986, but was never replaced. One final album: Rock The World, a return to their roots, was released but by then all momentum had been lost. By 1988 they were without a label and then disintegrated.
Their cover of 30 Days in the Hole appeared on the first of two Muchmusic compilation albums associated with the weekly Power Hour program.
Reunion without Criston (2003 - present)
Surprisingly the band reformed in 2003 with original member Gary Langen handling vocal duties for Criston who was unavailable to join the reunion due to prior work commitments. The new album entitled IV was released the following year, and the more mature effort was a hit with fans.
Current members
Gary Langen - Drums (1976-1978), Lead vocals (2003-present)
Larry Gillstrom - Lead / Rhythm guitars & Backing vocals (1976-1988, 2003-present)
Raymond Harvey - Lead / Rhythm guitars & Backing vocals (1978-1986, 2003-Present)
Brian Gillstrom - Drums & Backing vocals (1978-1988, 2003-present)
Victor Langen - Bass guitar & Backing vocals (1976-1988, 2003-present)
Former members
George Criston - Lead vocals (1982-1988)
Charles McNary - Lead vocals (1979-1981)
Discography
Vices (1984)
Welcome to the Club (1985)
Rock The World (1986)
Kick Axe IV (2004)
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