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For an outfit who were only around for a couple of years in the first instance, and who didn’t exactly go overboard in terms of vinyl releases, it’s remarkable how much of a legacy the London-based quartet known as WEAPON seem to have bequeathed to the metal world. Their name is instantly recognised by an extremely high percentage of NWOBHM enthusiasts, and they were honoured by their notable inclusion on Lars Ulrich’s commemorative album in 1990, so they somehow appear to have made a significant impact on a great individuals! The venture first came together at around the turn of decade (originally operating under the shockingly-bad moniker of FAST RELIEF), the group consisting of certain characters who had featured in various 70’s acts of, er, varying credibility (bassist Barry Downes, for instance, came from the not-remotely-interesting HAWKWIND offshoot INNER CITY UNIT) in their ranks. Vocalist Danny Hynes, meanwhile, was an Irish import who had settled in the English capital some time previously, whereas talented guitarist Jeff Summers was a wily individual (with no major skeletons in his closet) who used his handy contacts in the music business (notably his brother Steve, a one-time member of the long-forgotten pop/rock ensemble LIP SERVICE) to locate a suitable drummer (Bruce Bisland), who had played alongside Steve Summers in the aforementioned no-hopers. It was all systems go…
A prudent name change to WEAPON occurred at a mercifully early stage, after which the newly-christened group enjoyed an enviably rapid rise to prominence following a relatively modest series of club appearances in the capital. In due course, the ensemble became affiliated with Virgin Publishing (although they didn’t actually sign to the Virgin label itself), and the lads were fortunate to be selected to open for MOTÖRHEAD on their UK tour towards the end of the year. Most of theses shows were, by all accounts, wildly successful affairs, and the release of the outfit’s vinyl debut was timed to coincide with this series of appearances, as Bruce Bisland explained: “It was released just in time for the tour. Virgin were merely the publishers, so we brought the single and 12” out on our own label. After the tour, we were hoping to sign with a major, well that was the plan.“ (Ref: Interview Matthias Mader, March 1996). WEAPON’s privately-issued single (with a fairly widespread distribution, admittedly) coupled “It’s A Mad World” and “Set The Stage Alight” (the latter being the selection featured on NWOBHM ’79 Revisited a decade later), two eminently listenable, mid-tempo rockers (“Set The Stage Alight” the designated B-Side, was actually the more energetic and enjoyable effort) in the general style of SHAPPIRE, BLACK AXE or LE GRIFFE, and it was a debut which should have set the stage (as it were) for a long and healthy career in the wacky world of rock.
It remains something of a mystery as to why WEAPON chose to release their single in both 12” an 7” forms, though, as both formats (issued un identical and unremarkable picture sleeves) feature exactly the same versions of both songs, and it’s also particularly ludicrous that the 12” edition is now regarded as considerably more valuable and collectable than its diminutive counterpart!
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