Quartz

Quartz are a heavy metal group from Birmingham, United Kingdom, active from 1974 to 2011. They form part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement and are associated with late-1970s British hard rock and heavy metal.

Formation and early line-up

The band begins under the name Bandylegs before changing to Quartz when Jet Records shows interest. Their line-up includes Mike Hopkins, who has links to John Bonham, and Geoff Nicholls, who later becomes a keyboardist with Black Sabbath. Other members associated with the group include Malcolm Cope, David Garner, Mick Hopkins, Geoff Bate and Steve McLoughlin.

Recording and label work

Quartz sign to Jet Records and tour with AC/DC and Black Sabbath before starting work on their debut album. Their tour with Black Sabbath leads to Albert Chapman becoming their tour manager, and Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi becomes a supporter of the band.

Iommi takes over production of their self-titled debut album and brings in Queen’s Brian May to play guitar on the sessions. The album is regarded as an early and important release for the developing heavy metal scene, and Quartz are placed alongside bands such as Diamond Head and Def Leppard among the groups that help make heavy metal faster and less heavy-footed.

Later history

The band remains active for a relatively short period and splits by 1983 because of irreconcilable differences.