The Handsome Beasts

The Handsome Beasts

The Handsome Beasts are a heavy metal band from the United Kingdom, associated with NWOBHM, hard rock and British heavy metal. They form in Birmingham and build a local following through gigs in and around the city, with singer Garry Dalloway at the front.

History

The band’s early success leads Paul Birch to try to secure a record deal for them with major labels. When that does not happen, he sets up his own label to release their first single, All Riot Now backed with The Mark of the Beast, in 1980. Later that year, Heavy Metal issues the Breaker EP. This release uses the “digital spiral” technique, allowing the record to play different tracks depending on where the needle lands.

The original line-up later includes bassist Steve Hough, guitarist Phil Aston and drummer Pete Malbasa. The band continues gigging in the Midlands before recording their debut album, Beastiality, in 1981. By then Phil Aston has been replaced by Paul Robins. The album mixes heavy metal with strong blues influences and includes four new songs: David’s Song, Another Day, Tearing Me Apart and High Speed. Much of the rest of the material is already known from earlier singles, including Sweeties and the B-side You’re On Your Own.

The band splits when the New Wave of British Heavy Metal loses momentum in the mid-1980s. Garry Dalloway then reforms the group in 1990 with guitarist Maz Matrenko and drummer Ray Richman, and they release The Beasts Within. A further album, Little Sister, is recorded in the 1990s but remains unreleased.

Later years

In 2004 the band releases the album 04 with Garry Dalloway on vocals, Ray Richman on drums, Alan Nyland and Mark Boreland on guitars, and Sean Brennan on bass. In 2005 Ray Richman leaves and Mick Roobottom takes over drums. Garry Dalloway dies in August 2005 after recording another album.

After his death, the remaining members first use Simon Hall, then of Beholder, for memorial shows. The performances go well enough that the band asks him to join permanently. Simon Hall becomes the band’s front man and continues with them, while the line-up listed for the group also includes Maz Mitrenko, Ray Richman, Rocky Shades, Max Mckee and Kez Taylor.