Wolfsbane

Wolfsbane are a hard rock and heavy metal group from Tamworth, United Kingdom. Formed in 1984, the band remains active and is best known as the first major group featuring vocalist Blaze Bayley, who later joins Iron Maiden and also develops a solo career.

Formation and early releases

The band forms in Tamworth in 1984 and records three early demos: Wolfsbane in 1985, Dancin' Dirty in 1987 and Wasted but Dangerous in 1988. Their lineup includes Bayley, guitarist Jason “Jase” Edwards, bassist Jeff Hateley and drummer Steve Danger.

Wolfsbane later signs to Def American. Their debut album, Live Fast, Die Fast, is produced by Rick Rubin and appears in 1989. The following year they release the EP All Hell's Breaking Loose Down at Little Kathy Wilson's Place. Their second album, Down Fall the Good Guys, follows in 1991 and includes the single Ezy, which reaches number 68 on the UK Singles Chart.

1990s activity

During the late 1980s and early 1990s the band tours with established heavy metal and hard rock acts. After being dropped by Def American, Wolfsbane is voted the United Kingdom’s best unsigned act in 1993. That year they release the live album Massive Noise Injection on Bronze Company. In 1994 they issue their third studio album, Wolfsbane, also on Bronze Company; a limited edition includes the EP Everything Else.

Later in 1994 Bayley leaves after being chosen as Bruce Dickinson’s replacement in Iron Maiden, and the band disbands. After the split, Edwards, Hateley and Danger form Stretch in 1995 with vocalist Jez Spencer Housden and release the mini-album World of Stretch.

Reformation and later releases

Wolfsbane reunite for a short performance at the Rock of Ages Festival in Tamworth in 2007, then tour the United Kingdom with The Wildhearts and later with The Quireboys. In 2010 the group resumes activity on a full-time basis.

They release the EP Did It for the Money in 2011 and perform a London headline show the same day. Later that month they tour with Saxon. Their fourth studio album, Wolfsbane Save the World, follows in 2012, alongside the compilation The Lost Tapes: A Secret History, which collects previously recorded material.

In 2021 the band begins writing new material, and Genius is released in 2022. In 2024 Wolfsbane announces work on another studio album. Blaze Bayley continues to perform both solo and with Wolfsbane.

Studio albums

Live Fast, Die Fast (1989)
Down Fall the Good Guys (1991)
Wolfsbane (1994)
Wolfsbane Save the World (2012)
Genius (2022)