Wrathchild

Wrathchild are an English glam metal band from the United Kingdom, active from 1980 to 1990. They form around frontman Rocky Shades and are associated with glam metal, heavy metal, NWOBHM, hair metal and hard rock.

Formation and early years

The band forms in 1980 in Evesham, Worcestershire. After original guitarist Phil Wrathchild, later known as Phil Volken of Persian Risk, leaves, the line-up with Rocky Shades becomes the group’s best-known form.

Wrathchild build a reputation as a wild live act, with heavily made-up stage presentation, leather, studs and flashbombs. They are also described as one of the founders of the worldwide 1980s glam revival.

Recordings and label work

In the early 1980s, Wrathchild release independently issued singles and tapes before signing to Heavy Metal Records. Their debut album, Stakk Attakk, arrives in 1984 and includes tracks such as “Trash Queen”, “Shokker”, “Stakk Attakk” and “Too Wild To Tame”. The album is described as their strongest release. “Shokker” also receives praise from Tommy Vance on his Friday Rock Show in 1984.

The band later releases a live video from Camden Palace in 1985 through Hendring. They also produce regular A3 newsletters for an informal fan club, including personal messages from band members.

Later releases and split

Wrathchild’s second album is delayed by a legal dispute with their record company, which also prevents them from playing live for a period. They return for a Christmas concert at London’s Fulham Greyhound at the end of 1985, then continue through further wrangling and hidden live shows.

Their later albums include The Biz Suxx and Delirium, released in the late 1980s. By this stage they move away from the full make-up and theatrical stage presentation in favour of a more restrained appearance. A later release, Stakkattakktwo, appears in 2011.

Media attention

Wrathchild appear on the cover of Sounds magazine in the early 1980s and later make the front page of The Daily Star. They are also remembered for their intense live shows and for the fan response around them during their active years.