First Strike (Def Leppard album)

Infobox Album |
Name = First Strike
Type = ep
Artist = Def Leppard


Released = 1984
Recorded = 1978 - 1979
Genre = Hard rock
Length = 25:00
Label = Flash / Cecem
Producer = Frank Stuart-Brown and Pete Martin

First Strike is a bootleg of Def Leppard. The album contains seven demo recordings. The majority of the record is comprised of five demo recordings of songs that would all be revisited and rerecorded, in sometimes very different versions, for their first album "On Through the Night". The first and last song ("Heat Street" and "Glad I'm Alive"), along with the third song ("See the Lights') have never been released anywhere else.

The tracks were originally recorded in 1978 at Fairview Music Recordings in Hull and remixed in August 1984 at "Hank's Studio", Germany. Following this the tracks were promptly released as First Strike in Holland and Belgium in 1985 without the authorisation of the band and their managers despite former manager Frank Stuart-Brown's apparent quote on the back cover (see below).

Distribution

The cassette version of First Strike which had a printed white paper label, sold throughout the United States in department stores under the distributor of Cesem, while the "LP" copies were sold in other countries around Europe.

Verdict and Recall

The band and their management took the two former managers to court to remove the album from the marketplace, as they were unhappy with the recordings, and the judge ruled in favour of the band. First Strike did however sell several thousand copies, in which the band also won a suit for a portion of the royalties. Even from the beginning, First Strike was questionable whether it was an official release or not, due to it being released against the band's wishes, much like Bob Dylan's Dylan album. However, since the court case, First Strike has never been considered part of Def Leppard's official discography and has been deleted.

Track listing

#"Heat Street" – 2:53
#"Answer to the Master" – 3:24
#"See the Lights" – 3:38
#"When the Walls Come Tumbling Down" – 3:48
#"Wasted" – 3:30
#"Sorrow Is a Woman" – 3:38
#"Glad I'm Alive" – 4:09

Back Cover

A message on the back cover of First Strike appears written by Frank Stuart-Brown. "This collection of early tapes proves the talent of five teenagers who took Sheffield and the rest of U.K. by storm during 1979. These tracks established them as clear leaders in the resurgence of heavy metal rock that was taking place and led to a first rate record deal which they are still currently enjoying. This album is dedicated to the band and to the many fans that have made them the big stars they are today. Frank Stuart-Brown"

Current Availability

Officially, it is illegal to sell this album in shops, but it has been sold or resold at record fairs, mail-order companies (on CD or LP) and through eBay. Copies of the "LP" version have been sold on Ebay for as much as $ 500.00 (US) and the cassette for over $ 100.00 (US). The packaging and music are available online for viewing and listening.

Personnel

*Joe Elliott - lead vocals
*Pete Willis - lead & rhythm guitars, backing vocals
*Steve Clark - lead & rhythm guitars, backing vocals
*Rick Savage - bass, backing vocals
*Rick Allen - drums

Additional Personnel

*Tory Eskridge - backing vocals on "See The Lights"

Production

*Fairview Studios - Recorded at Fairview Studios
*Roy Neave - Engineered by Roy Neave
*Hanks Basement - Remixed at Hanks Basement Lodge Studios
*Alex Gietz - Engineered by Alex Gietz

External links

* [http://www.zshare.net/download/1928845c8be03c/ First Strike sample music]