English Dogs (Part Three)

Following on from a previous blog entry about the street punk group English Dogs, today's article concerns the second incarnation of the band. When vocalist Wakey departed, the other original members Jon, Wattie and Pinch brought in Graham "Gizz" Butt as second guitarist and Adie Bailey as replacement vocalist. Adie was based in Halifax, just down the road from Bradistan and had been singer with the band Ultra-Violent. Ultra-Violent had released just one EP, the searing "Crime For Revenge" which was released on the Riot City label.

This new line-up took the music in a new direction and introduced heavy metal riffs to create a new, aggressive fusion of punk and metal. First up came the "To The Ends Of The Earth" EP in late 1984, then an album "Forward Into Battle" the following year. This set has now gained legendary status and influenced a lot of American thrash bands, especially Metallica. A sold-out tour of the USA followed in early 1986.

Two more releases were to come before the band imploded. First was the brutal "Metalmorphosis" EP and then the "Where Legend Began" set. This album was as far away from the band's beginnings as you could imagine, with lyrics more akin to "The Lord Of The Rings" than what was happening on the streets of grim mid-1980s Britain. However, it is acknowledged as a classic hardcore set.

There are now two different versions of English Dogs currently touring. Original singer Wakey is playing with a well-rehearsed unit of three other musicians, playing the punk material alongside new songs. The second version is about to tour the States and play this more metal material. This band features Adie on vocals, Gizz on guitar and Pinch on drums.

I caught up with Adie a little while to take his portrait for my Middle Aged Punks project. He is still living in Halifax and really excited to be working again with his former bandmates. It will be interesting to see what response the band get on their American tour next month.