Year : 1989 (Lemon Recordings Edition 2009)
Style : Melodic Hard Rock
Country : United States
Audio : 320 kbps + scans + Videos
Size : 187 mb
Bio:
Little Angels was a hard rock band predominantly active between the mid-1980s and mid-1990s. The band reformed on 8 June 2012 to play the Download Festival.Little Angels formed in Scarborough, England in May 1984, under the name of 'Zeus' and then to 'Mr Thrud' in September 1985 settling on the 'Little Angels' during recording of the Too Posh to Mosh album at Fairview Studios, Hull in 1987. The founding members were Toby Jepson (vocalist), Mark Plunkett (bassist), Dave Hopper (drummer) and the brothers Bruce John and Jimmy Dickinson (guitarist and keyboardist respectively). Michael Lee joined the band to replace Hopper on 16 August 1988.It was at this time that the band met Kevin Nixon who became their manager and label boss when he signed them to his York-based company Powerstation Records. Eventually out-growing the local scene the band signed to Polydor Records on 19 May 1988, allegedly a deal done backstage at the old Marquee Club on Charing Cross Road.Lee was sacked from Little Angels during the Young Gods tour in New York, after it was discovered he had auditioned for The Cult behind their backs. He went on to play the full Ceremony world tour. Lee was replaced by Mark Richardson, who filled in for him on several tour dates, before taking his place officially during the recording of the band's third album, Jam."The Big Bad Horns" ("Big" Dave Kemp on saxophone, Frank Mizen on trombone and Grant Kirkhope on trumpet) had become synonymous with the 'Angels' sound over the years, contributing to a large majority of their recorded output, and appearing live with the band more often than not. However, they were keen to remain independent from the band, so appearances on stage and record are credited to Little Angels and The Big Bad Horns.Little Angels were successful in the UK and cracked the US to some extent, although not enough to satisfy their record label.[citation needed] Nonetheless, they had a massive profile in the UK, playing with Van Halen (who Jepson would be approached to join in 1996) and Bon Jovi, amongst others. In an act of generosity Van Halen gave the band their entire back-line for free at the end of the UK tour.Despite the seemingly disappointing record sales, they followed the announcement of their split by playing a sold-out six date UK tour culminating in a performance at the Royal Albert Hall.After the demise of Little Angels, the Dickinson brothers formed b.l.o.w. with Richardson and the former No Sweat guitarist (turned vocalist) Dave Gooding. Jepson recorded and toured an album, Ignorance Is Bliss, under the moniker "Toby and the Whole Truth", which was intended to launch a solo career, but illness scuppered the tour and his immediate plans. He spent subsequent years away from the spotlight before a solo return in 2002.When b.l.o.w. folded, Jimmy Dickinson became a member of the synthpop group Younger Younger 28's who had some success in Japan, and who released one album, Soap, on the V2 label. He went on to play with the One Hit Wonders, and is now working as a teacher at the Westwood School of Music in Scarborough, including a course in electronic music.Bruce John Dickinson went on to teach at, and manage, The Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford, Surrey. He is now the Managing Director of the Brighton Institute of Modern Music which he set up with former Angels manager, Kevin Nixon.Mark Richardson joined Skunk Anansie to replace their original drummer. When that band folded, he joined Feeder, following the suicide of their original drummer Jon Lee. He remained with the band until the end of 2008 when he re-joined Skunk Anansie for a greatest hits tour and album, plus new material.Mark Plunkett (bass) turned his hand to artist management, and went on to manage firstly Boyzone, then Ronan Keating.Michael Lee worked as a jobbing drummer, often playing with Robert Plant.After a long while away from the spotlight, Jepson struck out on his own in 2001, touring the "Refresh EP" in early 2002 and onwards. Financial pressures put the brakes on this solo venture, and it looked as though he would once again withdraw from the stage. However, he made a return as a solo artist supporting Thunder on their 2006 UK tour and has - once again - performed solo since then. A spot as guest vocalist for Gun, at a charity gig in Glasgow promoted by rockradio, on 8 January 2008 resulted in him taking the role permanently. This was confirmed in April 2008.Jepson, Plunkett and the Dickinson brothers were reunited - supposedly for the first time since the band's split - at Michael Lee's funeral in December 2008.Toby Jepson left GUN in June 2010 due to increased responsibility in other aspects of his musical involvement.It was announced in January 2012 that the band were reforming to perform at that year's Download Festival.Their newly launched website for the occasion credits the meeting of the four founding members at Michael Lee's funeral as the catalyst for this re-union, stating "From the tragic death of their band-mate old friendships are rekindled."In an interview with EverythingRock,[4] guitarist Bruce Dickinson stated that he doubted the reunion would be a permanent one, although his answer was not definitive.On 7 June, Little Angels played at the 2012 Sweden Rock Festival. The reunion culminated in a 9-date UK tour in December 2012 with venues including Nottingham Rock City and O2 Shepherds Bush Empire. The Glasgow date had to be moved to a larger venue due to "phenomenal demand".Support came from fellow British band Skin.Drummer Richardson could not perform on the tour due to commitments with Skunk Anansie, and was replaced by Dominic Greensmith (mainly known for his time with Reef).Similarly, Grant Kirkhope (trumpet) was unavailable. The reason given on stage by Jepson was that he was "living in California as a tramp".Little Angels were booked to play the Isle of Wight festival, supporting Bon Jovi, on 16 June 2013. On 9 May 2013 they issued a statement to say that this, in conjunction with warm up shows in Cardiff and Cambridge, would be the end of their reunion activities together. Drummer Richardson joined the band for these final three dates, but not trumpeter Grant Kirkhope.
Album:
Rare, out of print, expensive (over €120) remastered version of LITTLE ANGELS cracking album 1989’s ”Don’t Prey For Me”, done by Cherry Red / Lemon Recordings including 7 terrific bonus tracks.Scarborough’s favourite sons burst onto the UK rock scene with their radio-friendly American-style hard rock in the late 80s. Attracting attention and column inches with their superb musicianship and youthful enthusiasm (one tour was dubbed ‘Rock And Roll Education’ and saw the band playing school halls by day and concert venues by night!), they signed to Polydor Records in 1988.Preceded by the “Big Bad EP” which contained four non-album tracks (all included here as bonus cuts), this major label debut long-player propelled LITTLE ANGELS in amongst the ‘big boys’ of British Hard Rock and led to support slots opening for BON JOVI, AEROSMITH, GUNS N’ ROSES and VAN HALEN.To capitalize on the band’s growing popularity, Polydor hurriedly issued the “Get Radical EP” which broke the UK Top 40 for the first time (two tracks included here as bonus cuts) and led to a UK headlining tour.Some suggested LITTLE ANGELS were mere BON JOVI clones, others, THE WHO reborn! The truth? Well, that lay somewhere in between. Either way the album was a mighty statement, and one which stands loud and proud to this day, “Do You Wanna Riot” pulsating, “Kick Hard” and “Kicking Up Dust” anthemic, all three sitting comfortably alongside the beautiful acoustic led “Don’t Pray For Me” (note the difference in spelling between the album and song titles) and heart tugging “Broken Wings Of An Angel”.Impressively, all songs on this album have stood the test of time, “Big Bad World” and “No Solution” positively bursting with energy, “When I Get Out Of Here” nodding to a Classic Rock heritage, “Promises” taking that idea step further.In Toby Jepson (later in FASTWAY, GUN, WAYWARD SONS) what the Little Angels’ had was a singer of real force, but also stunning precision, great range and captivating presence (if this band were great in the studio, catching them live really was something special), while in guitarist Bruce John Dickinson, the band possessed one of the least appreciated but most talented six stringer the UK had produced for many a year.Drummer Michael Lee went on to have successful stints with THE CULT and ROBERT PLANT amongst others, before his untimely death in 2008, with his ex-band mates maintaining to this day that the percussionist was actually the most talented lad in the band.Unfortunately Lee’s departure from Little Angels a few years down wasn’t on the best of terms; something the rest of the band only really began to reconcile at the drummer’s funeral, an occasion which proved to be the catalyst for an all too brief reunion during 2012-13. Proof that at least some comfort can come from tragic circumstances.This Cherry Red / Lemon Records reissue not only presents the ”Don’t Prey For Me” album in its original 10 track glory, but also adds a further 7 bonuses.“Pleasure Pyre” was originally only featured on the cassette version and as Japanese pressing bonus, while the superb standalone single “Radical Your Lover” (co-written by Dan Reed!) was also part of the same titled EP.Other bonus highlight is phenomenal “She’s A Little Angel” from the Big Bad EP, which, along with the other three tracks from that release also features here – “Sex In Cars” still being a tongue (and maybe other things…) in cheek masterpiece.The extras are excellently rounded out by “Don’t Love You No More” from the impossible to find ‘Get Radical EP’.LITTLE ANGELS would go on to have many top 40 hits in the UK, amazingly, a million selling number 1 album and a farewell show at The Royal Albert Hall. They were great, comprising excellent musicians – as a proof, all are still active in the music business, and relevant.There’s such irresistible energy and charm to this first major label outing that I’d suggest that if any U.K. current rockers deliver a debut of this class in 2023, we’d be raising them on our shoulders and proclaiming them as the new messiahs of Rock. If only more of us had done exactly that in 1989…
Line Up:
Toby Jepson - lead vocals, acoustic guitar
Bruce John Dickinson - electric guitars
Mark Plunkett - bass, backing vocals
Michael Lee - drums, percussion
Jimmy Dickinson - piano, hammond organ, synthesizers, backing vocals
Production:
Marketed By – Cherry Red Records Ltd.
Distributed By – Cherry Red Records Ltd.
Glass Mastered At – Sony DADC, Southwater
Engineer [Engineered By] – Mark O'Donogue
Mixed By – Ian Taylor
Producer [Produced By] – Owen Davies
Tracklist:
01. Do You Wanna Riot 3:56
02. Kick Hard 3:10
03. Big Bad World 3:20
04. Kickin' up Dust 4:00
05. Don't Pray for Me 4:29
06. Broken Wings of an Angel 4:59
07. Radical Your Lover 4:46
08. Promises 4:50
09. When I Get Out of Here 3:17
10. No Solution 4:24
11. Pleasure Pyre (Not on Original Vinyl LP) (Bonus Track)
12. She’s A Little Angel (Big Bad EP) (Bonus Track)
13. Don’t Waste My Time (Big Bad EP) (Bonus Track)
14. Better Than The Rest (Big Bad EP) (Bonus Track)
15. Sex In Cars (Big Bad EP) (Bonus Track)
16. Don’t Love You No More (Get Radical EP) (Bonus Track)
17. Radical Your Lover (Get Radical EP) (Bonus Track)
+ Video "Do You Wanna Riot" (Official Video)
+ Video "Kickin' up Dust" (Official Video)
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
