Jameson Raid (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1973 |
| Headquarters | Birmingham , United Kingdom |
| Products | Heavy metal music, hard rock music |
Jameson Raid is a British heavy metal group frequently linked to the new wave of British heavy metal movement, largely because of their participation on EMI's Metal For Muthas II. Nonetheless, they had already gained recognition as a hard rock ensemble within the Birmingham music scene several years prior.
Career
The origins of the band date back to 1973 when bassist John Ace and guitarist Ian Smith collaborated in Spectaté II while attending school in Sutton Coldfield. Following a break, Ace reassembled a cover band, eventually bringing Smith and drummer Phil Kimberley on board. Their debut performance took place on 26 August 1975 under the name Notre Dame. The moniker Jameson Raid was proposed by their roadie Nick Freeman, inspired by a historical incident in the Transvaal. With vocalist Terry Dark joining in December 1976 and Stewart Harrod departing shortly thereafter, the definitive lineup was established.
In February 1979, Jameson Raid issued their first EP, Seven Days of Splendour. Their musical style fused 1970s rock and pop influences (notably from David Bowie and Mott The Hoople) with heavier sounds akin to Thin Lizzy and elements drawn from punk. The three tracks on the EP embodied this mixture, earning them acclaim as "cult heroes within the Midland rock scene" for their "pop-infused heavy metal". The original pressing of 1,000 copies came in a white sleeve, followed by 2,000 copies in black sleeves; both editions included a humorous fictional band history and printed lyrics.
In March 1980, Jameson Raid supported Def Leppard and Magnum during the West Midlands segment of Def Leppard's On Through the Night World Tour. Later, in May 1980, EMI released Metal For Muthas II Cut Loud, which featured Jameson Raid’s track "Hard Lines". The band expressed dissatisfaction since EMI remixed the song without their approval, significantly altering its original sound. On this release, they were credited simply as The Raid.
As their momentum waned, Smith and Ace exited following a final Birmingham show in July 1980. Around this period, their second EP End of Part One (also referred to as The Hypnotist) was released, containing four tracks. Kimberley and Dark continued with new additions Mike Darby and Peter Green. Darby was succeeded by James Barrett in 1981 and then Steve Makin in 1982. During this time, they recorded the Electric Sun demo cassette but ultimately disbanded later that year after Kimberley and Dark left. A bootleg green vinyl LP compiling these recordings became sought-after among collectors. Both EPs were highlighted in the 2010 issue of Record Collector.
In 1983, Green and Makin enlisted drummer Roger Simms to attempt a revival under the name The Raid, with Makin handling guitar and vocals; however, this reformation did not achieve success. Subsequently, Makin joined Slade in 1993 following his tenure with Cozy Powell.
Malcolm Dome observed that although Jameson Raid showed considerable promise during the NWOBHM period, they never fully realized their potential.
The classic lineup reunited in 2008 and released a compilation album titled Just as the Dust Had Settled through Shadow Kingdom Records in March 2010. They also performed shows across Germany and the UK that July.
John Ace left once more in February 2011; Peter Green returned later that year after a temporary bassist filled in for their Download Festival appearance. By 2012, Ian Smith and Phil Kimberley had resumed other careers and were replaced by Kalli Kaldschmidt and Andreas 'Neudi' Neuderth from Roxxcaliber. In August 2013, drummer Lars Wickett joined due to Neudi's ongoing commitments with Manilla Road.
Jameson Raid continues to perform primarily throughout Europe with occasional concerts in the UK.
Current lineup
- Terry Dark – lead vocals
- Kalli Kaldschmidt – guitar, backing vocals
- Andreas "Neudi" Neuderth – drums, backing vocals
- Luud Tilly – bass guitar
Former members
June 1975
- John Ace – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Ian Smith – guitar, backing vocals
- Phil Kimberley – drums, backing vocals
- Stewart Harrod – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
December 1976 to July 1980
- John Ace – bass guitar
- Ian Smith – guitar
- Phil Kimberley – drums, backing vocals
- Terry Dark – lead vocals
1980 to 1981
- Terry Dark – lead vocals
- Mike Darby – guitar
- Peter Green – bass guitar
- Phil Kimberley – drums, backing vocals
1981
- Terry Dark – lead vocals
- James Barrett – guitar
- Peter Green – bass guitar
- Phil Kimberley – drums, backing vocals
1982
- Terry Dark – lead vocals
- Steve Makin – guitar
- Peter Green – bass guitar
- Phil Kimberley – drums, backing vocals
1983
- Steve Makin – guitar, backing vocals
- Peter Green – bass guitar
- Roger Simms – drums
2008 to February 2011
- Terry Dark – lead vocals
- Ian Smith – guitar, backing vocals
- John Ace – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Phil Kimberley – drums, backing vocals
2017
- Terry Dark – lead vocals
- Gavin Coulson – guitar, backing vocals
- Brendan O’Neil – drums
- Luud Tilly – bass guitar
2018 to present
- Terry Dark – lead vocals
- Eric "Kalli" Kaldschmidt – guitar, backing vocals
- Andreas "Neudi" Neuderth – drums
- Luud Tilly – bass guitar
Albums
- Seven Days of Splendour EP (GBH Records, 1979)
- End of Part One EP (Blackbird Records, 1980)
- Just as the Dust Had Settled LP (Shadow Kingdom Records SKR030CD, March 2010)
- Just as the Dust Had Settled Limited Edition Vinyl LP (High Roller Records HR141, July 2010)
- Jameson Raid Live at the O2 Academy Limited Edition Vinyl LP (High Roller Records HR180, June 2011)
- The Beginning of Part II Limited Edition Vinyl LP (High Roller Records HRR220, September 2012)
Tracks featured on sampler albums
- Metal for Muthas II (EMI Records, 1980), song: "Hard Lines"
- NWoBHM Vol. 2 (1992), song: "It's a Crime"
Compilation albums
- Jameson Raid (Phoenix Records)