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Lightning Raiders

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Lightning Raiders
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
FoundedAugust 1977
FounderJohnny Hodge, Andy Allan, Duncan Sanderson, Jorge Panchito, Michael Wilding
Defunct1982; 2012
Headquarters
London
,
England
ProductsMusic recordings (singles, EPs, album)

Lightning Raiders was an English pub rock ensemble prominently led by Johnny Hodge.[1] Their discography includes two singles, an extended play, and an album that was not released until 2013.

Career

Established in August 1977, the founding members comprised Johnny Hodge (known as Little John) on guitar, Andy Allan handling guitar and vocals, Duncan ('Danger Sun') Sanderson—formerly of Pink Fairies—on bass and vocals, Jorge Panchito on drums, and Michael Wilding playing saxophone.[2]

In February 1978, former Pink Fairies drummer and vocalist Twink issued the EP "Do It '77," which featured contributions from Sanderson and Hodge.[3] Initially, Twink had recorded a single with his usual band lineup but opted to jam "Do It" with Lightning Raiders after Chiswick Records declined the track.[4] According to Sanderson, Twink recorded the jam session spontaneously without rehearsal.[5] The EP was released under the name 'Twink & The Fairies'. The band adopted a flexible roster, at one point performing unrehearsed as The Pink Fairies alongside Larry Wallis and Sanderson to fulfill live dates.

"Psychedelic Musik"

On 31 March 1980, a lineup consisting of Little John on guitar, Andy Allan on bass, with Paul Cook and Steve Jones—both formerly of the Sex Pistols—on drums and guitar respectively, released the 7" single "Psychedelic Musik" via Arista Records. Although Cook and Jones were not official members, they participated as a gesture of gratitude toward Allan, who had played bass on the Sex Pistols' single "Silly Thing".

"Criminal World"

In November 1980, Hodge and Sanderson assembled a new formation featuring lead vocalist Gass Wild (who later worked with Johnny Thunders and Chrissie Hynde Band), guitarist Bruce Irvine (subsequently part of Sean Tyla's Tyla Gang), and drummer George Butler (formerly of Kilburn and the High Roads).

By 1981, this group released the track "Criminal World" through Revenge Records and recorded a 12" EP produced by Will Reid Dick for Island Records under the Revenge imprint. The EP included "Sweet Revenge," "Rowdies," "Addiction," and "Soul Rescue." Intended as a preview for their album Sweet Revenge, the band was dropped by Island Records in December 1981, rendering the EP a rare collector's item.

The Lightning Raiders developed a following within the club scene, playing venues such as Dingwalls, the Marquee Club, the Music Machine, and The Venue. They frequently supported heavy rock trio Killerhertz, comprising Hugo Mallett on guitar, Doug McArthur on bass, and ex-Chelsea drummer Marc Rathbone. Another supporting act was glam outfit Kitsch, which shared management with Lightning Raiders; Kitsch's bassist Paul Raven later joined the influential band Killing Joke. In 1981, Lightning Raiders, Killerhertz, and former member Andy Allan performed at the Stonehenge Free Festival. Additionally, Little John briefly collaborated with Chelsea and performed live alongside Lena Zavaroni.

Hodge exited the band in February 1982; Sanderson and Butler briefly continued working together with Larry Wallis before reviving Pink Fairies and subsequently joining The Deviants, after Butler was replaced by Russell Hunter. Johnny Hodge also contributed to Bert Jansch’s album Edge of a Dream, writing and performing "La Luna," inspired by occultist Aleister Crowley. Jansch returned the favor by playing second guitar on several tracks of Hodge’s solo release La Luna.

Sweet Revenge

A truncated edition of the Lightning Raiders' previously unreleased album, Sweet Revenge, was made available in 2013.

NYC reunion / Lost Rockers

In 2009, Johnny Hodge and Gass Wild reunited in New York City for two Lightning Raiders reunion performances, which featured guest musicians from the United States. These events were held to support the documentary and book titled Lost Rockers. The film includes commendations from Lemmy of Motörhead.

Present day

Johnny Hodge died in Camden Town in 2012; George Butler and Duncan Sanderson have also passed away. Andy Allan continues his musical career with the folk ensemble Hank Dogs, having released two albums and toured alongside Joan Baez. Gass Wild fronts the New York City group The Love Pirates, a name inspired by Larry Wallis's project from the 1980s.

Members

Original line-up

  • "Little" John Hodge – lead guitar
  • Andy Allan – rhythm guitar, lead vocals
  • Duncan Sanderson – bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Jorge Panchito – drums and percussion
  • Michael Wilding – saxophone

"Psychedelic Musik" line-up

  • "Little" John Hodge – guitar, backing vocals
  • Andy Allan – bass guitar, lead vocals
  • Steve Jones – guitar
  • Paul Cook – drums and percussion

1980–1982 line-up

  • John Hodge – lead guitar
  • Gass Wild – lead vocals
  • Duncan Sanderson – bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Bruce Irvine – rhythm guitar
  • George Butler – drums and percussion

2011–2012 line-up

  • Johnny Hodge – lead guitar
  • Gass Wild – lead vocals
  • Randy Gregg – bass guitar
  • Fuz – rhythm guitar
  • Tony Mann – drums and percussion

Discography

LP
  • 2013 – Sweet Revenge (Rock Candy Records CANDY 135) (Recorded 1980–1981)
Singles and EP
  • 1980 – "Psychedelic Musik" b/w "Views" (Arista 341)
  • 1981 – "Criminal World" b/w "Citizens" (Revenge Records REVS 200)
  • 1981 – Sweet Revenge EP: "Sweet Revenge" / "Rowdies" / "Addiction" / "Soul Rescue" (Revenge Records RSS 39)
Compilations
  • 1980 – "Views" live on The Moonlight Tapes (Danceville Records D1)
  • 1997 – "Sweet Revenge" included as a bonus on Son of Ham (UHCK 002)
  • 1997 – "Addiction" and "Rowdies" featured on Hogwatch - For a Few Rashers More (UHCK 003)
  • 2009 – "Didja" included on Punks from the Underground (Skydog Records 62243-2)

External links

  1. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  2. ↑ The Complete Rock Family Trees, by Pete Frame (Omnibus Press, 1993), ISBN 978-0711904651
  3. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  4. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
  5. ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2123: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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