Stampede (band)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1981 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Hard rock music |
| Website | www |
Stampede is a hard rock group from the United Kingdom, established in 1981 by the songwriting partnership of Reuben Archer and Laurence Archer. They signed with Polydor Records and rose to prominence during the new wave of British heavy metal era. The band dissolved in 1983, after which guitarist Laurence Archer went on to join UFO and Phil Lynott's project Grand Slam. Stampede reunited in 2009 and subsequently released the album A Sudden Impulse on 9 May 2011 through Grind That Axe, an imprint of Rock Candy Records.
Before Stampede (Lautrec, Lionheart & Wild Horses)
The foundation of Stampede traces back to the collaboration between vocalist and songwriter Reuben Archer and his stepson, guitarist and songwriter Laurence Archer. Their initial significant venture was the hard rock outfit Lautrec, formed in 1977, which featured Steve Holbrook on keyboards, Simon Riddler handling bass duties, and drummer Clive Deamer, who later gained recognition with Portishead and Robert Plant's Strange Sensation. Before embarking on a support tour with Saxon, Deamer departed and was succeeded by Steve Jones. Lautrec completed two tours supporting Saxon and issued the single "Shoot Out the Lights" / "Mean Gasoline" on Street Tunes, now considered a rare collectible within the NWOBHM scene.
In 1980, Reuben joined Lionheart, led by former Iron Maiden guitarist Dennis Stratton. However, lacking a record contract, he soon transitioned to Wild Horses, collaborating with Jimmy Bain and bringing Laurence Archer into the fold alongside drummer Frank Noon. This lineup struggled to gain momentum, prompting Reuben, Laurence, and Frank to establish Stampede. They completed their initial roster by adding keyboardist Alan Nelson and bassist Colin Bond (formerly of Stormtrooper).
Days of Wine & Roses EP and The Official Bootleg (1981–1982)
Under the management of Roulette Music and supported by an advance from Polydor Records, Stampede recorded six tracks at Cave Studios in Bristol. Polydor signed them in 1981 and released four of these tracks as the EP Days of Wine and Roses.
The band maintained residencies at London's renowned Marquee Club and took part in the 1982 Mildenhall as well as the Reading Festival. Drummer Frank Noon exited to join Bernie Tormé, with Eddie Parsons stepping in as his replacement. Despite sustaining injuries to his hip and thigh before the festivals, vocalist Reuben performed using crutches. Keyboardist Alan Nelson left the group during this period; however, bassist Colin Bond supplemented their sound with Taurus pedals, allowing them to continue as a quartet.
Polydor issued live recordings from Mildenhall and Reading under the title Stampede: The Official Bootleg.
Between 1982 and 1983, Stampede participated in sessions for BBC’s Tommy Vance show, Capital Radio’s Fluff Freeman Rock Show, as well as a BBC In Concert broadcast alongside contemporaries such as Girlschool.
Hurricane Town and "The Other Side" (1983)
In 1983, Stampede released their studio album Hurricane Town, which featured keyboard contributions from Mark Stanway of Magnum. Polydor also put out the single "The Other Side".
To promote the album, they embarked on a support tour with Gary Moore, which followed a residency in Portugal. This tour extended into the post-Christmas period of 1983.
Disbandment
Although a follow-up studio album was in development, Stampede ultimately dissolved following Reuben’s hospitalization due to complications from hip surgery and illness. This, combined with a downturn in the rock and metal markets and insufficient label backing, led to the band's breakup.
After the split, Reuben established a design firm. Colin Bond went on to collaborate with Meat Loaf. Laurence joined forces with Phil Lynott and Mark Stanway in Grand Slam. After Lynott's passing, Laurence became part of the British rock group UFO before eventually transitioning into the film industry.
Reunion
In 2006, Rock Candy Records issued a remastered edition of Stampede's final studio album, Hurricane Town, which was originally released by Polydor Records in 1983. This re-release included enhanced original recordings, four additional tracks from the Lautrec archives, and a 16-page colour booklet featuring liner notes written by journalists Malcolm Dome, Dante Bonutto, Derek Oliver, along with a foreword penned by Reuben Archer.
On 2 January 2009, Reuben Archer reached out to Colin Bond and Laurence Archer to reform Stampede. This led to their reunion performance at London's Embassy Club in Mayfair on 25 May 2009. Following several shows, the group decided to produce a new album. However, scheduling difficulties arose, and when Laurence became unavailable due to professional obligations, Reuben brought in guitarists Rob Wolverson and Chris Clowsley to help complete the project. Laurence and Reuben had already composed and recorded five tracks; the remainder was finished by Reuben alongside Wolverson, Clowsley, original bassist Colin Bond, and new drummer Steve Graystone. The album, entitled A Sudden Impulse, was recorded at Track 21 Studios (Weston-super-Mare), Dartington Hall Studios (Devon), and Mad Hat Studios (Wolverhampton).
Stampede’s first live show after reuniting took place in 2010 at Birmingham's Meltdown Festival, where they supported headliner Blaze Bayley. The album was released through Rock Candy Records on 9 May 2011 to positive critical reception, preceded by the single "Having Fun" released one month earlier.
Throughout 2011, Stampede performed various live dates including appearances at festivals such as Devon Rox in Exeter and Hard Rock Hell V in Prestatyn. Although plans were made for a second reunion album in 2012, it did not come to fruition. On 29 September 2012, Stampede appeared at the Denim and Leather NWOBHM festival in Wolverhampton alongside bands like Praying Mantis, Weapon, Gaskin, and Agincourt.
Current members
- Reuben Archer (vocals)
- Laurence Archer (lead guitar)
- Chris Clowsley (guitar)
- Rob Wolverson (guitar)
- Colin Bond (bass)
- Steve Graystone (drums)
The current lineup of Stampede includes founding members Reuben and Laurence Archer as well as Colin Bond. They are joined by guitarist Chris Clowsley and drummer Steve Graystone (also known as Stevie G). During the recording sessions for A Sudden Impulse in 2010, Laurence was temporarily unable to participate due to work commitments; consequently, Rob Wolverson contributed both writing and recording support.
Discography
- Days of Wine and Roses (EP, 1982) – Polydor Records
- "Days of Wine and Roses"
- "Moving On"
- "Photographs"
- "Missing You"
- The Official Bootleg (Live album, 1982) – Polydor Records
- "Missing You"
- "Moving On"
- "Days of Wine and Roses"
- "Hurricane Town"
- "Shadows of the Night"
- "Baby Driver"
- "The Runner"
- "There and Back"
- Hurricane Town (Studio album, 1983) – Polydor Records
- "I've Been Told"
- "Love Letters"
- "Casino Junkie"
- "The Other Side"
- "Turning in Circles"
- "Hurricane Town"
- "Girl"
- "The Runner"
- "Mexico"
- "The Other Side" (7" Single, 1983) – Polydor Records
- "The Other Side"
- "The Runner"
- Hurricane Town (Remastered studio album, 2006) – Rock Candy Records
Features original tracks plus bonus songs from Lautrec: "Midnight at the Moulin Rouge," "Red Light Ruby," "Mean Gasoline," and "Shoot Out the Lights."
- A Sudden Impulse (Studio album, 2011) – Grind That Axe/Rock Candy Records
- "Send Me Down an Angel"
- "Jessie"
- "Having Fun"
- "Make a Change"
- "Hard Rock Hell"
- "This Road"
- "Homeward Bound"
- "Shame on You"
- "Natural Disaster"
- "Humble Pie"
- "Flaming Gold"
- Bonus tracks: "Recharged," "Flaming Gold" (Acoustic version)