Strapps
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1975 |
| Founder | Mick Underwood, Ross Stagg, Joe Reed, Noel Scott |
| Defunct | 1979 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Products | Studio albums, live albums, singles |
Strapps was a British hard rock ensemble established in 1975, recognized for their direct rock compositions and a bold visual style shaped by photographer Mick Rock. They supported acts such as Deep Purple and the Ian Gillan Band during tours and produced four studio albums.
Biography
The group originated when drummer Mick Underwood joined forces with Australian vocalist and guitarist Ross Stagg, along with bassist Joe Reed and keyboardist Noel Scott. Following prolonged rehearsals, they secured a contract with EMI's Harvest imprint and recorded their first album at Ian Gillan's Kingsway Recorders studio in London. The production was handled by Roger Glover, who also arranged a television appearance on Supersonic in March 1977.
Although the band toured widely, they encountered backlash due to promotional images featuring a topless model, which sparked demonstrations at certain university gigs. Nevertheless, they achieved considerable visibility by supporting labelmate Deep Purple on their concluding UK and Japan tours.
Their sophomore album, Secret Damage, was tracked at Island Records' Basing Street studios with producer Chris Kimsey, preserving the band's established sound. Unlike earlier releases, the album artwork primarily showcased band photographs, reducing prior provocative elements.
In 1977, Strapps acted as the opening act for the Ian Gillan Band during a UK tour. Despite strong live performances, particularly in Japan, commercial success was limited, resulting in their departure from the label. They did manage to obtain a smaller distribution agreement in Japan. Their third studio effort, Prisoner Of Your Love, was produced by Pip Williams at The Manor studio. For their final album, Ball Of Fire, recorded once more at Kingsway Recorders, Noel Scott had exited and was replaced by second guitarist Ray McRiner. The band dissolved in 1979 after Underwood became a member of Gillan.
In 2008, Angel Air Records released Live at the Rainbow 1977, documenting a London performance where Strapps opened for The Ian Gillan Band.
Studio albums
- Strapps (1976)
- Secret Damage (1977)
- Prisoner of Your Love (1978)
- Ball of Fire (1979)
Live albums
- Live at the Rainbow 1977 (2008)
Singles
- "All Thru the Night" / "Understand It" (Promo only, Japan, 1977)
- "In Your Ear" / "Rita B" (Harvest, 1976)
- "Child of the City" / "Soft Touch" (Harvest, 1977)
- "Turn Out Alright" / "Take It, Break It" (Harvest, 1978)
Members
- Ross Stagg – lead vocals, guitar (1975–1979)
- Joe Read – bass (1975–1979); later affiliated with American groups the Textones and Code Blue
- Mick Underwood – drums (1975–1979)
- Noel Scott – keyboards (1975–1978)
- Ray McRiner – rhythm guitar (1979)