Wrathchild
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1980 in Evesham, Worcestershire, England |
| Founder | Marc Angel, Philip Vokins |
| Headquarters | Evesham , England, United Kingdom |
Area served | United Kingdom, United States |
Key people | Rocky Shades (lead vocals), Oz Paul (guitar), Jonny Suicide (bass guitar), Gaz Wilde (drums), Jay Pegg (guitar) |
| Products | Studio albums, EPs, singles, live performances |
Number of employees | 5 (band members) |
Wrathchild—also referred to as Wrathchild UK in the United States to avoid confusion with Wrathchild America—is a British glam metal group established in 1980, emerging alongside American contemporaries such as Mötley Crüe. The band set itself apart within the UK scene through a D.I.Y. ethic, theatrical live performances, and a signature glam metal aesthetic characterized by platform footwear and voluminous, teased hairstyles.
From 2005 until 2009, the band toured under the name Psychowrath before reverting to Wrathchild in 2009. Since 2023, they have been performing as Wrathchild Feat. Rocky Shades. Throughout their history, Wrathchild has experienced numerous lineup alterations and internal disputes. The 'classic' formation—comprising Rocky Shades, Lance Rocket, Marc Angel, and Eddie Starr—maintained an extensive touring schedule for ten years. Up until 2023, bassist Marc Angel remained the sole continuous member; recent incarnations include original frontman Rocky Shades alongside fresh personnel.
History
Wrathchild originated in October 1980 in Evesham, Worcestershire, founded by Marc Angel and Philip Vokins (previously of Sinner). They enlisted Robert Barclay (known as Rocky Shades) as their lead singer and Brian Parry on drums. In 1981, Vokins departed to join Bill Ward’s Max Havoc in the United States, with Parry leaving at the same time. Subsequently, Vokins played with Tyrant and Persian Risk.
By 1982, temporary guitarist Kevin Kozak was succeeded by Lance Rocket, while drummer Eddie Starr from Medusa joined the lineup. This ensemble formed the core group responsible for the band’s decade-long period of touring and recording.
Following early demo releases such as Classical Mayhem / Mascara Massacre (1982), Wrathchild secured a contract with Bullet Records, issuing their debut EP Stackheel Strutt in 1983. Their inaugural studio album, Stakk Attakk (1984), featured singles including "Doing Alright with the Boys"—a cover of Gary Glitter—and "Trash Queen".
Despite achieving moderate recognition, Wrathchild encountered contractual challenges with Heavy Metal Records; meanwhile, major label RCA made unsuccessful attempts to sign them. In 1984, they released the video collection War Machine.
After settling label disputes, their sophomore album The Biz Suxx (1988) was released, containing the single "Nukklear Rokket" accompanied by a promotional video produced by Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden, who also made an appearance in it. The video was directed and edited by Ron Kennedy.
Their third studio effort, Delirium (1989), featured backing vocals from Steve Grimmett of Grim Reaper. Following this release, Rocky Shades left to join punk outfit Discharge, and with the emergence of grunge music, Wrathchild disbanded in 1991. Plans for a fourth album were ultimately abandoned.
Post-split activities
During the 1990s and early 2000s, former members engaged in various musical ventures. Marc Angel played bass in underground alternative rock band Bang Bang Machine, while Rocky Shades performed with a Blues Brothers tribute act and led The Handsome Beasts between 2007 and 2013.
A reunion for Wrathchild was arranged in 2005. Although initial discussions included Rocky Shades, his touring commitments with "The Birmingham Blues Brothers" caused delays in his involvement, prompting the band to bring on a different vocalist.
Wrathchild and Psychowrath 2005–2013
In 2005, Marc Angel, Eddie Starr, and Phil Vokins established a band named "Psychowrath," introducing Gaz Harris (formerly of Beyond Recognition) as their new vocalist. By 2009, they secured the trademarks for both Wrathchild and Wrathchild UK, prompting a return to the original band name. On 23 August 2011, they released the album Stakkattakktwo through Perris Records.
Marc Angel underscored the distinctive brand identity of "Wrathchild," noting its unique glam metal style deeply influenced by punk roots. The album Stakkattakktwo earned acclaim as the Best Album of 2011 from critics and readers at Grande-Rock.com.
In August 2013, Gaz Harris left to pursue opportunities with Gypsy Pistoleros and Psycho Dollz, leading to another dissolution of Wrathchild.
Rocky Shades' Wrathchild
In 2006, former lead singer Rocky Shades created "Rocky Shades' Wrathchild" (R.S.W.). They recorded a demo titled Dead Good, which was briefly available on their Myspace profile. Early members included guitarist Clem Dallaway, with later additions Jon Sudbury and James Crofts. The band was slated to perform at the Hard Rock Hell III festival in December 2009 but was removed in October after promoters concluded that the lineup—with only one original member and lacking rights to use the band name for promotion—did not authentically represent the original group, comparing it to booking Genesis without Phil Collins.
Wildside Riot
In December 2010, Rocky Shades launched a new project called "Wildside Riot," distinct from Wrathchild. The initial lineup featured Shades on vocals, Gaz Wilde on drums, guitarists Iggie Pistolero and Rob D'Var, and Nat Kidd on bass, who was later replaced by James Crofts (formerly of R.S.W.). Later configurations included Shades, Wilde, Joss Riot, Jimmy Gunn on guitars, and Marty Mayhem on bass.
Wildside Riot officially debuted in July 2011 and performed several UK shows between May and July 2012. Their first album, No Second Take, was released on 28 January 2013 in both CD and digital formats. A music video for the title track was released ahead of the album. The band earned a Saturday performance slot at Hard Rock Hell VI in December 2012, boosting their presence in the festival circuit.
Wrathchild featuring Rocky Shades, Still Here In The Freakshow and Future Bomb (since 2023)
Towards the end of 2019, Rocky Shades resumed live performances under the banner "Rocky Shades' Wrathchild."
Following prolonged legal disputes over the Wrathchild name, ownership officially reverted to Rocky Shades in March 2023. The band was rebranded simply as Wrathchild, now operating as a five-piece ensemble characterized by a heavier sound more faithful to its original ethos. Previous founding members had either retired or moved away from the genre.
By 2023, new material was underway, including the single "Freakshow" alongside a revamped version of "Trash Queen." This marked Rocky Shades’ first release under the Wrathchild name since their 1989 album Delirium. On July 27, 2023, "Still Here In The Freakshow" debuted on Hard Rock Hell Radio.
As of 2025, a four-track EP entitled Still Here in the Freakshow was being recorded at Abatis Recording Studio in Honiley, with production led by Jon Priestley of The Godfathers. On September 8, 2025, the band revealed plans for their fifth studio album, Future Bomb, anticipated for release in 2026.
Current members
- Rocky Shades (Rob Barclay) – lead vocals (1980–1990, 2023–present)
- Oz Paul – guitar (2023–present)
- Jonny Suicide – bass guitar (2023–present)
- Gaz Wilde (Gary Hunt) – drums (2023–present)
- Jay Pegg – guitar (2024–present)
Former members
- Brian "Thunderburst" Parry – drums (1980–1981)
- Phil Wrathchild (Phil Vokins) – guitar, backing vocals (1980–1981, 2005–2013)
- Kevin Kozak (Kevin Hunt) – guitar (1982)
- Marc Angel (Stanley Wood) – bass guitar, backing vocals (1980–1990, 2005–2013)
- Lance Rocket (Lance Perkins) – guitar, backing vocals (1982–1990)
- Eddie Starr (Edward Smith) – drums (1981–1990, 2005–2013)
- Gaz Psychowrath (Gary Harris) – lead vocals (2005–2013)
- Bret Patrucci – guitar (2023–2024)
Band line-ups
| Line-Up 1 (1980–1981) |
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|---|---|
| Line-Up 2 (1982) |
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| Line-Up 3 (1982–1990) |
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| Line-Up 4 (2005–2013) |
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| Line-Up 5 (2023–2024) |
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| Line-Up 6 (2024–present) |
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Studio albums
- Stakk Attakk (1984)
- The Biz Suxx (1988)
- Delirium (1989)
- Stakkattakktwo (2011)
- Future Bomb (2026)
Extended plays
- Stackheel Strutt (1983)
- Still Here in the Freakshow (2025)
Compilation albums
- Trash Queens (1985)
Singles
- "Do You Want My Love?" (1982)
- "Alrite with the Boyz" (1984)
- "Trash Queen" (1984)
- "Nukklear Rokket" (1988)
- "Still Here In The Freakshow" (2023)
Demo recordings
- Mascara Massacre (1982)
Video releases
- Live in London / War Machine (1984)