{{Short description|English heavy metal band (1980–1983)}} {{About|the English heavy metal band|the American heavy metal band featuring Graham Bonnet and Yngwie Malmsteen|Alcatrazz}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Alkatrazz | image = | image_size = | image_upright = | landscape = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank --> | alt = | caption = | origin = Maidstone, England | genre = {{hlist|Heavy metal|hard rock}} | years_active = {{start date|1980}}–{{end date|1983}} | label = RCA | website = | current_members = | past_members = Craig Stevens *Bob Jenner *Nicko Parsons *Gary Bevan *Phillip Tame *Dave Saunders }}
'''Alkatrazz''' were an English heavy metal band from Maidstone, Kent, England.<ref name="LarkinHR">{{cite book|title=The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock|editor=Colin Larkin|publisher=Virgin Books|date=1999|edition=First|isbn=0-7535-0257-7|page=22}}</ref> Formed in 1980 as part of the new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM) movement, the group originally featured lead vocalist Craig Stevens, guitarist and backing vocalist Bob Jenner, bassist Gary Bevan, and drummer and backing vocalist Nick Parsons.<ref name="LarkinHR"/> In 1981 they signed to RCA Records and released their debut album ''Young Blood'', followed by their second ''Radio 5'' the following year. Shortly after the latter's release, Alkatrazz were dropped by the label. Bevan was briefly replaced by Phillip Tame, before the group disbanded in 1983.<ref name="LarkinHR"/>
==History== Bob Jenner and Nicko Parsons originally performed as part of jazz fusion band Interface, before being persuaded by their manager Tony Tullett to "move to a more rock direction".<ref name="interview">{{cite web |url=http://axe-crazy.blogspot.com/p/ga.html |title=Alkatrazz: "We were a little more musical than the standard bands of the time" |publisher=Axe Crazy |accessdate=15 February 2020 }}</ref> After bringing in bassist Gary Bevan, the group began rehearsing with a second guitarist, Dave Saunders. Craig Stevens was enlisted after responding to an advertisement in ''Melody Maker'' magazine.<ref name="interview"/> The band took on the name Alkatrazz and spent "around six months" performing local shows before they were signed by RCA Records, following a performance on the BBC Radio Kent Rock Show.<ref name="interview"/>
Alkatrazz recorded their debut album ''Young Blood'' at Magritte and Regents Park Studios in London, which was released in May 1981 preceded the month before by their first single "Rockin' High".<ref name="metallica">{{cite book |last=Harrigan |first=Brian |title=Encyclopaedia Metallica |date=1985 |location=London, England |publisher=Bobcat Books |isbn=978-0860019282 |page=1963 }}</ref> The band toured in promotion of the album alongside fellow NWOBHM acts Magnum, Tygers of Pan Tang and Samson.<ref name="allmusic">{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/alkatrazz-mn0001671657/biography |title=Alkatrazz: Biography & History |last=Rivadavia |first=Eduardo |publisher=AllMusic |accessdate=15 February 2020 }}</ref><ref name="metallica"/> Shortly after touring with Samson, Alkatrazz returned to the studio to record their second album ''Radio 5'', on which they adopted a sound more akin to American album-oriented rock (AOR) acts.<ref name="interview"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/alkatrazz-mn0000744412 |title=Alkatrazz: Biography & History |publisher=AllMusic |accessdate=15 February 2020 }}</ref> The album featured guest appearances by Toni Childs and Mel Collins.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.discogs.com/Alkatrazz-Radio-5/release/2702915 |title=Alkatrazz - Radio 5 (1982, Vinyl) |publisher=Discogs |accessdate=15 February 2020 }}</ref>
Shortly after the release of ''Radio 5'', however, Alkatrazz were dropped by RCA.<ref name="allmusic"/> Bevan was fired from the band around the same time, which, according to Stevens, was "a knee jerk reaction born out of frustration", and was replaced by their sound engineer Phillip Tame.<ref name="interview"/> Despite several sources claiming that Parsons was replaced by former Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr in 1983,<ref name="allmusic"/> he was not; Burr had joined Alcatrazz, an American group with a similar name. Bevan has commented on Burr reportedly having joined, "I have no idea where that one came from but I do think it's quite funny."<ref name="interview"/> Shortly thereafter, Alkatrazz disbanded.<ref name="allmusic"/>
==Members== *Craig Stevens – lead vocals {{small|(1980–83)}} *Bob Jenner – guitar, backing vocals {{small|(1980–83)}} *Nicko Parsons – drums, percussion, backing vocals {{small|(1980–83)}} *Gary Bevan – bass {{small|(1980–82)}} *Phillip Tame – bass {{small|(1982–83)}} *Dave Saunders - guitar {{small|(1980)}}
==Discography== '''Studio albums''' *''Young Blood'' (1981) *''Radio 5'' (1982) '''Singles''' *"Rockin' High" (1981) *"You and the Night" (1981) *"Think It Over" (1982)
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:Musical groups from Kent Category:English hard rock musical groups Category:English heavy metal musical groups Category:New Wave of British Heavy Metal musical groups Category:RCA Records artists Category:Musical groups established in 1980 Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1983