Quartz (British band)

Quartz

Quartz are a British heavy metal band.

History

Quartz dates back to as early as 1974 when they were known as Bandy Legs. They signed to Jet Records in 1976 and supported Black Sabbath and AC/DC. The band changed their name to Quartz for their 1977 debut album, Quartz. The album was produced by Tony Iommi and Quartz toured with Black Sabbath to support this release. Queen guitarist Brian May handled guitar on "Circles," which also features Ozzy Osbourne on backing vocals. This track did not appear on the album but would turn up as the b-side to the "Stoking the Fires of Hell" single.

Quartz toured heavily during this time, playing the Reading Festival thrice (1976, 1977 and 1980) and touring in support of some of the larger NWOBHM and Hard Rock bands of the time (Iron Maiden, Saxon, UFO and Rush).

Quartz released their second studio album, Stand Up and Fight, in 1980 and their third, Against All Odds, in 1983 before calling it quits. In 1979 Geoff Nicholls left to join Black Sabbath. He contributed keyboards and songwriting from 1980s Heaven and Hell on.

Members

• Mike Taylor - vocals
• Mike Hopkins - guitar
• Geoff Nicholls - guitar/keyboard
• Derek Arnold - bass
• Malcolm Cope - drums

Discography

Studio albums

• Quartz (Jet Records 1977)
• Stand Up and Fight (MCA Records 1980)
• Against All Odds (Heavy Metal Records 1983)
• Resurrection (Neat Records 1996)

Singles

• "Street Fighting Lady" (Jet Records 1977)
• "Stoking Up the Fires of Hell" (MCA Records 1980)
• "Satan's Serenade" (Logo Records 1980)
• "Nantucket Sleighride" (Reddingtons Rare Records 1980)
• "Stand Up and Fight" (MCA Records 1981)
• "Tell Me Why" (Heavy Metal Records 1983)

Live/Compilation

• Live Quartz (Reddingtons Rare Records 1980)
• Satan's Serenade (Castle Records 2004)