The Journey of Weapon
‘Metallica opened its early live sets (and ‘Kill em all’ album) with ‘Hit the Lights’, a song that begins with a noisy two – chord flourish meant to evoke the opening of a concert. However, in a further illustration of NWOBHM’s important role in Metallica’s musical direction, the opening chords- drum fills and all seem to have been lifted directly from Weapon’s ‘Set the Stage alight’, the 1980 release from the influential fledgling NWOBHM band.
(C) Metallica Biography ‘Damage Incorporated’ Published 2006
1980
Weapon were formed in March 1980 by Vocalist Danny Hynes & Guitarist Jeff Summers. After a couple of gigs they replaced the original rhythm section, bringing in a couple of their friends, bassist Baz Downes & drummer Bruce Bisland. A showcase for Laurie Dunn, then head of Virgin Publishing, resulted in the band being immediately signed to a worldwide deal with Virgin. After playing a gig at The Virgin owned ‘Venue’ in London, Motorhead guitarist Eddie Clarke (who happened to be in the audience) suggested to the band that Weapon should open for Motorhead on their forthcoming U.K. tour. A showcase gig was hastily arranged at The Music Machine, Camden for Motorhead and their management, after which Weapon were offered, and accepted, the tour!
The 32 date ‘Ace Up Your Sleeve’ UK tour began at The Gaumont, Ipswich, on October 22n, ending with four ‘Sell Out’ shows at London’s iconic Hammersmith Odeon on the 29th November 1980.
During the tour, on the 13th Nov’, Weapon released their first single, the double A sided Mad Mad World / Set The Stage Alight. The latter reaching number 2 in the Sounds heavy metal charts. They also recorded several tracks for an album to be called ‘Set The Stage Alight’ which didn’t actually see the light of day until 2003 when it was released on Zoom Club Records. The band toured for the next 18 months before management/contractual problems arose, forcing the band to split. The boys remained, and still are, the best of friends, so much so, that in Summer 2005, they re-grouped to celebrate what would have been their 25th anniversary.
After a couple of warm-up shows in London they headed of to Germany to play the Headbangers Open-Air Ball on Saturday 8th July, 2005. The boys then went their separate ways again, Danny returned to his band, Paddy Goes To Holyhead, Bruce to Andy Scott’s Sweet and Jeff to Statetrooper. Sadly, Baz, had to retire from live music due to illness.
Danny & Jeff would soon discuss the idea of getting the band back together and finish what they started all those years ago. Unfortunately, Bruce was unavailable due his commitments with Andy Scott’s Sweet and with the now retired Baz, a new rhythm section was needed. The new line-up debuted to a sold-out show at London’s premier rock venue, The Peel and were subsequently offered billing at the Hard Rock Hell Festival with Wasp and Queensryche.
Rave reviews and ecstatic audiences prompted the band to consider recording an album of new material.
2011
The band goes into the Scream Studios, Croydon and decide they should release a single (the band’s first single in over 30 years!). A promo video was shot on the roof of The Harlequin Theatre in Redhill, Surrey and, the Jeff Summers penned ‘Ready 4 U’ , was digitally released worldwide on June 6th to rave reviews. The band were then offered a spot at the Aero Rock Starz Festival in Bulgaria on July 9th where they played a blinding set in the 40 degrees heat. They certainly ‘Set The Stage Alight’
2012
Following dates across the UK & Europe it was back to Scream Studios, where work starts seriously on the new album. One memorable day being when Baz and Bruce came in to re-record ‘Killer Instinct’ an old 1980 demo written by Danny . The circle was complete. Danny and Jeff, the old and new rhythm sections, all together. There may have been a beer or two in the pub after that session!
With the album finally recorded, mixed and major interest from several management and record companies everything was set to go when the band are hit with a legal action over the rights to the band name. This, frustratingly, delayed everything for over a year. To cut a very, very long story short they failed to renew the name they’d registered since 1980. With the threat of a lawsuit, the band decided to add (UK) to their name.
2014
The album ‘Rising From The Ashes is released to ‘critical acclaim’ at a sold out show at The Purple Turtle, London. Following UK dates in November 2014 Weapon parted company with their drummer. After a two month search the band announced his replacement, Australian powerhouse Darren Lee, who so impressed the band at his audition that he was immediately offered and, thankfully, accepted the job!
2015
The band was back on the road again with dates in the UK and an appearance at the Matarock festival in Barcelona followed by dates in The UK, The Netherlands, Germany & Belgium.
2016
The year began with an appearance at Brofest (uk) #4 in Newcastle on February 21st and continued with more gigs across Europe.
August saw the re-release/repackaged ’35 Anniversary Edition’ of the ‘Set The Stage Alight’ album on Blood & Iron Records, which contains all the bands material from 1980/1 plus two live tracks from their appearance at The Headbangers-Open-Air Ball, Germany in 2005.The original 1980 line-up of Hynes, Summers, Downes & Bisland play on all tracks.
2017
Former ‘Rogue Male’ bassist, Tony Forsythe, joins the band, making his debut with the band on Thursday 26th January at The Bomber Bar, Motala during a series of Swedish dates. In March they band return, yet again, to Scream Studios to record a cover of the Thin Lizzy’s ‘The Rocker’ and re-record ‘Set The Stage Alight’ 2017, with the new line up. During the coming months the band will begin work on a new album. Watch this space!
2018
Another series of gigs in the England, Scotland and Belgium, Norway, including an appearance at Jam At The Farm – A Tribute to the late legendary record producer Chris Tsangarides. Writing begins on the new album. Meanwhile, in April, Pure Steel Records re-release Rising From The Ashes in CD & DDL format. Followed by a limited edition in Vinyl on September 28th. The album was launched a ‘Sell Out’ at the biggest little club in London, The Cavern Freehouse. On November 30th sees another Limited-Edition vinyl release. ‘Set The Stage Alight – The Anthology’ Featuring the original line-up of Hynes, Summers, Downes & Bisland’s 1980’s recordings. Between gigs the band entered Scream Studios to begin work on the new album, Ghosts of War.
2019
Back into Scream Studios to finish the album. On the title track Ghosts Of War Danny felt there the Mid 8 needed an Irish female voice so asked his friend, former Thundermother vocalist, Clare Cunningham if she would do it. Clare was delighted to oblige and recorded her part in the USA where she is building a successful career. . Some more road work, including an appearance at Mearfest on Sunday 2nd June. With the album, produced by the band, completed it’s time to find someone to mix it. After a couple of false starts Tony suggests Pete Newdeck@ PN Productions who was thankfully available and did an amazing job! The single, Ghosts Of War, was digitally released on 29thAugust and the album will be released worldwide by Pure Steel Records and distributed by The Orchard/Sony on Friday 27th September.
2020
Plans to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the bands formation with a European tour were postponed due to the Coronavirus epidemic.. Meanwhile we’ve unearthed a couple of cassettes of the band live on Motörhead’s ‘Ace Up Your Sleeve’ Tour These have since been digitised and mastered and will be released, warts and all, on limited edition vinyl in March or April 2021. November 16th we received the very sad news that our great friend, and original bass player, Baz Downes had died.
2021
Weapon begins the year writing the follow up to Ghosts Of War. Tentatively titled ‘Forewarned Is Forearmed’
Meanwhile we await the end of the pandemic so we can get back on the road and Set The Stage Alight!
June 2021:
Our bass player Tony Forsythe is diagnosed with prostrate cancer and steps down from the band while receiving treatment. However, he will record tracks for the next Weapon album remotely from London. Meanwhile our Swedish friend Robert Majd (Captain Black Beard, Metalite and Nighthawk) will dep on forthcoming gigs.
August 18th 2021:
Jeff Summers decides to leave the band!
October: Weapon enters Wing Studios, Stockholm to record a new single Electric Power, written by Danny Hynes & Robert Majd
Mano Lewys – Guitars
Marcus Johansson – Drums
Tony Forsythe – Bass
Robert Majd – Backing vocals
November 13th: Sees the worldwide digital release of the single Electric Power.
After 25 months away from live work, due to Covid, Weapon return with a bang at WinterStorm festival, Troon in Scotland on November 27th Followed by an appearance at Bannermans, Edinburgh on the 28th With Danny centre stage, the line-up on these shows was completed with the Swedish trio of Hakan Granat (Guitar/Vocals) Robert Majd (Bass/Vocals) and Andreas Westerlund (Drums) It´s great to be back!
January 2022 will see the band return to Wing Studios, Stockholm to complete the new album. February 4th Weapon play The Cavern, London February 5th They open for Diamond Head at KK´s Steel Mill, Wolverhampton
May 2022
With the help of his good friend and song writing partner Robert Majd, Danny organised a concert to aid the Ukrainian war victims. Rock For Ukraine took place at The Hard Rock Café, Stockholm on May 29th. The line-up included Electric Boys, Weapon, Captain Black Beard, Black Paisley, Degreed, Ukraiain band Open Lock and Ukrainian born solo artist Mariana Ammouria.
August 9th
Danny, along with friends Robert Majd & Hakan Granat played an acoustic set at second charity concert for Ukraine. They we joined by a host of Swedish and Ukrainian stars.
September 2022
Sees work on the new album continue. With bassist Tony Forsythe still receiving treatment for prostrate cancer in London he is recording his bass parts remotely and sending the files to Wing Studios, Stockholm where Danny is recording his vocals..
November 2022
Weapon fly out to Belgium to appear at The All Star Festival, Antwerp on Sunday 27th
December 2022
Weapon are ´Special Guests at the Captain Black Beard´s Neon Sunrise´´ release party´, onboard Vieille Montagne boat in Stockholm
January 4th 2023
Weapon play The King´s Call, Stockholm, An evening celebrating the life of Danny´s fellow Irishman, and friend, the late Philip Lynott
February 2023
Weapon sign a worldwide record deal with German label Pride & Joy Music https://www.prideandjoy.de And in March a worldwide publishing deal Germusica in association with Mute Music Publishing, for their latest album New Clear Music. The first single ‘Take It Or Leave’ will be released on March 31st followed by ‘Live For Today’ in mid April. The album itself was released on Friday May 19th 2023.
March 2023
Weapon is now Weapon again after some years with UK added to the band name. Weapon is now a registrated trademark.
21st – 22nd April 2023
Weapon played the Sweden to Finland Rocknytt Cruise onboard Viking Lines Cinderella, along with the legendary Russ Ballard, Dare & Demon to name but just a few..
May 19th 2023
‘New Clear Power’ is released on Pride & Joy Music to critical acclaim. Check out the reviews..
February 2024
Danny Hynes introduces the new lineup of Weapon at two Swedish gigs. On guitars Håkan Granat & Mats Hedström. Session drummer Mattias Norgren. On bass Danny’s songwriting partner Robert Majd. Who has been filling in for Tony Forsythe, who continues having prostrate cancer treatment..
Friday 9th February 2024
Backstage Rock Bar Trollhättan Sweden Saturday
10th February 2024
Hell Yeah Rock Club Linköping Sweden
Saturday 18th May
Bomber Bar Motala Sweden
