More (British band)

More is a UK heavy metal band who were part of the new wave of British heavy metal scene in the early 1980s. They recorded two albums and two singles, and opened the 1981 Monsters of Rock festival at Donington Park.^[1]

Initially the band was fronted by vocalist Paul Mario Day, who had sung in an early incarnation of Iron Maiden.

By the time of their second album, Frank Darch and Laurie Mansworth had left, the latter going on to form the band Airrace.^[2] Andy John Burton was recruited as the new drummer and the band became a four-piece. Bassist Brian Day also left during the recording of the second album, to be replaced by Barry 'Baz' Nicholls.

Following Paul Mario Day's subsequent departure from the band, the line-up of Cox, Nicholls, Burton and vocalist Mick Stratton released a 7" single called "Trickster" in 1982, before splitting up.

Kenny Cox revived More briefly in 1985, with vocalist Ron Jackson, guitarist Mel Jones, bassist Baz Nicholls, and Paul George on drums.

A further attempt to reform the band occurred in the spring of 1998, with Mike Freeland featuring on vocals. A track called "My Obsession" was recorded by this incarnation of the band, but they split up shortly afterwards in the year 2000.

In 2011, Andy John Burton recruited Baz Nicholls (bass; joined More in 1982), Mike Freeland (vocals; part of More's 1999 line-up), Paul Stickles (guitar; also with the band Dangerous Breed) and special guest Chris Tsangarides to form a More tribute band called Exmore. They performed live at the Headbangers Open Air Festival in July 2011,^[3] with a warm-up show at the Scream Lounge in Croydon on 4 June, then in two shows at the Astor Theatre in Deal, Kent (in July and October 2011).^[4]

Exmore played a co-headlining show with Marseille at the Sir Robert Peel venue in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey on 15 October 2011.

The following year, the band changed their name to More 2012 and scheduled further shows, including: 26 May at the Railway venue in Bolton, a cancelled appearance on 25 August at the Borderline in London (where the band had been due to support Tokyo Blade), 23 November at the Red Lion pub in Gravesend, Kent, and 1 December at the Hard Rock Hell VI festival, with Steve Rix on drums.^[5]

An appearance at the 'Metalwave UK' festival in Purfleet, Essex, alongside Praying Mantis, Dennis Stratton, Cloven Hoof, Chariot and Deep Machine, took place on 5 October 2013,^[6] followed by a performance at the 'Heavy Metal Maniacs' festival in Amstelveen on 19 October 2013.^[7]

In May 2014, Dave John Ross replaced Paul Stickles on guitar. Further concert appearances were then scheduled for the 'Bang Your Head!!!' festival in Balingen on 12 July 2014,^[8] 'Rock and Metal Circus' festival at Sywell Aerodrome in Northamptonshire on 13 September 2014 (cancelled),^[9] 'Rock Diabetes' festival in Trowbridge on 11 October 2014 (also cancelled),^[10] and the Hard Rock Hell VII festival in Pwllheli on 15 November 2014.^[11]

Line-ups

First line-up (1980–1981)

• Paul Mario Day - Vocals
• Kenny Cox - Guitar
• Paul Todd - Guitar
• Brian Day - Bass
• Frank Darch - Drums

Second line-up (1981–1982)

• Paul Mario Day - Vocals
• Kenny Cox - Guitar
• Laurie Mansworth - Guitar
• Brian Day - Bass
• Andy John Burton - Drums

Third line-up (1982)

• Mick Stratton - Vocals
• Kenny Cox - Guitar
• Brian Day - Bass
• Andy John Burton - Drums

Fourth line-up (1982)

• Mick Stratton - Vocals
• Kenny Cox - Guitar
• Baz Nicholls - Bass
• Andy John Burton - Drums

Fifth line-up (1985)

• Ron Jackson - Vocals
• Kenny Cox - Guitar
• Mel Jones - Guitar
• Baz Nicholls - Bass
• Paul George - Drums

Sixth line-up (1998–2000)

• Mike Freeland - Vocals
• Kenny Cox - Guitar
• Baz Nicholls - Bass
• Rick Dyat / Andy Robinson - Drums

Exmore / More 2012 line-up (2011–present)

• Mike Freeland - Vocals
• Paul Stickles / Dave Ross - Guitar
• Chris Tsangarides - Guitar
• Baz Nicholls - Bass
• Andy John Burton / Steve Rix - Drums

Discography

Albums

Warhead (Atlantic Records, 1981)

• "Warhead"
• "Fire"
• "Soldier"
• "Depression"
• "Road Rocket"
• "Lord of the Twilight"
• "Way of the World"
• "We are the Band"
• "I Have No Answers"

Blood & Thunder (Atlantic Records, 1982)

• "Killer on the Prowl"
• "Blood & Thunder"
• "I Just Can't Believe It"
• "I've Been Waiting"
• "Traitors Gate"
• "Rock and Roll"
• "I Wanna Take You"
• "Go Home"
• "The Eye"
• "Nightmare"

Singles

• "We Are the Band" / "Atomic Rock" (Atlantic Records, 1981) - UK No. 59^[12]
• "Trickster" / "Hey Joe" (Atlantic Records, 1982)

See also

• List of new wave of British heavy metal bands

References

External links

• Official website for More 2012
• Unofficial MySpace site for More
• Information about More
• An extended biography of More