Representative Albums: "Vices," "Welcome to the Club," "Rock the World"
Biography
Canadian mainstream metal band Kick Axe was formed in Regina, Saskatchewan, in 1976 by brothers Victor Langen (bass) and Gary Langen (drums), along with guitarist Larry Gillstrom. The band started out playing biker festivals around their home province, and soon added second guitarist Raymond Arthur Harvey in January 1978. Kick Axe relocated to Vancouver in the hopes of finding more gigs, but the constant touring disagreed with Gary Langen, who quit before the end of 1978 to spend time with his new family; he was replaced by Gillstrom's brother, Brian. The group began recording an album in 1979, but were discouraged by the results and abandoned the idea in favor of searching for a true frontman. They hired Charles McNary in 1981, but he became more satisfied with the band's local success -- both in clubs and with the independent single "Reality Is the Nightmare" -- than the remainder of the group. National advertisements for a new singer landed Milwaukee native George Criston, who moved to Vancouver in 1982 to join Kick Axe. Thus constituted, the band landed a deal with Pasha Records (home of Quiet Riot) and recorded their debut album, Vices, with producer Spencer Proffer. Vices was released in 1984 and produced a minor hit in "Heavy Metal Shuffle," as well as landing the band an opening slot for Judas Priest that summer. The follow-up, Welcome to the Club, appeared in 1985, featuring a charity-benefit cover of "With a Little Help From My Friends" recorded with a variety of Canadian hard rock all-stars. The album went gold in Canada, but guitarist Harvey, tired of touring, quit shortly thereafter. Kick Axe continued as a quartet and recorded two tracks for the soundtrack of Transformers: The Movie; however, executives feared the band's name would be inappropriate for the film's young audience, and they were instead credited as Spectre General. Back under their own name, Kick Axe recorded their third album, Rock the World, in 1986; however, it failed to build on the band's previous commercial exposure, and they broke up soon afterwards. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
Kick Axe is the name of a heavy metal band from Canada that reached its climax in the 1980s. They produced 4 albums during their career, with the longest gap between albums being 18 years. The albums are: Vices, Welcome to the Club, Rock the World and Kick Axe IV.
The band had minor success and was able to tour with some of the biggest names in the mid-eighties before disbanding. The band was able to get signed to the label that made Quiet Riot headliners, but were never able to match the same level of stardom.
The band's classic line-up was George Criston (real name George Widule from Waukesha, WI) (vocals), Brian Gillstrom (drums, percussion), Victor Langen (bass), Larry Gillstrom (guitar) and Raymond Harvey (guitar). For their latest album, Kick Axe returned without notable singer George Criston, but instead with their original (before the band's commercial debut) singer Gary Langen behind the mic.
Kick Axe's greatest hits include "Vices", "Alive and Kickin´", "Heavy Metal Shuffle", "Stay on Top", "On the Road to Rock", "Welcome to the Club", "Make Your Move", "Rock the World" and the ballad "Never Let Go".
Kick Axe was formed in Regina in 1976 by Larry Gillstrom (guitar), Victor Langen (vocals/bass) and his brother Gary Langen (drums). By 1978 they added a second guitarist in Raymond Harvey and decided to relocate to Vancouver, B.C. and its more lively music scene. Gary Langen did not move with the band and was replaced with Larry's brother Brian Gillstrom. The group began recording in 1979 but scrapped the sessions because they felt they needed a more distinguished front man. Vocalist Charles McNary was brought in and the band started to make waves, even appearing on a Playboy compilation album.
Career expansion, decline and fall (1981 - 1988)
McNary walked away from the band in 1981, and it would be almost two years before George Criston replaced him. Shortly after his inclusion the group landed a major label deal with Spencer Proffer's Pasha records. Vices was released in 1984 to critical acclaim, and the band hit the road behind such acts as Quiet Riot, Judas Priest and Whitesnake. The third single from the album (appearing only on the cassette version), a cover of Humble Pie's "30 Days in the Hole" appeared on the Up the Creek (1984) soundtrack. The band's follow-up album Welcome to the Club was released in 1985 and strayed away from their rock anthems for a softer sound, and included a handful of guest stars. It reached the Billboard top 200, but disappointed die hard fans. Meanwhile, the group appeared on the The Transformers: The Movie soundtrack under the name of Spectre General due to U.S. legal troubles. They recorded two songs under that name: "Hunger" (later covered by King Kobra in their 1985 album Ready To Strike) and "Nothin's Gonna Stand in Our Way" (a cover of the original John Farnham song) which were included on the soundtrack. Harvey left the band in 1986, but was never replaced. One final album: Rock the World, a return to their roots, was released but by then all momentum had been lost. By 1988 they were without a label and then disintegrated.
Their cover of 30 Days in the Hole appeared on the first of two Muchmusic compilation albums associated with the weekly Power Hour program.
Reunion without Criston (2003 - present)
Surprisingly the band reformed in 2003 with original member Gary Langen handling vocal duties for Criston who was unavailable to join the reunion due to prior work commitments. The new album entitled IV was released the following year.
Current members
Gary Langen - Drums (1976-1978), Lead vocals (2003-present)
Larry Gillstrom - Lead / Rhythm guitars & Backing vocals (1976-1988, 2003-present)
Raymond Harvey - Lead / Rhythm guitars & Backing vocals (1978-1986, 2003-Present)
Brian Gillstrom - Drums & Backing vocals (1978-1988, 2003-present)
Victor Langen - Bass guitar & Backing vocals (1976-1988, 2003-present)
Former members
George Criston - Lead vocals (1982-1988)No lies hes back
