Angel -

Angel was an American hard-rock band from Washington D.C. that released five studio albums and a live double-LP between 1975 and 1980 on Casablanca.

Members: Barry Brandt (drums), Gregg Giuffria (keyboards, 1975-81), Frank DiMino (lead vocals, 1975-80, 1998-present), Punky Meadows (guitar, 1975-80), Mickie Jones (bass, 1975-77), Felix Robinson (bass, 1978-81), Fergie Frederiksen (lead vocals, 1981), Ricky Phillips (guitar, 1981)

Background

Angel formed in late 1974 in Washington, D.C., when guitarist Punky Meadows, bassist Mickie Jones, and keyboardist Gregg Giuffria assembled a club lineup with singer Frank DiMino and drummer Barry Brandt.

Meadows grew up in Barnaby Terrace in southeast Washington, D.C., and started guitar at Hart Junior High School in the Intruders. In 1964, Meadows formed The Intruders, a four-piece garage band that morphed into the English Setters and then the Cherry People, a D.C.–Arlington band that cut a 1968 album and worked area clubs until the early Seventies, when Meadows joined Daddy Warbux, later BUX, with bassist Mickie Jones and singer Ralph Morman. Capitol signed BUX in 1973, and the group recorded an album with producer Jack Douglas before the label shelved the project.

Giuffria came from Biloxi, Mississippi, and first approached Meadows at the Bayou in Georgetown with the idea for a new band. DiMino grew up in Boston, took vocal lessons, sang on local radio, attended Berklee College of Music, and worked in Boston-area bands before he entered the D.C. circuit. In Washington, DiMino sang with Max, a local group with drummer Barry Brandt and bassist Mickie Jones.

Giuffria renewed the band proposal while Meadows and Jones played Bogie’s with Daddy Warbux. Meadows, Jones, and Giuffria rehearsed in the loft above the club, first with drummer T.T. Tolliver and then with Brandt. Jones and Brandt brought DiMino into the lineup, and the five-piece worked up a first set that included “Tower.” Meadows named Angel after his white Stratocaster, which carried the title of the Jimi Hendrix song “Angel.”

Angel played showcases at Bogie’s and drew interest from Leber and Krebs, David Joseph of the Toby Organization, and New York label executives. Gordon Fletcher brought Kiss to one show after the group played the Capital Centre, and Gene Simmons asked Angel about Aucoin Management after the set. Angel had already signed with Joseph, who took the band to Los Angeles and placed them in daily rehearsals.

Neil Bogart agreed to sign Angel to Casablanca after Joseph relayed the Kiss response to the band. Capitol also pursued the group, but Angel stayed with Casablanca after the label accepted the completed album. Deep Purple soundman Derek Lawrence and English rock vet Big Jim Sullivan arrived in Hollywood for the project.

Angel

Angel released their self-titled debut album on October 27, 1975, on Casablanca.

The debut presents the first recording lineup: vocalist Frank DiMino, bassist Mickie Jones, drummer Barry Brandt, guitarist Punky Meadows, and keyboardist Gregg Giuffria (organ, piano, clavinet, harpsichord, Mellotron, synthesizers, string ensemble). DiMino, Giuffria, and Meadows share the main authorship; Lawrence and Sullivan appear only on “Mariner,” while Jones and Brandt enter the side-two credits.

“Tower” uncoils from science-fiction effects into swooping synth, roaring organ, and front-line Mellotron strings. “Long Time” slows through orchestrated melancholy, with DiMino’s line floating above the track before the tempo darkens and the string swell crests. “Rock And Rollers” grinds on bass and a short choir burst before Punky Meadows cuts into a concert-crowd guitar line.

“Broken Dreams” folds occasional keyboard accents into a heavy-edged passage, then detours through a tender interlude. “Mariner” settles around acoustic piano and a narrative vocal. “Sunday Morning” jolts through tempo switches, theatrical turns, and a sharp solo. “On & On” alternates heavier passages with bright group-lift returns. “Angel (Theme)” condenses a brief instrumental Mellotron wash.

A1. “Tower” (6:54) – DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows
A2. “Long Time” (6:58) – DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows
A3. “Rock & Rollers” (3:59) – DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows

B1. “Broken Dreams” (5:11) – DiMino, Meadows
B2. “Mariner” (4:18) – DiMino, Giuffria, Lawrence, Sullivan
B3. “Sunday Morning” (4:09) – DiMino, Giuffria
B4. “On & On” (4:17) – DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows, Jones
B5. “Angel (Theme)” (1:35) – Giuffria, Brandt

Sessions occurred at Wally Heider Studios in Hollywood with engineer Peter Granet and producers Derek Lawrence and Big Jim Sullivan.

Angel appeared in a sleeve with Jeremy Railton art direction, Gribbitt! graphics, and Barry Levine photography. The front cover places the winged Angel emblem and central face on a black field.

Casablanca lifted “Rock & Rollers” in February 1976 as a US single (b/w “Mariner”). In the UK, “On & On” appeared as a February 1976 single (b/w “Angel (Theme)”). Angel reached No. 156 on the Billboard 200.

Helluva Band

Angel released their second album, Helluva Band, on May 18, 1976, on Casablanca.

Helluva Band retains the debut lineup and adds Moog programming credits for Dan Wyman and Jim Cypherd of Sound Arts. DiMino, Giuffria, and Meadows receive six of the nine title credits; Lawrence joins “Dr. Ice,” while Brandt and Jones share “Pressure Point” with DiMino and Meadows.

“Feelin’ Right” surges with tandem keyboard and guitar solo space around a compact vocal drive. “The Fortune” rises from a skyward intro into acoustic strum, a heavier break, and a long crest capped by lead-trade exchanges. “Anyway You Want It” trims the arrangement to a short, direct title-line attack. “Dr. Ice” staggers through grease-stained low-end accents.

“Mirrors” casts fantasy text over Mellotron color and a searing lead. “Feelings” slows into a plain, sustained vocal piece. “Pressure Point” stomps in a heavier riff lane. “Chicken Soup” coils along the same grease-stained path.

A1. “Feelin’ Right” (4:41) – DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows
A2. “The Fortune” (8:37) – DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows
A3. “Anyway You Want It” (2:42) – DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows
A4. “Dr. Ice” (5:15) – DiMino, Giuffria, Lawrence, Meadows

B1. “Mirrors” (4:24) – DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows
B2. “Feelings” (5:40) – DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows
B3. “Pressure Point” (5:22) – Brandt, Jones, DiMino, Meadows
B4. “Chicken Soup” (4:43) – DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows
B5. “Angel Theme” (2:30) – Giuffria, Brandt

Angel recorded Helluva Band at Wally Heider Recording Studio in Los Angeles with producers Derek Lawrence and Big Jim Sullivan, who worked in sequence on the two Tiger albums. Peter Granet recorded and mixed the album; David Gertz served as tape operator.

Helluva Band appeared in a Jeremy Railton-directed sleeve with Gribbitt! graphics and Barry Levine photography. The red front cover places the white-clad quintet on an outstretched hand beneath a winged emblem and stylized face.

Casablanca issued two Japanese singles from the album in 1976: “Anyway You Want It” (b/w “Mirrors”) and “Feelin’ Right” (b/w “Feelings”). Helluva Band reached No. 155 on the Billboard 200.

On Earth as It Is in Heaven

Angel released their third album, On Earth as It Is in Heaven, on January 24, 1977, on Casablanca.

On Earth as It Is in Heaven closes the original DiMino–Jones–Brandt–Meadows–Giuffria lineup. DiMino, Giuffria, and Meadows wrote the program apart from “White Lightning,” a Meadows–Ralph Morman title. Dan Wyman adds synthesizer programming.

“Can You Feel It” charges from a pounding lead-in into stop-start accents, wailing lead vocal, and effect-blitzed solo work. “She’s A Mover” brightens through Motown-shaped chord turns and a saturated guitar solo. “Big Boy (Let’s Do It Again)” lopes on a slower hip-shake figure. “Telephone Exchange” softens into lush symphonic cushions and passionate vocal delivery. “White Lightning” rides bottom-end motion and repeated title-line pull, with piano touches over its live-tested stomp.

“On The Rocks” emerges from sirens into a rolling, high-speed charge, with synth howl and screamed lead lines. “You’re Not Fooling Me” settles around a softer opening and jagged swell accents. “That Magic Touch” turns toward lounge-bright theatrical phrasing. “Cast The First Stone” storms through searing electronic lines, high vocal arcs, and a decisive solo. “Just A Dream” lingers through a long organ prelude and tremulous lead phrases.

A1. “Can You Feel It” (4:41) – DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows
A2. “She’s a Mover” (3:37) – DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows
A3. “Big Boy (Let’s Do It Again)” (3:54) – DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows
A4. “Telephone Exchange” (4:13) – DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows
A5. “White Lightning” (4:45) – Meadows, Morman

B1. “On the Rocks” (3:39) – DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows
B2. “You’re Not Fooling Me” (3:59) – DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows
B3. “That Magic Touch” (3:29) – DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows
B4. “Cast the First Stone” (4:37) – DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows
B5. “Just a Dream” (5:16) – DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows

Angel recorded On Earth as It Is in Heaven at the Emerald Castle in Hollywood and mixed the album at the Record Plant in New York City. Eddie Kramer produced and engineered the sessions; Rick Smith served as tape operator.

On Earth as It Is in Heaven appeared in a David Joseph–Susan Munao cover concept with David Alexander photography and a Bob Petrick Angel logotype. The blue front cover places the white-clad band in a mirrored image with the Angel logo reversed below the main image.

Casablanca issued “That Magic Touch” in February 1977 as a US single (b/w “Big Boy (Let’s Do It Again)”). The album reached No. 76 on the Billboard 200.

White Hot

Angel released their four album, White Hot, on January 3, 1978, on Casablanca.

White Hot introduces bassist Felix Robinson, who adds six-string bass and backing vocals. Brandt adds Syndrum and backing vocals, while Giuffria uses Moog and IIIC synthesizer. The program includes one outside title: the Young Rascals (“Ain’t Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore”), written by Lori Burton and Pam Sawyer.

“Don’t Leave Me Lonely” glides from a gentle keyboard entry into a sudden rhythm barrage and a high-theater vocal lift. “Ain’t Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore” pounds through moody organ, flowing bass, and a tandem vocal-and-guitar attack. “Hold Me, Squeeze Me” kicks from low-end thrust into bright vocal flight and alternating lead breaks.

“Over And Over” carries the opening run with forceful rhythm-section drive. “Got Love If You Want It” waits through a long electronic preface before the title line tightens into punchy accents. “The Winter Song” warms its seasonal text with a soft upward lift.

A1. “Don’t Leave Me Lonely” (4:00) – Brandt, DiMino
A2. “Ain’t Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore” (2:50) – Burton, Sawyer
A3. “Hold Me, Squeeze Me” (3:49) – DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows
A4. “Over and Over” (3:00) – DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows
A5. “Under Suspicion” (4:43) – Brandt, DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows

B1. “Got Love If You Want It” (4:27) – DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows
B2. “Stick Like Glue” (2:38) – DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows
B3. “Flying With Broken Wings (Without You)” (3:33) – DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows
B4. “You Could Lose Me” (4:56) – DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows
B5. “The Winter Song” (3:46) – DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows

Angel recorded and mixed White Hot at the Record Plant in Los Angeles with producer Eddie Leonetti, engineer Lee DeCarlo, and assistant engineer Rick Smith. The California Boys Choir appears on “The Winter Song.”

White Hot uses a cover concept by David Joseph and Chris Whorf. The front cover places the band in white stage clothes before a cathedral-like structure and a burning Angel emblem.

Casablanca issued “The Winter Song” in October 1977 as a US single (b/w “Can You Feel It”). “Flying With Broken Wings (Without You)” followed in February 1978 (b/w “Ain’t Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore”); the Burton–Sawyer cover became the charting side and reached No. 44 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Don’t Leave Me Lonely” appeared in July 1978 (b/w “Stick Like Glue”).

White Hot reached No. 55 on the Billboard 200.

Sinful

Angel released their fifth album, Sinful, on April 25, 1979, on Casablanca.

Sinful keeps the Robinson lineup and returns Eddie Leonetti as producer. The album was first prepared as Bad Publicity; early copies carried that title and an alternate cover. DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows, Brandt, Robinson, and Leonetti divide the ten title credits.

“Don’t Take Your Love” glides through a soft title-line return and a bright keyboard solo. “L.A. Lady” jumps through a sturdy party strut, with guitars raised and electric accents used as punctuation. “Just Can’t Take It” climbs from building strum into an ooh-laced bridge and a guitar solo. “You Can’t Buy Love” continues the compact vocal drive.

“Bad Time” darkens around a repeated riff and jabbing lead bits. “Waited A Long Time” lifts toward fragile harmony inside polished edges. “I’ll Bring The Whole World To Your Door” pairs sweet verses with a brisk return. “I’ll Never Fall In Love Again” slows around a sad contour and soft heartbreak phrasing. “Wild And Hot” charges through crowd-unison title lines.

A1. “Don’t Take Your Love” (3:30) – DiMino, Giuffria
A2. “L.A. Lady” (3:45) – Meadows
A3. “Just Can’t Take It” (3:44) – DiMino, Meadows
A4. “You Can’t Buy Love” (3:37) – Brandt, DiMino
A5. “Bad Time” (3:41) – DiMino, Giuffria

B1. “Waited a Long Time” (3:13) – Brandt, DiMino
B2. “I’ll Bring the Whole World to Your Door” (2:54) – DiMino, Leonetti, Meadows
B3. “I’ll Never Fall in Love Again” (3:33) – Giuffria
B4. “Wild and Hot” (2:59) – Meadows
B5. “Lovers Live On” (2:58) – Meadows, Robinson

Angel recorded side one at Davlen Sound Studios and the Record Plant in Los Angeles with engineer Ed E. Thacker. Side two used Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Record Plant Mobile, and the Record Plant, with Lee DeCarlo as engineer. Leonetti mixed the album with Thacker at the Record Plant.

Sinful appeared in a sleeve with David Fleming graphics and Barry Levine photography. The replacement front cover shows the five members in white clothing against a white field, with the Angel logo above the group and the album title in red script.

Casablanca issued “Don’t Take Your Love” in January 1979 as a US single (b/w “Bad Time”). Sinful reached No. 159 on the Billboard 200.

Live Without a Net

Angel released their first live album, Live Without a Net, in February 1980 on Casablanca.

Live Without a Net documents the Robinson lineup in concert after the five Casablanca studio albums. The double LP draws from the full 1975–79 studio run, adds the David Bowie title “All the Young Dudes,” and closes with “20th Century Foxes,” a DiMino–Giuffria soundtrack title. The program places extended versions of “On the Rocks,” “Rock & Rollers,” and “White Lightning” beside shorter titles from White Hot and Sinful.

A1. “Tower” (4:58) – DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows
A2. “Can You Feel It” (4:10) – DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows
A3. “Don’t Leave Me Lonely” (3:55) – Brandt, DiMino
A4. “Telephone Exchange” (4:20) – DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows
A5. “I Ain’t Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore” (3:08) – Burton, Sawyer

B1. “Over and Over” (4:07) – DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows
B2. “Anyway You Want It” (3:28) – DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows
B3. “On the Rocks” (9:12) – DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows
B4. “Wild & Hot” (2:44) – Meadows

C1. “All the Young Dudes” (4:10) – Bowie
C2. “Rock & Rollers” (8:15) – DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows
C3. “White Lightning” (8:35) – Meadows, Morman

D1. “Hold Me, Squeeze Me” (3:40) – DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows
D2. “Got Love If You Want It” (3:28) – DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows
D3. “Feelin’ Right” (6:05) – DiMino, Giuffria, Meadows
D4. “20th Century Foxes” (4:25) – DiMino, Giuffria

Angel recorded the live material in California at Long Beach Arena, Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, and Shrine Auditorium. The album credits also name the Record Plant in Los Angeles. Eddie Leonetti produced the album; Lee DeCarlo receives the engineering credit, Angelo Arcuri receives the mixing and live-mixing credit, and Bernie Grundman mastered the LP at A&M Studios.

Live Without a Net appeared in a gatefold sleeve with photography by Barry Levine, Scott Hensel, and Ron Sobol. The cover uses a concert image of the white-clad band on a dark stage.

Casablanca issued “20th Century Foxes” in February 1980 as a US single (b/w “Can You Feel It (Live)”). The Billboard 200 placed Live Without a Net at No. 149 during its four-week run.

Foxes

Angel appears as themselves in Foxes, the 1980 Adrian Lyne film written by Gerald Ayres and produced by David Puttnam and Ayres for PolyGram Pictures and Casablanca Records & Filmworks. The film follows four San Fernando Valley teenagers through family conflict, parties, school detachment, sexual pressure, and Annie’s fatal crash.

Actresses Jodie Foster, Cherie Currie, Marilyn Kagan, and Kandice Stroh play Jeanie, Annie, Madge, and Deirdre. Sally Kellerman plays Jeanie’s mother Mary; Scott Baio and Randy Quaid play Brad and Jay Thompson. Adam Faith plays Bryan, Jeanie’s father, who works as Angel’s tour manager. The cast also includes Lois Smith as Mrs. Axman, Robert Romanus as Scott, and Laura Dern as Debbie. Giorgio Moroder produced the Casablanca soundtrack, which includes Angel’s “20th Century Foxes” and “Virginia.”

Postlude

Brandt and Robinson stayed for the final Angel configuration after DiMino and Meadows left in 1981. Giuffria also remained, as vocalist Dennis “Fergie” Frederiksen and guitarist Ricky Phillips entered the band for demos that included “Whips,” “Troubleshooter,” and “Should Have Known Better.” The lineup completed no official album.

Giuffria redirected his work into Giuffria, the MCA band with vocalist David Glen Eisley, guitarist Craig Goldy, bassist Chuck Wright, and drummer Alan Krigger. Giuffria appeared in 1984 and reached No. 26 on the Billboard 200 and spawned “Call to the Heart,” a Top 20 hit with an MTV-rotated video. Giuffria followed with the 1986 release Silk + Steel, then morphed into House of Lords, which issued a self-titled album in 1988 on Simmons/RCA.

DiMino sang Cycle V soundtrack tracks for Flashdance and Metropolis, then worked with UFO guitarist Paul Raymond in the Paul Raymond Project. Robinson joined White Lion’s first lineup with Mike Tramp and Vito Bratta and played on Fight to Survive. Meadows left regular music activity for much of the decade. Mickie Jones formed the Los Angeles band Empire as lead singer after his Angel tenure.

Discography: