Samson -

Samson was an English heavy metal band, formed in 1977 by namesake guitarist Paul Samson. They cut two 1978 singles on small-press Lightning Records, followed by the 1979 album Survivors on Laser. Drummer Thunderstick (aka Barry Graham Purkis) functioned as the band’s leather-masked mascot in photos and live shows, where he performed inside a metal cage.

Future Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson (credited as “Bruce Bruce”) joined for the 1980–81 RCA albums Head On and Shock Tactics. With ex-Tiger singer Nicky Moore, Samson released the 1982–84 Polydor albums Before the Storm and Don’t Get Mad Get Even. After the 1986 Raw Power release Joint Forces, Samson released two nineties-era titles before the guitarist’s death in 2002.

Members: Paul Samson (guitar, vocals), Chris Aylmer (bass, rhythm guitar, 1977-78, 1980-85, 1992-2002), Clive Burr (drums, 1977-78), Stewart Cochrane (bass, 1978), Mark Newman (vocals, 1978), Barry Graham Purkis [aka Thunderstick] (drums, 1979-81, 2000-02), John McCoy (bass, rhythm guitar, 1979, 1985-86, 2002), Bruce Bruce [Bruce Dickinson] (vocals, 1980-81), Mel Gaynor (drums, 1981), Nicky Moore (vocals, 1981-86, 2000-02), Pete Jupp (drums, 1982-85, 2001), Merv Goldsworthy (bass, 1985), Dave Colwell (rhythm guitar, 1985), Chris Shirley (drums, 1985-87), Edgar Patrik (drums, 1985-86), Jo Julian (synthesizer, 1985), Kevin Riddles (bass, 1986), Sam Blue (vocals, 1986), Mark Brabbs (drums, 1986)

Background

Samson took root when Paul Samson replaced (future Gillan) guitarist Bernie Tormé in Scrapyard, a London-based hard-rock combo with ex-Zzebra bassist John McCoy. They gigged as McCoy until John joined Tormé in Gillan. Paul hired friend and concert soundman Chris Aylmer as the band’s new bassist. Aylmer suggested ‘Samson’ as the new band name and introduced Paul to drummer Clive Burr, recently of the unsigned Maya.

The trio of Samson, Aylmer, and Burr cut a deal with Lightning Records, a London-based punk and reggae indie. They cut two singles at Surrey Sound Studios in Leatherhead with McCoy as their producer: “Telephone” (b/w “Leavin’ You”) and “Mr Rock and Roll” (b/w “Drivin’ Music”).

In early 1979, Burr jumped ship to rising metal stars Iron Maiden. Samson auditioned over sixty drummers and chose Barry Purkis. They signed with Laser Records, a short-lived label that served as a UK outlet for Jamaican reggae singles.

Survivors

Samson released their debut album, Survivors, in 1979 on Laser Records.

The album features seven songs co-written by Paul Samson and producer John McCoy, including “Koz,” “Six Foot Under,” and “It’s Not as Easy as It Seems.” Side One climaxes with “Tomorrow or Yesterday,” a Paul solo composition. McCoy deputizes Chris Aylmer’s bass on select numbers.

“It’s Not as Easy as It Seems” grinds through raw riffing, buzzing low end, and a high-mixed lead. “I Wish I Was the Saddle of a Schoolgirl’s Bike” plods through a conventional boogie-rock chorus. “Big Brother” struts into an extended instrumental break, where hard-toned leads take over the song. “Tomorrow or Yesterday” slows around piano, layered leads, and a warmer bass figure, then jolts into a faster instrumental break.

“Koz” drives through a spacey instrumental pass with a straight-rock engine. “Six Foot Under” churns through a recurring riff and rock-and-roll piano flourishes. “Inside Out” plods through basic blues-rock riffing and keyboard fills. “Wrong Side of Time” rumbles through low-end movement, drawn-out vocal phrases, and psychedelic traces.

A1. “It’s Not as Easy as It Seems” (3:07) – Samson, McCoy
A2. “I Wish I Was the Saddle of a Schoolgirl’s Bike” (3:01) – Samson, McCoy
A3. “Big Brother” (6:16) – Samson, McCoy
A4. “Tomorrow or Yesterday” (6:33) – Samson

B1. “Koz” (4:26) – Samson, McCoy
B2. “Six Foot Under” (5:11) – Samson, McCoy
B3. “Inside Out” (4:14) – Samson, McCoy
B4. “Wrong Side of Time” (4:50) – Samson, McCoy

Samson recorded Survivors in April 1979 at Kingsway Recorders, London, with producer John McCoy and engineer Bob Broglia.

Survivors appeared in a sleeve designed and illustrated by Graham Collins, whose front image shows the band above a crowded mound of figures under a yellow-orange sky.

Bruce Dickinson Joins

Soon after Survivors hit shelves, Samson hired singer Bruce Dickinson (b. 1958), who cut one single with the Basildon metal act Speed. With Dickinson, Samson re-recorded five Survivors tracks (“Inside Out,” “Six Foot Under,” “Wrong Side of Time,” “It’s Not as Easy as It Seems,” “I Wish I Was the Saddle”) but these second versions remained vaulted until the album’s 1990 CD reissue. Meanwhile, Samson signed with RCA.

Head On

Samson released their second studio album, Head On, on 11 July 1980 on GEM/RCA.

The album establishes the Dickinson-fronted four-piece across ten compact titles, with Paul Samson and Thunderstick retaining backing-vocal roles. Samson, Dickinson, Aylmer, and Thunderstick wrote the vocal titles; Steve Harris shares the credit on the instrumental “Thunderburst.”

“Hard Times” revs from rattling percussion and sharp chords into a track that lurches across tempo changes. “Take It Like a Man” turns from a tricky intro into a heavier straight-drive track. “Vice Versa” slows through clean guitar, louder breaks, and a full instrumental cutaway. “Manwatcher” clenches a fuzzy mid-tempo grind, grand backing voices, and split-channel lead work. “Too Close to Rock” shifts from a powerful start to a late gallop with Dickinson high notes.

“Thunderburst” rolls from an acoustic motif into power-chords and tom runs. “Hammerhead” follows with a compact metal charge from the “Thunderburst” intro. “Take Me to Your Leader” fireballs through raw punkish speed, Dickinson screams, and stacked accents. “Walking Out on You” slows through ghostly whispers and thumping bass, then surges between faster passages and late sound effects.

A1. “Hard Times” (4:43)
A2. “Take It Like a Man” (4:05)
A3. “Vice Versa” (4:45)
A4. “Manwatcher” (3:37)
A5. “Too Close to Rock” (3:37)

B1. “Thunderburst” (2:06) – Dickinson, Samson, Aylmer, Thunderstick, Harris
B2. “Hammerhead” (3:39)
B3. “Hunted” (3:00)
B4. “Take Me to Your Leader” (4:00)
B5. “Walking Out on You” (5:41)

Samson recorded Head On in April and May 1980 at Kingsway Recorders, London, with engineers Paul “Chas” Watkins and Bob Broglia. The group produced the album; Tony Platt remixed the material at Trident Studios with remix engineer Craig Milliner.

Head On appeared in a Hothouse sleeve with photography by Simon Fowler, whose front image shows Thunderstick in a mask and black leather with a raised scythe against a red-lit background.

GEM issued “Vice Versa” as a June 1980 single (b/w “Hammerhead”). “Hard Times” became the second single in August 1980 (b/w “Angel with a Machine Gun”).

Head On reached No. 34 on the UK Albums Chart during a six-week run.

Shock Tactics

Samson released their third studio album, Shock Tactics, on 8 May 1981 on RCA.

The album retains the Head On lineup and marks Dickinson’s final Samson studio album. The program contains eight group originals and a Russ Ballard cover. Aylmer adds acoustic guitar to the rhythm section, and all four members carry backing-vocal credits.

“Riding With the Angels” revs a Russ Ballard cover into a rollicking hard-rock opener with Dickinson high in the mix. “Earth Mother” punches through a heavy riff and a forceful Dickinson vocal. “Nice Girl” wrestles a basic blues-rooted riff with a leering lyric. “Blood Lust” stretches the band’s harder edge under repeated Dickinson shrieks.

“Go to Hell” slings a fast shuffle through rough riffing. “Bright Lights” rolls through a straight rocker with little surplus detail. “Grime Crime” grinds through a sleaze lyric and high Dickinson vocal flashes. “Communion” darkens into a brooding slow-builder with a front-placed Dickinson vocal.

A1. “Riding With the Angels” (3:39) – Ballard
A2. “Earth Mother” (4:40)
A3. “Nice Girl” (3:22)
A4. “Blood Lust” (4:19)

B1. “Go to Hell” (3:19)
B2. “Bright Lights” (3:08)
B3. “Once Bitten” (4:52)
B4. “Grime Crime” (4:32)
B5. “Communion” (3:38)

Samson recorded Shock Tactics between 2 and 31 January 1981 at Battery Studios, London, with producer-engineer Tony Platt and assistant engineer Graham Carmichael.

Shock Tactics appeared in a sleeve whose cover illustration shows a small bare-chested figure pulling against stone cowboy statues beside a television image of a vulture head.

RCA lifted “Riding With the Angels” as a May 1981 single (b/w “Little Big Man”), which reached No. 55 on the Official Singles Chart.

Before the Storm

Samson released their fourth studio album, Before the Storm, in November 1982 on Polydor.

The album introduces vocalist Nicky Moore and drummer Pete Jupp after the Dickinson and Thunderstick lineup. Samson, Aylmer, and Moore write the opening pair; three titles retain earlier Dickinson/Thunderstick credits. Keyboardist Ian Gibbons appears across the album, and producer Jo Julian adds synthesizer to “Dangerzone.”

“Dangerzone” clenches mid-tempo riffing beneath a broad chorus and a synthesizer edge. “Red Skies” knocks back the tempo and circles a recycled Samson riff path. “Test of Time” bursts through faster, anthem-sized hard rock under Moore’s lower-range bite. “Life on the Run” barrels through Moore-era hard-rock crunch. “Turn Out the Lights” fist-pumps through a broad chorus and a hard-edged riff. “Losing My Grip” rolls through grittier crunch and Moore’s bluesier vocal force.

A1. “Dangerzone” (5:54) – Samson, Aylmer, Moore
A2. “Stealing Away” (4:22) – Samson, Aylmer, Moore
A3. “Red Skies” (3:46) – Samson, Thunderstick, Aylmer, Dickinson
A4. “I’ll Be ’Round” (3:14) – Samson, Aylmer, Moore, Jupp
A5. “Test of Time” (4:09) – Samson, Aylmer, Moore, Jupp

B1. “Life on the Run” (4:01) – Samson, Aylmer, Moore, Jupp
B2. “Turn Out the Lights” (4:02) – Samson, Thunderstick, Aylmer, Dickinson
B3. “Losing My Grip” (3:29) – Samson, Thunderstick, Aylmer, Dickinson
B4. “Young Idea” (7:24) – Samson, Aylmer, Moore, Jupp

Samson recorded Before the Storm between August and September 1982 at Music Works Studios, London, with producer-engineer Jo Julian. Ian Cooper mastered the album at the Townhouse, London.

The sleeve credits Alwyn Clayden for art direction and Shoot That Tiger! for design. Barry Thorpe painted the front cover, and Brunelli supplied sleeve photography.

Polydor lifted “Losing My Grip” as a July 1982 single (b/w “Pyramid to the Stars”), which reached No. 63 on the Official Singles Chart. “Life on the Run” became an October 1982 double-pack single with “Drivin’ With Z.Z.,” “Walking Out on You,” and “Bright Lights.” In March 1983, “Red Skies” reappeared as a single (b/w “Living, Loving, Lying”) and reached No. 65 on the Official Singles Chart.

Don’t Get Mad, Get Even

Samson released their fifth studio album, Don’t Get Mad, Get Even, on 23 March 1984 on Polydor.

The album retains Moore, Samson, Aylmer, and Jupp on ten group-written titles. Martin Ditcham adds percussion, while Stevie Lange and Joy Yates supply backing vocals.

“Are You Ready” kicks through a hard-rock opener with a blunt guitar edge. “Don’t Get Mad, Get Even” drives a blues-rooted riff under Moore’s rough vocal force. “Into the Valley” fires through fast riffing and a hot solo break. “Doctor Ice” clenches a harder mid-album track with Moore pushed up front. “Front Page News” rumbles around a lengthy Paul Samson riff and Moore’s talk-sung vocal bite.

A1. “Are You Ready” (4:31)
A2. “Burning Emotion” (3:45)
A3. “Love Hungry” (3:17)
A4. “The Fight Goes On” (4:43)
A5. “Don’t Get Mad, Get Even” (5:48)

B1. “Into the Valley” (4:22)
B2. “Bite on the Bullet” (4:48)
B3. “Doctor Ice” (4:28)
B4. “Front Page News” (4:31)
B5. “Leaving Love (Behind)” (5:17)

Samson recorded Don’t Get Mad, Get Even between August and September 1983 at Musicworks, London, with producer Pip Williams and engineers Louis Austin and Gregg Jackman. The band recorded “Are You Ready” and “Doctor Ice” at Advision.

The sleeve credits Alwyn Clayden for art direction and Green Ink for artwork and design. The front cover shows the band on a foggy tarmac beneath the nose of a military aircraft.

Polydor lifted “Are You Ready” as a February 1984 single (b/w “Front Page News”). “The Fight Goes On” became an April 1984 single (b/w “Riding With the Angels”).

Thank You and Goodnight… Live

Samson released the live album Thank You and Goodnight… Live in 1985 on Metal Masters.

The album documents the Moore-era touring lineup with rhythm guitarist Dave Colwell and bassist Merv Goldsworthy alongside Samson and Jupp. The program draws from Don’t Get Mad, Get Even, Before the Storm, Head On, Survivors, and the 1984 “Mr. Rock and Roll” EP.

“Into the Valley” slings the live set into fast riffing and a hard solo break. “Losing My Grip” hammers from a riff-driven opening into Moore’s rough vocal. “Vice Versa” stretches from a mellower start into harder stage crunch. “Love Hungry” motors through a compact metal stomp.

“Tomorrow or Yesterday” kicks back into a brief quieter passage before the band returns to heavier force. “Mr. Rock and Roll” roars through a hot metal stomp and an extended solo. “Don’t Get Mad, Get Even” steamrolls from the rhythm-section entry into metal crunch. “Test of Time” darts through fast riffing and a late solo break. “Are You Ready?” clenches a mean guitar tone and a stomping live finish.

A1. “Bite on the Bullet” (4:35)
A2. “Into the Valley” (4:30)
A3. “Losing My Grip” (3:31)
A4. “Vice Versa” (6:22)
A5. “Love Hungry” (3:02)

B1. “Tomorrow or Yesterday” (1:40)
B2. “Mr. Rock and Roll” (4:39)
B3. “Don’t Get Mad, Get Even” (7:40)
B4. “Test of Time” (4:13)
B5. “Are You Ready?” (4:43)

Samson recorded Thank You and Goodnight… Live in Holland and Germany during March and April 1984 with the RGR Mobile Unit. Paul Samson and Dave King produced and engineered the album. Samson and King mixed the tapes at Musicworks Studio, London, in 1985.

Thank You and Goodnight… Live appeared in a sleeve designed by Carol McCleeve with cover shots by P.G. Brunelli and Steve Payne.

Joint Forces

Samson released their sixth studio album, Joint Forces, in May 1986 on Raw Power.

The album places Moore and Samson beside returning bassist John McCoy, with Chris Shirley and Edgar Patrik dividing the drum credits. Jo Julian adds synthesizer, and Dee O’Malley, Jody Turner, and Julie Turner supply backing vocals.

“Burning Emotion” wrestles a mid-tempo metal jam through keyboard gloss and harder guitar release. “No Turning Back” circles a reggae-tinged metal feel. “Russians” surges through a short speedy rocker with a hard solo. “Tales of the Fury” gallops on low-end drive and group backing voices. “Reach Out to Love” slows around piano and Moore’s broad vocal reach.

“The Chosen Few” fireballs through fast riffing and a galloping low end. “Tramp” grinds blues-rooted metal around Moore and Jody Turner’s shared lead vocal. “Tell Me” rolls synthesizer sheen into a heavy-rock track with a long solo stretch.

A1. “Burning Emotion” (4:27)
A2. “No Turning Back” (4:40)
A3. “Russians” (2:35)
A4. “Tales of the Fury” (3:38)
A5. “Reach Out to Love” (5:36)

B1. “The Chosen Few” (3:33)
B2. “Tramp” (4:49)
B3. “Power of Love” (4:34)
B4. “Tell Me” (6:35)

Samson recorded Joint Forces between January and April 1986 at Musicworks Studios, London, with producer-engineer Jo Julian and assistant Paul Samson.

Joint Forces appeared in a sleeve with cover art by Tony Roberts.

Discography: