Vyper -

Vyper was an American metal band behind the 1984 album Prepared to Strike, followed by the 1985 EP Afraid of the Dark, both on Greenworld Records.

Members: Christy Black (vocals), Jacky Foxx (guitar), Robbie Saint (guitar), Rik Brock (bass), Michael Scott (drums)

Background

Vyper formed around 1983 in Kansas City, Missouri, with singer Nikki Van Welden, who departed early for the metal trio Avalanche and led their 1985 Greenworld album Pray for the Sinner. Meanwhile, Vyper stabilized as a five-piece with singer Christy Black, bassist Rik Brock, drummer Michael Scott, and guitarists Jacky Foxx and Robbie Saint.

The band frequented a Midwest clothing designer with links to producer Eric “Griffy” Greif, who visited Vyper’s rehearsal garage and became their manager. He previously assisted Mötley Crüe manager Allan Coffman and dealt with Greenworld on the original release of their 1981 debut, Too Fast for Love.

Vyper cut a summer 1984 demo with Greif, who brokered the band’s Greenworld deal and produced their debut album in the fall of 1984 at Chapman Recording Studio.

Discography:

Prepared to Strike (1984)
Afraid of the Dark (1985)

Sources

Eric Greif — interview, April 28, 2007. Primary account of the clothing-designer referral, Kansas City storage-garage rehearsal, management, summer 1984 demo, Greenworld negotiations, fall album production, and Roger Maynard as the original Vyper singer. (Sleaze Roxx)
Avalanche — Pray for the Sinner reissue interview summary. Reports Maynard account of the Vyper musical and image dispute, his departure, and the formation of Avalanche; the 2015 Cult Metal Classics edition confirms a lengthy Maynard interview in the booklet. (2rocks kroniks)
Vyper — band entry. Gives Kansas City, 1983 formation, early members Mike Aaron and Nikki Van Welden, and the later five-piece lineup. (Encyclopaedia Metallum)
Roger Maynard — musician entry. Identifies Nikki Van Welden as Roger Maynard of Belton, Missouri, and lists his Vyper and Avalanche roles. (Encyclopaedia Metallum)
Vyper — Prepared to Strike. Confirms Black, Brock, Scott, Foxx, and Saint; Chapman Recording Studio; Greif production; and Mike Frazier engineering. (Encyclopaedia Metallum)