Introducing : Lyadrive

A change to this article in the ‘Introducing…’ series in that this time I’m featuring a band who are not future of British rock but instead are part of its illustrious past although may well yet rise (again!) from the ashes. Lyadrive you see are a band born out of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal and their’s is a story of some achievement though not earthshattering, some recorded output though not that much and more endearingly a sense of pride at having been part of the whole chapter and survived it!

Having recorded a couple of tracks for metal compilation albums in the early 80s the band released their only, now highly sort after, single in 1983 which featured the tracks ‘White Dress’ and ‘Anytime’. A further three tracks were recorded for Loose Records in ‘84 but the label went under and so subsequently did Lyadrive, splitting the following year. However 1996 saw renewed interest in the band’s single and prompted a reformation that saw the 14 track album “Another Time Another Place” released in 1998.

Lyadrive came to my attention through the modern medium of MySpace and through my involvement writing for Peacedogman. It appears someone clicked the link to Rock Of Ages at Peacedog and was interested enough to read through this site and end up at my MySpace page where through the magic of the Add Friend link I discovered the band for the first time. Up at their myspace page (link below) is the fine Y&T tinged rocker Steal Away The Night and that is the song that really peaked my interest. A chat with the man behind the invite, Lee (the drummer of the band no less!) and hey presto a few days later I’ve a copy of Lyadrive’s one and only CD release for my listening pleasure.

Let me tell you that the spirit of the nwobhm is inherent throughout this album from the traditional metal riffery of opening track Sign Of The Hunter to the closing strains of one time Hard Roxx magazine sampler track Lazerwind its a classically British metal romp of the kind Maiden, Saxon and Leppard used to make. Galloping riffs adorn the title track Another Time Another Place as does a Van Halen inspired intro, whilst Dangerline has similarities to Leppard’s Rocks Off. Hints of UFO on the track Spinning The Wheel whilst re-recorded versions of the elusive/expensive single tracks White Dress and Anytime are most welcome. I’m of a mind that most nwobhm releases usually have one really great track and honestly, this one has two!! Okay so one of them isn’t their own, being instead a cover of the fine Trespass track One Of These Days but even that is eclipsed by the afore-mentioned Steal Away The Night. A fine original piece that evolves from a slow opening with just a single guitar into a balls out rocker and if it had surfaced years ealier would adorn many a compilation; and there in lays the only problem with this release – it was about 18 years too late! A bonus inclusion of the three ‘Loose Records’ tracks is also a nice touch and Here Comes The Night stands out as the best of these.

Sporadic activity since the albums release, however the band have recorded a few further compilation tracks and recently recorded the Riot track ‘Warrior’ as a 25th Aniversary event – this track is also currently on their myspace page. I have it from Lee himself that further recordings are not out of the question and material is currently being written in Alaska of all places (he didn’t say why Alaska though!). So having enjoyed discovering Lyadrive myself my recomendations are as follows :-

• Get over to their myspace site and listen to the 4 tracks on offer
• Visit the bands home page at www.lyadrive.co.uk and read their interesting story in full
• Contact the band as I did and express your interest and encouragement

It’s also worth pointing out that the CD turns up on eBay now and again with 3 copies available at present and rest assured if you shell out the cash, it’s a keeper!