Girlschool / Raven / Alcatrazz / Airforce

About

Girlschool

Girlschool is a British rock band formed in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal scene in the 1970s and is frequently associated with contemporaries Motörhead. They are the longest-running all-female rock band, still active after almost 40 years.

Originally formed in 1975 from a school band called Painted Lady, Girlschool enjoyed strong media exposure and commercial success in the UK in the early 1980s with three albums of "punk-tinged metal" and a few singles.

During their career, Girlschool traveled the world, playing in many rock and metal festivals and co-headlining with important hard rock and heavy metal bands. They maintain a worldwide cult following and are an inspiration for many female rock musicians. Original members Kim McAuliffe, Denise Dufort, and long-time member Jackie Chambers are still in the band.
Bassist Olivia Airey joined in 2024.

Raven

RAVEN are that rare thing in music, true originals - cut these guys with a razor and they will BLEED true heavy metal - a more intense live band does not exist on this planet! Hailing from Newcastle Upon Tyne in North East England back in 1974 (yes - 46 YEARS ago!!!) the brothers Gallagher cut their teeth playing the pubs & clubs until solidifying their line up in 1980 with drummer Rob Hunter.

The trio went on to release three of the most influential metal albums of the NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) inspiring every band of that era and beyond. Basically, without Raven you just would not have thrash/speed metal.... after all, the band did give Metallica & Anthrax their first tours!

Following an insane blur of world touring over the last 3 years, the guys released the next RAVEN opus, "Metal City" in September 2020 taking their game to the next level...a scorcher of immense proportions!

In a cynical musical landscape these days, where bands are not "gangs "but faceless corporations, RAVEN are a band that are REAL not FAKE - and proud of it!

Alcatrazz

Alcatrazz is a heavy metal band that was formed in Los Angeles in 1983 by Jimmy Waldo, Gary Shea (both formerly of melodic rock band New England) and Graham Bonnet (formerly of Rainbow and Michael Schenker Group). The initial line-up was completed by the addition of young Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen, who had recently left American metal band Steeler, and former Iron Butterfly drummer Jan Uvena, who had just recently departed Alice Cooper's backing band. It was Shea that named the band "Alcatrazz"; the misspelling of the famous prison's name deliberate.

Alcatrazz are currently writing and recording for a 2026 album release.

Airforce

After disbanding in 1997, Airforce took to the stage once again in 2008 with Chop Pitman being the only original member involved. The band underwent a number of line-up changes over the next 8 years until 2016, when the retro-spective album "Judgement Day" was released. This album marked the return of the original Airforce line- up of Chop Pitman, Doug Sampson and Tony Hatton, with new recruit Dilian Arnaudov on vocals.

With line-up complete, Airforce released several EPs, including songs with guest appearances from former Iron Maiden vocalists Paul Di'Anno and Paul Mario Day. Their most memorable live performances include North American tours which won loyalty of new fans, as well as the appearance on Hills of Rock festival in Bulgaria, where they played on the same bill as Iron Maiden and Judas Priest.

The band continued to tour the UK as well as taking their show to other countries, both in Europe and across the Atlantic, including some festival appearances and a successful tour supporting Steve Harris' British Lion in 2021. When you hear the air-raid siren, you'll know the hour of Airforce has arrived.