Strife -

Strife was an English hard-rock band that released the album Rush on Chrysalis in 1975, followed by Back to Thunder on Gull in 1978. Guitarist John Reid hailed from the late-1960s beat-psych combo The Klubs. Bassist Gordon Rowley became a mainstay of Nightwing during the 1980s.

Members: Paul Ellson (drums, 1969-77), Peter Hobbs (bass, 1969), Pete Trotman (guitar, 1969-71), Gordon Rowley (bass, vocals, 1970-79), Graham Kin (keyboards, 1970), John Reid (lead vocals, guitar, 1971-79), Paddy Breen (lead vocals, 1971), Trevor Griffiths (guitar, ?-1972), Vic Pappaleo (guitar, 1975), David Williams (drums, 1978-79)

The original Strife formed in 1969 in Bootle, Merseyside, when drummer Paul Ellson formed a power trio with bassist Peter Hobbs and guitarist Pete Trotman.

Rush

Strife released their debut album, Rush, in January 1975 on Chrysalis.

The album contains five John Reid originals, including the epic three-part title suite. Side A contains the Gordon Rowley song “Man of the Wilderness” and the group-written “Indian Dream.”

A1. “Back Streets of Heaven” (3:19)
A2. “Man of the Wilderness” (4:30)
A3. “Magic of the Dawn” (3:27)
A4. “Indian Dream” (6:53)

B1. “Life Is Easy” (2:55)
B2. “Better Man Than I” (3:05)
B3. “Rush” (12:02)
— a. “People Running ‘Round” (3:14)
— b. “More Haste, Less Speed” (3:01)
— c. “Final Fling” (5:47)

Producer – R. Dean Taylor
Engineer – Don Gooch
Assistant Engineer – Guy Bidmead, Nigel Brooke-Harte, Stan Johnston

Vocals, Bass Guitar – Gordon Rowley
Drums – Paul H. Ellson
Lead Guitar, Vocals, Harmonica – John Reid

Sleeve Design, Photographs – Hipgnosis
Graphics – Colin Elgie, Richard Evans

“School”

In March 1977, Strife released a standalone maxi-single: “School” backed with “Go…” and “Feel So Good,” all John Reid originals.

A. “School” (3:57)
B1. “Go…” (2:26)
B2. “Feel So Good” (3:14)

Back to Thunder

Strife released their second album, Back to Thunder, in November 1978 on Gull.

A1. “Shockproof” (3:30)
A2. “Let Me Down” (5:15)
A3. “Feel So Good” (2:49)
A4. “Sky” (6:12)
B1. “You Are What You Are” (4:10)
B2. “Red Sun” (3:35)
B3. “Fool Injected Overlap” (6:36)
B4. “Weary Traveller” (3:50)

Martin Levan — producer, engineer
Nigel Green — engineer

Gordon Rowley — bass, gong, backing vocals
John Reid — guitar, lead vocals
David Williams — drums, percussion, backing vocals

Don Airey — keyboards

Discography: