Fist (band)

History

Originally called Axe, the group came together in April 1978 and cut just one track, "S.S. Giro," before calling it quits. They regrouped in late 1979 under the name Fist and quickly inked a deal with Neat Records. Their debut single, "Name, Rank and Serial Number," hit in April 1980, earning heavy radio play, strong sales, and a thumbs-up from Sounds magazine. This success led to a contract with MCA, a second single, and plans for a full album. That album, Turn the Hell On, arrived alongside tours with UFO, Judas Priest, and Iron Maiden. But the record suffered from a muddy mix, and MCA—inexperienced with heavy metal—did a poor job promoting it. Sales fell short of expectations, and MCA dropped the band in early 1981. After a few compilation spots (including the old Axe track on Neat's Lead Weight), Fist overhauled its lineup in July 1981. The new crew featured vocalist Glenn Coates (ex-Hollow Ground), guitarist John Roach (ex-Mythra), bassist Norman Appleby, plus returning members Hill and Irwin. Their second LP, Back with a Vengeance, came out on Neat in early 1982 to favorable reviews, though some critics griped that Coates's smoother vocals made the band sound "too American." Limited distribution and a tight budget kept the album from catching on, and the band mostly played local shows in northeast England. Fist went through more lineup shifts before finally splitting for good in 1985. Despite modest sales, critics praised the band for catchy choruses and lyrics that avoided occult clichés—songs like "You'll Never Get Me Up (In One of Those)" tackled fear of flying, and "Throwing in the Towel" told the story of an aging boxer. "Name, Rank and Serial Number" remains a beloved classic among many rock and metal fans.