HellsBelles

1980s – Hell's Belles

HellsBelles carved out a notable space in the 1980s music scene, earning a loyal following and significant radio play. Their tracks hit the airwaves on Tommy Vance's BBC Radio 1 Friday Rock Show, Terry Christian's award-winning 'Barbed Wireless' on BBC Radio Derby, and the pirate station Alice's Restaurant Rock Radio. The band also drew rave reviews in metal press like Kerrang! and Metal Forces for both their live shows and recordings. What set them apart was their distinctive blend of punk rock and traditional heavy metal, a hybrid sound that later influenced acts including Metallica. The punk edge came from drummer Garry Maloney, a former member of Discharge and The Varukers who played on Discharge's 1982 hardcore album 'Hear Nothing See Nothing Say Nothing', and guitarist Pooch (born Peter Purtill), who had also played in Discharge after Bones left to join Broken Bones. Gareth Holder added to the punk pedigree, having been in Leamington Spa-based band The Shapes. On the heavy metal and classic rock side, vocalist, guitarist, and lyricist Paul Quigley brought experience from the NWOBHM band SwingFire, which included drummer Dave Raeburn and bassist Mick Paul. Quigley later formed A.M. and then RAAM with former Metal Mirror guitarist Chris Haggerty (1960–2004), and in 1987 founded the London glam rock band BellaDonna, which performed with ex-Tokyo Blade drummer Andy 'A.D. Dynamite' Parsons. Drummer Anthony 'Spiv' Smith, previously of Brute Force, replaced Maloney in April 1984 shortly after HellsBelles formed. Maloney later returned to Discharge, rejoining Cal (born Kelvin Morris) for the albums 'Grave New World' and 'Massacre Divine'. Beyond music, Quigley acted in two promo videos for Bronze Records' band Girlschool: the singles '20th Century Boy' and 'Play Dirty', both from their 1983 album produced by Slade's Noddy Holder and Jimmy Lea. That 'Play Dirty' video later appeared on the MTV cartoon Beavis and Butthead.