More - Band Biography/History

Biography

[Dashboard] [Referred Artists] [Search Options]

More (1980-1982, 1985, 1998-2000, 2011-present): a NWOBHM band from London, UK.

ritish heavy metal band More were part of the new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM) forming in the early 1980s. They recorded two albums and two singles, and opened the German rock festival Golden Summer Night at Stuttgart and Darmstadt in August 1981, as well as the Monsters of Rock festival at Donington Park one week later. Initially the band was fronted by vocalist Paul Mario Day, who had sung in an early incarnation of Iron Maiden from 1975-76; his is a name not commonly known to historians of Iron Maiden for his presence there was long before that band ever recorded.

Along with Day, More also featured the line-up of Kenny Cox (guitar), Paul Todd (guitar), Brian Day (bass) and Frank Darch (drums) between 1980-81, and Kenny Cox (guitar), Paul Todd (guitar), Brian Day (bass) and Frank Darch (drums) between 1981 & 82 whereby the band released their first album, Warhead (1981).

By the time of their second album, Blood & Thunder (1982), Darch and Mansworth had left, the latter going on to form the band Airrace. Andy John Burton was recruited as the new drummer and the band became a four-piece. Bassist Brian Day also left during the recording of the second album, to be replaced by Barry 'Baz' Nicholls.

Read All... ⏬

Following Paul Mario Day's departure, the line-up of Cox, Nicholls, Burton and vocalist Mick Stratton released a 7" single called Trickster in 1982, before splitting up.

Cox revived More briefly in 1985, with Ron Jackson (vocals), Mel Jones (guitar), Baz Nicholls (bass) and Paul George (drums). Following that, Cox moved on to the band Mammoth, with ex-Gillan and Sun Red Sun bassist John McCoy and ex-Samson vocalist Nicky Moore.

A further attempt to reform the band occurred in the spring of 1998, with Mike Freeland on vocals. A track called My Obsession was recorded by this incarnation of the band, but they split up shortly afterwards in 2000.

In 2011, Andy John Burton recruited the returning Baz Nicholls, Mike Freeland, Paul Stickles (guitar; also with the band Dangerous Breed) and special guest Chris Tsangarides to form a More tribute band called Exmore. They performed live at the Headbangers Open Air festival in July 2011, along with two other performances. Following an enthusiastic reaction from the audience at this concert, the bandmembers made the collective decision to continue performing and the following year the act changed their name back to More.

In May 2014, Dave John Ross replaced Paul Stickles on guitar.

Chris Tsangarides died on 6 January 2018, and Andy John Burton died on 7 November 2021. Kenny Cox died on 21 June 2022. Undeterred, however, the act decided to carry on under the revised membership of Roman Kantoch (vocals), Dave John Ross (guitar), Baz Nicholls (bass) and Steve Rix (drums).

Read Less... ⏫