The Attack (band)
Encyclopedia
The Attack were a freakbeat
/psychedelic rock
band
formed in 1966 around singer Richard Shirman (born 26 April 1949, London
). The first line-up featured drummer
Alan Whitehead from Marmalade
, guitarist
David O'List
(later of The Nice
) and John Du Cann
(later of Andromeda
and Atomic Rooster
). Their first single
"Try It" had also been recorded
by The Standells
and Ohio Express. They also released a version
of "Hi Ho Silver Lining
", a few days earlier than Jeff Beck
. Richard Shirman was invited to be singer with Andromeda
but he declined.
In 1979 Shirmam reunited The Attack. Two years later he founded another band Hershey and the 12 Bars who released an album
in 2000: Greatest Hits Volume II (A New Day Records
, AND CD43). The line-up was: Richard 'Hershey' Shirman: vocals, harmonica, Mike Summerland: lead guitar, Ernie Hayes: rhythm guitar, Gary Baldwin: Hammond organ, Al MacLean: bass, Alan Coulter: drums
Shirman suffers from multiple sclerosis
.
Freakbeat
Freakbeat is the name used for rare, collectable, and obscure British Invasion records, particularly from 1966 and 1967. Elements of the freakbeat sound include strong direct drum beats, loud and frenzied guitar riffs, and extreme effects such as: fuzztone, flanging, distortion and compression or...
/psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock
Psychedelic rock is a style of rock music that is inspired or influenced by psychedelic culture and attempts to replicate and enhance the mind-altering experiences of psychedelic drugs. It emerged during the mid 1960s among folk rock and blues rock bands in United States and the United Kingdom...
band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
formed in 1966 around singer Richard Shirman (born 26 April 1949, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
). The first line-up featured drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
Alan Whitehead from Marmalade
Marmalade (band)
Marmalade were a successful Scottish pop rock group, from the east end of Glasgow, originally formed in 1961 as "The Gaylords", later "Dean Ford and The Gaylords". In 1966, they changed the group name to 'The Marmalade'. The most successful period for the band, in terms of UK chart success, was...
, guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
David O'List
David O'List
David 'Davy' O'List is a rock guitarist, vocalist and trumpeter.Most notably, he played with The Attack, The Nice and Jet.- Career :...
(later of The Nice
The Nice
The Nice were an English progressive rock band from the 1960s, known for their blend of rock, jazz and classical music. Their debut album, The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack was released in 1967 to immediate acclaim. It is often considered the first progressive rock album...
) and John Du Cann
John Du Cann
John William Cann , later known by his stage name John Du Cann, was a British guitarist primarily known through his work in the 1970s band, Atomic Rooster...
(later of Andromeda
Andromeda (British band)
Andromeda were an English hard, progressive and psychedelic rock group, that formed in 1968 out of The Attack. However, soon after formation, the band changed lineup, and led by John Du Cann a new line-up recorded their eponymous album in 1969 with backing vocals by Eddie Dyche.The group split...
and Atomic Rooster
Atomic Rooster
Atomic Rooster were an English progressive rock band, composed of former members of the The Crazy World of Arthur Brown. Throughout their history, keyboardist Vincent Crane was the only constant member, and wrote the majority of their material. Their history is defined by two periods, in the early...
). Their first single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
"Try It" had also been recorded
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
by The Standells
The Standells
The Standells are a garage rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in the 1960s, who have been referred to as the "Godfathers of Punk Rock", and are best known for their 1966 hit "Dirty Water," now the anthem of several Boston sports teams.-The 1960s:...
and Ohio Express. They also released a version
Cover version
In popular music, a cover version or cover song, or simply cover, is a new performance or recording of a contemporary or previously recorded, commercially released song or popular song...
of "Hi Ho Silver Lining
Hi Ho Silver Lining
"Hi Ho Silver Lining" is a rock song, written by American songwriters Scott English and Larry Weiss and first released as a single in March 1967 by The Attack, followed a few days later by Jeff Beck. Because the Beck version charted first, the song is most often associated with him...
", a few days earlier than Jeff Beck
Jeff Beck
Geoffrey Arnold "Jeff" Beck is an English rock guitarist. He is one of three noted guitarists to have played with The Yardbirds...
. Richard Shirman was invited to be singer with Andromeda
Andromeda (British band)
Andromeda were an English hard, progressive and psychedelic rock group, that formed in 1968 out of The Attack. However, soon after formation, the band changed lineup, and led by John Du Cann a new line-up recorded their eponymous album in 1969 with backing vocals by Eddie Dyche.The group split...
but he declined.
In 1979 Shirmam reunited The Attack. Two years later he founded another band Hershey and the 12 Bars who released an album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
in 2000: Greatest Hits Volume II (A New Day Records
A New Day Records
A New Day is a record label from England . It was founded by Dave Rees and evolved from his Jethro Tull fanzine of that name.-External links:*http://www.anewdayrecords.co.uk/ Official Site...
, AND CD43). The line-up was: Richard 'Hershey' Shirman: vocals, harmonica, Mike Summerland: lead guitar, Ernie Hayes: rhythm guitar, Gary Baldwin: Hammond organ, Al MacLean: bass, Alan Coulter: drums
Shirman suffers from multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the fatty myelin sheaths around the axons of the brain and spinal cord are damaged, leading to demyelination and scarring as well as a broad spectrum of signs and symptoms...
.
Singles
- "Try It"/"We Dont Know" (DeccaDecca RecordsDecca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
F.12550) 1967 - "Hi Ho Silver LiningHi Ho Silver Lining"Hi Ho Silver Lining" is a rock song, written by American songwriters Scott English and Larry Weiss and first released as a single in March 1967 by The Attack, followed a few days later by Jeff Beck. Because the Beck version charted first, the song is most often associated with him...
"/"Any More Than I Do" (Decca F 12578) 1967 - "Created By Clive"/"Colour Of My Mind" (Decca F 12631) 1967
- "Neville Thumbcatch"/"Lady Orange Peel" (Decca F 12725) 1968
- "Hi Ho Silver Lining"/"Any More Than I Do" [Reissue] (Decca F 13353) 1972
- "Created By Clive"/"Colour Of My Mind" [Reissue] (AcmeAcme RecordsAcme Records, an independent record label based in Hastings, East Sussex, England, was formed in 1994 by Gary Ramon . It is known for reissuing classic progressive rock and psychedelic rock albums from the 1960s and 1970s, including out-of-print and previously unreleased material...
ACF1019) 2005
Compilation albums
- Magic In The Air (Reflection MM08) 1990
- Magic In The Air [Reissue] (Aftermath AFT 1001) 1992
- Complete Recordings 1967-68 (Acme ADLP1026) 1999
- About Time! (RPM BC 317) 2006
- About Time! (Bam-Caruso KIRI 121) 2006