2) A British rock band from Liverpool in the mid 70's. They released two albums, Rush and Back to Thunder.
Strife were formed by Paul Ellson in 1969 with Peter Trotman on guitar, Peter Hobbs on bass , and Ellson on drums. Within a few gigs, Gordon Rowley had replaced Hobbs on bass and also became chief vocalist. Around that time, Graham Kin also joined on keyboards and vocals, leaving within a year to return to studies.
Soon (1971), the band were joined by John Reid, ex The Klubbs, on guitar and vocals. They recorded a demo - 'Preparation' c/w 'Jerafter' as a four peice but soon after, Peter Trotman left the band and they were joined by singer Paddy Breen also ex The Klubbs. Breen's sojourn, however, was short-lived.
In '72, John Reid was badly injured whilst Stock Car racing. Peter Trotman stepped in temporarily but, at a Liverpool Club, Gordon Rowley was electrocuted and almost died on stage, being resuscitated by medics from the stunned audience.
Back together again, the 3 piece record "Magic of the Dawn" a demo recording organised by soul singer Edwin Starr who had seen the band at the Mardi Gras club in Liverpool. (Whist gigging nationally, Strife also often played local, Merseyside venues, sometimes playing Liverpool's Cavern Club, two or even three nights in a week.)
In 1973 Strife went to Los Angeles, they had an invitation to contact Mal Evans, Apple executive and former Beatles road manager. They had met Mal on a film set, 'Little Malcolm'. Although their act was considered too wild and attention-grabbing for the film's club scenes (some audience members spontaneously jumped on the tables, thus spoiling the shots) it's possible that the band may be seen as extras (has anyone out there checked?). Mal Evans was working in L.A. with John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. However, the media frenzy at this get-together was so intense that, a few hours prior to the arranged meeting, the ex-Beatles and their entourage had left the city for a secret destination where they could continue their work in peace. No-one, including Strife, were told of the departure or the destination.
As the band walked away from the abandoned meeting place, a pink Cadillac did a U-turn and pulled alongside. It was Edwin Starr. Through Starr they soon met up with R.Dean Taylor and recorded a demo album, both in L.A. and in San Francisco, with Taylor as producer. One of these songs, 'Better Man than I' turned up on the album 'Rush'. These sessions also resulted in the acetate 'Worry', believed to be now owned by renown Liverpool DJ, Billy Butler. Whist on a second trip to the US that year, Strife were offered a deal by the William Morris Agency to replace Grand Funk Railroad on their roster. For some reason, the band were unimpressed and returned to the UK to tour; gigs included the last night of the original Cavern Club.
Strife signed with Chrysalis Records in the UK in '74 and recorded 'Rush'. It was released in early '75 with a strong appearance in the Virgin chart (at the time, the main barometer of UK rock music). As the album was released, Strife toured with Ginger Baker led outfit, The Baker Gurvitz Army. Shortly after this tour, they were joined by guitarist Vic Pappaleo but, despite Vic being an amazing guitarist, the format didn't work out. Strife continued as a three piece, working solidly and increasing their fan-base. However, despite the band's popularity, Chrysalis, whilst going through a corporate identity crisis, refused to release any further material - yet they held Strife to their contract. Regardless of the legal situation, Strife were determined to keep recording and recorded the EP 'School', releasing it on their own label, Outlaw. (Their agent, Paul King was later to take the name 'Outlaw' for his highly successful concert promotions company). After Strife eased out of the Chrysalis contract, 'School' was quickly picked up and released by EMI .
During this mid-70s period the gigging figures showed that Strife were the most in-demand rock band in Britain. No band was safe from being blown offstage. Procol Harum paid Strife off, Judas Priest pulled out, The Average White Band turned plain nasty and Slade's manager, Chas. Chandler, gave instructions that his band should never have to appear with Strife again. Moving from support, from '73 onwards, the band headlined in major venues as well as famous rock clubs such as the London's Marquee and Frankfurt's Zoom.
On New Year's Eve 1977, Paul Ellson left the band to be replaced by David Williams, his former drum roadie. With Williams in the driving seat, the album 'Back to Thunder' was recorded and released on the Gull label. By now though, Punk dominated the scene and, within a year or so, following an illness' of Gordon Rowley, the band split.
3) Dungeon synth. https://strifeofficial.bandcamp.com/
Arms of the Few
Strife Lyrics
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What it meant, cou from extence...my fingers bleed, but reaching hands are not weak the light the tonce burned so bright, has now
Been cast a dismal grey. fighting to keep the voice alive, I cannot left
It end this way...i'm held- in the arms of the few! I walk in a line with
The skared, never breaking my vow. I swear to you. A rise of
Commitment strong, a vision to which it belongs. purty of the
Mind and body, to keep the resistance moving on ...
The opening lines of Strife's song "To the Surface," "Reaching hands circling down, I see it twist to nothing torn from what it meant, cou from existence," depict a feeling of despair and futility. The song seems to be about struggling to maintain your beliefs and fighting for what you believe in despite the obstacles and hardships that come your way. The singer feels as if everything they have held dear has been taken away from them or twisted into something unrecognizable. The lines "the light that once burned so bright, has now been cast a dismal grey" suggest a loss of hope and optimism.
Despite these feelings, the singer is determined to keep fighting and not let their beliefs fade away. The lines "fighting to keep the voice alive, I cannot let it end this way" show the singer's resolve to keep pushing forward. They are not weak, as evidenced by the bleeding fingers from reaching out to hold onto what they believe in. The song seems to be about the importance of perseverance and staying true to your convictions in the face of adversity. The lines "purity of the mind and body, to keep the resistance moving on" suggest that the singer is committed to staying strong in both their thoughts and their actions.
Overall, "To the Surface" by Strife is a powerful song about the struggle to maintain your beliefs and pushing through difficult times. It speaks to the importance of perseverance and staying true to oneself despite the challenges that may come.
Line by Line Meaning
Reaching hands- cirkling down I see it twist to nothing torn from
Despite my efforts, everything I've worked towards seems to be falling apart and becoming meaningless right in front of me.
What it meant, cou from extence...my fingers bleed, but reaching hands are not weak the light the tonce burned so bright, has now
The purpose of my endeavors is slipping away, and though I'm getting hurt and battered on my journey, I'm not giving up. The once promising cause has lost its luster.
Been cast a dismal grey. fighting to keep the voice alive, I cannot left
What I once believed to be a bright future has become bleak and dismal. Despite the hardships that come with struggling to maintain the momentum, I refuse to give up on this cause.
It end this way...i'm held- in the arms of the few! I walk in a line with
I won't allow my fight to end without doing everything in my power to keep it going strong. I'm comforted by the support of a small group of people who share my passion for this cause, and I stand alongside them unwaveringly.
The skared, never breaking my vow. I swear to you. A rise of
I will never abandon those who are too scared to stand up for themselves, and I will keep my promise to fight for them. My dedication is only getting stronger.
Commitment strong, a vision to which it belongs. purity of the
My commitment runs deep, and I have a clear vision of where this cause needs to go. My intentions are pure and true.
Mind and body, to keep the resistance moving on ...
I'm using every fiber of my being to keep the resistance alive and thriving, and I refuse to let it falter under the weight of opposition.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: ANDREW KLINE, CHAD PETERSON, RICK RODNEY, SIDNEY NIESEN, TODD TURNHAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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