Rocky Shades

Robert K. Barklay (born January 22, 1960), professionally known as Rocky Shades, is an English singer.

Early life

Robert K. Barklay was born on 22 January 1960 in Aldershot, England. He created his stage name in 1976, when he began to sing informally. His career started very early: at the age of 5 he was already singing at the Greenland Social Club Birmingham, where his mother used to work, also as a singer.

Music career

Before Wrathchild, Shades fronted many minor bands, including Sweet Acid (in 1976) and Hoi Polloi (from 1977 to 1980, later changed the name to Titan). With this one, he also recorded a single called East wind west wind/Losing the fight. In 1980 he auditioned for Wrathchild, with whom he worked until 1991. Between 1980 and 1982, the band recorded two demos: Classical Mayhem (1981) and Mascara Massacre (1982). In the same year they released the single Do You Want My Love?. For the first official release, we'll have to wait until 1983, when they recorded the EP Stuckheel Struck.

Breakthrough (1984)

The band gained significant popularity in 1984, when they recorded their first studio album, called Stakk Attakk. From the album were taken two singles: Alrite With The Boyz (cover of the Gary Glitter classic Doing Alright With The Boys) and Trash Queen. In the same year a live show was recorded, at the Camden Palace Theatre in London. The concert featured some songs from Stakk Attakk, Cock, Rock, Shock (later in the album Trash Queens, which was released the next year) and two other songs: Blood On The Blade and Give It All You Got.

Contractual and legal problems (1984-1991)

Unfortunately, just when Shades and the band started getting successful, they had problems first with their label, and then with an American band that was using the same name. The contractual problem with their label, Heavy Metal Records, didn't want to let them sign with a major label, RCA Records, because they thought RCA didn't offer enough money to rescind their contract. The second lawsuit, another band, called Wrathchild, claimed they were using the name "Wrathchild" before the British band. Shades and the band won the first lawsuit, however it lasted six years. Enough time for RCA Records to change their mind on the band. Wrathchild also won the second lawsuit as well. Both battles heavy influenced the course of the band, with onerous lawyer bills leaving them without money, unable to even give a new thrust at their career. Later, due to tension with the other members, Shades was forced to leave the band.

During this period Wrathchild comtinued recording. In 1984, at the beginning of the contractual problems, a video compilation called War Machine was released, and the next year they recorded the album Trash Queens. In 1988 Wrathchild also recorded an album called The Biz Suxx, a title that clearly reflects their attitude at the time. As if it wasn't already enough, the battles prevented the band from recording right after the Live in London '84 explain the gap of years between ‘‘Trash Queens and The Biz Suxx. The next year they released their fourth studio album, Delirium. Shades also joined the punk band Discharge between 1986 and 1987, to write songs with them while their vocalist was taking a sabbatical. Shades also recorded a demo with Discharge.

After Wrathchild

After he was forced to leave Wrathchild, Rocky Shades worked with several bands between 1991 and 2005. From 1991 to 1993 Shades joins “One track & Dirty” and forms a band called "Sin" (not to be confused with the American band of the same name with Rik Fox) with ex Streetfighters axeman Pat Hamby, with whom he records a few demos. From 1993 to 1997 he formed a blues rock band Stealing Time (name later changed to Groovebreaker featuring Ex GBH Bassist Sean McCarthy ). From 1997 to 2000 Shades works with and records a few demos with Riff Raff and Prime Time. From 2000 to 2005 Shades forms the Birmingham Blues Brothers Tribute act, tours Europe and Asia (including locations like Bahrain and Malaysia). In 2008 Shades joins the biker metal band "The Handsome Beasts". Shades perform a few shows with The Handsome Beasts writes and co- composes material for an album that never saw the light of day. In the same year Shades forms the Van Halen tribute band David Lee Wrath (name later changed to Yankee Rose). With this band he performs many memorable shows, like the "music live" at the N.E.C. Bham

Rocky Shades Wrathchild

Between 2005 and 2006 Shades founded Rocky Shades Wrathchild, so that he could sing again the hits of the '80. The band recorded a demo Dead Good, but was disbanded without even perform once. A few years later in 2009, another version of the band was formed. Immediately encountered problems due to the name "Wrathchild", when Phil "Wrathchild" Vokins, Marc Angel, Eddie Star, and Gaz "Psychowrath" Harris (at the time under the name of Psychowrath) dragged the band in court. After two years it was decided to disband again the band, and to give Psychowrath the rights for the name "Wrathchild" and "Wrathchild UK".

Wildside Riot

In 2010 a new band was formed, after a year of waiting, due to the fact that three of the members couldn't agree on a name for the band. This first version didn't last long, because of the obvious logistic problem. 2011 a new version of the band “Wildside Riot” saw the light. Unfortunately it didn't last much more than the first one (only two live shows performed), since a member quit for personal reasons. The band as we know it today was formed in the same year, with vocalist Rocky Shades, drummer Gaz Wilde, guitarists Joss Riot and Jimmy Gunn and bass player James Croft. Wildside Riot recorded a few demos, filmed a video, and wrote an album, No Second Take, released on February 2013 which received mainly good reviews by the critics.

Rocky Shades, about the new band, is quoted as saying;

This version of the band is the best band I have ever had the privilege to work with: they are extremely talented guys and great to be around. It's so refreshing to have members in my band who just wanna do it and how.

— Rocky Shades

With the departure of James Croft a new bass player was found: Marty Maelstrom, who has brought a new dimension to the sound with his backing vocals and song writing skills. Wildside Riot, with a second album in the making, is currently touring.

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