DECEMBER 1981 – DOMINION THEATRE, LONDON Bolton based band ‘Stormchild’ (average age 17) win the national Opportunity Rocks competition. The prize – a management deal, a record contract, and a move to London. Over the next year the prize begins to fall apart and the band split. FEBRUARY 2016 – BOLTON The band hold a meeting to discuss the possibility of re-forming. This is the first time the band has been in the same room together in 35 years. Band members have flown in from all over the world. SEPTEMBER 2016 – KENT Stormchild finish the recording of their first studio album under the auspices of the legendary rock producer Chris Tsangarides. HOW DID THIS HAPPEN? It was drummer Chris Mitchell who kept the torch burning for ‘Stormchild’ during their 35 years of inactivity. Recognising that there was an interest in the band fuelled by the internet, Chris put together an album of previous studio and live recordings – ‘Maiden Voyage’ – and High Roller records released it. This generated further online interest. Stormchild’s only real formal recording had been a double A-sided single – ‘Rockin’ Steady’ / ‘Last Night’ – recorded after the Opportunity Rocks victory but never released. In fact, only 50 copies were ever pressed. In the intervening 35 years the single had become one of the most sought after records of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal era. In 2014 a copy sold for over £2000. The highest price ever paid for a single from this era. Ever quick to seize an opportunity, Chris realised that this internet based interest in Stormchild provided the perfect moment for the band to consider reforming. This was never going to be an easy task. Chris himself was working throughout the Middle East, bass player Joe Rodmell was a successful camera operator in Los Angeles, guitarist Geoff Garcia had continued to work as a musician in the band’s home town of Bolton, keyboard player Neil McCurley had been a teacher for 25 years, and singer Ian Bridge ran a thriving building company in California. The band had gone their separate ways and now had jobs, families, and responsibilities. How could a reformation ever happen? Even logistically it seemed an impossible task. Chris knew, however, that he could count on one thing - the group members had a pride in the band and its music that hadn’t diminished over the years. A year of telephone calls, emails and texts later, the band agreed to meet. In Bolton’s legendary ‘Man And Scythe’ pub, the band met for the first time in three decades. It was obvious immediately that this was going to work. Old friendships were instantly rekindled and the band fell into their old roles with an ease that only comes with shared experience and an all consuming loyalty to Stormchild’s music. JUMP BACK 35 YEARS Chris Tsangarides is one of the top rock producers in the world (‘Thin Lizzy’, ‘Judas Priest’ et al). Somehow he hears the ‘Stormchild’ single and contacts the band with an offer to produce an album. Chris (Mitchell) recognises this as an important chance in the band’s history and although the album never materialises he keeps in touch with Tsangarides over the years. FEBRUARY 2016 – BOLTON One conference call later and the band have arranged to record an album with Tsangarides producing. AUGUST 2016 – KENT After a week of rehearsals in the studio of guitarist Bernie Torme, the band move into Chris Tsangaride’s studio to begin recording. Five weeks later the job is done. ‘LIGHTNING STRIKES TWICE’ The album you are about to play (named after an early song by the band) is the result of these sessions. All the songs are from the band’s early 1980’s period. Most have never been recorded before and none have ever been recorded to the band’s satisfaction. Up till now.