Description

Limited picture disc Michael Schenker Group had released two successful studio albums but by late 1981 and early 1982 there were some hard times and Gardy Barden was fire without any real explanation (and so was Cozy Powell). Later reports have told that the first two albums had cost a lot to record and the management wanted their money back and needed Michael Schenker to take a step up in his career and record sales by introducing a famous singer to the band. Schenker in vain tried to enlist Grand Prix vocalist Robin McAuley but was turned down. In his stead came erstwhile Rainbow vocalist Graham Bonnet who was dissatisfied with Ritchie Blackmore. Blackmores loss was Schenkers gain, but only for a short time it would prove. MSG third album, the Martin Birch, produced ‘Assault Attack’ would be one the finest albums Schenker ever released. Michael as usual sounds red hot especially on the end solo of ‘Rock You To The Ground’. Martin Birch's production here is fantastic: Bonnet and Schenker sound better than ever before. Bassist Chris Glenn's highly contrapuntal playing is mixed perfectly, and even the relatively obscure drummer Ted McKenna (from Alex Harvey and Rory Gallagher band) comes across crushing on a Cozy/Bonham level. The album sold well but at one of the warm up gigs at Sheffield, a drunken Bonnet pulled live rhythm guitarist Steve Casey out from behind some amps and introduced him to the crowd, much to Schenkers annoyance. The singer wandered offstage and didn't come back again. So when Graham Bonnet left Schenker called up his old friend Gary Barden who returned for their headlining 1982 Reading Festival and the coming ‘Assault Attack’ tour. Track listing: 1. Assault Attack 2. Rock You To The Ground 3. Dancer 4. Samurai 5. Desert Song 6. Broken Promises 7. Searching For A Reason 8. Ulcer