Red Alert (band)

Red Alert's original line-up — Steve 'Cast Iron' Smith (vocals), Tony Van Frater (guitar), Gaz Stuart (bass) and Dona (drums) — debuted in the summer of 1979, at a carnival in Sunderland, performing mostly Clash and UK Subs covers.[4]

Their first demo became their debut release: a self-financed four track EP Third And Final, only 250 copies of which were pressed and then sold at gigs.[3] With the new drummer Gary 'Mitch' Mitchell the band produced its second demo In Britain and recorded two tracks for the Carry On Oi! compilation, only one of which -"SPG"- was included. Gary Bushell suggested that the band should send their material to No Future Records which they did and were signed a week later.[4]

In the course of two years Red Alert released two 7-inch EPs (In Britain, Take No Prisoners), their debut LP We've Got The Power, a single ("City Invasion") and a 6 track 12-inch EP (There's A Guitar Burning), all with new drummer Les 'Nobby' Cobb. Matty Forster replaced Cobb in 1984.[3] This change bore little fruit: disillusioned and weary, the band called it quits; the band's last gig was a benefit for the miners' strike.[3] For some time Tony and Matty toured with Red London.

In 1989, all four original members of Red Alert started meeting again, at a new Kazbah club, opened in Sunderland. In early 1990 the reformed band did a gig with Red London and Attila the Stockbroker and, inspired by their warm reception, decided to go on — with the exception of Gaz, who was replaced by Tom Spencer.

After touring Western Europe alongside Red London, the quartet (with Gaz Stoker of Red London, as a new bassist) recorded their second LP Blood, Sweat 'N' Beers,[1] released on Nightmare Records in Germany. Beyond The Cut (Nightmare/Knockout) followed in 1993.

With new drummer John Forster (Matty's brother) and later Lainey of Leatherface the band toured the United States and released the Super Yobs album, a split with The Templars. On return they released the "Street Survivors"/"Drinkin' With Red Alert" double 7-inch EP set.

In August 1994, new drummer Ian Syborn joined; with him in 1995-96 the band recorded Breakin' All The Rules CD for Dojo Records. Shortly after the release Lainey returned, this time as bassist. This line-up recorded Wearside, released by PlasticHead Records to coincide with the 1999 Red Alert - The Rarities compilation (20 previously unreleased tracks) on Captain Oi! Records.[4]

Red Alert's latest studio album Excess All Areas was released in 2005.[5]

The band's current lineup includes:

• Guitar- Mick Jones
• Bass- Dave Jones
• Drums- Axel Klempin

Ian Syborn died in 2002.[6] Tony Van Frater died on 29 October 2015.[7] Steve "Cast Iron" Smith died in Spain on 30 November 2022.[8]

• Kid Stoker, Red Alert: The Story So Far, Street Music Publishing, 2000

• Red Alert @ UK 82
• Red Alert discography at Discogs