Shy - Biography
This band's profile is 'invisible', meaning that it's much less prominent on the site - either because it's incomplete, or maybe doesn't entirely fit MS format.
Biography
Shy are a British metal band formed in 1980, under the name Trojan, hailing from Birmingham, England.
Formerly known as Trojan, Shy featured vocalist Tony Mills, Steve Harris (guitars) (not to be confused with Iron Maiden's bass player), Paddy McKenna (keyboards), Mark Badrick (bass) and drummer Alan Kelly. Their first album, called Once Bitten...Twice..., was released in 1983. Initial reports from Kerrang! were incredibly positive, however, a reporter was increasingly sarcastic to the band in the interview that would follow. After the release, Mills ditched his David Bowie-esque make up , and Mark Badrick was replaced by former Trouble bassist Roy Davies.
Shy made their major label debut on RCA Records with 1985's Brave the Storm. This release gained much success despite the single "Hold On (To Your love)" being disqualified from the charts, as early copies included a shrink-wrapped T-shirt. Reviews from Kerrang! were this time more positive, comparing Mill's soaring vocals with those of Geoff Tate, vocalist of Queensrÿche.
In the eighteen months that preceded the band's third album, Shy made a name for themselves touring with Bon Jovi, Meat Loaf, Twisted Sister, Gary Moore and UFO.
The band's 1987 album, Excess All Areas, was recorded in Holland with producer Neil Kernon. The album featured Shy's biggest hit, Break Down The Walls co-written with Don Dokken. The album reached Britain's top 75, with Metal Hammer magazine being particularly appreciative, suggesting that Steve Harris could give Bon Jovi's Richie Sambora a run for his money.
The year 1989 saw the release of the album Misspent Youth on MCA. The album, produced by Roy Thomas Baker, was promoted with American and European tours.
By 1994, Mills had been replaced by ex-XS/AFTER HOURS vocalist, Jon Francis. The band's 1994 album, Welcome To The Madhouse was released in Japan by Phonogram but failed to get distribution elswhere.
The band released a live album in 1999, recorded in Europe, and two albums containing previously unreleased songs, Let The Hammer Fall and Regeneration.
Mills agreed to return to the band in 2000. By 2002, Shy had recorded and released an album featuring Mills, which was called Unfinished Business and saw Man drummer Bob Richards replacing Kelly.
In 2005, Shy released Sunset And Vine on the MTM Music label. In addition to Mills, Harris and Davis, this album featured Mills' ex Siam colleague Ian Richardson on rhythm guitar and keyboard player Joe Basketts who had previously worked with Mills on his solo album.
In 2006, Mills met with Norwegian rock act TNT, and announced he was leaving Shy to take up the vocalist slot, empty since the announced departure of Tony Harnell. Shy ironically supported TNT on their final tour.
Shy originally had planned for Tony O'Hora to replace Mills. However, Lee Small, formerly of Surveillance, took the helm for a handful of gigs before parting company with Shy in January 2009, he is now once again Shy's vocalist. Small and Steve Harris are working on material for the next Shy album, scheduled for release in early 2011. Ian Richardson (previously in Siam) has since left Shy.
Formerly known as Trojan, Shy featured vocalist Tony Mills, Steve Harris (guitars) (not to be confused with Iron Maiden's bass player), Paddy McKenna (keyboards), Mark Badrick (bass) and drummer Alan Kelly. Their first album, called Once Bitten...Twice..., was released in 1983. Initial reports from Kerrang! were incredibly positive, however, a reporter was increasingly sarcastic to the band in the interview that would follow. After the release, Mills ditched his David Bowie-esque make up , and Mark Badrick was replaced by former Trouble bassist Roy Davies.
Shy made their major label debut on RCA Records with 1985's Brave the Storm. This release gained much success despite the single "Hold On (To Your love)" being disqualified from the charts, as early copies included a shrink-wrapped T-shirt. Reviews from Kerrang! were this time more positive, comparing Mill's soaring vocals with those of Geoff Tate, vocalist of Queensrÿche.
In the eighteen months that preceded the band's third album, Shy made a name for themselves touring with Bon Jovi, Meat Loaf, Twisted Sister, Gary Moore and UFO.
The band's 1987 album, Excess All Areas, was recorded in Holland with producer Neil Kernon. The album featured Shy's biggest hit, Break Down The Walls co-written with Don Dokken. The album reached Britain's top 75, with Metal Hammer magazine being particularly appreciative, suggesting that Steve Harris could give Bon Jovi's Richie Sambora a run for his money.
The year 1989 saw the release of the album Misspent Youth on MCA. The album, produced by Roy Thomas Baker, was promoted with American and European tours.
By 1994, Mills had been replaced by ex-XS/AFTER HOURS vocalist, Jon Francis. The band's 1994 album, Welcome To The Madhouse was released in Japan by Phonogram but failed to get distribution elswhere.
The band released a live album in 1999, recorded in Europe, and two albums containing previously unreleased songs, Let The Hammer Fall and Regeneration.
Mills agreed to return to the band in 2000. By 2002, Shy had recorded and released an album featuring Mills, which was called Unfinished Business and saw Man drummer Bob Richards replacing Kelly.
In 2005, Shy released Sunset And Vine on the MTM Music label. In addition to Mills, Harris and Davis, this album featured Mills' ex Siam colleague Ian Richardson on rhythm guitar and keyboard player Joe Basketts who had previously worked with Mills on his solo album.
In 2006, Mills met with Norwegian rock act TNT, and announced he was leaving Shy to take up the vocalist slot, empty since the announced departure of Tony Harnell. Shy ironically supported TNT on their final tour.
Shy originally had planned for Tony O'Hora to replace Mills. However, Lee Small, formerly of Surveillance, took the helm for a handful of gigs before parting company with Shy in January 2009, he is now once again Shy's vocalist. Small and Steve Harris are working on material for the next Shy album, scheduled for release in early 2011. Ian Richardson (previously in Siam) has since left Shy.