Hard Rain (band)
Encyclopedia
Hard Rain are a British
Melodic Rock band
from Birmingham
, England
. Formed in 1996, following the demise of Magnum
. The core of the band are vocalist Bob Catley
and guitarist
/songwriter
Tony Clarkin
.
After Magnum split, a spin off group featuring Catley and Clarkin was formed called Hard Rain, with a contemporary and alternative style. They released the albums Hard Rain
in 1997 and When The Good Times Come
in 1999. At this time, Catley was becoming increasingly focused on his solo career, and he quit Hard Rain in 1999, marking the end of a working relationship with Clarkin that dated back to 1972. After a quiet period Clarkin announced the end of Hard Rain.
. The entire self-titled album, Hard Rain
(released in May 1997) was recorded at Mad Hat studios in Walsall, between February and December 1996 by Tony Clarkin and Bob Catley with programmed drums, apart from the backing vocals.
A band is assembled including Sue McCloskey on backing vocals, who has participated in the recording of the album. Sue McCloskey had sung with Silver Convention
under the name Zenda Jacks. Paul Hodson and Al Barrow join the band on keyboards and bass, and original Magnum
drummer Kex Gorin auditions for the band but the rehearsals do not work out. Al Barrow recommends his brother's services to the band, so Rob Barrow completes the touring line-up.
The band released a single in the much-favoured country of Germany "Stop Me From Loving You". After a successful UK tour, the band begins work for a second album and sign with a new record company Eagle Records
. The previous record company, Semaphore GmbH, went bust. Their debut album was subsequently reissued in Receiver Records as Perpetual Commotion.
(released in April 1999) features the touring band, rather than Tony using a drum machine and programming. The album is very diverse and explores styles such as Funk, Jazz and Blues (feat. Gary Barnacle
on sax). A promotional tour in the UK starts in April.
In September 1999, after very long and careful considerations, long time front man of Magnum and Hard Rain and long time musical partner for Tony Clarkin, Bob Catley decides to leave the band due to musical differences, and pursue his solo career.
Bob sums up his decision to leave: "I told Tony my feelings and he said 'That's fine with me, and I don't want you to sing these songs and I don't want you in the band any more, if you aren't giving it your 100% effort'. So I said 'Okay, I think I had better leave then'. That was it really. But we were both very grown up about it. It happened really quickly over 3 days amid lots of frantic phone calls. It was a really hard decision but I feel so relieved now that I can concentrate on Gary Hughes songs because I feel they ARE me. I still do lots of Magnum songs on stage because the crowd loves them." — Bob Catley
, September, 1999
Tony Clarkin has continued to write and record new ideas with the presumption that Sue McCloskey will take over Bob's position.
"Sue and I are co-writing these new songs; it's the first time in my career that I've has a regular song writing partner, and were coming up with some very commercial stuff. But where we go from here is anybody's guess." — Tony Clarkin
, September, 1999
On January 29, 2000, Tony Clarkin performed a charity show with Sue McCloskey at the Stumble Inn in Cannock. All proceeds and profits go to Mencap. This is the first professional appearance since Bob Catley departed from Hard Rain. News surfaces in December 2000 that Tony Clarkin & Bob Catley will reform Magnum for an album and tour, set for September 2001.
Clarkin comments: "The break since the middle of the Nineties was definitely necessary for me. Since the end of the Seventies, in fact since we embarked on the preparations for our debut recording Kingdom Of Madness
, not a single month had gone by in which I didn't work for Magnum, composed for the group, or at least thought of them permanently. For almost twenty years, all my thoughts had revolved around the band. I needed a break to clear my head and to be able to devote myself to the band again with renewed energy." — Tony Clarkin
, 2002
During his sabbatical, Clarkin worked as a producer and wrote songs for other artists.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Melodic Rock band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
from Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Formed in 1996, following the demise of Magnum
Magnum (band)
Magnum are a British progressive rock band from Birmingham, England. Formed as a four piece by Tony Clarkin , Bob Catley , Kex Gorin and Bob Doyle in order to appear as the resident band at The Rum Runner night club Birmingham...
. The core of the band are vocalist Bob Catley
Bob Catley
For the Australian politician, see Bob Catley Robert Adrian 'Bob' Catley is a British musician, perhaps best known as the lead singer of the rock band Magnum. He is also an accomplished solo artist.- Early years :...
and guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
/songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
Tony Clarkin
Tony Clarkin
Tony Clarkin is a British musician, best known as the guitarist of the rock band Magnum...
.
After Magnum split, a spin off group featuring Catley and Clarkin was formed called Hard Rain, with a contemporary and alternative style. They released the albums Hard Rain
Hard Rain (Hard Rain album)
Hard Rain is the debut studio album by British melodic rock band Hard Rain. It was released in 1996 on German record label Semaphore GmbH....
in 1997 and When The Good Times Come
When the Good Times Come (Hard Rain album)
When The Good Times Come is the second studio album by British melodic rock band Hard Rain. It was released in 1999 on Eagle Records.-Track listing:All Tracks written by Tony Clarkin.#"Eat It Up"#"Who You Gonna Trust"#"Rock Me In Ya Cradle"...
in 1999. At this time, Catley was becoming increasingly focused on his solo career, and he quit Hard Rain in 1999, marking the end of a working relationship with Clarkin that dated back to 1972. After a quiet period Clarkin announced the end of Hard Rain.
Hard Rain (1996—1998)
After Magnum split up, Tony invites Bob Catley to help him finish off a few demos. The demo secured a record deal with German label Sophomore GmbH, so they made the decision to form a new band, rather than re-form MagnumMagnum (band)
Magnum are a British progressive rock band from Birmingham, England. Formed as a four piece by Tony Clarkin , Bob Catley , Kex Gorin and Bob Doyle in order to appear as the resident band at The Rum Runner night club Birmingham...
. The entire self-titled album, Hard Rain
Hard Rain (Hard Rain album)
Hard Rain is the debut studio album by British melodic rock band Hard Rain. It was released in 1996 on German record label Semaphore GmbH....
(released in May 1997) was recorded at Mad Hat studios in Walsall, between February and December 1996 by Tony Clarkin and Bob Catley with programmed drums, apart from the backing vocals.
A band is assembled including Sue McCloskey on backing vocals, who has participated in the recording of the album. Sue McCloskey had sung with Silver Convention
Silver Convention
Silver Convention was a German euro disco recording act of the 1970s. The group was originally named Silver Bird Convention, or Silver Bird.-Career:...
under the name Zenda Jacks. Paul Hodson and Al Barrow join the band on keyboards and bass, and original Magnum
Magnum (band)
Magnum are a British progressive rock band from Birmingham, England. Formed as a four piece by Tony Clarkin , Bob Catley , Kex Gorin and Bob Doyle in order to appear as the resident band at The Rum Runner night club Birmingham...
drummer Kex Gorin auditions for the band but the rehearsals do not work out. Al Barrow recommends his brother's services to the band, so Rob Barrow completes the touring line-up.
The band released a single in the much-favoured country of Germany "Stop Me From Loving You". After a successful UK tour, the band begins work for a second album and sign with a new record company Eagle Records
Eagle Records
Eagle Records is a leading independent record label, a division of Edel Records. Also exists as Eagle Rock Entertainment.In the United Kingdom the label's managing director is Lindsay Brown, former manager of Van Halen, while in the United States the head is Mike Carden, formerly of CMC...
. The previous record company, Semaphore GmbH, went bust. Their debut album was subsequently reissued in Receiver Records as Perpetual Commotion.
When The Good Times Come (1999—2000)
The band returned to Mad Hat studios to begin work on a follow up album. When The Good Times ComeWhen the Good Times Come (Hard Rain album)
When The Good Times Come is the second studio album by British melodic rock band Hard Rain. It was released in 1999 on Eagle Records.-Track listing:All Tracks written by Tony Clarkin.#"Eat It Up"#"Who You Gonna Trust"#"Rock Me In Ya Cradle"...
(released in April 1999) features the touring band, rather than Tony using a drum machine and programming. The album is very diverse and explores styles such as Funk, Jazz and Blues (feat. Gary Barnacle
Gary Barnacle
Gary Barnacle is a saxophonist/flautist, brass instrument arranger, composer and producer, primarily noted for session work, live work Gary Barnacle (born 1959, Dover, England) is a saxophonist/flautist, brass instrument arranger, composer and producer, primarily noted for session work, live work...
on sax). A promotional tour in the UK starts in April.
In September 1999, after very long and careful considerations, long time front man of Magnum and Hard Rain and long time musical partner for Tony Clarkin, Bob Catley decides to leave the band due to musical differences, and pursue his solo career.
Bob sums up his decision to leave: "I told Tony my feelings and he said 'That's fine with me, and I don't want you to sing these songs and I don't want you in the band any more, if you aren't giving it your 100% effort'. So I said 'Okay, I think I had better leave then'. That was it really. But we were both very grown up about it. It happened really quickly over 3 days amid lots of frantic phone calls. It was a really hard decision but I feel so relieved now that I can concentrate on Gary Hughes songs because I feel they ARE me. I still do lots of Magnum songs on stage because the crowd loves them." — Bob Catley
Bob Catley
For the Australian politician, see Bob Catley Robert Adrian 'Bob' Catley is a British musician, perhaps best known as the lead singer of the rock band Magnum. He is also an accomplished solo artist.- Early years :...
, September, 1999
Tony Clarkin has continued to write and record new ideas with the presumption that Sue McCloskey will take over Bob's position.
"Sue and I are co-writing these new songs; it's the first time in my career that I've has a regular song writing partner, and were coming up with some very commercial stuff. But where we go from here is anybody's guess." — Tony Clarkin
Tony Clarkin
Tony Clarkin is a British musician, best known as the guitarist of the rock band Magnum...
, September, 1999
On January 29, 2000, Tony Clarkin performed a charity show with Sue McCloskey at the Stumble Inn in Cannock. All proceeds and profits go to Mencap. This is the first professional appearance since Bob Catley departed from Hard Rain. News surfaces in December 2000 that Tony Clarkin & Bob Catley will reform Magnum for an album and tour, set for September 2001.
Clarkin comments: "The break since the middle of the Nineties was definitely necessary for me. Since the end of the Seventies, in fact since we embarked on the preparations for our debut recording Kingdom Of Madness
Kingdom of Madness (Magnum album)
Kingdom of Madness is the debut studio album by British melodic rock band Magnum. It was recorded in 1976, and was released in 1978 by Jet Records....
, not a single month had gone by in which I didn't work for Magnum, composed for the group, or at least thought of them permanently. For almost twenty years, all my thoughts had revolved around the band. I needed a break to clear my head and to be able to devote myself to the band again with renewed energy." — Tony Clarkin
Tony Clarkin
Tony Clarkin is a British musician, best known as the guitarist of the rock band Magnum...
, 2002
During his sabbatical, Clarkin worked as a producer and wrote songs for other artists.
Band members
- Tony Clarkin — GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
(1996 —2000) - Bob Catley — Vocals (1996 —1999)
- Sue McCloskey — Vocals (1996 —2000)
- Paul Hodson — KeyboardKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
s (1997 —2000) - Al Barrow — BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(1997 —2000) - Rob Barrow — DrumDrumThe drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s (1997 —2000)
Discography
- Hard RainHard Rain (Hard Rain album)Hard Rain is the debut studio album by British melodic rock band Hard Rain. It was released in 1996 on German record label Semaphore GmbH....
(1997) - When The Good Times ComeWhen the Good Times Come (Hard Rain album)When The Good Times Come is the second studio album by British melodic rock band Hard Rain. It was released in 1999 on Eagle Records.-Track listing:All Tracks written by Tony Clarkin.#"Eat It Up"#"Who You Gonna Trust"#"Rock Me In Ya Cradle"...
(1999)