John Gallagher, bassist for Heavy Metal group Raven.
- John Gallagher talks about Raven’s new album “Walking through Fire” released on Metal Blade Records.
- Gallagher talks about the recording of “Stay Hard” album & “All for One”.
- When the band used to Headline with Metallica as opening act.
- John Gallagher talks about Metallica’s” Cliff ‘Em All” dvd with the 1983 footage.
Raven are an English heavy metal band associated with the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement. They had a hit with the single “On and On”, and refer to their music as “athletic rock”.
Raven was formed in 1974 in Newcastle, England, by brothers John and Mark Gallagher, and Paul Bowden.
Raven began creating a sound which was rooted in British hard rock, with progressive rock tendencies, and a willingness to take musical chances. The band’s highly energized live show and interaction between band members developed a unique image and style of play, described as “athletic”. They began wearing guards, helmets, and plates from various sports (hockey, baseball, etc…), and incorporating them into the playing of their instruments (for instance, elbow pads and hockey masks were used to strike cymbals). Their music began to develop into a unique amalgam of speed and power – heavily influencing the genres of speed/thrash metal and power metal. The band have a reputation as an extremely energetic live band – and for regularly destroying their equipment.
They started by playing local pubs and working men’s clubs in the North East of England – occasionally opening shows for punk bands such as The Stranglers and The Motors.
Victor Griffin Interview: PENTAGRAM | 2015