STATUS: Hibernation
Here is a site by fans for fans to show their appreciation for the Oz metal legends and pioneers ALLEGIANCE!!
So crank up the volume, browse the photo gallery, check out the memorabilia we have hunted down, leave your thoughts / memories / recollections and respect in the comments to the metal gods ALLEGIANCE - one of the all time greats of Australian metal..
ALLEGIANCE BIOGRAPHY – TIMELINE
1990 – ALLEGIANCE form in Perth Western Australia. Original line featured Dave Harrison (Bass), Tony Campo(Guitar), Conrad Higson (drums), John Mihos (vocals), & Steve Hiddon (Guitar) jamming in the rehearsal room on heavy metal original compositions in a much heavier vein to anything around the local scene at that time. First live shows commenced at the Karrinyup tavern supporting a hard rock covers band called Infa Red which Dave & Conrad played in. This was one of the only ways the band could muster a gig as the majority of venues & promoters at the time deemed the band too heavy and the live scene back then was primarily dominated by covers bands. Conrad opted out of the drumming position to be briefly replaced by Dave Barry for the early live shows. Through hard work and perseverance the band were starting to attract their own loyal following. After a few months of gigging the original line was not working out which lead to a line-up change – Conrad the original drummer was brought in and switched to lead vocals replacing John Mihos, Glenn Butcher replaced Dave Barry on drums and Jason Stone replaced Steve Hiddon on guitar the classic Allegiance line up of Dave, Conrad, Tony, Glenn & Jason was consolidated. This solid line up would prove to remain concrete for the next 7 years.
The year was capped of at the West Australian Music Industry Awards where the band one the public choice award for ‘Most Popular New Band’
1991 – Armed with $250 from live gigs the band headed to a small 8 track demo studio to record their first demo. ‘Make The Pledge’ was released in October ’91 featuring 4 compositions showing an earlier straight forward thrash metal direction. This raw sounding demo went onto sell over 2000 copies and gained favourable reviews in many national and international magazines and fanzines. The next month Allegiance this time one the ‘Most Popular’ band award at the local WA music industry awards.
1992 - February 1992 ALLEGIANCE played at the annual ‘Bindoon Rock’ outdoor concert festival for the first time to a rabid crowd of 10 000.
In March Allegiance released their second demo ‘Torn Between Two Worlds’ Recorded in a 24 track studio, with improved production and song writing, the demo showed the bands forward progress and development. This demo went on to sell over 3500 copies, won the 1992 local industry award for most popular WA cassette and hailed as one of the most impressive demo tapes of 1992 by many major magazines, fanzines and radio shows as far a field as Japan, Argentina, Poland, Greece, Lithuania, Germany, Canada, U.S.A. and the U.K to mentioan only a few
In July Allegiance won the the state final of the ‘Yamaha Rock’ competition and flew to Melbourne to represent WA in the Australian final competing against 7 of the countries top unsigned acts where they took out the Juke Magazine award won the previous years by Def FX, the event was broadcast nationally on MTV.
The band headed to the ABC studios in August to demo up some new songs. 5 songs were recorded live in the studio in one take with very few overdubs. These songs were released as a demo in October aptly titled ‘Studio Live’ This was limited to 500 copies and sold out in 1 day, a sought after collectors item these days.
September Allegiance performed powerfully at the Australian Metalfest at the Hordern Pavillion in Sydney with the track ‘Twisted Minds’ featured on the CD sampler. Many reviews stating Allegiance to be the most impressive band on the bill helping to establish a profile and reputation as a formidable live act outside their home state.
To close off a very productive year some of their tracks were selected for inclusion on the Def Records “Australia Metal†compilation and local talent showcase “The western Front†compilation CD’s. The ALLEGIANCE national profile was continuing to grow with the band being voted 9th best Australian band and 5th best new band in Hot Metal magazines annual readers poll. The band once again ended the year by taking out the most popular band ward at the ‘ 92 WAMI awards.
1993 - Allegiance play some exciting live shows - a second appearance at the annual ‘Bindoon Rock’ festival, performing in front of 15 000 at the national Big Day Out as well as touring nationally with international recording artists KREATOR and FEAR FACTORY further helping to establish their reputation as Australia’s leading Heavy Metal outfit. ALLEGIANCE also had tracks included on the Roadrunner records Australiasian compilation “RedRum†and “Studio 52’s “While My Guitar Gently Kills Your Mother’ and Polygram heavy metal promotional cassette.
Legendary JUDAS PRIEST front man Rob Halford took a keen interest in the band with statements in the international metal press claiming ALLEGIANCE to be a dynamite band. His management company EMAS were managing the band helping increase international exposure.1994 – March the band toured nationally with Rob Halford’s FIGHT and also placed in 10 different categories in the HM Magazine readers poll which included 3rd best Australian band, 6th best band of ’93 and 10th best band of all time!
April – ALLEGIANCE secure an Australiasion deal with the ID Phonogram label. Their debut album ‘Destitution was recorded in Australia by American producer Dave Pinsky whom the band met whilst playing with the BEASTIE BOYS whom he was working with at the time the Cd was mastered in Holland by Attie Bauw who’s credits include FIGHT, JUDAS PRIEST etc.
May – Destitution is released and without mainstream radio or video exposure went straight into the W.A. mainstream ARIA chart at the #1 position and remained in the top 5 for 3 weeks. The band continued their relentless live exposure by embarking on their very successful ‘Destitution’ headline tour taking in all capital citries and then touring nationally with hard rovk band THE POOR. The ‘Destitution’ album topped the metal charts in nearly every state a has been one of the best selling home grown hard music releases in many years.
July – ALLEGIANCE appear on the cover of HM magazine, ‘Destitution’ also starts to receive excellent reviews in the overseas metal press includiong a stunning KKKK review in world renowned metal bible KERRANG! (UK). Videos for the albums title track and ‘Destitution’ shot and aired on several music video programs.
November – Time To React.. Live! A CD fan special was recorded at the ABC’s JJJ studios to an audience of die hard ALLEGIANCE fans. This CD contains no overdubs and shows the uncompromising raw power of the band in the live environment.
1995 – A busy year for the band with the release of time to React live and several national tours including SLAYER, BIOHAZARD, MACHINE HEAD, CHANEL ZERO and the Big Day Out concert festivals both in Austalia and NZ. By now ALLEGIANCE were the undisputed biggest metal band in the land. The steady climb of readers votes and fans continued and in the 1995 poll ALLEGIANCE came in as the #2 best Australian band – topping the likes of AC/DC, SPIDERBAIT and the SCREAMING JETS.
1996 The band commenced work on their next album the album title was inspired by the tragic suicide of a member of the ALLEGIANCE road crew who’s nick name was ‘Skinman’. Recorded at Planet sound Studios in Western Australia (the same studio as Destitution) on 48 track digital. Production duties were this time handled by John Villani who handled their debut. The album shows the maturity and diversity of ALLEGIANCE while still retaining the uncompromising heavy approach of their debut with several of the tracks having a slower tempo and down tunned guitar sound. Released in November through the Mercury label the album debuted in the state ARIA charts at the #11 position.
1997 The band continued to tour and play shows & festivals with many high calibre international acts however tension between band members were beginning to arise and came to a head during a video shoot for the track ‘Give Yourself’ off the Skinman album . Dave Harrison left the group late ‘97 and the band disbanded soon after.
Fan interest has continued to this day with the music of ALLEGIANCE being loved by many.
2000 November a massive one off reunion concert in Perth shows the band to be in top form with over the top fan reaction with no wane in the bands draw and popularity.
2003 Allegiance return for the NYE Kikstart concert and are inducted into the Western Australian music hall of fame.
