Rattlesnake Kiss

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“… (the song Angel is) a bona fide classic comparable to Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Freebird – the chances are you’ll be wiped out. You won’t have heard anything quite like WakeUp either; it’s a stirring, six-course meal of a song that’ll leave you shaking, goose bumps, sweaty palms, the lot! And if that still ain’t enough for you, there’s the stormingguitar ‘n’ drums grand prix that is Railroad … Rattlesnake Kiss: too hot for heaven and too cool for hell.” Kerrang!
“You’ve probably no idea just what sort of potential immensity is coiled up here. Every small-time gun will want a piece of Rattlesnake Kiss. Go to your homes and prepare.” Kerrang!
With demos that good what the hell is the album going to sound like … they could well be the biggest rock act out of Birmingham since Sabbath, Priest and Zeppelin.” BRMB Radio
Rattlesnake Kiss was literally born in a shack on a farm in the south Birmingham countryside in the early part of 1989. Formed by guitarist Ralph Cardall, drummer Steve Hand bassist Mark Richardson - the first incarnation of the band took its final shape when they were united with Paul Minihane on vocals and rhythm guitarist Richard Neal.
The band soon switched it’s location to central Birmingham where the band worked hard and quickly produced a set of original material and by June of that year played it’sfirst gig at the legendary JB’s club in Dudley.
Soon afterwards the band played the first of it’s many gigs at what would eventually become it’s spiritual home - Edwards No. 8 in Birmingham city centre. Not only wouldthe band play there on a regular basis but it almost seamed as though they lived there and soon became part of the Edward’s ‘scene’ along with the other Birminghambands and regulars Gunfire Dance, Shotgun Wedding, Suicide Blonde and so on.
Within a short space of time the band signed a management deal with the Surrey based Cloudburst Management and soon embarked on an extensive gigging schedulearound the UK. The band soon began to hone it’s stage show and set list with tracks that would, in time become favourites – How Ya Doin’, Help Me, Railroad, Wake Up -Time To Die and the like were now staples in the bands set.
The first studio visit ensued when the band entered Zella Studios in Birmingham in November to record a four song demo and closed the 80’s with a further batch of livedates.
As the 90’s began the band made the first of it’s two line-up changes when Bill Carroll replaced Richard Neal on rhythm guitar and the first half of the year was taken up withwhat seamed like constant gigging. The band began receiving rave reviews from all corners of the media and music press. There followed a significant change in marketingthe group when the move was made to Birmingham based Linda Bruce Management in the Spring of 1990. Soon afterwards the band embarked on a UK tour opening forlegendary Deep Purple vocalist Ian Gillan.
There was constant talk of an immanent major label deal as the band divided it’s time between live dates and recording.
In early 1991, midway through recording sessions for what would turn out to be the debut album, the band made it's final personnel change. Cannock born singer Sean Lovewas bought on board to replace Paul Minihane and made his live debut with the band just four days later!
In July the band were added to the line up of the Cumbria Rock Festival, joining the likes of Wolfsbane, The Almighty, FM and headliners Marillion. The bands live set wasrecorded in full and broadcast along with an interview on Radio One on the infamous Tommy Vance Friday Rock Show.
In September of that year Rattlesnake Kiss played to it’s largest crowd - 12,500 when they opened for Status Quo at the NEC Arena in Birmingham – they drew a greatresponse, great reviews and their set was TV recorded. Infact the NEC stage was much bigger than the band’s gear was used to, luckily Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler (whowere rehearsing in the same studios as RSK at the time) came to the rescue and lent the band Black Sabbath’s backline of amps!
To supply the demand that was now out there screaming for product, it was decided to bypass the majors and go with independent label Sovereign Records to avoid losingany of the momentum and avoid undoing all of the hard work achieved in such a very short time. The debut release came in November in the shape of the single Sad Suzie.This was quickly followed one month later by the self titled debut album. Tracks such as Railroad and Wake Up, that had become live favourites since the early days of theband, stood shoulder to shoulder with soon to be favourites Angel and Nothing This Good. The band finished ’91 with more live dates (including a headlining slot at theinfamous London venue - The Marquee), acoustic shows, HMV in-store signings and club promos for the album and then began rehearsing for the group’s biggest tour.
The band kicked off a solid two month tour of the UK straight after the New Year break playing larger venues than previous outings. Further radio exposure followed frominterviews on local stations when in town to legendary DJ Alan ‘Fluff’ Freeman playing tracks from the album and singing the group’s praises on his Radio One Rock Show.The track Railroad was featured on the compilation album ‘Kingdom of Rock’ alongside The Almighty, Little Angels, Thunder and Wolfsbane amongst others.
As soon as the tour finished the band enter the studio straight away to begin working on tracks for a second album. In less than three short years Rattlesnake Kiss hadgone from rehearsing in a shack to playing a gig in front of 12,500 people, releasing an album and single, plays and interviews on national Radio One. Along with theconstant work load and the added pressure of ‘the next big thing’ and constant talk of the ‘imminent major label deal’, the band decided to take a break to avoid the implosion itseemed to be heading for.
This was the Spring of 1992 and grunge music began to take hold of the rock scene. As magazines, rock clubs and record companies looked to the new fashion, traditional hardrock and rock n' roll bands became the least fashionable people on the planet. So for Rattlesnake Kiss, a one month break turned into two months, then six months, then ayear ...and so on, the band could see no point in returning and refused to compromise, somewhat disillusioned, they split up.
For over a decade and a half, the band, as a single collective unit, did nothing - each member went it's own individual way ...'they thought it was all over' ...erm, not quite!
In the Summer of 2008, thanks to a fan based internet site and web forum, Ralph, Steve, Mark, Paul and Bill met up together for the first time in over sixteen years. The band now feels ready to awake from it's prolonged hibernation and work has already begun on a new album. More information onthe details of the release and on the bands other plans will be announced very soon, but one thing is certain - the 'Snake is back, bolder and stronger than ever!