Birmingham New wave of British Heavy Metal band SCARAB was the creation of Paul Britton in 1983. Ex VALLEY FORGE Guitarist Dave Parrish joins the band 3 months later. Original bass player Gary Crowe (present band THE RED DOGS) leaves and is replaced with ex STRONTIUM DOG bassist Nige Shaw. Paul Britton takes over from original vocalist Andy Lewis, after Lewis turns up drunk to a recording session at Pitstop studios in Birmingham. Paul becomes the bands vocalist and Lewis is sacked the following week. The bands line up stabilises and go into FSR studio's in Birmingham to record the NWOBHM classic "Poltergeist" in November 83. The single sells out it's entire pressing within a few weeks of it’s release in early 84, and goes on to be come a New Wave Of British Heavy Metal Classic.After a heavy touring schedule, Steve Riley the bands long term drummer (TRIDENT 1980 and present band LYCK) is replaced by Paul Brookes (BENIDICTION, MARSHALL LAW) and the band move up a notch gaining interest from record labels.The band play all over the UK in 1984/5 gaining a strong following along the way. The gigs develop into pyro and lighting chaos, with a stage show that includes the infamous “gas mask†and starting pistol routine during "Tonight We Take No Prisoners". The band go into Birmingham’s; Central Studio’s to record new songs. The demo’s two tracks “Rolling like Thunder†and “Into the Labyrinth†gain the band more interest from record companies, and the band hit the road again with bands like WOLFSBANE and SHADOW LANDS in support.Paul Brookes leaves the band (for the first time) in September 85, and sadly Nigel Shaw leaves a month later. The band go out as a three piece, desperate to honour all bookings with Paul Britton taking over bass duties. Paul Brooks returns briefly before being replaced by Rick Orton. Although the new material such as “Marching With The Godsâ€, “The Plague†and “Trapped in Heaven†are strong, it’s hard to re-produce the old material without the twin guitars they had become known for. On Feb 7th 1986, Dave Parrish and Paul Britton play there last show together.Paul Britton tries to put the band back together 5 years later, but without Dave Parrish it never takes shape, and the chances of ever reforming the band seems lost forever.A chance meeting at a wedding in June 2007 leads to Dave and Paul promising to record together again. After a deal from The Miskotonic Foundation appears via email, the re-union is on.2008 will see original members, Dave Parrish and Paul Britton together for the first time in 23 years to record again. The first album, a retro double CD, with 6 new versions of Scarab classics, including live tracks form 84/85, some of the bands demos and the Poltergeist Single, is planned for a Autumn 2008 release.The band are hoping to do shows in UK and Europe (or where ever they will have them) in 2009, hopefully finishing what they started in 1983. A second album containing all brand new material is planned for a mid 2009 release, but will still be classic SCARAB, very heavy, very dark.........and this time round, the production will match the material.........Garry Wain, bass player and driving force behind the mighty CHEMIKILL has officially joined the band as bass player. Chris McHale, drummer with CHEMIKILL has also joined the band making it the most powerful line up of Scarab to date.
