Assasin

The band Assasin came up in 1979, during the heydays of the NWOBHM. The song "Lonely Southern Road" appeared on the compilation Metal Fatigue in 1982. We had a chat with Tony Barton (Guitars & Vocals) to know more about Assasin.

Q. - Hello Tony, tell us a bit about the beginning of Assasin, how did it all start? How did you get in touch with the other members?

Tony - Me and my Brother Ian had previously messed around with friends, Ian singing and me joining in on guitar. One weekend, me and Ian, began to chat about a proper band and put a advert in the local paper, asking for members. Karl Chester, who sadly died a few years ago, became our lead guitarist. Our Ian had been learning bass, so we did a few sessions together, to see how it felt. We then managed to find our first drummer, John. But that didn’t work out. Then we managed to poach Steve, from a band called Warrior, who were, a Lizzy tribute band. We then started our rehearsing in earnest.

Q. - Who were your principal influences at that time?

Tony - Bands that I still like to this day. Judas Priest, ACDC, Black Sabbath. Karl was also into Uriah Heep, Scorpions and Blue Oyster Cult.

Q. - How did the band name came up?

Tony - That’s a hard one to remember, but I do remember it happened quite soon after Karl joined us. So the name was in place, before the band was complete. I think the name came over a pint, following a rehearsal. Several names were thought of Avenger, Laye, Storm Bird, to name a few.

Q. - Did you start writing your own songs since the beginning or were you most concentrated on covers?

Tony - Most of our stuff, was self-penned. Ian wrote the lyrics and I did the arrangements.

We had been writing stuff together for some time, but nothing serious. But I think a direction had emerged and we continued to write that way all through the time we were together.

Q. - Did you record any demo tapes? What do you recall from these recording season?

Tony - We visited the studio a few times. Usually for a weekend. The first day was purely recording, with overdubs and mastering the second day.

Q. - Did you sell the demo at shows, send it to fanzines? What feedback did you receive from this demo?

Tony - We did compile a cassette I recall. Everyone seemed to have their own opinion on our best recording.

Q. - In 1982 comes the compilation "Metal Fatigue", with the song "Lonely Southern Road", how did that happen?

Tony - We read an add in Sounds, for bands to play on a debut album, for a new label opening in Hull. We sent off a live recording and was invited to the studio to take part in the project. We also recorded another song of our own called Highway Lightning.

The studio liked Lonely Southern Road and asked for it to be included on the album. It was a good experience.

Q. - Was there any promotional tour after the release of this compilation? Did you get support from the media back then? Radio, magazines, fanzines?

Tony - No tour as such. But we did have a piece in Kerrang and was played by Tommy Vance on Radio 1 and other bits and pieces.

Q. - Did you play regularly in the UK, back then? Or was it hard for a heavy metal band to be booked at that time?

Tony - We did go out quite a bit, but not as much as we’d like. Primarily, because we didn’t play many covers and it was hard back then to gain the respect of the public at the best of times, but harder when you’re performing material that’s un-familiar. But we did have quite a few people that actually travelled around to watch us at different places. Some even as far as Stoke on Trent, which even now, I think was awesome.

Q. - Do you recall the songs you were playing at that time?

Tony - Many of them. Lonely Southern Road, How Do You Know, Down Town Drifter, Avenger, C’mon Lets Rock, Take You Away. We would usually perform for around 1:40hrs.

Q. - Did you have conversations in order to approach a label, to record an LP after the compilation?

Tony - We were actually approached by Heavy Metal Records in Wolverhampton, with a view to recording a single. Unfortunately, be broke up, during the initial discussions.

We also received a nice letter from Virgin, saying that they liked are stuff, but it’s not something that they’re currently looking for.

Q. - When did Assasin split up? What happened that lead to the break?

Tony - 1992 It all really happened as a result of the approach from Heavy Metal Records. Karl began to feel insecure about his input, and despite our best efforts, couldn’t reassure him. The studios time restrictions, didn’t give us the time to try and find a replacement. Then we lost our rehearsal room and it all proved to much, and we called it a day. Really sad day that.

Q. - Did you stay in touch with the other former members over the years?

Tony - For a few years yes. Obviously, Ian is my Brother. Steve moved away and we lost touch completely, the last I heard, he was resident drummer in some working men’s club. Karl died of leukaemia seral years ago now. Very sad.

Q. - I presume that was an honour for you to take part of a movement as important as the NWOBHM, tell us a bit about those days and the impact it had in general?

Tony - There were some great bands around, one or two lucky enough to be signed to a label. Most were cover bands, some were good at what they did. But being part of the rock scene around the North of England and still being talked about still gives me a buzz.

Q. - What do you think of this recent revival of the N.W.O.B.H.M., and all these bands reforming?

Tony - I think it’s great that the demand for these bands is still strong. People still want to hear these bands and acknowledge, that we have something important to offer, something worthwhile, to bring to the party Ha! Ha!

Q. - Have you ever thought about compiling all the "Assasin" recordings in a proper cd release?

Tony - As we speak, the finishing touches are being concluded for an Assasin album. High Roller Records, in Germany are taking care of the production of it. I have no release date as yet and the unconfirmed title is Lonely Southern Road. As soon as I get a release date, I shall let you know.

Q. - So what are you doing these days? Do you still play in any band, or are you still a heavy metal fan?

Tony - I never stopped writing music after the band split in 92. I now have a small studio in my front room and was doing all my creative stuff by computer, writing and compiling sequences, for all the different instruments. I was writing pop believe it or not Bass, Drums, Synths, Brass. Then suddenly this album project came up and everything changed. I am now writing on guitar again, basically getting back up to speed as I hadn’t played a guitar for over 20yrs. I now have a manager and in the very early stages of putting Assasin Mk2 together. Ian won’t be involved with the actual performing of any future material, but I have asked him to keep himself in the loop, by contributing lyrics.

Q. - Anything more you want to say, to end up this interview?

Tony - 2019 as so far been a dream and I’m really excited about the future. I’m working hard, with heavy rock, never really out of my mind. Currently been working through my first riffs in over 20yrs. I am now getting a buzz out playing again. It will be totally mind blowing to finally get an album out there.

I am off to Tenerife next month and looking forward to putting my feet up, for a couple of weeks Ha! Ha!

Thank you for your time, and wish you all the best for the future!