A Birmingham based Heavy Metal band dating from 1974, QUARTZ was previously known as BANDY LEGS, under which title they signed to Jet Records in 1976 and supported BLACK SABBATH and AC/DC. Guitarist Mike Hopkins had previously played with WAY OF LIFE (a band that featured a pre-LED ZEPPELIN John Bonham) and IDLE RACE, whilst keyboardist / guitarist Geoff Nicholls had been in WORLD OF OZ - a Pop Rock outfit with which he had recorded three singles and an album in the late 60's.

Following a single release as BANDY LEGS on Jet Records the band adopted a new manager in BLACK SABBATH tour manager Albert Chapman and changed their name to QUARTZ. The debut 1977 album was produced by BLACK SABBATH's guitarist TONY IOMMI. QUARTZ, not surprisingly, toured as support to BLACK SABBATH promoting its release. QUEEN guitarist BRIAN MAY handled one track, 'Circles', which also featured BLACK SABBATH vocalist OZZY OSBOURNE on backing vocals. This track was not included on the album and was only released much later as B side to the 'Stoking The Fires Of Hell' single.

Over their career QUARTZ toured heavily, playing the Reading Festival three times ('76, ''77 and '80), and touring as support to the likes of UFO, IRON MAIDEN, SAXON, GILLAN and RUSH. In 1979 the West Midlands based Reddington Rare Records released QUARTZ's cover version of the MOUNTAIN classic 'Nantucket Sleighride', the single cover composed of an environmentally friendly 'Save the whale' line drawing.

The band also contributed the track 'Back In The Band' to the EMI compilation 'Muthas Pride'. This song also had BLACK SABBATH connections, being written about Ozzy Osbourne's return to the group for their 'Never Say Die' opus.

CRYER keyboard player Mike Billingham contributed parts to the ensuing live album ('Live Quartz...'). Seeing QUARTZ's rising popularity Jet reissued the debut album using the new handle of 'Deleted' and repackaged in a brown paper bag!

QUARTZ appear to have endeavoured to emulate the BLACK SABBATH sound and, ironically, Geoff Nicholls ended up joining Iommi's outfit in 1979, maintaining his position as Tony Iommi's right hand man for over two decades and contributing heavily on keyboards and songwriting to all of BLACK SABBATH's albums from 1980's 'Heaven And Hell' onwards.

Heavy Metal Records released a new QUARTZ album in 1983 after the group had briefly been associated with MCA Records for 1980's 'Stand Up And Fight' and the new record boasted vocalist Geoff Bate and ex-EAZIE RYDER bassist Stephen McLoughlin. Drummer Malcolm Cope also joined the roll call of QUARTZ band members with BLACK SABBATH ties that same year, working on pre-production demos for the 'Born Again' album. Geoff Nicholls donated two of his compositions, 'Facing Hell' and 'Black Illusion', to OZZY OSBOURNE's 2001 album release 'Down To Earth'.

In 2004 the US Doom act ORODRUIN covered 'Stand Up And Fight' for their album 'Claw Tower'. That same year Sanctuary Records released a QUARTZ compilation 'Satan's Serenade', including many previously unreleased demo and live tracks, and Majestic Rock Records re-issued 'Stand Up And Fight' adding an extra song 'Circles'.