Initially a high profile venture between former MOTÖRHEAD guitarist FAST EDDIE CLARKE and ex-UFO bassist PETE WAY set up in 1982 and reputedly instigated by TWISTED SISTER with whom both had worked, Way producing their 'Under The Blade' debut. The seeds for FASTWAY had nevertheless been sewn when Clarke quit MOTÖRHEAD in disgust at the recording of a single by MOTÖRHEAD mainman LEMMY and PLASMATIC's vocalist WENDY O'WILLIAMS; a bizarre cover of TAMMY WYNETTE's 'Stand By Your Man'. Way meantime had departed UFO after dissatisfaction with the musical direction of the band's 'Mechanix' album.

First rehearsals included former CLASH drummer Topper Headon, although a permanent drummer was located in ex-HUMBLE PIE man Jerry Shirley before the then unknown vocalist Irishman Dave King was recruited. King was in a local band STILWOOD at the time but had previously been in MAMA'S BOYS for a brief spell. However, just as negotiations with CBS Records were under way Pete Way received two important messages in quick succession. One was from the lawyers at Chrysalis informing him he was still contractually bound to them and therefore unable to participate in FASTWAY and, thankfully for Way, shortly after a telephone call from OZZY OSBOURNE to join his band for an European tour. Way's material would, for contractual reasons, be uncredited on the ensuing debut FASTWAY record.

For the album, produced by Eddie Kramer, session man Mick Feat handled bass duties and the debut album was a much mellower, Bluesier affair than Clarke's erstwhile colleagues in MOTÖRHEAD ever produced. Nevertheless, the record won favour for it's ZEPPELINesque stance and undoubted quality of material and for touring purposes Clarke chose to draft in temporary bassist Alfie Angus.

In 1983 FASTWAY supported IRON MAIDEN and SAXON in America where the track 'Say What You Will' was receiving heavy radio airplay and coverage on MTV, eventually climbing to no. 31 in the American Billboard charts. The debut album succeeded in selling over 500'000 copies in America.

Things were not so rosy for second album 'All Fired Up' which featured ex-TASTE bassist Charlie McCracken. Once again produced by Eddie Kramer it only sold half the copies of its predecessor, despite FASTWAY touring America as support to SCORPIONS, RATT, BILLY SQUIER and RUSH. The band effectively split due to it's poor reception, although only Shirley and McCracken actually leaving before King offered the solution of teaming up with his previous act STILWOOD and, after rehearsals in Ireland, guitarist Shane Carroll, bassist Paul Reid and drummer Alan Connor joined the band.

In 1986 FASTWAY supported AC/DC in Britain prior to the release of the Terry Manning produced 'Waiting For The Roar' album. They would follow it up with another commercial American success with the official soundtrack to the movie 'Trick Or Treat' in 1987, the band touring as support to OZZY OSBOURNE on Irish dates in early 1988.

However later that year, Dave King left FASTWAY, forming KATMANDU in 1990 with the KROKUS, COBRA and ASIA credited guitarist Mandy Meyer to record one eponymous album for Epic Records, and LEA HART assumed the vocal role. Hart had previously fronted his own outfit that had supported JUDAS PRIEST in 1978, been involved with the short-lived DESTROYER combo and had written for other artists, including JOAN JETT. For recording of the comeback 'On Target' album the band utilized the services of ex WHITESNAKE and BLACK SABBATH bassist Neil Murray, ex GARY MOORE drummer Gary Ferguson and ex RAINBOW keyboard player Don Airey.

For live work drums were taken over by NETWORK man Steve Clark and a bassist was found in ex DAMNED and UFO man Paul Gray, although by the recording of the ensuing 'Bad Bad Girls' album FASTWAY were down to the duo of Clarke and Hart. Session musicians for the album were the SAXON rhythm section of drummer Nigel Glockler and bassist Nibs Carter together with former WHITE SPIRIT and AIRRACE keyboard player Toby Sadler.

By 1990 FASTWAY once more restructured itself. Clarke retained Hart and the band now featured American bassist K.B. Bren with new drummer Riff Raff.

However, by 1992 it was all over. Hart formed TRUE BRITS with ex IRON MAIDEN men drummer Clive Burr and guitarist Dennis Stratton, whilst Clarke undertook a solo career and performed on the 'Metal Christmas' album in 1994. The guitarist was still performing into the late 90's making an appearance on the Death Metal debut album by NECROPOLIS in 1997.

FASTWAY re-emerged in 1998. Receiver Records launched an album by the title of 'On Target Reworked', actually re-recordings of original songs from the 1988 album plus fresh takes on earlier tracks all with the vocals of Lea Hart. As the millennium dawned Dave King was found to be in new act FLOGGING MOLLY, this act finding commercial success in an entirely different field of Rock.

FASTWAY was resurrected during 2007 for an appearance at the June Sölvesborg 'Sweden Rock' festival. Joining Fast Eddie Clarke would be vocalist "HARV" John Harbinson, a veteran of Belfast acts EMERALD, SWEET SAVAGE, PRESS RED and DEN OF THIEVES, the noted MAMA'S BOYS bassist John McManus and drummer Stephen Strange. However, days after this announcement it was learned McManus would not be participating, his place being taken by Raymond Haller of SWEET SAVAGE.