A.S.A.P. ("Adrian Smith and Project") was the outfit put together by ex-URCHIN guitarist Adrian Smith following his decision to leave the security of his place in the ranks of IRON MAIDEN. Joining Smith in A.S.A.P. came fellow guitarists Dave Colwell, previously with URCHIN, 720 and SAMSON, and Andy Barnett, also ex-URCHIN, bassist Robin Clayton, keyboard player Richard Young and drummer Zak Starkey, the son of THE BEATLES drummer Ringo Starr. Starkey's formative career path had included bands THE NEXT, MONOPACIFIC, NIGHTFLY, John Entwistle's THE ROCK and ASHTON.

Adrian Smith had tested the waters for his projected solo career whilst still a member of IRON MAIDEN by performing fun club gigs billed as THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF HACKNEY, songs from which were subsequently re-worked for the A.S.A.P. project, and performing lead vocals on the track 'Reach Out', the B-side to the 1986 'Wasted Years' single.

A.S.A.P. released a well received AOR influenced Rock album, 1989's Stephen Stewart-Short 'Silver And Gold' recorded at Great Linford Manor, that had many critics commentating on Smith's songwriting prowess. However, although A.S.A.P. charted moderately and the band's press profile was high, the project soon folded. Significantly though, Smith chose this juncture to leave IRON MAIDEN.

Following A.S.A.P.'s demise, Andy Barnett later joined slick AORsters FM, whilst Dave Colwell found success with BAD COMPANY. Adrian Smith meantime put together a live band in 1992 for a handful of club gigs during March with guitarist Carl Dufresne and former THE CULT bassist Jamie Stewart. Later the same year, Smith and Dufresne formed THE UNTOUCHABLES with ex-JAGGED EDGE drummer Fabio Del Rio, and L.A. SECRETS credited bassist Gary Leidermann.

Another later version of Smith's band included former SHOGUN drummer Bob Richards, Liedermann and the KOREA, TROUBLE and ROBIN GEORGE credited guitarist Huw Lucas before returning once more with the more substantial PSYCHO MOTEL in 1996 which also featured Leidermann. Richards joined MAN.

Smith since teamed up with old IRON MAIDEN band mate BRUCE DICKINSON and was seen recording and touring with the legendary 'Air Raid siren'! Both of them have now of course reunited with IRON MAIDEN. Starkey later joined THE WHO and, in 2005, OASIS. Andy Barnett resurfaced in early 2006 as a member of the resurrected NWoBHM band METAL MIRROR.