Following the demise of the hotly tipped GIRL, singer Phil Lewis formed AIRRACE in the aftermath of the GIRL split and then founded the ill fated NEW TORPEDOES with ex-720, THE WINDERS and SIDEWINDER bassist Dave Birch. This pair placed an advert for musicians in the August 1983 edition of 'Melody Maker'. Gary Shaw first took the guitar position before being quickly usurped by Rudy Riviere, a former member of DRAGONFLY and SAPPHIRE. Drums were delegated to 720's Paul Edwards.

Rehearsing at Nomis Studios, NEW TORPEDOES recorded an album's worth of material, including re-works of 720 songs 'Animal Beat' and 'Casualty', but this was never given a commercial release. The NEW TORPEDOES replaced briefly Birch with Phil Soussan, who was later to join WILDLIFE, ROBIN GEORGE and OZZY OSBOURNE, until Birch made a swift return. Gary Shaw returned as second guitarist during 1984. The vocalist fronted Northampton NWoBHM metallers SOLDIER for a short period before he also stepped into the breach to assist TORME when their vocalist Kef disappeared prior to some live shows in 1984. Lewis jetted off to Los Angeles to find success fronting L.A. GUNS.

The band persevered under the re-branded title of THE TORPEDOES in May 1985, now headed up by female singer Misty Jervis. However, this line-up soon splintered when Riviere exited, joining TERRAPLANE. Two guitarist were inducted in the ex-URCHIN and 720 duo of Andy Barnett and Dave 'Bucket' Colwell. Demos were recorded at the BBC Abbey Road Studios, these sessions featuring the Q-TIPS horn section.

THE TORPEDOES also gained profile with an appearance on the 'ECT' Channel 4 television show. Unfortunately for the band this performance is remembered not so much for the band's music but that Misty's skirt fell off mid-song. THE TORPEDOES folded. Barnett and Colwell joined IRON MAIDEN guitarist Adrioan Smith in his side projects SHERMAN TANKERS and THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF HACKNEY. Barnett later joined AORsters FM whilst Colwell teamed up with BAD COMPANY. Dave Birch forged BLUE MOJO. The late 90s Phil Lewis fronting FILTHY LUCRE. A solo PHIL LEWIS album also arrived for the Japanese market.