In his earlier years Thunderstick (real name: Barry Graham Purkis) was the drummer with the fledgling IRON MAIDEN, and after his ensuing stint with SAMSON he chose to pursue his solo project, modestly titled THUNDERSTICK, in 1982. Between these two prominent acts the drummer had kept his hand in under his real name with such acts as SIRENS, TOLTEK 9 and with ex-GILLAN guitarist BERNIE TORME.

With SAMSON the drummer revelled in a stage garb featuring an all encapsulating mask, which many female organisations viewed as a rapists mask. Naturally, this subsequently landed the band in quite a bit of trouble, although the man carried on wearing the mask in his own band, which debuted at the Marquee in August 1982.

The initial line-up of THUNDERSTICK featured female vocalist Vinni Munro, guitarists Neal Hay, ex-MR. ZERO, and Ben K. Reeve, ex OZ and ARCHER, plus bassist Colin Heart. Reeve would switch over to bass following the recruitment of a new guitar team in former PERSIAN RISK man Cris Martin. Munro would soon be supplanted by Maltese ex-CHEVRONS singer Anna Marie Carmella Borg.

19 year old American vocalist Jodee Valentine joined the band in time to promote the 1983 'Feel Like Rock n' Roll' EP. Although Valentine's photograph appears on the record the music has Borg's vocals. Hay also adopted the new stage name of Wango Wiggins. Martin decamped to be replaced by the Danish six stringer Bengt Sorensen.

The 1984 album, 'Beauty & The Beast' coincided with the marriage of Valentine and Thunderstick. A further projected album 'Don't Touch, I'll Scream' was recorded but shelved by the record company.

THUNDERSTICK was reforged in 1988 by Thunderstick, Valentine guitarist Dave Kilford and BELLADONNA bassist John Slight. Despite a high profile management deal being secured the group lasted little more than a year. Ultimately the band - along with the marriage - failed to last the course and Valentine returned to America as Thunderstick worked behind the scenes in a management capacity for a plethora of Pub Rock outfits.

After the demise of THUNDERSTICK Chris Martin later formed London act BLACKFOX with ex-GIRL drummer Pete Barnacle and then MASTER. Martin also had a stint with MARINO THE BAND in 1986. Wiggins has also had stints with Q TIPS and the YA YAS.

Thunderstick himself reunited with PAUL SAMSON and Chris Aylmer to recreate SAMSON for a 1999 NWoBHM festival in Tokyo.