King's Cross

King's Cross
Origin	Los Angeles, California USA
Genres	Heavy metal
Years active	1983 - 1990
Labels	Original
Associated acts	Killing Time, Fester Fanatics, Massappeal, The Harlots, Asylum, Helter Skelter, Melody Black, Massive Appendage
Past members	Jed Starr, Snuff Beastley, Tubby Wadsworth, Catweazle, Big Bird, Venom Brown, Viper, Virgil Brown, Paul Blaze

Band Members

• Final Line-Up
  • Jed Starr (Darren McCormack) (guitar, vocals)
  • Snuff Beastley (Shawn McCormack) (bass)
  • Tubby Wadsworth (Alex Nikolzew) (drums)
  • Catweazle (Marc Welsh) (guitar)

• Former members
  • Big Bird (Matthew McCormack) (guitar, vocals) 1986 - 1988
  • Venom Brown (Steve Brown) (drums) 1984 - 1988
  • Viper (bass) 1984 - 1986
  • Virgil Brown (Peter Brown) (guitar) 1984 - 1985
  • Paul Blaze (vocals) 1984 - 1985

Band Information

Sydney band King’s Cross existed during two distinct periods and with the key members’ other concerns, Fester Fanatics and Massive Appendage, were integral elements of the city’s metal scene during the late 1980s. The band was originally conceived while the McCormacks were living in the US in the early part of the decade, during which time they featured on the LA club scene and counted the likes of Motley Crue as contemporaries. A 12" single featuring the tracks "Gimme", "Love Machine" and "Back Street Theatre" was recorded in 1983 by the 17-year old Jed Starr with session players under the King's Cross name; his brothers appeared on the single's artwork but did not play on the track. In 1984, Starr put a line-up together in Sydney that featured Virgil Brown on guitar, Venom Brown on drums, bass player Viper and vocalist Paul Blaze. After a handful of shows, Starr moved back to LA in 1985 and King's Cross ended.

Upon their return to Australia in 1986, the McCormack brothers set the country’s thrash metal ball rolling with Massive Appendage who, with Mortal Sin and Slaughter Lord, were virtually the only exponents of the form in the land. King’s Cross was revived at the same time - Jedd and Big Bird on guitar and vocals, Snuff on bass and Venom Brown - and recorded a cover of the Seekers hit "Georgie Girl." Ex-Massappeal drummer Tubby Wadsworth and Marc Welsh from Asylum joined the band in 1988 and this line-up recorded the album Psychedelic World, with Alex Wickam and Marc Spaceman contributing keyboards. Along with Fester Fanatics, the band was brought to an end due to a desire to concentrate on Massive Appendage but by late 1990 that group had run out of steam and Jed moved on to Killing Time.

Discography

Album:

	1988	Psychedelic World	Original

Single:

	1984	Gimme/Love Machine/Back Street Theatre	self release
	1987	Georgie Girl	self release