First Strike

Though they only recorded an individual album, 1984’s Rock Offensive debut for Exit Records, First Strike were one of the most melodically articulate hard rock and roll bands from the mid-80s. Composed of Tony Gunn (vocals), Tim Larkin (acoustic guitar), Pat Boylan (acoustic guitar), Chris Salmon (bass) and Johnnie Delaney (drums), the group’s disciplined hard rock and roll sound earned preliminary evaluations to AC/DC and Coney Hatch. Their most unique house was the overdriven dual acoustic guitar strategy of Boylan and Larkin, who also added solid vocal harmonies. Despite some strong evaluations and a restricted amount of radio support, Rock and roll Offensive became their sole recording.