User:Pickelsongs/sandbox

Armed Forces is a pop rock band from Boston Ma. Formed in 1978 by members Danny Walsh (Guitar/Vocals), Eric Pickel (Drums/Vocals) , Robby Boyle (Lead Singer) and Paul Hughes (Bass Guitar) The band members were former members of various Boston area bands including The Toys, Fighter and The Mustache Girls. Armed Forces played original music clubs throughout New England from 1978 through 1986. In 1980 Danny Walsh replaced Robby Boyle as lead singer. Robby went on to play in several local Boston bands. In 1980 the band added Tom Nicoli on guitar and keyboards. In 1983 they signed with American Records, a Nine Finds Company based in Boston. They recorded their debut album at Normandy Sound in Rhode Island. The album was produced by Keven Falvey ( Joe Cocker) and featured 6 songs. Collectively, the band recorded over 75 original songs. They played venues with many notable local Boston bands including The Joe Perry Project, Farrenheit, Jon Butcher Axis and The Jam Band. Armed Forces played many shows in local Boston venues including The Rat, The Channel, Bunratty's, Scotch & Sounds and Jacks. In 1984 they added Lead vocalist Kathee Russell and recorded demo's which got the attention of Foreigner's manager Bud Prager. He expressed serious interest in managing the band but insisted that the songwriting chores include singer Kathee Russell. Bud Prager assured the band a record deal with Atlantic records and a tour opening for Tommy Shaw (Styx) upon the delivery of 2 acceptable songs co-written by Walsh and Russell. Songwriter Danny Walsh decided that his time with the band was over and he left the lineup. Being the primary songwriter, without Walsh, Armed Forces disbanded in 1986. Members Walsh, Pickel and Hughes would later record 15 songs under the name Hope & Glory.

Band influences: Eric Carmen and The Raspberries, Journey, Foreigner, Bryan Adams Original singer Robby Boyle passed away in 2010. Walsh, Hughes and Nicoli still reside in the Boston area but have left the music business. Kathee Russell moved to Florida. As of 2014, Eric Pickel continues to write, record and produce from his home studio outside Montreal Qc.