Biography
Vyper are a forgotten mid-80's band that was typical of the genre, lots of harmonies and killer guitar solos. They had a sound that was similar to a cross between London and the glossiness of the Queen City Kids.
Formed in Kansas City, Missouri by Christy Black (vocals, and despite the name, a male), Jacky Foxx (guitar), Robbie Saint (guitar), Rik Brock (bass) and Michael Scott (drums). Their debut album, Prepared To Strike was a great release that featured several heavy rockers. Unfortunately the album went almost completely unnoticed, and the band ended their career after the release of the Afraid Of The Dark mini album.
Black resurfaced with a band called Billy The Kid in the late 90's (not to be confused with the MCA band of the same name in the mid-80's), but they never progressed past the demo stage. Scott recorded with Prizoner and joined Ballistic for a short time; the remaining members have all but disappeared.
After having released two albums through the Greenworld label from Torrance, California they broke up. Vyper was managed and produced by Eric Greif who earlier on had assisted Allan Coffman, manager of the legendary Mötley Crüe. As they broke up the band split into two bands, both using the name Vyper. The manager was fired by four of the band members while he continued managing the singer Christy Black who gathered a new line-up consisting of Greg Leon (Quiet Riot, Don Dokken) and a couple of other guys. They kept the contract with Greenworld but when the company went bankrupt they lost their master tapes. The other Vyper line-up consisted of drummer Michael Scott, bass player Rik Brock and guitarists Robbie Saint and Jacky Foxx as well as new vocalist Bill Mitchell (later on frontman of Sacrifice Isaac). Both of these bands only lasted for a year. Despite two successful releases the label never gave them any tour promotion and no major booking agency would take on the band.
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