Darkside Paper Trails

It may be hard to believe, but this is the CD debut of this little-known title! Released by Charisma Records in 1972, the only album of this still highly underrated, British progressive band should appeal to fans of classic, heavy and quite melodic rock based on catchy, but intense guitars, ever-changing moods & rhythms and complex vocal parts…

By the time they entered the studio to begin working on their second album, 1974's Paper Money, the wheels were already starting to come off the supercharged Montrose wagon. Though they involved virtually the same cast of characters responsible for the band's groundbreaking Montrose LP (including producer Ted Templeman and engineer Donn Landee), the sessions for Paper Money were often marred by the fast-deteriorating relationship between guitar hero Ronnie Montrose and his very talented lead singer, Sammy Hagar…

Signing to the Pye label, the group's debut single "Something Here in My Heart (Keeps Telling Me No)" reached the number 11 spot on the UK pop charts in 1968, resulting in the release of the LP Paper Dolls House. Although the trio's ultra-mod image made them ideal for merchandising – toys, books and the like were all produced – their chart appeal proved surprisingly slim, and after the singles "My Life (Is in Your Hands)" and "Someday" stiffed, Pye dropped the group.

Formed in 1969 in the lace city of Nottingham, England - Paper Lace were just one of hundreds of bands looking for the big time. Their big break came in 1974, when after winning the nationwide talent show "Opportunity Knocks", they were spotted by the songwriting team of Mitch Murray & Peter Callander. The first single "Billy - Don't Be A Hero" topped the U.K. charts for 3 weeks in March 1974. The follow up single,"The Night Chicago Died" hit the number one slot on both the U.S.& Canadian charts [#3 in the U.K]. An album - " Paper Lace and Other Bits of Material" followed. The 3rd. single release "The Black Eyed Boys" narrowly missed the U.K. top 10 [#11]. In 1978 Paper Lace had a top 20 version of "We've Got the Whole World in Our Hands" in conjunction with local football team Nottingham Forest F.C.

Rhino introduces Deluxe Editions for PAPER MONEY (1974). Each double-disc set includes a newly remastered version of the original album, plus a bonus disc of unreleased demos, studio recordings, and live performances. PAPER MONEY feature some of the band’s most enduring music, like “Rock Candy,” “Bad Motor Scooter” and “Space Station #5.” Those two albums would help shape and influence many of the hard rock bands that followed, including Van Halen and Iron Maiden.