DIRTY TRICKS

BIOGRAPHY:

Dirty Tricks were a UK rock act formed in 1974, containing Denny vocalist Kenny Stewart (ex-Renia) & Stirling guitarist Johnny Binnie (ex-Aegis). The rest of the band was Terry Horbury (bass) & John Lee (drums).
The band debuted live at London's Marquee Club as openers to Ducks Deluxe in January 1975, signing to Polydor not long after. Their debut album was released that year, and they promoted it with support tours in the UK to both Argent and Budgie.
In June of 1975 Australian drummer John Lee (ex-Dingoes, Blackfeather & Ariel) joined the fold. The band's second album in 1976 was produced by Tony Visconti, and was promoted by support tours with The Streetwalkers in the UK, and Cheap Trick, Blue Oyster Cult, Patti Smith & Bob Segar in the US. They were the first British band ever to play CBGB's in New York.
Lee would quit following the third album 'Hit And Run' (again produced by Visconti) and was superseded by Andy Bierne, however the group split not long after. Interestingly, this final incarnation of the band rehearsed with Ozzy Osbourne as the first Blizzard of Ozz before the Osbourne had to leave the UK due to tax issues. He fled to America, met Randy Rhoads, and the rest, as they say, is history. But we're left to wonder, what might have been?
Upon splitting, Binnie joined Rogue Male, then was later reunited with Horbury in Paddy Goes To Holyhead. However, all four members were re-united in tribute act Stairway To Zeppelin.

RELEASES:

"Nightmen" (vinyl album, Polydor Records, 1975)
"Dirty Tricks" (vinyl album Polydor Records, 1976)
"Hit & Run" (vinyl album, Polydor Records, 1977)