Blackjack
Mainstream hard-rock/metal band Blackjack, comprising Paul Martin (guitar), Gavin Dempsey (vocals, guitar), Scott Davies (bass) and William Hammond Parker (drums), released their first single Outta Here in 1993, and their first album Deal soon after. They released several other singles, including the successful Now You Fly (two weeks in the New Zealand singles charts, peaking at 38) and Spinning Wheel (four weeks in the charts, peaking at 38). Pete Westbury (drums; formerly of Nod and Sticky Filth) joined for their second album, Kicasso d'Muse, released in 1995 on Hark Records. Dempsey left soon after release, replaced by Kerry LeLievre. A third album, Occult Ritual, was released in 1998 with Jason Skelton on guitar and vocals for the lead five tracks, Don McClumpha on bass and Alan Grady on drums.
Paul Martin is now in the band Devilskin, while Dempsey went on to Zionhill.
Releases
- Outta Here single, 1993
- Deal album, 1993
- Now You Fly single, 1993
- Spinning Wheel single, 1994
- Key to the Shade single, 1994
- Kicasso d'Muse album, 1995
- Baby its You single, 1995
- Gugganaut single, 1995
- Occult Ritual album, 1998
- Now You Fly appears on the 1993 promo CD Kiwi Hit Disc 4
- Spinning Wheel appears on the 1993 promo CD Kiwi Hit Disc 5
- Young, Single and Dangerous appears on the 1994 promo CD Kiwi Hit Disc 6
- Key to the Shade appears on the 1994 promo CD Kiwi Hit Disc 7
- Baby Its You appears on the 1995 promo CD Kiwi Hit Disc 12
- I Dont have a Gun appears on the 1995 promo CD Kiwi Hit Disc 15
- Baby it's You and I Dont have a Gun appear on the compilation Bark Number One
- Life in a Single Day appears on the 1996 promo CD Kiwi Hit Disc 18
- Liar Liar appears on the 2004 Axe Attack Metal CD Compilation Vol 1 compilation
- Now You Fly appears on the 2011 compilation Rising from the Rubble
- Spinning Wheel appears on the 2015 compilation Hamiltune - Rockin' the Tron in the 80's
