Dead Reckoning (UK rock group)

Dead Reckoning were a rock band who originated from Cardiff, Wales in 1979.

Formed by guitarists Chris Wright (designer of Cheetah MIDI Keyboards and Drum Machines and founder of Soundscape Digital Technology who in the 1990’s pioneered Windows based digital recording & editing) and Vince Hancock, along with Mark Portsmouth on drums, who had been teenage friends, and eventually recruited talented vocalist Paul Burnett and Nick McCormack on bass. Chris had studied in technical college with Persian Risk’s (later Tygers of Pan Tang) vocalist Jon Deverill and was once invited to leave Dead Reckoning and join Persian Risk alongside Phil Campbell (later with Motorhead).

Dead Reckoning initially played small clubs, and pubs all over the South Wales circuit developing a small but loyal following. In 1981, one song "A Taste for Freedom, appeared on a Cardiff Bands Compilation album and appearances on local Red Dragon Radio and BBC Radio Wales ensued. Paul and Nick departed for a heavier band, StormQueen [http://www.stormqueen.co.uk/] in 1982 and Chris Ellis joined on vocals along with Lee Matthews on bass and Lynise Esprit on keyboards, filling out the sound.

Dead Reckoning moved up to the mid size club circuit, many times playing the venues frequented by young and upcoming bands such as Marillion, U2, Dumpy’s Rusty Nuts, Simple Minds and many other now well known or world famous bands. They gigged at Cardiff’s infamous Smileys and Moon Club before the area was redeveloped, and held the Thursday night residency at Cardiff underground club (literally) the Lion’s Den. This enabled them to hone their set, which consisted of 80% self-penned titles and 20% covers, mainly in the melodic to hard rock vein.

In 1984 drummer Mark Portsmouth left Cardiff and was replaced Lynise Esprit’s other brother Dave. They continued to gig regularly and recorded several demo tapes, but for Welsh bands in the 1980’s recording contracts were difficult to find, and after two years with little success, in 1985 Chris Ellis was headhunted by Monro (who following a showcase gig at London’s Marquee Club, signed a recording contract, recorded an album and released a single "Some Girls"), and left the band.

Chris Wright was starting to become focused on design work for Cheetah, and the band became defunct for a year or so. Chris Wright and Lynise Esprit continued to write and along with blues vocalist Kim Ryan with whom they collaborated for the signature song for a Welsh film about the SAS, Silent Heroes, were given the chance of slot on the BBC Wales TV music show Juice which aired from 1986-1987, and was co-presented by Magenta Devine. They recorded two songs, "Holding On" and "Heart’s Missing You" at the BBC Stacey Road Studios and the three, now renamed as ManEscape, along with Vince Hancock and Mark Portsmouth taped the songs in front of a live studio audience.

As a band, Dead Reckoning had little lasting impact, but had been part of the South Wales music scene for many years and had a consistent following, always being invited back at each venue. They are significant for the members who moved on to other more successful ventures.

Discography

*A Taste for Freedom (Wright, Burnett) - Compilation of Cardiff Bands
*Holding On (Wright, Esprit) - BBC Wales "Juice"
*Heart's Missing You (Ellis, Esprit, Wright - BBC Wales "Juice"

Radio Shows

*Red Dragon Radio - The Rock Show
*BBC Radio Wales

TV Shows

*Juice, BBC Wales show presented by Magenta Devine