Iron Fist was born in the Fall of 1984 by Nikki and Pad of SKULL FUCK and Erick and Tim of The Claymores.

Creating a sound that was less British-influenced than Skull Fuck, Iron Fist came to become THE PREMIERE punk band in the Twin Cities.

Releasing the cassette-only debut "Crucify Me" on the Shrinking Planet label in 1985 only brought Iron Fist more fans, as well as an East Coast US tour. However, the tour was cut short by the sudden departure of Pad just prior to Iron Fist's CBGB's gig.


Returning to Minneapolis Iron Fist replaced Pad with new vocalist Jay (now residing in California and playing with The Loudmouths). With Jay came a more speed-metal sound reminiscent of early Metallica or Venom. Also on hand for a very short time was second guitarist Bob, only in the band long enough to cut some demos and play less than a handful of shows.
After Bob was out Iron Fist recorded the unreleased LP "Americore", originally to be released on Shrinking Planet, but for whatever reason remained shelved.

Jay left the band in early 1987 due to inter-band conflict, and Iron Fist ceased to exist for a few months while Erick and Nik formulated their plan of attack. Now they not only had to replace the vocalist they needed a new drummer as Tim decided to devote his attentions to his wife and family.

In late 1987 Iron Fist was again back in action with Rick on vocals and long time punk scene survivor Crash on drums. This lasted for a few shows until Rick decided to blow off a show to go see the Greatful Dead.

With a week before showtime Nikki cornered Iron Fist's roadie/manager/all around schlep (and self-proclaimed "worlds biggest Iron Fist Fan") Brad to fill Ricks shoes (sandals?) for the show. Brad vehemently declined, but was told he had no choice as he was the only one familiar enough with the songs to pull it off.

With Brad in the ranks now Iron Fist quickly regained thier status as Minneapolis' most notorious punk rock band. Gone were the overtly heavy metal overtones as well as the generic hardcore sounds to end up with a sound somewhere between the two. Iron Fist once again reigned at the top of the Minneapolis punk rock heap after the release of the self-recorded live-to-cassette tape "Gun At My Head".

Never actually touring, Iron Fist satisfied their fans with long out-of-town weekends including another stint blowing down the house at CBGB's in New York City.


Iron Fist lost Crash in the summer of 1989 to be replaced by Brad's childhood friend Billy. With Billy in the band Iron Fist's sound once again changed, this time going for more of the LA glam-metal thing. Nausiated by this turn of events, Brad quit immediatley after recording the final Iron Fist album "Lewd Crude and Tattooed".

Nik, Erick, and Billy continued on first as Bad Girl City, then Slammin' Angie, and for a few years as Bad Love. Nik and Erick ended up playing with local Shock-Rock ledgends IMPALER. Nik just recently moved to Washington DC to be closer to his family and to pursue new musical endevors. Billy got married, moved to Seattle and is following his first musical love in the dark techno band ALL FLESH.


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