International Heroes

The New Wave of British Heavy Metal band International Heroes was formed in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, in 1981 by Dave Maile (Drums) and Pete Archer (Guitar). They recruited Kevin Howell (Vocals), Gary 'Wally' Wallace on lead guitar, Paul 'Doug' Douglas, bass guitar, and Roger Perriam, keyboards. Within weeks Archer had quit the line-up. With the NWOBHM at its peak the band quickly established itself as the leading hard rock outfit throughout East Anglia by incessant touring of large venues in the many towns throughout the region which were starved of live music venues and touring bands.

By early 1982 Howell quit and was replaced by Maile's long-time friend and music associate Sean Terrington Wright (Vocals/Guitar) aka 'Rikki' Wright and released the 7" single 'Strange Situation' / 'Silent Dreams' on the bands own Heavy Leather Records written by Wright and produced by Wright and Mike Kemp at Spaceward Studios, Cambridge. With a sound akin to a hybrid of U.F.O. and Mott the Hoople the band were touted for stardom in Kerrang! and Sounds, and in late '82 embarked on the "Great British Blood and Thunder Tour" which saw them play some sixty dates of pubs and clubs the length and breadth of the country. 'Strange Situation' has since become a rare collectable with metal fans, since the New Wave of British Heavy Metal Encyclopedia cited the band as one of the forerunners of the genre, copies having been sold on eBay for up to $300, marking the collectability of semi-successful bands from that era. The band were supported by Marillion on several dates, who later went on to achieve commercial mainstream success.

By 1983 the scene was changing and Maile disbanded International Heroes, retaining only Paul Douglas and recruiting Mick Shaw on Vocals and began building a more commercial unit, but the project collapsed before it ever got off the ground.

In late 1984 Maile landed the drummers stool in the more established NWOBHM act Desolation Angels and toured with the band throughout 1985 in promotion of their eponymous titled debut album on Bullet Records, before reforming International Heroes with Wright.

It was at this point that Maile was contacted by the legendary Hollywood music impressario Kim Fowley who had become inquisitive as to why the band had been named after a song he had written. Maile and Fowley began a six year business relationship that saw Fowley take up the management of International Heroes and gain them a lucrative music publishing deal with Ralph Peer's Southern Music Publishing Company based in Denmark Street, London (aka 'Tin Pan Alley').

Much influenced by new technology, with Maile now on keyboards/emulator and Linn Drums, this line-up of International Heroes had transmogrified in to a pop duo dressed in 80's kistche and resembling both in sound and image the 'new punk' of Sigue Sigue Sputnik. The scene, and Sputnik however, never really took off, and after recording several songs with Phil Moores (Jeffrey Osborne) as producer, the much sought-after major label deal never materialised, and a switch to Tony Visconti's production company fell through due to Southern Music and Fowley's reluctance to release the artist at a reasonable price. Maile however continued working with Fowley, becoming his European associate and eventually manager, until an acrimonious split occurred over the Swedish all-girl band IceAge who were being touted as the 'new' Runaways.

Wright later went on to work with Najam Sheraz, Mark Tinley and others, pioneering the album-a-month project in April 2007, as well as becoming a successful novelist.

Maile went on to manage Reptile Smile (Sony) Barbie Bones (EMI) and Swedish Erotica (Virgin) as well as representing a number of top rock stars including Mick Ronson, Thin Lizzy's Eric Bell (Maile produced Eric's debut solo album), Huw Lloyd-Langton (Hawkwind), Noel Redding and many others. Maile has also worked in either an A&R or Promotions capacity for several record labels including Sony Music and as a freelance rock journalist. As a film director his works include the critically acclaimed farcical comedy 'Billy & Buggs - Two Football Thugs' featuring Mark Savage, best known for his work as Grange Hill school bully Gripper Stebson. Maile was also involved in the early career and rise to prominence of current chart sensation Marina & The Diamonds.