Daved Hallcom - Lead vocals
Steven Tolley - Lead vocals, guitars on bonus tracks
Trevor Johnson - Lead guitars
Martin Gerschwitz - Keyboards
James Stacy - Bass, Lead guitars
Mario Gerhards - Drums, percussion
German/Anglo/American quintet Break Point came to life in late 1978
from
the ashes of popular club acts Crystal Ridge and Twigg. Based in the
Frankfurt area the band quickly became the most popular attraction on
the
lucrative US military club circuit where they played to sold out
audiences
up to six nights a week.
In late 1980 the band borrowed whatever money they could beg from
friends
and entered Frankfurt's Cream Studios and spent the next month laying
down
the tracks for the songs that would comprise their 'First Serving'
album.
The nine song effort, which would go on to sell over 5,000 copies at
the
band's shows over the next few years, was influenced by the likes of
Toto,
Kansas, Styx and the popular AOR bands of the era. Songs such as the
poppy
"Hard Road" and "The Best Of Me" along with the quirky "French Fried
Kiss"
became instant concert favourites while progressive rock fans found a
coupling with "Down, Down, Down" and "The Wurst Song."
Being the hot ticket in town can only be satisfying for so long though
and
the band branched out, writing material with record company interest on
their minds and landing the opening slot on several dates of American
band
Mother's Finest summer 1983 German tour, climaxing with a near sold out
and electrifying show in front of family and friends at Offenbach's
Stadthalle.
On a roll, the band were made an offer to tour the Southwestern United
States with a heavy metal band from San Antonio, Texas called Sabotage.
Despite the different musical styles the band jumped at the chance to
do
shows Stateside and spent several weeks winning over audiences who had
never heard of them before. Break Point also opened a few shows for
Australian pop star Billy Thorpe ("Children Of The Sun") during this
run.
Upon returning to Frankfurt Break Point continued writing new material
and
once again hit their familiar clubs when their charismatic frontman,
Daved
Hallcom (the lone American in the band) left to return to the States.
While it was a bit of a blow to the band's fanbase the remainng members
didn't miss a beat, bringing in English singer Steve Tolley. A dynamic
frontman in his own right, Tolley had built a name for himself playing
the
same clubs as Break Point as the lead guitarist / singer for the band
Dizzy Heights.
With Tolley on board the band continued storming the club circuit and
attracted the interest of Rocshire / MCA Records president Peter Hauke.
A
top producer in his own right, having worked on albums from the likes
of
Tony Carey, Nektar, Max Carl, Planet P and others, Hauke helmed a four
song demo at his own Hotline Studios. Rochshire offered the band a deal
which they were advised to reject and they and Hauke went their
separate
ways.
Shortly thereafter keyboardist Martin Gerschwitz left the band and
relocated to Los Angeles and Break Point continued as a quartet,
landing
an independent record deal and releasing a single called "Rock & Roll
In
Germany", which helped attract a sponsor in the form of Miller Brewing
Company. Miller was introducing MGD throughout Germany and chose a few
high profile bands, including Break Point, to push the product. After
a
trip to Milwaukee to shoot a video and several more club shows Steve
Tolley decided a relocation to the States was in the cards for him. The
band parted ways soon after, bringing an end to a decade long run for a
band who were one of the few that can say they found success on their
own
terms. |