Fastway: The Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Powerhouse

Fastway is a British hard rock band formed in the early 1980s, best known for its high-energy blend of heavy metal and blues-rock. The group achieved significant commercial success, particularly in the United States, where their self-titled debut album was certified Gold by the RIAA.

Early career

Fastway was formed in 1982 by guitarist "Fast" Eddie Clarke, who had just departed the legendary heavy metal band Motörhead. Clarke teamed up with bassist Pete Way of UFO, though Way left before recording began, leaving only his name in the band's moniker. The lineup solidified with the addition of vocalist Dave King, later famous with Flogging Molly, and drummer Jerry Shirley from Humble Pie.

Breakthrough

The band's breakthrough came swiftly with the 1983 release of their debut album, Fastway, on CBS Records. Fueled by relentless touring and a straightforward rock sound, the album climbed the charts, eventually earning a Gold certification in the U.S. for sales exceeding 500,000 copies. This success established Fastway as a potent new force in the hard rock scene.

Key tracks

Easy Livin' — This anthemic single from the debut album became a staple on rock radio and remains the band's most recognizable track.

Say What You Will — Another hard-driving single from the first album that showcased the band's tight, blues-infused rock and roll engine.

All Fired Up — The title track from their 1984 sophomore album demonstrated the band's ability to maintain their energetic formula.

Heft — A deeper cut known for its heavy riffing, exemplifying the muscular sound that defined Fastway's early work.

Later career and soundtrack prominence

Fastway's profile received a major boost in 1986 when they contributed music to the horror film Trick or Treat. Their songs, including the track Trick or Treat, were featured prominently on the soundtrack album, which reached No. 13 on the Billboard 200 chart. The band continued to record and tour with various lineup changes through the decades, with Eddie Clarke remaining the constant driving force until his passing in 2018. Later albums like On Target (1988) and Eat Dog Eat (2011) saw shifts in vocalists and production styles, but always centered on Clarke's distinctive guitar work.

For fans of Fastway's brand of no-frills hard rock, similar artists featured on our site include Motörhead for the raw, pedal-to-the-metal energy. UFO shares the bluesy hard rock foundation and guitar focus. The driving rock of Thin Lizzy presents a comparable dual-guitar attack and melodic sensibility. Listeners might also enjoy AC/DC for a similarly straightforward and powerful rock and roll approach.

Fastway's music maintains a steady presence on classic rock FM stations and dedicated hard rock radio streams. Their anthems are regularly featured in blocks celebrating the peak of 1980s heavy metal, ensuring their guitar-driven sound continues to reach new generations of rock fans.

You can hear the powerful riffs of Fastway on radio stations featured right here on onairium.com. Explore our curated selection of rock stations to discover or revisit the classic tracks from this enduring hard rock act.