It Bites: The Pioneers of British Progressive Pop Rock
It Bites are an English progressive rock band renowned for their fusion of melodic pop sensibilities with technically ambitious musicianship. Hailing from the county of Cumbria, the group achieved significant commercial success in the late 1980s, most notably with their hit single "Calling All the Heroes" which reached number 6 on the UK Singles Chart.
Early career
It Bites formed in the small town of Egremont, Cumbria in 1982. The original lineup featured Francis Dunnery on vocals and guitar, John Beck on keyboards, Dick Nolan on bass, and Bob Dalton on drums. After building a strong live reputation, they secured a deal with Virgin Records and released their debut album, The Big Lad in the Windmill, in 1986.
Breakthrough
The band's commercial breakthrough came swiftly with that 1986 debut. Propelled by the infectious pop-rock single Calling All the Heroes, the album itself climbed to number 35 on the UK Albums Chart, establishing the band's unique and accessible take on the progressive genre. Their sophomore album, 1988's Once Around the World, further cemented their reputation for complex, hook-laden songwriting.
Key tracks
Calling All the Heroes — This synth-driven anthem provided the band with their sole UK Top 10 hit and remains their signature song.
Old Man and the Angel — A track showcasing their progressive side, it became a live favourite and a staple of rock radio.
Kiss Like Judas — The lead single from their second album, it highlighted their evolving, more guitar-oriented sound.
Still Too Young to Remember — This epic, multi-part composition from Once Around the World exemplifies their ambitious studio craft.
Internal tensions, however, led to the departure of frontman Francis Dunnery after 1990's Eat Me in St. Louis. The band disbanded shortly thereafter. In a surprising and welcome move, It Bites reformed in 2006 with a new lineup featuring vocalist and guitarist John Mitchell. This revitalized group released two acclaimed albums, The Tall Ships (2008) and Map of the Past (2012), which successfully channeled the spirit of their classic work.
Fans of It Bites often appreciate the intricate yet melodic work of Marillion, another band that expertly blends progressive rock with emotional songwriting. The pop-infused rock complexity of Kaigara Kaigara also shares a similar spirit. Listeners may also enjoy the ambitious compositions of Frost, which feature strong vocal melodies and dynamic instrumentation. The accessible prog of Big Big Train offers another point of comparison with its focus on melody and narrative.It Bites' distinctive catalog maintains a steady presence on specialist radio formats. Their tracks are regularly featured on classic rock FM stations, dedicated progressive rock programs, and online rock radio streams that celebrate technically gifted and melodically rich music from the 1980s to the present day.
You can explore the dynamic sound of It Bites, from their 80s hits to their modern prog epics, through the radio stations available on onairium.com. Tune in to hear their music in regular rotation across our curated network of independent music radio stations.
