Vocalist Mick White left SAMSON in 1989 to form FIRST STRIKE with ex-JAGGED EDGE and LISA DOMINIQUE bassist Billy Kulke and the pair roped in guitarists Dee Dowling and Gavin Taylor (who was an ex-PHANTASM member) and live wire drummer Dave Anderson. The band soon found themselves taken under the wing of Metal Forces magazine editor Dave Shack in a management capacity and FIRST STRIKE gigged hard and released a video demo, entitled 'Nasty', produced by FASTWAY's singer LEA HART. However, Gavin Taylor departed in late 1989 to form the Funk Rock trio GENERAL DYNAMIX and the vacancy was filled by Dave Day, previously with NO FAVORS. Taylor later joined the JODY TURNER BAND.

FIRST STRIKE got in a number of successful Marquee support slots with the likes of SARAYA, MIDNIGHT BLUE and DARE before playing a short Irish tour, although with no deal on the horizon it was no surprise to find the band splitting. Post FIRST STRIKE, Billy Kulke formed SOLE ASYLUM (which featured Billy's brother Mark on guitar and FIRST STRIKE's Dave Anderson on drums) and embraced a career in rock journalism.

During 1997 Mick White was fronting London club covers act THE NEW ORIGINALS.