Paul Birch founded Wolverhampton based Heavy Metal Records as a vehicle to promote HANDSOME BEASTS, the band he managed at the time, when an initial demo was rejected by all the major labels. Having debuted with the 'All Riot Now' single in 1980 the band followed it up with the 'Breaker' and 'Sweeties' singles, all issued by Heavy Metal Records, the band finally released a full blown album, 'Beastiality' in 1982. Regrettably the band is remembered more for frontman Gary Dalloway's corpulence than their music.

Shortly after the release of the debut album Dalloway claims that a guitarist called Harries, who had seemingly replaced Paul Robbins),spent a period in the group before he was ousted by guitarist Maz Mitrenko. The latter was a former member of TITAN, a band recognised for having been fronted by vocalist Bob Barclay who, after having changed his name to Rocky Shades, went on to prominence with WRATHCHILD and DISCHARGE.

By 1987 HANDSOME BEASTS comprised of Dalloway, Mitrenko, Hough and former BANDANNA drummer Ray Richman, but for the recording of 1990's 'The Beast Within' the mysterious Harries was forgiven and re-entered the fold but difficulties in the recording studio necessitated Mitrenko's return. Bass was by now being handled by Mark Knight, although the album sleeve notes mistakenly list his name as 'Wright'.

In the latter days of the band guitarist Phil Aston was a member (and went on to join ROGUE MALE and TANTRUM) and a third album was recorded during 1993 and, although finalised, was never released due to Heavy Metal Records going bankrupt.

Both Mitrenko and Richman allied themselves with PSYCHO WARD, the band forged by ex-LONDON, MADAM X, HURRICANE and SHY vocalist John Ward. Keeping it in the family Dalloway became PSYCHO WARD's live sound engineer. Mitrenko also kept his hand in on the local R&B circuit with the TREVOR BURTON BAND.

Surprisingly, HANDSOME BEASTS are still a going concern, reuniting annually for a one off gig to appease their fans. By 2004 the band, now including CHEVY drummer Ted Duggan, was plotting a new album. However, this act transpired to be IRON HORSE, led by John Ward and seeing Alan Nyland and Ted Duggan working alongside Baz Eardley from CHEVY and bassist Toby Pelham of V8.

Recordings conducted during 2006 found UFO's PETE WAY guesting on bass. Tragically, Garry Dalloway suffered a fatal heart attack on August 20th. Nevertheless, Dalloway had apparently already appointed his successor, Simon Hall, and HANDSOME BEASTS announced they were to play the 'British Steel' festival with their new singer.