CHINATOWN was borne out of guitarist Pat Shayler and bassist John Barr's departure from college band JODY. Beginning life as the Glam influenced CHINASTREET, this Fareham, Hampshire based band soon switched to a more direct approach. CHINATOWN's debut line up found the band fronted by vocalist Steve Southern with Shayler and Barr joined by keyboard player Adrian Chase and drummer Russ Payne. A major line up shuffle resulted in the keyboards being ditched in favour of second guitarist Danny Gwilym, Southern being ousted by Steve Pragnell and Steve Hopggod taking over the drum stool. Hopgood had previously been in SHY, a Portsmouth based outfit that also featured lead vocalist BRIAN HOWE, later to find fame fronting BAD COMPANY.

Live work had CHINATOWN, promoting the 'Short And Sweet' single, supporting both DIAMOND HEAD and BUDGIE. This progress resulted in a Friday Rock show session and an appearance at the Reading festival the following year. CHINATOWN soon became noted for the distinctive vocal style of Pragnell and the quintet was quick to release the sought after 'Play It To Death' album, which was recorded live. In addition to the LP, CHINATOWN also contributed two live tracks ('I Wanna See YouTonight' and 'Caught On The Wrong Side') to the 'Reading Rock' compilation album released in 1982.

CHINATOWN's star seemed to be ascending. A further 'Friday Rock Show' session followed. Taking on UFO publicist Heidi Kipling the band demoed tracks for EMI but this union faltered. The band pulled in erstwhile TYTAN guitarist Steve Gibbs but CHINATOWN fragmented sometime after. Bassist John Barr was ousted in early 1983 and whilst he would go on to play in an assortment of London based club bands. Gwilym later turned up as part of Gloucestershire's TYRANT then SHOGUN whilst Steve Hopgood journeyed through PERSIAN RISK, BATTLEZONE, JAGGED EDGE and KILLERS. The drummer also spent very brief stints in BRONZ, KROKUS and LIONHEART.

Gwilym's guitar partner in CHINATOWN, Pat Shayler formed EXXPLORER and, upon their demise in 1986, reformed CHINATOWN with Pragnell, ex BLACK ROSE and CHINATOWN bassist Martin Rahn, ex-CHINATOWN keyboardist Chris May and former BERLIN drummer Marc Angel.

In 1990 both Gwilym and Angel joined the reformed TOKYO BLADE for the 'Mr. Ice' album. By 1999 Angel was a member of ex-IRON MAIDEN vocalist PAUL DIANNO's BATTLEZONE.

The 'Play It To Death' album has since been re-issued, in CD form, by the Leeds based Vinyl Tap concern.