Formed in Croydon, London during February 1980, TANK debuted as a trio of Algy Ward (Alasdair Mackie Ward), an established veteran of the Punk scene citing terms of duty with the SAINTS and the DAMNED (featuring on the seminal 'Machine Gun Etiquette' album), with the brotherly duo of guitarist Peter Brabbs and drummer Mark Brabbs. It was only inevitable that they would quickly establish a reputation for themselves as a power trio in the MOTÖRHEAD mould.

Opening singles comprised 'Don't Walk Away' and 'Turn Your Head Around' emerging the following year. Some sectors of the press felt they were too close to close to Lemmy and co for comfort, especially on the debut 1982 album 'Filth Hounds Of Hades', which was ironically produced by MOTÖRHEAD's guitarist FAST EDDIE CLARKE. The album surfaced in Spain billed 'Los Perros Immundos Del Infierno'. Fan response though was enthusiastic and valuable press was afforded by a rustic cover rendition of THE OSMONDS 'Crazy Horses'.

In spite of the media detractors, TANK forged ahead with strong sales and were quick to build up a loyal fanbase, particularly in Europe and Japan.

After consistently touring opening for the likes of GIRLSCHOOL, MOTÖRHEAD and DIAMOND HEAD throughout the next two years the unveiling of a second album, entitled 'Power Of The Hunter' met with strong sales and established a loyal fan base.

Changes were afoot for TANK by the time the group's conceptual third album emerged in June 1983, the group having aligned themselves with Music For Nations after the demise of former label Kamaflage Records. 'This Means War', debuted TANK's new, second guitarist Mick Tucker, previously with AXIS and WHITE SPIRIT, and the JOHN VERITY produced album also featured guest backing vocals by Jody Turner of ROCK GODDESS and Denise Dufort of GIRLSCHOOL. However, after just one gig promoting 'This Means War' Peter Brabbs was sacked and Mark Brabbs left to join DUMPY'S RUSTY NUTS, and later UK, shortly after. Mark Brabbs created a short lived band with erstwhile ORE members bassist Dave Boyce and guitarist Dave Howard. 1986 found Brabbs as a member of Paul Samson's EMPIRE, followed by a stint with SAVIOUR. TANK would very briefly induct Michael Bettel as a replacement on guitar.

Meantime, Ward and Tucker chose to enlist ex-CHICKEN SHACK and HEADFIRST guitarist Cliff Evans and former WHITE SPIRIT drummer Graeme Crallan for a revised version of TANK. During late 1984 TANK supported METALLICA on a European tour. Later shows included gigs in America supporting RAVEN, prior to further headline shows of their own. Algy Ward produced Italian Thrash band BULLDOZER's 'The Day Of Wrath' album for Roadracer Records in 1985. That same year the 'Armour Plated' TANK compilation was delivered.

Having recorded a second album for Music For Nations, 1985's 'Honour And Blood', TANK replaced Graeme Crallan with ex-STREETFIGHTER man Gary Taylor. Crallan joined London act BRITTON then by 1987 PANAMA reuniting with his erstwhile WHITE SPIRIT colleague keyboard player Toby Sadler.

Following the 'Tank' album, recorded in 1986 with Mick Tucker but only seeing a release in 1988, the band's line-up was back down to the trio, consisting of Algy Ward, Cliff Evans and Gary Taylor. The latter was replaced by former FASTWAY drummer Steve Clarke in 1989. However, the band then folded, with Evans creating the short lived DESTROYER with ex-YA YA frontman LEA HART prior to working in the studio with MASK. Evans would later join KILLERS after Ward decided to bring TANK to a conclusion. Taylor travelled to America to form Punk Sleaze act SHOTGUN RATIONALE with ex-PLASMATICS man Chris Romanelli.

Although inactive, TANK would retain its cult following. German Thrash act SODOM in particular maintained the band's profile by covering 'Don't Walk Away' on their 1989 'Agent Orange' album and 'Turn Your Head Around' on the 'Better Off Dead' set in 1990.

In 1993 there was some talk of a reunion album in the works, but nothing came of this. Ward spent time recording the "Black Metal supergroup" album titled NECROPOLIS with ex-FASTWAY and DESTROYER drummer Steve Clark and ASIA guitarist KEITH MORE among others before joining Clark's Jazz Rock act NETWORK for the 'Refusal To Comply' album. Another project involving Ward would be ATOMGOD, issuing the 'History Re-written' album in 1992. He would also appear on the later NETWORK album 'L.N.C.' Ward resurfaced in London club band CONSPIRACY during 1994 before joining WARHEAD, a project assembled by erstwhile MOTÖRHEAD guitarist WURZEL and WARFARE mainman Evo.

During 1996 Ward rejoined the THE DAMNED, but before long the continental fascination for cult, early 80s acts had caught up with TANK and, offered a recording deal, the band duly reformed. SODOM once more got in one more shot of appreciation with their take on 'Shellshock' appearing on the 'Ten Black Years album. The 1997 TANK line up showed up at the Wacken Festival in Germany then undertook a tour of the country sharing a bill with HAMMERFALL and RAVEN. For most of the latter dates on this trek Ward took to the stage with the aid of a walking stick. The NECROPOLIS album finally saw a belated release through Neat Records in 1997.

The late 90s incarnation of TANK, Ward, Evans, Tucker and ex-PERSIAN RISK, JAGGED EDGE and BATTLEZONE drummer Steve Hopgood, issued the live album 'The Return Of The Filth Hounds' for Rising Sun Records and put in a further German showing at the 1998 'Bang Your Head' Festival. The band also got to play in Japan during early 1999 on a NWoBHM billing including PRAYING MANTIS as Evans also began work on a fresh KILLERS project. The Japanese Pony Canyon label published the 'Metal Crusade '99' set, a split album partnered with NWoBHM era compatriots SAMSON, PRAYING MANTIS and TRESPASS, recorded at the Hibiya Open Theatre, Tokyo that August. Archive concert recordings culled from a 1981 support to MOTÖRHEAD in Dortmund during 1981 would be released by the Zoom Club label in 2001 as 'War Of Attrition'.

Mid 2002 brought the prospect of a brand new studio album from TANK, entitled 'Still At War' and set for release in Japan in early August through Spiritual Beast Records. The TANK crew for this outing had Algy Ward joined by guitarists Cliff Evans and Mick Tucker with Bruce Bisland of PRAYING MANTIS, SWEET, WEAPON and STATETROOPER on drums. 'Still At War' included re-recorded versions of 'And Then We Heard The Thunder' and 'In The Last Hours Before Dawn'.

In January of 2004 TANK's schedule was alarmingly interrupted when Algy Ward was taken into hospital to have a tumour removed from his head. The singer had previously been suffering from hearing loss and headaches. Nevertheless, recording for a new studio album entitled 'Sturmpanzer', these sessions including the STATUS QUO cover version 'Tune To The Music', was still completed. German Heavy Metal band, POWERGOD in alliance with SODOM's Tom Angelripper, cut a cover version of 'The War Drags Ever On' for inclusion on their 'Long Live The Loud – That's Metal Lesson II' released through Massacre Records in July 2005. Maniacal Records announced the release of a limited run of 500 vinyl, of which 250 would be white vinyl, gatefold pressings of the live album 'War Of Attrition'. The LP version contained two tracks not available on the CD. A press release revealed recording sessions were still taking place for 'Sturmpanzer' in February 2007.

Drummer Graeme Crallan, who played on TANK's 1985 release 'Honour And Blood', died on 27th July 2008 after hitting his head on a pavement while having a fit. The musician was standing outside his home at the corner of York Way and Wharfdale Road in King's Cross when a sudden fit took hold of his body. He was taken to Whittington Hospital in Archway and then transferred to the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead.

TANK underwent a dramatic transformation in December 2008 as founder Algy Ward retired. The band was re-built by drafting Scottish singer Doogie White, a veteran of RAINBOW, CORNERSTONE and YNGWIE MALMSTEEN amongst many others, ex-BRUCE DICKINSON band and SACK TRICK bassist Chris Dale and a return for drummer Mark Brabbs.

The band united with fellow NWOBHM act PRAYING MANTIS for a 24th May 2009 concert at The Peel in Kingston Upon Thames. TANK headlined the 'Revenge Of True Metal' festival on 11th July at Piazzale Degasperi, Rovereto in Italy and on 23rd July featured at the 'Headbangers Open Air' festival in Brande-Hörnerkirchen, Germany. However, band founder Algy Ward, when interviewed by UK 'Classic Rock' magazine, stated that the group "playing various European festivals this summer under the name of 'TANK'" was doing so "without my consent." He also affirmed that "The band name TANK, associated logos and images are my sole intellectual property and copyright."

The band recorded new tracks during October.

Garry Sharpe-Young