Birmingham Rock act noted for their outrageous stage shows, CRYER created quite a buzz within the British club scene, but their only legacy is one self financed single and an album under an assumed name. Formed as OUT OF THE BLUE in 1974 with a line-up of vocalist/guitarist Garry Chapman, guitarist Micky Chaplin, bassist Fez Ferriday, keyboard player Steve Barnes and drummer Steve Smith, CRYER maintained a stable line-up until 1976 when Smith was replaced by new drummer Roger Whitehouse.

1977 saw more changes with ex FLYING HAT BAND lead vocalist Steve Burton and keyboard player Mickey Billingham joined the band.

In 1980 CRYER added second guitarist Stu Clarke to the ranks, who had actually been in the band's employ as a lighting man since 1975. Burton, however, chose to leave the group to form THE STARFIGHTERS and in came ex-HOI POLLOI vocalist Graham Carless .

At this point CRYER recorded a self financed single, thus taking their place amongst the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal elite. The recording sessions suitably impressed the studio owner and an album production deal was offered. However, Billingham left to join DEXYS MIDNIGHT RUNNERS (co-writing the hit single 'Come on Eileen') and in came ex LIQUID MIRRORS keyboardist Pete Wayne for a short stay before he too departed in 1981, teaming up with former DEXYS MIDNIGHT RUNNERS members in BLUE OX BABE.

Still, CRYER gigged solidly, backing up the single release by performing headline club tours and support dates to GILLAN. The band's over the top stageshow, featuring exploding polystyrene heads, rocket firing guitars and flame juggling, became something of a talking point on the club circuit.

However, things didn't last and the band split in 1983, with Following CRYER's split in 1983 the rights to the unreleased album bought by Heavy Metal Records.

Not liking the band name CRYER, the record company changed this to FORCE and released the album under the title 'Set Me Free'. Carless and Whitehouse then actually formed a band called FORCE to promote the album!

Stu Clarke was to later join Glamsters KOREA before forming Pop act MR. PRESIDENT.