A Los Angeles Christian themed act founded in 1980 upon the lightning fast fretwork of erstwhile BLIND OWL guitarist JOSHUA PERAIAH, some even citing the guitarist as the fastest in the world. A formative membership featured future LOVE/HATE frontman Jizzy Pearl. JOSHUA's introductory mini-album, 1983's 'The Hand Is Quicker Than The Eye', recorded with vocalist Stephan Fontaine, came complete with a sleeve and title boasting of the guitarists prowess. The line-up was completed by bassist Marlon Hawk, second guitarist Michael Ingles, drummer Tony Zaccaglini and keyboard player Donnie Gougeon.

The record sold remarkably well with Perahia being dubbed by one Japanese media source as "the fastest guitarist in the world". JOSHUA's status was such as this stage that regular gigging in California saw them headlining over acts such as RATT, QUIET RIOT, ROUGH CUTT and BLACK N'BLUE. In 1984 Rich Ortz occupied the vocal position.

Of Greek parentage, Perahia had spent most of his teens studying to become a qualified doctor at the University Of California in Los Angeles. He had begun playing the guitar at the age of 12 purely for fun, forming BLIND OWL in 1977 as his first true Rock group, eventually concentrating full-time on music.

JOSHUA scored a deal with major label Polydor Records in America for their first full-length effort 'Surrender' in 1985. However, since the release of the debut record Perahia had dispensed with the original band line-up. Fontaine later turned up fronting the rather obscure RINGLEADER then join British rock legends URIAH HEEP for an American tour but would not get the opportunity to record with the band. Donnie Gougeon joined WHITE SISTER in 1985 whilst Rich Ortz featured with SIXTY NINE.

Lead vocals for the 'Surrender' JOSHUA album were shared by Robert Basauri and Jeff Fenholt, the latter who had recorded an as yet unreleased album with a post Keith Relf ARMAGEDDON in 1980. The singer also rehearsed with BLACK SABBATH in 1985 before becoming a TV evangelist claiming he was actually a full time member of Birmingham Rock pioneers.

Other players pn 'Surrender' included bass player Loren Robinson, keyboard players Patrick Bradley and Eric Norlander, drummers Craig Ostbo, Joe Galletta and Joe Tafoya with Ken Tamplin adding supportive guitar. Unfortunately for JOSHUA, the European division of Polydor showed scant regard for the band and the album was to surface on independent label FM Revolver.

A change of vocalist ensued after the record release as JOSHUA geared up for live work with new singer Gregory Valesco. Fenholt was to team up with DRIVER.

Signing to RCA Records, JOSHUA added ex-IMPELLITERRI, DRIVER and M.A.R.S. vocalist ROB ROCK and former TERRIF and SOUND BARRIER bassist Emil Lech Brando in 1987. Other new recruits aiding the rebuild of the band were drummer Tim Gerht, previously with STREETS, and keyboard player Greg Schultz.

The resulting 'Intense Defence' album, recorded in Germany with noted producer Dieter Dierks and released in 1988, found bass parts were handled by former STREETS man BILLY GREER. However, by 1989 Rock had quit the band and reformed DRIVER, taking Lech Brando and Schultz with him. He would later record with the likes of German guitarist AXEL RUDI PELL.

Ex-JOSHUA members Tamplin, Robinson and Galetta formed SHOUT in early 1988. Perahia re-formulated the band as JAGUAR during 1991, inducting singer Robin Kyle Bassuri, bassist Bryan Fleming and drummer Joe Tafoya to record a set of demos. However, this was short-lived and Perahia founded M-PIRE in 1992. An album, 'Chapter One', was issued in 1995.

Both 'The Hand Is Quicker Than The Eye' and 'Surrender' were re-issued in 1995 as a single CD package dubbed 'Double Trouble' by the German label Long Island in their Classics series.

JOSHUA PERIAH re-emerged in 2001 with a September released solo outing 'Something To Say'. The group returned to action in 2009, with Joshua Periah and Jeff Fenholt recording new tracks for an album branded 'Resurrection'.