Oliver/Dawson Saxon

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Oliver/Dawson Saxon
Oliver-Dawson Saxon - Headbangers Open Air 2014 02.jpg
Oliver/Dawson Saxon at Headbangers Open Air 2014
Background information
Genres Heavy metal
Years active1995–2021
Past membersBri Shaughnessy
Graham Oliver
Gav Coulson
Steve Dawson
Paul Oliver. =
Website http://www.odsrock.co.uk/

Oliver/Dawson Saxon was an English heavy metal band formed in 1995 by former members of Saxon, guitarist Graham Oliver and bassist Steve Dawson.

Contents

Following Steve Dawson's decision to retire from performing in October 2021, Graham Oliver, Gav Coulson and Bri Shaughnessy recruited new bandmembers and chose to continue working together under the new name of 'Graham Oliver's Army'.

Biography

Oliver/Dawson Saxon (1994–2021)

In 1994, Graham Oliver and Steve Dawson, founding members of Saxon, reunited under the name Son of a Bitch (which had been Saxon's own name originally, before they became well known) and released Victim You . They performed under various names such as "SAXON-Son of a Bitch tour" and "SAXON-the early years", before deciding on their current name "Oliver/Dawson Saxon" in 2000. The band has been known by this name ever since, and despite recording other material from 1996 onwards have always relied primarily on Saxon songs during live sets. An attempt to perform under the name "SAXON" alone was prevented by Peter "Biff" Byford, another member of the original band, threatening legal action. [1] In 1997, [2] Oliver and Dawson registered "SAXON" as a trademark, and attempted, through their management company, to prevent Byford's band using the name on their promotional material. Byford opposed this registration, but initially the UK Patent Office held that the registration was valid, as Oliver and Dawson (as original members of "Son of a Bitch" in 1978) had equal rights to Byford in the name "SAXON". [1] However, the High Court overturned the registration, ruling that it had been applied for in bad faith. [3] Oliver and Dawson were thereby prevented from describing themselves as "Saxon" and obliged to prominently include the "Oliver/Dawson" element of the name in their advertising material. The name "Saxon" had been given to the band by then Freddy Cannon, managing director of Carrere Records UK, because retail outlets refused to carry "Son of A Bitch" in 1978. In 2011, Brian Shaugnessey, frontman of rock group Seventh Son joined as the lead vocalist.

In 2016 Hadyn Conway stepped down as lead guitarist, and was replaced by Gavin Coulson.

In 2021, bassist and founder member Steve Dawson chose to retire from touring and recording, which brought the band to a close.

Final line-up

Past members

Son of a Bitch (1994–1999)

Son of a Bitch (1999)

Oliver/Dawson Saxon (2000 – Nov 2010)

Oliver/Dawson Saxon (Nov 2010–2011)

Oliver/Dawson Saxon (2011–2016)

Oliver/Dawson Saxon (2016 – 2021)

Discography

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Biff Byford</span> British rock vocalist (born 1951)

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<i>Wheels of Steel</i> 1980 studio album by Saxon

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<i>Strong Arm of the Law</i> 1980 studio album by Saxon

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<i>Saxon</i> (album) 1979 studio album by Saxon

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<i>Crusader</i> (Saxon album) 1984 studio album by Saxon

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<i>Power & the Glory</i> 1983 studio album by Saxon

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<i>Innocence Is No Excuse</i> 1985 studio album by Saxon

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<i>Destiny</i> (Saxon album) 1988 studio album by Saxon

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<i>Live</i> (Saxon album) 1983 video by Saxon

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<i>The Eagle Has Landed</i> (album) 1982 live album by Saxon

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<i>Victim You</i> 1996 studio album by Son of a Bitch

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<i>The Second Wave: 25 Years of NWOBHM</i> 2003 compilation album by Oliver/Dawson Saxon, Girlschool and Tygers of Pan Tang

The Second Wave: 25 Years of NWOBHM is a split studio album released in 2003 by the British indie label Communiqué Records. The album contains five songs each from veteran bands of the new wave of British heavy metal Oliver/Dawson Saxon, Girlschool and Tygers of Pan Tang. The album features both new songs and already published ones, sometimes re-recorded for the occasion. The release of the album was supposed be followed by a UK tour of the three bands together, but Oliver/Dawson Saxon did not participate. The cover design was created by Robb Weir's nephew and Vectis radio DJ, Tim Pritchard with Paris-based designer Kev Baldwyn. The painting used for the cover was commissioned by Robb Weir and painted by Isle of Wight-based artist John Patty.

References

  1. 1 2 Foley,Mike (8 November 2002). "Application 12012" (PDF). UKIPO.
  2. ↑ "Case details for Trade Mark 2150052". UKIPO.
  3. ↑ Byford v Oliver [2003] EWHC 295(Ch) (23 February 2003), High Court (England and Wales)
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