Little Angels

Little Angels
An early promo photo before Michael Lee joined the band August 1988
Background information
Also known as	Mr Thrud (1984-1988)
Origin	Scarborough, England
Genres	Hard rock
Years active	1984–1994, 2012-2013
Labels	Polydor
Associated acts	Gun, Fastway, b.l.o.w., Younger Younger 28s, Skunk Anansie, Feeder, The Cult
Past members	Toby Jepson Bruce John Dickinson Jimmy Dickinson Mark Plunkett Mark Richardson Dave Hopper Michael Lee

Little Angels was a hard rock band predominantly active between the mid-1980s and mid-1990s. The band reformed on 8 June 2012 to play the Download Festival.

Little Angels formed in Scarborough, England in May 1984, under the name of 'Zeus' and then to 'Mr Thrud' in September 1985 settling on the 'Little Angels' during recording of the Too Posh to Mosh album at Fairview Studios, Hull in 1987. The founding members were Toby Jepson (vocalist), Mark Plunkett (bassist), Dave Hopper (drummer) and the brothers Bruce John and Jimmy Dickinson (guitarist and keyboardist respectively). Michael Lee joined the band to replace Hopper on 16 August 1988.

It was at this time that the band met Kevin Nixon who became their manager and label boss when he signed them to his York-based company Powerstation Records. Eventually out-growing the local scene the band signed to Polydor Records on 19 May 1988, allegedly a deal done backstage at the old Marquee Club on Charing Cross Road.

Lee was sacked from Little Angels during the Young Gods tour in New York, after it was discovered he had auditioned for The Cult behind their backs. He went on to play the full Ceremony world tour. Lee was replaced by Mark Richardson, who filled in for him on several tour dates, before taking his place officially during the recording of the band's third album, Jam.

"The Big Bad Horns" ("Big" Dave Kemp on saxophone, Frank Mizen on trombone and Grant Kirkhope on trumpet) had become synonymous with the 'Angels' sound over the years, contributing to a large majority of their recorded output, and appearing live with the band more often than not. However, they were keen to remain independent from the band, so appearances on stage and record are credited to Little Angels and The Big Bad Horns.