Formed by Mike Peters in 1981, early Alarm featured amped up acoustic guitars,
harmonica and passionate vocals that invited the enduring description “Bob Dylan
meets The Clash,” spanning 17 Top 50 UK singles and a host of successful albums
on both sides of the Atlantic including “Change,” “Raw,” and “Breath.”
In 2000 the modern lineup of The Alarm came together with Peters joined by James
Stevenson (Gen X) on guitar, bass guitarist Craig Adams (Sisters Of Mercy/The
Mission) and Steve Grantley (Stiff Little Fingers) on drums. After the
groundbreaking release of five internet only studio albums titled “In the Poppy
Fields,” the seeds for an Alarm renaissance were sown in 2004 when the band
released its controversial “45 R.P.M.” under the infamous pseudonym The Poppy
Fields.
The battle was just beginning for Peters, who was diagnosed with chronic
lymphocytic leukemia in 2006. He kept touring nonstop in the trademark green
fatigues that helped him beat a bout of cancer ten years previously, and formed
the Love Hope Strength Foundation, raising funds to fight cancer including
leading a team of musicians to 18,500 feet on Mt. Everest and performing the
world’s highest concert.
“Counter Attack,” another multi-recording Alarm internet project in 2007, was
the springboard for last year’s release “Guerilla Tactics” which was launched
with an audacious acoustic concert in Times Square. A brand new Alarm album will
be released later this year and as a prelude, the band joined forces with The
Damned to co-headline the ‘3-4-1 UK Tour’ this May and June.