Formed in 1981, The Lords of the New Church already carried international Punk Rock pedigree. One could say they were to "punk" what Asia was "progressive stadium rock." Singer Stiv Bator and guitarist Brian James were founding members of (respectively) Cleveland's Dead Boys and London's The Damned. Both were successful, influential punk pioneers. The band was rounded out by punk stalwarts Dave Tregunna (bass, formerly of Sham 69) and Nick Turner (drums, formerly of The Barracudas).