Winterhawk was an American heavy metal band formed in 1978 in San Francisco, California. Fronted by lead vocalist, lead guitarist and songwriter Nik "Winterhawk" Alexander (a Cree musician), the band released two albums via Mother Earth records. Their debut album, Electric Warriors (1979), was produced by Tom Bee.

Their second album, Dog Soldier (1980), included drums and backing vocals by Jon Gibson. In 2021, both Electric Warriors and Dog Soldier were remastered and reissued via Don Giovanni Records.

Winterhawk was committed to a native anti-drug movement, pioneering an abstinence-through-music platform that ran parallel to the straight edge hardcore movement. Winterhawk performed in the 1983 US Festival and has opened for Tina Turner, Santana, Country Joe and the Fish, Steve Miller and Van Halen.

The band separated in 1984. Due to cancer, Alexander died on July 5, 2017.

Discography

Albums YearTitleLabelFormat1979Electric WarriorsMother Earth Records, Don Giovanni RecordsCD/LP/cassette/digital1980Dog SoldierMother Earth Records, Don Giovanni RecordsCD/LP/cassette/digital

EPs YearTitleLabelFormat1984Good Golly Miss Molly / Rock And Roll SoldierStarman Records45 RPM Single

Personnel Nik Alexander — lead vocals, lead guitar Doug Love — bass, backing vocals, percussion Alfonso Kolb — drummer Frank J. Diaz de Leon — bass guitar Frankie Joe — rhythm guitar Gordon Campbell — trombone, bells Jon Gibson — drums, backing vocals

References