1980s
During the early 1980s Sean wrote and recorded and released songs as a solo artist and as a band member. He recorded his own solo projects using lo-fi Fostex and Tascam 4 track machines and ventured back to Spaceward Studios, Cambridge, to record many tracks as a solo artist and with the groups: Iron Forge, The Media, and International Heroes. Songs ranged from heavy metal through to melodic rock.
In 1986, he signed a publishing deal with well-known publisher, Peer Southern Music, and recorded many songs in their underground Denmark Street (state-of-the-art) studio in London. He signed a management deal with Hollywood's music legend, Kim Fowley, in '86 and also collaborated with Fowley in a song-writing capacity.
Heavy metal - IRON FORGE (playing live minus Les Strange). Left to right: Sean Wright (Lead vocals/guitar), Tommy Smith (drums) & Paul McVoy (bass). Guitarist, Les Strange, left the band in the middle of recording the band's second album - Red Hot Eruption. In total, the band released two EPs and two full length albums in 1979 and 1980 respectively. The debut EP cover was influenced by comic books of the 1970s. After heated discussions with Les Strange about musical direction, the band decided to ditch the comic book image and affiliated themselves with artwork of raw, extreme nature - volcanoes, hurricanes and earthquakes.
THE MEDIA (1981) In the press, with Sean Wright wearing a Rocky Horror Show top hat, cane and white face paint. Left to right: Sean Wright (Lead vox/guitar), Derek Shores (keyboards), Terry Jordan (drums) and Bob Allen (bass).
INTERNATIONAL HEROES (1982) (photographed on Hunstanton beach)
Left to right (standing): Sean "Ricci" Wright (lead vox /guitar), Dave Maile (drums), Gary Wallace (lead guitar)
Left to right (sitting): Roger Perrin (keyboards), Paul Douglas (bass).
International Heroes have been cited as one of the bands involved in the influential music movement known as NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) and are written about in the Encyclopedia of NWOBHM by Malc Macmillan published by Iron Pages Books (ISBN: 978-3-931624-16-3). International Heroes toured extensively across the UK in the early 80s. In 1982 the band released a 45 rpm vinyl single on Heavy Leather records, featuring two tracks "Strange Situation" and "Silent Dreams" written by Sean "Ricci" Wright.
INTERNATIONAL HEROES 1982 - (see article above) Press that announces the start of their British tour with a new 24 track mixing desk previously owned by 1970s rock legends King Crimson and Roxy Music. The desk was bought in Brixton, London and legendary musicians' music had past through the desk: Robert Fripp, Greg Lake, Boz Burrell, Bill Bruford, Bryan Ferry, Eno, Phil Manzanera, Andy Mackay, and Phil Thompson.
EAST ANGLIA MONTHLY (1985) A two page article published in East Anglia Monthly. It was written by Sean T Wright on his childhood hero, the Wisbech-born anti-slavery campaigner Thomas Clarkson. Sean wrote for many trade magazines in the 1980s, too.
INTERNATIONAL HEROES (1986) Now slimmed down to a duo, they sign to Peer Southern Music - acts include Rolling Stones, Donavan, and Buddy Holly. They spend six months in the Denmark Street studio, London, recording songs written with Hollywood legend, Kim Fowley.
1980 Spaceward Recording Studio tracking sheet. for the song "I Need Your Love".