ANDY BOULTON's TOKYO BLADE - Ain't Misbehavin' 12" Vinyl LP Album

- Dive into the unfiltered energy of this NWOBHM classic with production secrets, band lineup, full tracks, and rare photos

Front Cover Photo Of ANDY BOULTON TOKYO BLADE - Ain't Misbehavin' NWOBHM

Tokyo Blade’s Ain’t Misbehavin’ is the sound of a band clawing through the metal muck, drunk on riffs and teenage bravado, refusing to die quietly in the fading glow of NWOBHM. It’s messy, swaggering, and totally alive—Andy Boulton’s guitars spit sparks while Peter Zito howls like he’s brawling with the ghosts of every pub gig gone wrong. The songs don’t so much unfold as they lunge, half-cocked and reckless, but that’s the point: this record is less about perfection than about the glorious chaos of being too loud, too fast, and too stubborn to care.

Ain't Misbehavin' Album Description:

Tokyo Blade, the iconic British Heavy Metal band, has returned with their fourth studio album, "Ain't Misbehavin'". Released on a 12" vinyl LP, this album showcases the band's prowess in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) movement. With their energetic sound and powerful performances, Tokyo Blade continues to make their mark on the metal scene.

Recorded at the renowned Zuckerfabrik Studios in Stuttgart, Germany, "Ain't Misbehavin'" boasts a polished production quality that enhances the band's raw energy. The album was expertly produced by Tom Krüger, who captures the essence of Tokyo Blade's distinct sound while adding a modern touch.

The album cover design and artwork for "Ain't Misbehavin'" were skillfully crafted by Rudy B. Wilkes and Rainer Serr. Wilkes and Serr's collaboration brings the album's concept to life with captivating visuals that perfectly complement Tokyo Blade's music. The artwork reflects the rebellious spirit and attitude that has become synonymous with the band's identity.

Photographers Paul Eling and Peter David contribute their talents to the album's visuals, capturing Tokyo Blade's dynamic stage presence and intensity. Eling and David's photographs offer a glimpse into the band's live performances, showcasing their energetic stage presence and captivating charisma.

"Ain't Misbehavin'" takes listeners on a sonic journey through Tokyo Blade's signature heavy metal sound. The album features a collection of hard-hitting tracks that showcase the band's technical prowess and songwriting abilities. From the explosive guitar riffs to the thunderous rhythm section, Tokyo Blade delivers a true heavy metal experience.

"Ain't Misbehavin'" solidifies Tokyo Blade's position as a force to be reckoned with in the NWOBHM movement. With their impressive musicianship, engaging songwriting, and electrifying live performances, Tokyo Blade continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

Production & Recording Information:

Music Genre:

British Heavy Metal

Label & Catalognr:

Scratch Records – Scratch 805336.938

Media Format:

Record Format: 12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram

Year & Country:

Germany

Producers:
  • Tom Krüger – Producer

Tom Krüger, a German producer, sound and mixing engineer, and musician, is a prominent figure in the world of heavy metal music. Born in Germany, his passion for music began at a young age, and he dedicated his life to honing his skills and making a significant impact on the music industry.

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Krüger's journey in the music world started in the 1980s when heavy metal was gaining immense popularity. He was captivated by the raw energy and power of the genre, and he set out to contribute his talents to this thriving movement. With his exceptional technical abilities and a keen ear for sound, he quickly made a name for himself as a producer and engineer in the German heavy metal scene.

Throughout his career, Krüger collaborated with numerous influential bands, working on over two dozen German heavy metal albums during the 1980s. His skills as a producer and engineer brought a distinct sound to each project, helping to shape the overall atmosphere and tone of the albums. He had an innate ability to capture the essence of the heavy metal sound, emphasizing the aggression and intensity that fans craved.

Krüger's contribution to the heavy metal genre extended beyond his role as a producer and engineer. He was also a talented musician, proficient in playing various instruments, including guitar and keyboards. His musical prowess allowed him to understand the creative process from both sides of the studio, enabling him to communicate effectively with the bands he worked with.

During his career, Krüger collaborated with renowned German heavy metal acts, including Accept, Helloween, Scorpions, and Kreator, among many others. His collaborations resulted in the creation of iconic albums that have stood the test of time, solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in the German heavy metal scene.

In addition to his work as a producer and engineer, Krüger also ventured into other areas of the music industry. He established his own recording studio, where he continued to produce and engineer albums for various bands and artists. His studio became a hub for creativity, attracting talented musicians seeking to achieve the distinctive sound that Krüger was known for.

Krüger's impact on the German heavy metal scene during the 1980s cannot be overstated. His contributions helped shape the genre's sound and solidify its place in the global music landscape. His meticulous attention to detail, technical expertise, and innate musicality made him a sought-after professional in the industry.

Today, Tom Krüger's legacy lives on through the albums he worked on and the countless heavy metal fans who continue to appreciate the music he helped bring to life. His dedication to his craft and his unwavering passion for heavy metal have left an indelible mark on the genre, ensuring his place as a respected and influential figure in the history of German heavy metal.

Sound & Recording Engineers:
  • Tom Krüger – Sound Engineer
Recording Location:

Zuckerfabrik Studios – Stuttgart, Germany

Album Cover Design & Artwork:
  • Rudy B. Wilkes – Album Cover Artwork
  • Rainer Serr – Album Cover Artwork
Photography:
  • Paul Eling – Photography
  • Peter David – Photography

Band Members / Musicians:

Band Line-up:
  • Peter Zito – Vocals
  • Andy Boulton – Guitar, Vocals
  • Chris Stover – Bass
  • Alex Lee – Drums

Complete Track-listing:

Tracklisting Side One:
  1. Heartbreaker
  2. Too Much Too Soon
  3. Watch Your Step
  4. Movie Star
Video: Tokyo Blade - Heartbreaker
Tracklisting Side Two:
  1. Hot For Love
  2. Tokyo City
  3. Love And Hate
  4. Don't Walk Away
  5. Ain't Misbehavin'
Video: Tokyo Blade - Don't Walk Away
Album Front Cover Photo
Front cover of Andy Boulton's Tokyo Blade album Ain't Misbehavin', showing guitarist Andy Boulton with long curly red hair, open-mouthed mid-performance, wearing a white jacket with bold black polka dots, bracelets, and necklaces. He holds a bright red electric guitar with his hands poised across the fretboard, under vibrant red, green, and blue stage lights that create a wild, energetic, nightclub-like atmosphere. The Tokyo Blade logo is positioned above him in metallic silver-blue, with 'Ain't Misbehavin'' written in stylized blue and red lettering at the bottom.

The album cover features Andy Boulton, guitarist of Tokyo Blade, captured in an electrifying live-action pose. His long, curly red hair frames his face as he belts out with intensity, mouth wide open in the heat of performance. He wears a striking white jacket patterned with large black polka dots, contrasted against layered necklaces and bracelets that add to his flamboyant, rock-driven image.

At the center, Boulton grips a vivid red electric guitar, the instrument angled across his body, fingers stretched on the fretboard as if mid-riff. The background bursts with colored stage lights—red, green, and blue spots bleeding into the darkness—enhancing the album's feverish atmosphere of energy and chaos.

Framing the photo is the band’s metallic silver-blue Tokyo Blade logo at the top, while the album title Ain’t Misbehavin’ appears at the bottom in bold, playful blue-and-red stylized text, punctuated with red dots. The entire design projects a sense of wild, untamed heavy metal spirit from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal era.

Album Back Cover Photo
Back cover of Andy Boulton's Tokyo Blade album Ain't Misbehavin'. The layout features a black-and-white promotional photo of the four band members posing together. From left to right: Andy Boulton with guitar strap over his bare chest, Alex Lee with long hair and a tattoo on his upper arm, Chris Stover with layered hair partly obscured by a yellow sticker labeled CODE 63 MV, and Peter Zito with long straight hair wearing a graphic shirt. On the left side, the track listing is printed for Side 1 and Side 2 with song titles and timings. Logos for Tokai, Paiste, and Auto Sound are included, as well as musician credits, production credits, management, merchandise, booking information, and special thanks. Printed text credits producers Tom Krüger and Tokyo Blade, cover design by Rudy B. Wilkes and Rainer Serr, back photo by Paul Eling, and front photo by Peter David. At the bottom are detailed acknowledgements, family thanks, and contact information for the label and management.

The back cover of Ain’t Misbehavin’ presents a black-and-white portrait of Tokyo Blade, capturing the full lineup in a bold, unified pose. From left to right: Andy Boulton with his guitar strap slung across his bare chest, Alex Lee displaying long, flowing hair and a visible tattoo on his arm, Chris Stover partly covered by a yellow retail sticker marked “CODE 63 MV,” and Peter Zito with sleek, straight hair and a patterned shirt. Their collective expressions exude the confidence and defiance of mid-1980s heavy metal.

On the left side of the cover, the complete track list is printed with song titles and times for Side 1 and Side 2, including “Heartbreaker,” “Too Much Too Soon,” “Don’t Walk Away,” and the title track “Ain’t Misbehavin’.” Below the track list are endorsements showing the band’s use of Tokai guitars, Paiste cymbals, and Auto Sound systems.

Further down, detailed production credits are listed: recorded and mixed by Tom Krüger at Zuckerfabrik Studios, Stuttgart; cover design by Rudy B. Wilkes and Rainer Serr; photography by Paul Eling and Peter David. Management and booking contacts, merchandising information, and an extensive “Special Thanks” section highlight the network of supporters, family, and friends behind the release. The dense text at the bottom includes addresses and contact details for ERP and the label, anchoring the album firmly in its era of vinyl production.

Close up of record label
Close-up photo of the Side 1 record label of Tokyo Blade's Ain't Misbehavin' vinyl LP, released by Scratch Records. The label is metallic silver with a brushed steel effect and displays the Scratch Records logo in bold chrome-style red and blue letters across the top. The text includes catalog number Scratch 805336-938, ST 33 GEMA logo, and LC 9067. Tracklisting for Side 1 is printed: Heartbreaker (4:34), Too Much Too Soon (3:23), Watch Your Step (3:37), and Movie Star (3:59). Additional credits state 'All Songs by Tokyo Blade,' GAMA Musikverlags GmbH, Kirchheim/Teck, and 'Made in West Germany.' Four visible spindle holes mark the metallic artwork, enhancing the industrial design look of the label.

This close-up shows the Side 1 record label of Ain’t Misbehavin’ by Tokyo Blade, issued on Scratch Records. The surface gleams with a metallic silver background styled like brushed steel, evoking a sharp industrial edge.

Across the top stretches the Scratch Records logo, rendered in chrome-effect block letters shaded with red and blue accents, immediately drawing the eye. On the right side appear the catalog identifiers: ST 33 GEMA, LC 9067, and the pressing code Scratch 805336-938.

The central text highlights the album and band name: Tokyo Blade – Ain’t Misbehavin’. Beneath, the four tracks of Side 1 are listed with precise timings: “Heartbreaker” (4:34), “Too Much Too Soon” (3:23), “Watch Your Step” (3:37), and “Movie Star” (3:59).

At the bottom, small-print legal and publishing details credit GAMA Musikverlags GmbH in Kirchheim/Teck and confirm “Made in West Germany.” Subtle metallic rivet-like circles around the edge add to the rugged industrial aesthetic of this striking vinyl label.

Tokyo Blade: Pioneers of the NWOBHM Movement and a Lasting Influence on Heavy Metal.

ANDY BOULTON'S TOKYO BLADE - Ain't Misbehavin'
Thumbnail Of ANDY BOULTON'S TOKYO BLADE - Ain't Misbehavin' album front cover

  Scratch Records Scratch 805336.938 , Germany

Released in Germany in 1987, Tokyo Blade’s “Ain’t Misbehavin’” captures the raw energy of the fading NWOBHM wave. Fueled by Andy Boulton’s searing guitar riffs and Peter Zito’s commanding vocals, the album blends swagger, aggression, and reckless charm. With standout tracks like “Heartbreaker” and “Don’t Walk Away,” it delivers a fiery snapshot of heavy metal’s unpolished glory.

Ain't Misbehavin' 12" Vinyl LP
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Thumbnail Of TOKYO BLADE - S/T Self-Titled album front cover

RoadrunneR RR 9883   , 1983 , Netherlands

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