United Kingdom

United Kingdom was a British heavy metal band that formed in 1977 with John Cockett on vocals, Eddie Jobson on guitar, John Wetton on bass, and Bill Bruford on drums. Their debut album 'In the Dead of Night' came out in 1979 and included the track 'Nothing to Lose.' The band's sound mixed punk energy with rock melodies, and they developed a reputation for songs with social commentary.

Their 1980 album 'Danger Money' contained material that drew criticism from the British government, reportedly leading to restrictions on their radio and television appearances. They kept recording through the 1980s, putting out albums like 'Manitou' in 1982 and 'The Longest Day' in 1987. Songs like 'Braveheart' and 'Rendezvous 6 02' became part of their catalog during this period.

The lineup changed over time, with Brian Howe, Alex Napier, and Frank Ricotti among those who played in the band. They also worked with outside musicians including Brian May and Ian Anderson. United Kingdom stopped releasing new material after the early 1990s and eventually disbanded, though they've played occasional reunion shows since then.