Strong Arm of the Law

The Zoo Crew is spinning the classic track "Strong Arm of the Law" by Saxon, from their 1980 album of the same name, and the Zoo Freaks are loving it. This song, a staple of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM), has a gritty backstory. According to frontman Biff Byford in an interview with Songfacts, the song was inspired by one of the band’s many run-ins with the British police. While driving a huge American car across London Bridge, they were stopped by officers who seemed baffled that these long-haired rockers from Barnsley, Yorkshire, didn’t have drugs on them. Byford turned this encounter into lyrics that capture the band’s defiance, with the iconic riff crafted by guitarist Graham Oliver. The song’s raw energy and AC/DC-like drive make it a fan favorite, as noted in a Discogs review that praises its place among Saxon’s early classics.

Another tidbit about "Strong Arm of the Law" comes from its release context. The album, dropped just months after Saxon’s Wheels of Steel in 1980, was a rapid follow-up that showed the band’s relentless work ethic. A Discogs commenter highlights how the album was released two weeks early in Italy, with Biff Byford noting in Kerrang #1 that it sold 85,000 copies by the time the magazine hit stands. Fans on Saxon’s Facebook page, where the band has over 496,000 likes, often debate their favorite tracks, with “Strong Arm of the Law” frequently cited alongside “Dallas 1PM” and “20,000 Ft.” Posts on X, like one from @SaxonOfficial in 2023, celebrate the album’s anniversary, asking fans which songs they’d love to see back in the setlist, proving its enduring appeal.

Saxon’s origins trace back to 1975 in Barnsley, England, where the band emerged from the ashes of two local acts, S.O.B. and Coast. As detailed on Wikipedia, S.O.B., originally called Blue Condition, featured guitarist Graham Oliver, bassist Steve “Dobby” Dawson, and drummer John Walker, playing blues rock and hard rock. Meanwhile, Coast included vocalist Biff Byford and guitarist Paul Quinn. When the two groups merged, renaming themselves Saxon in 1977, they tapped into the burgeoning NWOBHM scene. Their early style blended raw energy with melodic hooks, drawing comparisons to AC/DC and Motörhead. By the 1980s, Saxon were a force, with eight UK Top 40 albums, including four in the Top 10, and a global following, selling over 23 million records worldwide, as noted on their official website.

Today, Saxon remains active, engaging fans through their official website and social media. Their Facebook page is a hub for updates, while their Instagram shares tour photos and throwbacks. On X, they interact directly with fans, posting about milestones like the 40th anniversary of Strong Arm of the Law in 2020. Fan communities thrive too, with groups like the Saxon – Official Fan Club on Facebook, where enthusiasts share memories and rare memorabilia. Websites like Saxon Deep Discography offer detailed chronicles of the band’s 40-plus-year career, making it easy for Zoo Freaks to dive deeper into Saxon’s legacy.