Brian Tatler formed the band with Duncan Scott while both still at school in June 1976. They found singer Sean Harris, who was in the same year, and went through three bass players before settling on Collin Kimberley in 1978. The band recorded two self-financed demo tapes in 1979. Recorded within six hours on a four-track, one of which was sent to Geoff Barton at Sounds. The timing was perfect with the emergence of the new wave of British heavy metal. In 1979/80, Diamond Head were managed by budding local managers Dave Morris and Ian Frazier. Dave put some money into the band and tried to get the band a record deal, Ian took to driving the band around the UK when on tour. Sean Harris's mother (Linda Harris) persuaded her boss and boyfriend (Reg Fellows) to come and see the band with a view to investing in them. Diamond Head's demos and live reputation gained enough attention for the band get two support dates with AC/DC and one with Iron Maiden at The Lyceum, London. Although several record companies expressed interests in signing the band and Dave and Ian secured a couple of offers, none were deemed worthy by Reg and Linda who were now beginning to advise Sean as he still lived at home with his mother in a house paid for by Reg.