China Blue

Websites:  https://citizenfreak.com/artists/110041-falcon-scream, https://citizenfreak.com/titles/328342-duley-glen-and-friends-thus-far-ep-demo, https://citizenfreak.com/titles/317793-steelback-five-star-lady
Origin: Vancouver, British Columbia, 🇨🇦
Biography:

China Blue was formed in Vancouver in 1985 by Wayne Ellis (bass, backing vocals) and Nicki Scianna (guitar, backing vocals, MIDI instruments), blending powerful melodic hard rock with rich arrangements and tight musicianship. The group built a strong presence in the West Coast club circuit, known for their dynamic live shows and polished, emotionally resonant songwriting. Early incarnations of the band featured two vocalists prior to the arrival of Glen Duley, who performed lead vocals on their definitive 1987 studio recordings.

Their self-titled China Blue mini-album, released independently in 1987, remains the band’s definitive recorded statement—a seven-track collection of melodic hard rock marked by soaring vocals, thick synth textures, and tightly arranged guitar work. The album was recorded at Glenwood Studios in Burnaby and mixed at several Vancouver-area studios. It was produced and engineered by André Kunkel, with additional contributions from Michael Thomas, Nicki Scianna, and Gary Tole. Highlights include “Power of Love”, “Broken Promises”, and the emotionally driven “You’ll Be Back.”

The album was formally archived on CitizenFreak in December 2013. Both Glen Duley and Wayne Ellis later reached out directly to help clarify the band’s legacy and support a formal reissue of the album. As of 2025, a deluxe reissue of the China Blue 1987 album is in development with a renowned metal reissue label, helping this rare Canadian hard rock release reach new audiences.

Though China Blue’s time together was relatively short, their recordings remain a vital example of 1980s melodic hard rock in Canada—powerful, heartfelt, and worthy of rediscovery.
-Robert Williston

Glen Duley (Steelback): lead vocals
Nicki Scianna (Falcon Scream): guitar, backup vocals, midi instruments
Wayne Ellis: bass, backup vocals
Jeff Nagazine: drums, percussion
Andre Kunkel (Nancy Nash, Agent): keyboards, midi instruments
Michael Thomas: additional keyboards & programming

Produced and engineered by Andre Kunkel at Nemo Studios

Produced by André Kunkel
Engineered by Michael Thomas
Basic tracks recorded at Glenwood Studios, Burnaby, British Columbia
Mixed at Inside Track Studio, Burnaby, British Columbia
Additional tracks recorded at Nemo Studios (AKAI MG1212), Vancouver, British Columbia
Mixed by:
Gary Tole & Michael Thomas: Broken Promises, Lady Despair, You’ll Be Back
Michael Thomas: Power of Love, Glasses Hi, Yesterday’s Gone
Gary Tole and Nicki Scianna: DD3-7153-Inst.

Cover illustration by Wayne Ellis

Our Special Thanks To:
Mr. & Mrs. G. Scianna for their support & backing, Craig Zurba, Bob Smart, Rick Livingstone, Dave Allan, Arthur Nesbitt Jones, AKA Carl… Mike Pesdirz, Paul Hamer of Hamer Guitars, Kameron Strings, Damon D. Woolcott of TCA Electronics, Fiasco Bros. Recording Studio, Ray Ayote & Drums Only, Mainly Music, The Annex, Ray Paul’s Music, Cord Bourgos, Howard Rissin, Mother’s Music, Terry & Irene Charles - typographic services, and last but not least, our Friends and Families for their support in making this album possible.

China Blue Fan Club (defunct):
Nemo Music,
6881 Gladstone Street,
Vancouver, B.C.
Canada V5P 4G3

MADD
MUSICIANS
AGAINST
DRUNK
DRIVERS