Tuesday, July 20, 2010

THE ONE PINT WINEHOUSE

Hiya folks, sorry for the lengthy delay since the last post here, but there's been a World Cup on.
I thought i'd make it up to you with a large "old style" post as i used to do in days of yore.
Without further ado, let's dig in shall we?

UltraBoris on Metal Archives is succinct and unstinting in his praise of HALLOWEEN's 1984 "Don't Metal With Evil" album. :
"Oh man, this is such a FUN album. Really, that's the best adjective I can come up with.
It's got catchy riffs and these fun singalong vocals with over-the-top, slightly cheesy, and just in general not-to-be-taken-too-seriously lyrics.
Textured soundscapes and deep introspection, this is not.
This is just FUN Heavy fucking Metal."
He pretty much nails my view right there.
This was the first album by Halloween, and followed hot on the heels of their debut release, the privately pressed "Trick Or Treat" 7".
They finished 1984 by releasing a live album, "Live From The Crypt", but after this flurry of activity the band went through personnel changes and their profile diminished as the years went by.
Despite this the band were able to contribute tracks to the compilation albums "Motor City Metal III" and "Lamour Rocks", tour the U.S. in 1989 with CRIMSON GLORY and play shows with the likes of KING DIAMOND, MEGADETH and TESTAMENT.
Halloween returned from the recording wilderness in 1990 with their "Vicious Lies" Demo, and have remained a going concern ever since, releasing 2 further demos, an EP, 4 full length albums and a best of compilation in the intervening years.

HALLOWEEN - Don't Metal With Evil (1984) USA

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=7A54MSS7

KARRIER was a five piece NWOBHM Hard Rock band formed in Birmingham in 1982 from the ashes of a previous act called EXPRESS.
Three ex-members of Express formed the core of Karrier's initial line up.
Signing to the small Unit Records label in 1984, the band debuted later that year with the "I'm Back" single, which was available in 2 track 7" and 3 song 12" formats.
An album, "Way Beyond The Night", followed in 1985, but despite very positive reviews and a major UK Tour supporting MAGNUM it didn't sell in great quantities.
Following some line up changes Karrier resurfaced in 1986 with a new single, "Poor Little Rich Girl", which contained 2 new non-album tracks.
The new material saw the band moving in a more overtly commercial direction than previously, but the 7" failed to provide the breakthrough they hoped for.
Unit Records folded soon after, with Karrier sadly following suit by the years end.
Guitarist Chris Clowsley then joined TRANZAM, later moving on to an act called CONTRABAND, before recording an album with another group called DEUCE.
He currently plays guitar in a PINK FLOYD tribute band called DARKSIDE.
Bass player Mark Fletcher resurfaced in the 1990's playing on albums by both ALISTAIR MURPHY and HALF LIFE.
Singer Gary Garner eventually moved into the business side of music, at one time managing THE WILDHEARTS.

KARRIER - Way Beyond The Night (1985) UK

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=AKFLCT1K

Welsh NWOBHM act NO QUARTER formed in 1980 and the quartet released their debut cassette, the five song "Songs In Circles" on Neon Records, in 1981.
The band also had the track "Power And The Key" featured on the 1982 Heavy Metal Records compilation album "Heavy Metal Heroes II".
Further exposure came via a well received BBC Friday Rock Show session later the same year.
No Quarter released a further cassette, the seven song "Uncertain Future" in 1982, but this was later withdrawn.
No Quarter performed a somewhat unusual gig during 1983 at the Broadmoor Hospital for the Criminally Insane, which they later revisited on the track "Broadmoor Blues".
Another release, the classic 3 song 12" "Survivors" EP on Reel Records came later in 1983.
The band's final release came in 1985, the 3 song "Birds Of Prey" EP was issued by Bonzo Bear Records, before the band went on indefinite hiatus.
Having not been a going concern for some years, No Quarter reformed in 1992 with a 14 song "Best Of" album being released through Vinyl Tap Records in 1994.

NO QUARTER - Uncertain Future Cassette (1982) UK

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=YX7EPHLO

Iron Gypsy were formed in Hamilton, Ontario in 1983 around whizkid guitarist Jim Mark.
Personnel changes were a constant problem, meaning it was late 1984 before they got around to releasing their self-titled Mini LP.
A diverse & powerful set, it brought the band many admirers, and international distribution for their record too.
This in turn led to tour supports with SAXON & ACCEPT amongst others.
However, just as they seemed poised to step up to the big time, their drummer deserted them to join a Country & Western band, and all the momentum they'd built up disappeared overnight.
The band finally followed up their classic debut with a four song EP entitled "Take 2" in 1987 through the Wench label.
Again, personnel problems dogged the band and despite playing more live shows with the likes of PAT TRAVERS, D.O.A., OMEN & DEATH ANGEL, Wicks grew frustrated with the lack of progress and folded the group in 1989.

IRON GYPSY - Take 2 EP (1987) Canada

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=Z1VEU3RL

SATANIC RITES were a NWOBHM band formed in Halifax, West Yorkshire in 1979.
Signing with the Wolverhampton based Heavy Metal Records, the band released their first single, "Live To Ride", in 1981.
The record brought them rave reviews from respected music publications such as Sounds and Kerrang! but they weren't to release any further product until 1985.
By this time singer Daz Bingham was out, replaced by Deborah Webster, the wife of bassist David Ingham.
The female vocals brought a whole different feel to the band's debut album, "Which Way the Wind Blows", which was released privately in 1985.
After the album's release, long time keyboard player Kevin Doyle left the band to be replaced by Graham Dyson.
This new line up recorded a second album, "No Use Crying", which was released in 1987.
This was to prove to be the band's swansong however, as Satanic Rites split up in 1988.
The band's reputation and the strength of their recorded output has kept the band's name alive, and with new generations discovering the NWOBHM, Cult Metal Classics have recently remastered and re-released the band's two albums with new cover art on CD for the first time.

SATANIC RITES - Live To Ride 7" (1981) UK

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=QQ7BXNT9

FORGER were a four piece NWOBHM band formed in Oxfordshire in 1983.
They recorded a three song demo in 1984, but it failed to drum up too much interest or bag them a record deal.
Undeterred, 1985 saw the band release the "She's A Liar" 7" on their own Forger label.
By the time of the record's release, the band had incorporated more Hard Rock and Glam Rock influences into their sound, but were still pretty Heavy nonetheless.
Forger's image was a definite drawback however, whilst they were probably aiming to look like a cross between TWISTED SISTER and MOTLEY CRUE, the single's picture sleeve shows them pouting like cross dressing bricklayers.
The members of the band had also adopted daft pseudonyms by this time, like "Steve Animal" and "Ringo Styxx".
No, really.
Anyway, the single was to be Forger's only official release as the band folded soon after the record's release.

FORGER - She's A Liar 7" (1985) UK

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=6M8AZS6W

Finally, RESLESS were a traditional US Heavy Metal band formed in Westwood, New Jersey from the ashes of a prior act called STEEL WINGS in 1983.
Their only release was a solitary self-financed 7" single on their own Flying Dog Productions label.
The two song single featured Lou Ciarlo of HADES guesting on Bass just before he joined ATTACKER, he was filling in for the recently departed Rob Littauer, although the picture sleeve showed new recruit Drew Andrews.
Musically, the band appear to have had more than one eye on the European scene of the time, with JUDAS PRIEST also an obvious influence.
This new line up then recorded an uncirculated 3 song demo in 1985 and gigged widely around the New York area.
In 1987, after personnel changes, the band's style began to move in a more Hard Rock/Glam/Hair direction, so they changed their name accordingly, becoming DIRTY BLONDE.
In 1989, a further name change sees the band become A THOUSAND TIMES, and another 5 song demo was recorded, but with no record deal forthcoming, the members go their separate ways in 1991.
In more recent years Vocalist/Guitarist Kurt E. Stahl released a compilation album of various recordings made between 1984 and 2004 by bands he played with.
The album, "Diary Of An Unsigned Rocker", features both Resless, Dirty Blonde and A Thousand Times amongst others and was released under the name KURT.
For the last 15 years he has played with an Acoustic/Roots/Country/Rock band called THE SLEWFOOT PROJECT who have recently released their debut album, the live "Feels Like Home".

RESLESS - Restless Metal 7" (1984) USA

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=4GVOU6YE

So that's tonight's selection, here's hoping you enjoy something i've posted this evening.
While i remember, does anyone know what happened to the HardBlog forum or the Boneyard Metal blog? Both were favourite haunts of mine, but disappeared overnight a while back and didn't return.
Any ideas folks?
Can i respectfully request some feedback from visitors please?
This is not directed at those of you who regularly take 5 minutes to share your opinions, i appreciate your thoughts and remembrances.
But i know that more than 7 people visited this blog since the last post, however that's the number of comments it received in 5 weeks.
I spend a lot of time & effort bringing you this music and info and my "payment" is the interaction i have here with fellow fans of this music.
Frankly, i've been feeling a little "short-changed" in this respect lately.
It's not difficult, and it doesn't take long.
All you need are opinions and fingers.
Press "Comment". Type comment. Press "Post".
It's that easy.
See you back here soon for more of the similar.
Salut!

22 Comments:

Blogger Lord Bones said...

Hi there!!

Lord Bones here of the Boneyard Metal Blog :) I am still alive and well. Well the 'old' Boneyard blog is now dead and gone :( But.....

Boneyard Metal blog is back!! With the emphasis on the 80's Heavy Metal, NWOBHM and some Speed, Thrash and Power Metal.

Go have a look at:

http://metal2thebone.blogspot.com

Yeah I know you have warned me about Blogspot and I did sign up there maybe against better judgement but I am very strapped on money. I rather setup my own webspace with blog software of my own chosing. Maybe in the near future...

Take care all!!

Lord Bones

Tuesday, July 20, 2010 10:57:00 PM  
Blogger Lord Bones said...

Oooh you mentioned about World Cup Soccer (here in the States), Football for the rest of the world.

Well you can imagine that I was totally miffed and pissed when the Netherlands lostin the finals!!! The reason? Well i am Dutch by nationality !!!

Take care all!

Tuesday, July 20, 2010 11:36:00 PM  
Blogger bigfootkit said...

Ah, good to hear from you Lord Bones.
Good to know the Boneyard is back in business, i shall go visit your new url after i've finished typing.
If it's even half as good as your old site it'll become a firm favourite.
My commiserations on the World Cup final, i had really enjoyed watching the Dutch play throughout the competition and was also supporting them that day.
As my national team, Scotland, had failed to qualify (again), i wound up adopting Uruguay for the duration of the tournament. As a country with a similar size of population to my own, i felt a bit of kinship with them as underdogs, but they really did themselves proud.
A 4th place finish in the world cup with a population of only 3.5 million?
Now that's punching above your weight!
That they played with such unity and style was the icing on the cake.
Best wishes,
Bigfootkit

Wednesday, July 21, 2010 10:11:00 AM  
Anonymous Khnud said...

Cheers for No Quarter, Iron Gypsy and Resless. Never heard those before, should be interesting!

Wednesday, July 21, 2010 2:23:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Kit - great post, particularly the No Quarter cassette! Any chance of posting more of their stuff in the future? As to the World Cup - isn't it great that the tactical genius of Fabio Capello is being retained? Emile Heskey scores a goal every 20 games, and Peter Crouch scores 1 in 2. Hmmm, who to select when you need a goal? I know, bring on Emile Heskey with 20 minutes to go, and don't play Crouch at all. That's 6 million pounds of management talent right there. But don't worry, Heskey may have retired but I'm sure Capello will be able to coax him back for the next World Cup ( just like he did this time with that world class player, Jamie Carragher. If they ever make a film version of The Hare and the Tortoise then Carragher will do fine as the tortoise - the tortoise loses in this version, though). Ah, what will England do now without the Golden Generation - start playing football? Kit, thank your lucky stars you're Scottish. Take care, Blofeld

Thursday, July 22, 2010 2:43:00 AM  
Blogger bigfootkit said...

Glad to hear that the No Quarter cassette is going down so well, i always felt that they were perhaps the most unjustly overlooked band from the NWOBHM era.
Rest assured i'll be bringing you more from them next time round.
And the time after that.
Blofeld, i can only offer my condolences on the poor English showing at the World Cup.
I totally agree with your assessment of Capello's "management" of the English team, but as an Aston Villa supporter i feel i have to stick up for Emile Heskey a little.
I'm led to believe that statistically Rooney scores more England goals when he's partnered with Heskey, so on that basis i can see why he was selected.
After the opening game however, when it was plain Rooney was not right, not to plump for Defoe & Crouch in game 2 was plain stupidity on Capello's part.
Having said that, your guys breezed through qualification, so Capello was doing something right then.
I think he'll get England to the Euros, if given the chance.
Whether he and the team are good enough to make an impact there is another matter.
I just don't think that the English national team are as good as the UK media hype them to be.
Creating over-inflated expectations and then damning the team/manager for failing to live up to them does not help the English game, but, unfortunately, it does sell newspapers.
Just my tuppence worth.
My apoligies to those of you with no interest in football, but it's important stuff to us, okay?
PS Is it just me or does Lord Bones' avatar look a lot like Adrian Chiles?
Bigfootkit

Thursday, July 22, 2010 6:09:00 PM  
Blogger mick miller said...

great shares. thank you so much for all your time and energy spent in giving us these great post. thank you.

Thursday, July 22, 2010 10:11:00 PM  
Blogger Lord Bones said...

Hmm i don't think Adrian Chiles will be pleased to hear that he is compered with the Roman Emporer Caracalla, who was a total looney. LOL

Friday, July 23, 2010 12:50:00 AM  
Anonymous DoomyOne said...

Hail! Good to see a post after what a month or so? Don't feel bad, tho, I didn't do a site update for a few months... And issues sometimes take more than the prerequisite 3 or 4 months!! Anyway, good stuff here, most of it I already have, well, except for the Resless and the Satanic Rites 7 inch. I have the albums, it's gonna be interesting to hear what their original singer sounded like...

Friday, July 23, 2010 6:15:00 PM  
Anonymous ron..... the cheeb said...

Hello Kit----

Halloween--- dumb simple metal. I used to love it, now I only like it....heh heh.

Iron Gypsy--- not completely different to Halloween, they both have Mercyful Fate tendencies. Iron Gypsy probably had a few more straight forward hard rock influences like Kiss.

Resless--- more of a NWOBHM feel to these old ears. Pretty good.

No Quarter--- one of my very favorite obscure NWOBHM bands. I would die to hear their Bird Of Prey release, or the Friday Rock Show set.

Forger--- this cover art got dropped into my computer folder titled "Wanking material if I ever turn into a poofta." (as usual, I tried my best to correctly use the UK terminology, feel free to harass me if I bungled it)

very nicely done Kit.....

Sunday, July 25, 2010 5:01:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ron,
you'll be pleased to hear that "Songs In Circles" and the BBC Session by No Quarter are both in my "upcoming posts" tray.
Glad this weeks post met with your approval, and thanks, as always for your humourous feedback.
As for Forger and the "Wanking material if I ever turn into a poofta" folder, congratulations on getting the British terminology spot on, but seriously man, you have a whole folder for wanking material if you ever turn into a poofta?
It's good to be prepared for any eventuality, but surely that's taking preparedness to a ridiculous extreme!
Thanks for the yuks,
Best wishes,
Bigfootkit

Sunday, July 25, 2010 7:44:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

another excellent post. Many thanks for posting so many great NWOBHM records!

Sunday, July 25, 2010 10:18:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hi Kit - fair point on the Heskey statistic ( and being a Man U fan I thought the pairing with Rooney was worth a go initially - it was just crazy to stick with it when it wasn't working). I also agree that the England players are overrated - the England team could barely pass the ball and they couldn't retain possession. I think pressure has something to do with this and I think we need players who love playing football and want to take players on, etc. It's almost as if all the joy and spirit has been trained out of the players. Maybe they're not a unit off the pitch. The football was just shamefully bad at times - and this is where the manager failed. Yes, England qualified well but when that approach didn't work in the tournament then the manager needed to make changes . . . I'd better stop there, I think - no good can come of going on! Pass the tissues! And that's not an allusion to Ron's folder! On a more positive note I look forward to further No Quarter posts particularly the Friday Rock Show Session. As ever, best wishes, and thanks for all the great posts. Blofeld.

Thursday, July 29, 2010 2:11:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Cheers mate. Nice work. Much appreciated NWOBHM gems.

Friday, July 30, 2010 6:49:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Blofeld, thanks so much for this line:
"Pass the tissues! And that's not an allusion to Ron's folder!"
It really made me laugh, and i needed a laugh tonight.
Much appreciated!
All the best,
Bigfotkit

Saturday, July 31, 2010 6:41:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

just stumbled across this blog recently. wow! you're my new best friend, haha. really, great stuff here, keep it up.

Sunday, August 01, 2010 10:39:00 AM  
Anonymous ron..... the cheeb said...

"Tissues." That's an insult.
I use bath towels.

Monday, August 02, 2010 9:30:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

How about sanity towels?
Blofeld

Wednesday, August 04, 2010 5:44:00 PM  
Anonymous vast747 said...

Hello Kit,

Your blog is the greatest. I especially liked The Universe - what a great album! Never heard of the band before, but the songs are, strangely, very familiar.

This is truly one of the classics of the 'classic' year of 1985, alongside with the other milestones of melodic heavy metal from that year such as Silver Mountain (Swe) - Universe, Mad Max (Ger) - Stormchild, and Stormbringer (Swi) - Stormbringer, to name but a few.

Thank you for the fantastic work and very cool music.

Take good care.
vast747

Tuesday, August 10, 2010 5:09:00 PM  
Blogger harleytexas said...

I'm from Hamilton and never heard of IRON GYPSY

Tuesday, August 24, 2010 12:06:00 AM  
Anonymous EDUARDO said...

I LOVE THIS FANTASTIC AND RARE BLOG, CONGRATULATIONS...LONG LIVE TO THE NEW & IMPROVED LIVE & OTHERWISE BLOG.
MY BEST THANKS.

EDUARDO/BRAZIL

Friday, November 12, 2010 7:45:00 AM  
Anonymous Martin said...

When only you aim casino online, you desire appreciate the fact online slots can be.

Monday, August 22, 2011 10:09:00 AM  

Post a Comment

<< Home