THE DEVIL'S WHISPER
Howdy pilgrims, sorry about the longer than usual gap since the last post, but sometimes unseen forces over which we have no control get in the way of the things which we intend to do.
Trust me, it may seem like a while since the last post, but it seems muuuuch longer to me!
On the plus side, hopefully it's given you all plenty of time to digest and absorb all the stuff i've previously posted and given you all a renewed hunger for some new treats.
So without any further blather, here's the music:
Up first, OVERLORD were a traditional Heavy Metal act formed in Ontario, Canada in 1983 by old school friends, bassist Branko Zugaj and guitarist Mark Platt.
Completed by Dario Rubini on Drums and Vocalist Colin Wilkinson, the band recorded a four-song self-titled EP in 1984.
The EP was released in 1985 on World Records, and copies were submitted to press and labels worldwide in hopes of landing a deal.
Although interest was shown by labels such as Ebony and Combat Records, nothing concrete materialized.
In the Autumn of 1988 Zugaj and Platt recruited full time vocalist Jim Feeney.
In 1990 they created their most progressive music to date, the powerful 3 song, "Into The Dragon's Lair", demo.
A further 3 song tape surfaced the following year, entitled "Nice Life".
By 1993 Overlord had recruited Barry White on Drums, marking their strongest lineup to date, and recorded a new four song demo, "The Open Eye".
After a decade of service, Branko left the band in late '93, a month before the remaining members called it quits.
By 2001 European fans had become very interested in Overlord, clamouring for the vinyl self-titled EP and paying outrageous amounts of money for a copy.
This belated interest in the band led to bootlegs, rave reviews and a brief reunion.
However, after one more recording session, the members went their separate ways for good, putting an end to the Overlord of the past.
Buoyed by the continued interest in the band's old recordings, a compilation cd-r, "Overlord Archives 1985-1993" was made available through the band's website in 2003.
Zugaj reformed the band in 2009, with a new line-up of Ryan Haines on guitar, Dave Toms on drums and Michael Bruno Papaleo on vocals.
Since then, a compilation album featuring all of the band's archive studio recordings, "Back Into The Dragon's Lair", has been released by Heaven & Hell Records.
The new line up are now recording a studio album, due for release in 2011.
OVERLORD - Back Into the Dragon’s Lair (1985-1993) Canada
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=5M44AFRF
Next, WILLCOX were a trio of brothers from Newcastle, England, who got together and formed their eponymous Heavy Rock trio in the unlikely environs of Calais in Northern France in 1981.
Guitarist Peter Willcox had been active on the French rock scene for many years prior to Willcox's formation, having joined the band of Franco-Pop star GUY HOUZET in 1968.
With Houzet, he released 3 singles, before leaving to form the Blues based band MULE STATION.
Soon after, Peter's brother Sammy was installed in the band as Vocalist and Bassist, and Mule Station became a popular draw on the European live circuit.
The band only managed to release two singles during their lifetime, but were in constant demand on the concert stage.
At the dawn of the 1980's, inspired by the likes of ROSE TATTOO, RORY GALLAGHER and AC/DC, the Willcox brothers decided that they wanted to pursue a Harder musical direction and began writing more in this style.
Bolstered by younger brother Terry Willcox on Drums and Philippe Vandamme on Rhythm Guitar, Willcox hit the road, touring wherever they could.
Their Harder sound and energetic live show soon brought the band a loyal following and brought the new band to the attention of LPJ Records who signed the band up.
Their debut album, "Roll Of Three" was released in 1982, and captured the band's live attack in the studio environment perfectly.
The album sold well enough for the label to invest in Willcox, sending them back out on tour again for more gruelling roadwork in 1983, and some Festival appearances.
A 7" single was released to tie in with this bout of touring, "We're Out Tonight" was backed with the non-LP track "The Sooner The Better".
1984 saw the band release their second and final album, "Hot Blood", which has since become a cult item amongst record collectors.
This less Bluesy, Harder Rocking album received rave reviews in the European Rock and Metal press, and the boys backed it's release with more touring, including dates with some of the days French Metal luminaries and with touring international bands.
Around this time, LPJ Records lost their major label distribution deal, and as a result the album didn't fare as well as their debut, which in turn led to LPJ dropping the band.
Although the band continued to write and play live for several more years, they were unable to snare another record deal, and disbanded near the decades end as a result.
In 1994 Sammy Willcox reappeared with a solo album, "La Bise Au Perdant" on Carrere Records.
In 2003 he joined the French Blues/Hard Rock institution STOCKS, with whom he still plays.
WILLCOX - Roll Of Three (1982) UK
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=1I27ZD34
A heavy, yet melodic, band from Horsen in Denmark, PRETTY MAIDS was formed in 1981 by guitarist Ken Hammer (a.k.a. Kenneth Hansen) and originally started off as a THIN LIZZY and RAINBOW covers band, but soon progressed to their own material.
The opening formation saw Hammer joined by ATTICA bassist John Darrow (a.k.a. Johnny Møller) and drummer Phil Moorheed (Henrik Andersen).
The following year the group was brought up to full strength with the recruitment of frontman Ronnie Atkins (Paul Christensen), second guitarist Pete Collins (Jan Piete) and keyboard player Alan 'Stevie' Owen (Allan Nielsen).
PRETTY MAIDS' first demo, recorded in late 1982, featured 'Shelley The Maid' and 'City Lights'.
A few months later a second demo was cut, with the tracks 'Children Of Tomorrow', 'Fantasy' and 'Warchild'.
Other demos included this, the nine song "Heavy Metal" session and "Rave On", the latter comprising of 'Cold Killer' and 'Bad Boys'.
Stoke-On-Trent based Bullet Records then released the band's six song self-titled Mini LP in Britain, during October 1983.
P.A.R. Records in North America and Fingerprint in Denmark released the record in early 1984 with different cover artwork.
Not long after the 'Pretty Maids' mini-album appeared, PRETTY MAIDS secured initial dates in Britain supporting fellow Bullet act LE GRIFFE on a club tour in 1983.
Much championed by 'Metal Forces' magazine supremo Bernard Doe, the act quickly gained a major deal with Epic in Denmark, and the rest as they say, is history.
PRETTY MAIDS - Heavy Metal Demo (1983) Denmark
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=T7IDEI2U
FUNERAL were a young quartet formed in Hollywood, California in 1980.
Their only release was to be the ultra-rare 5 song "Funeral" Mini LP, released on the highly collectible Azra Records in 1981, shortly before the band split up.
I'll leave it to FutureSynner from www.metalpage.de to explain things from here:
"Once I read that this Mini LP was a promo pressing limited to 50 copies, whilst D.T. Richards on the other hand says that 1000 were made.
It looks like a private pressing with the handwritten back sleeve and the thick cardboard, but is one of the first Azra records and therefore a rare piece for sure.
If it didn't say 1981 on the cover then I wouldn't believe it was released that year.
"Funeral" sounds extremely fresh and especially powerful still today, unfortunately for most Metal collectors it will remain an uninteresting piece of vinyl since Funeral were maybe one of the first Crossover bands mixing the speed of Punk Rock with the power of Heavy Metal.
Besides "Ant Trap" and "Will To Live", 2 exciting uptempo Metal trax with a slightly punky touch, and the almost doomy "Darkness On Your Doorstep".
There are also "Outer Edge" and "Bloody Hands", which in my opinion are pure Punk.
Listen first before spending a lot of $$ for this rare MLP, as Funeral were ahead of their time with their fresh Crossover style."
FUNERAL - Funeral Mini LP (1981) USA
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=62JW58M0
You will likely know Michael Burston better by his alias, Würzel, a nickname given to him whilst he was in the army due to his "looking like a scarecrow".
You'll doubtless also know him as the guitarist with MOTÖRHEAD from 1984 to 1995, during which time he appeared on six of the band's studio albums, a liason beginning with "Orgasmatron" and ending with "Sacrifice".
Bet you didn't know he guested on the 1986 "Quazi-Be-Goode" 7" by venerable British Folk-Rock institution FAIRPORT CONVENTION though!
Whilst still a member of Motorhead, Würzel released a 4 song EP entitled "Bess" on the GWR label in 1987.
The tracks on the EP were recorded with friends Jerry Ferguson (Bass) and Simon Moss (Drums), with Würzel himself handling Vocals on the two non-instrumental cuts.
It was bit of a surprise at the time, no doubt, for dyed-in-the-wool Motorheadbangers to hear Würzel showing a more delicate side to his nature on half the tracks.
Title track "Bess" in particular is a sensitive melodic guitar instrumental, which calls to mind GARY MOORE's "Parisienne Walkways"!
Würzel next reappeared in extra-curricular action in 1989, guesting with ATOM GODS, the new band of former TANK/THE DAMNED man Algy Ward, on their "Wow!" album.
Following his departure from MOTÖRHEAD in February 1995, Würzel formed a new act called GANG SHOW which featured ex-DOGS D'AMOUR vocalist Tyla and former THUNDER bassist Snake.
This outfit put in a batch of London club gigs before folding without issuing any recordings.
Würzel and Algy Ward formed a new band in late 1995 along with ex-WARFARE man Evo called WARHEAD.
Warhead issued an eleven track self-titled album in 1996 on Communique Records before they too folded.
Later in the year he joined arch Punk noisemongers DISGUST for their "A World Of No Beauty" album, but this again turned out to be a short-lived liason.
In 1998 Würzel issued a solo album entitled "Chill Out Or Die! (The Ambient Album)", on Cherry Red Records, which, no joke, turned out to be an album of ambient dance "music"!
After this unexpected turn of events, Würzel maintained a very low profile on the music scene, (with the exception of a guest appearance on a SPLODGENESSABOUNDS album), but has joined his erstwhile MOTÖRHEAD colleagues onstage a few times, noteably at a 2004 London gig and at their 2010 Download Festival appearance.
He has recently resurfaced with a new band called LEADER OF THE DOWN, with a debut album apparently due for release next year.
Believe it or not, but Würz turned 61 last month!
WÜRZEL - Bess EP (1987) UK
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=QUC4H937
HERITAGE were a cultured NWoBHM band formed in London in 1980.
The band signed with Rondelet Records and debuted in 1981 with the "Strange Place To Be" 7", which was followed by the band's lone album, "Remorse Code", in 1982.
Despite good reviews and gigs with the likes of DEF LEPPARD and MAGNUM, personnel problems forced the band to split soon after the album's release.
In 1985 the Johnson brothers teamed up with ex-MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP vocalist Gary Barden to form an early incarnation of STATETROOPER.
Paul 'Fasker' Johnson later joined up with SAXON playing on their "Rock The Nations" and "Destiny" albums, and would eventually be reunited with his brother Steve in USI.
In later years "Fasker" would contribute to the 2001 solo album by former SAXON guitarist GRAHAM OLIVER, "End Of An Era".
Co-incidentally Steve Johnson contributed to former Saxon bassist STEVE "Dobbie" DOBSON's "Pandemonium Circus", album.
"Fasker" is currently part of JOHN PARR's band, and still plays with his brother Steve in a covers band called GUNS'n'OATCAKES which grew out of USI and who have recorded two albums, one studio, one live.
If you like what you hear from this 7", have a look back through the archives here, as i posted their lone album, "Remorse Code" here a long time ago too, and it's very very worthy of investigation.
HERITAGE - Strange Place To Be 7" (1981) UK
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=8LAWL5WN
SHRAPNEL were a Hard Rock/Punk/Garage/Power Pop outfit formed in New York in the late 1970's.
Their debut release, the "Combat Love" 7" was released by Salute Records in 1979, with a follow-up single "Go Cruisin'", issued in 1981 on the same label.
The band played a lot in the New York area, including opening for THE RAMONES several times, and built up quite a large following.
Shrapnel also underwent a strange phase where they spent their stage time bedecked in military fatigues for no good reason, apparently the idea of their manager Legs McNeill.
The band then underwent line up changes, before reemerging as a quartet, by this time playing in a more straight down the line Hard Rock style.
Signing to Elektra Records, Shrapnel released a self titled five song Mini LP in 1984, but were dropped by the label soon after it's release.
At this point the band split, disheartened by their lack of progress.
Post SHRAPNEL, bassist Phil Caivano founded Thrash/Hardcore band BLITZPEER, releasing two albums on Epic Records.
Vocalist Dave Wyndorf would later found Stoner Rock institution MONSTER MAGNET and would later be joined in the band by his Shrapnel bandmate Phil Caivano.
SHRAPNEL guitarist Daniel Rey became a much in-demand producer by the late 80's, working with the RAMONES, CIRCUS OF POWER and WHITE ZOMBIE to name but a few.
He also recorded with MANITOBA'S WILD KINGDOM and played guitar with the infamous female biker band CYCLE SLUTS FROM HELL.
As well as his Monster Magnet work, Phil Caivano is also part of STIGMA, the side project of AGNOSTIC FRONT man Vinnie Stigma, and the Hard Rock trio CAPRICORN.
SHRAPNEL - Go Cruisin' 7" (1981) USA
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=DPG4AUUM
So there you go, that's tonight's banquet, dig in!
The variety of styles on offer probably means that the chances of all of you liking everything posted tonight are remote at best, but there should be one or two things there which you will become firm favourites.
Thanks as always to everyone who takes the time to comment on the posts, sadly last time was a bit of a disapointment in that respect, i'm hoping to see more of you take the time to respond on tonight's selection.
Just lemmy know what's on your minds, it's not too time consuming and it's not difficult to do.
Anyway, it's getting late and i'm getting tired and grumpy, so i'll frigg awf now.
Until next time, be good to yourselves, and take care.
Trust me, it may seem like a while since the last post, but it seems muuuuch longer to me!
On the plus side, hopefully it's given you all plenty of time to digest and absorb all the stuff i've previously posted and given you all a renewed hunger for some new treats.
So without any further blather, here's the music:
Up first, OVERLORD were a traditional Heavy Metal act formed in Ontario, Canada in 1983 by old school friends, bassist Branko Zugaj and guitarist Mark Platt.
Completed by Dario Rubini on Drums and Vocalist Colin Wilkinson, the band recorded a four-song self-titled EP in 1984.
The EP was released in 1985 on World Records, and copies were submitted to press and labels worldwide in hopes of landing a deal.
Although interest was shown by labels such as Ebony and Combat Records, nothing concrete materialized.
In the Autumn of 1988 Zugaj and Platt recruited full time vocalist Jim Feeney.
In 1990 they created their most progressive music to date, the powerful 3 song, "Into The Dragon's Lair", demo.
A further 3 song tape surfaced the following year, entitled "Nice Life".
By 1993 Overlord had recruited Barry White on Drums, marking their strongest lineup to date, and recorded a new four song demo, "The Open Eye".
After a decade of service, Branko left the band in late '93, a month before the remaining members called it quits.
By 2001 European fans had become very interested in Overlord, clamouring for the vinyl self-titled EP and paying outrageous amounts of money for a copy.
This belated interest in the band led to bootlegs, rave reviews and a brief reunion.
However, after one more recording session, the members went their separate ways for good, putting an end to the Overlord of the past.
Buoyed by the continued interest in the band's old recordings, a compilation cd-r, "Overlord Archives 1985-1993" was made available through the band's website in 2003.
Zugaj reformed the band in 2009, with a new line-up of Ryan Haines on guitar, Dave Toms on drums and Michael Bruno Papaleo on vocals.
Since then, a compilation album featuring all of the band's archive studio recordings, "Back Into The Dragon's Lair", has been released by Heaven & Hell Records.
The new line up are now recording a studio album, due for release in 2011.
OVERLORD - Back Into the Dragon’s Lair (1985-1993) Canada
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=5M44AFRFNext, WILLCOX were a trio of brothers from Newcastle, England, who got together and formed their eponymous Heavy Rock trio in the unlikely environs of Calais in Northern France in 1981.
Guitarist Peter Willcox had been active on the French rock scene for many years prior to Willcox's formation, having joined the band of Franco-Pop star GUY HOUZET in 1968.
With Houzet, he released 3 singles, before leaving to form the Blues based band MULE STATION.
Soon after, Peter's brother Sammy was installed in the band as Vocalist and Bassist, and Mule Station became a popular draw on the European live circuit.
The band only managed to release two singles during their lifetime, but were in constant demand on the concert stage.
At the dawn of the 1980's, inspired by the likes of ROSE TATTOO, RORY GALLAGHER and AC/DC, the Willcox brothers decided that they wanted to pursue a Harder musical direction and began writing more in this style.
Bolstered by younger brother Terry Willcox on Drums and Philippe Vandamme on Rhythm Guitar, Willcox hit the road, touring wherever they could.
Their Harder sound and energetic live show soon brought the band a loyal following and brought the new band to the attention of LPJ Records who signed the band up.
Their debut album, "Roll Of Three" was released in 1982, and captured the band's live attack in the studio environment perfectly.
The album sold well enough for the label to invest in Willcox, sending them back out on tour again for more gruelling roadwork in 1983, and some Festival appearances.
A 7" single was released to tie in with this bout of touring, "We're Out Tonight" was backed with the non-LP track "The Sooner The Better".
1984 saw the band release their second and final album, "Hot Blood", which has since become a cult item amongst record collectors.
This less Bluesy, Harder Rocking album received rave reviews in the European Rock and Metal press, and the boys backed it's release with more touring, including dates with some of the days French Metal luminaries and with touring international bands.
Around this time, LPJ Records lost their major label distribution deal, and as a result the album didn't fare as well as their debut, which in turn led to LPJ dropping the band.
Although the band continued to write and play live for several more years, they were unable to snare another record deal, and disbanded near the decades end as a result.
In 1994 Sammy Willcox reappeared with a solo album, "La Bise Au Perdant" on Carrere Records.
In 2003 he joined the French Blues/Hard Rock institution STOCKS, with whom he still plays.
WILLCOX - Roll Of Three (1982) UK
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=1I27ZD34A heavy, yet melodic, band from Horsen in Denmark, PRETTY MAIDS was formed in 1981 by guitarist Ken Hammer (a.k.a. Kenneth Hansen) and originally started off as a THIN LIZZY and RAINBOW covers band, but soon progressed to their own material.
The opening formation saw Hammer joined by ATTICA bassist John Darrow (a.k.a. Johnny Møller) and drummer Phil Moorheed (Henrik Andersen).
The following year the group was brought up to full strength with the recruitment of frontman Ronnie Atkins (Paul Christensen), second guitarist Pete Collins (Jan Piete) and keyboard player Alan 'Stevie' Owen (Allan Nielsen).
PRETTY MAIDS' first demo, recorded in late 1982, featured 'Shelley The Maid' and 'City Lights'.
A few months later a second demo was cut, with the tracks 'Children Of Tomorrow', 'Fantasy' and 'Warchild'.
Other demos included this, the nine song "Heavy Metal" session and "Rave On", the latter comprising of 'Cold Killer' and 'Bad Boys'.
Stoke-On-Trent based Bullet Records then released the band's six song self-titled Mini LP in Britain, during October 1983.
P.A.R. Records in North America and Fingerprint in Denmark released the record in early 1984 with different cover artwork.
Not long after the 'Pretty Maids' mini-album appeared, PRETTY MAIDS secured initial dates in Britain supporting fellow Bullet act LE GRIFFE on a club tour in 1983.
Much championed by 'Metal Forces' magazine supremo Bernard Doe, the act quickly gained a major deal with Epic in Denmark, and the rest as they say, is history.
PRETTY MAIDS - Heavy Metal Demo (1983) Denmark
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=T7IDEI2UFUNERAL were a young quartet formed in Hollywood, California in 1980.
Their only release was to be the ultra-rare 5 song "Funeral" Mini LP, released on the highly collectible Azra Records in 1981, shortly before the band split up.
I'll leave it to FutureSynner from www.metalpage.de to explain things from here:
"Once I read that this Mini LP was a promo pressing limited to 50 copies, whilst D.T. Richards on the other hand says that 1000 were made.
It looks like a private pressing with the handwritten back sleeve and the thick cardboard, but is one of the first Azra records and therefore a rare piece for sure.
If it didn't say 1981 on the cover then I wouldn't believe it was released that year.
"Funeral" sounds extremely fresh and especially powerful still today, unfortunately for most Metal collectors it will remain an uninteresting piece of vinyl since Funeral were maybe one of the first Crossover bands mixing the speed of Punk Rock with the power of Heavy Metal.
Besides "Ant Trap" and "Will To Live", 2 exciting uptempo Metal trax with a slightly punky touch, and the almost doomy "Darkness On Your Doorstep".
There are also "Outer Edge" and "Bloody Hands", which in my opinion are pure Punk.
Listen first before spending a lot of $$ for this rare MLP, as Funeral were ahead of their time with their fresh Crossover style."
FUNERAL - Funeral Mini LP (1981) USA
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=62JW58M0You will likely know Michael Burston better by his alias, Würzel, a nickname given to him whilst he was in the army due to his "looking like a scarecrow".
You'll doubtless also know him as the guitarist with MOTÖRHEAD from 1984 to 1995, during which time he appeared on six of the band's studio albums, a liason beginning with "Orgasmatron" and ending with "Sacrifice".
Bet you didn't know he guested on the 1986 "Quazi-Be-Goode" 7" by venerable British Folk-Rock institution FAIRPORT CONVENTION though!
Whilst still a member of Motorhead, Würzel released a 4 song EP entitled "Bess" on the GWR label in 1987.
The tracks on the EP were recorded with friends Jerry Ferguson (Bass) and Simon Moss (Drums), with Würzel himself handling Vocals on the two non-instrumental cuts.
It was bit of a surprise at the time, no doubt, for dyed-in-the-wool Motorheadbangers to hear Würzel showing a more delicate side to his nature on half the tracks.
Title track "Bess" in particular is a sensitive melodic guitar instrumental, which calls to mind GARY MOORE's "Parisienne Walkways"!
Würzel next reappeared in extra-curricular action in 1989, guesting with ATOM GODS, the new band of former TANK/THE DAMNED man Algy Ward, on their "Wow!" album.
Following his departure from MOTÖRHEAD in February 1995, Würzel formed a new act called GANG SHOW which featured ex-DOGS D'AMOUR vocalist Tyla and former THUNDER bassist Snake.
This outfit put in a batch of London club gigs before folding without issuing any recordings.
Würzel and Algy Ward formed a new band in late 1995 along with ex-WARFARE man Evo called WARHEAD.
Warhead issued an eleven track self-titled album in 1996 on Communique Records before they too folded.
Later in the year he joined arch Punk noisemongers DISGUST for their "A World Of No Beauty" album, but this again turned out to be a short-lived liason.
In 1998 Würzel issued a solo album entitled "Chill Out Or Die! (The Ambient Album)", on Cherry Red Records, which, no joke, turned out to be an album of ambient dance "music"!
After this unexpected turn of events, Würzel maintained a very low profile on the music scene, (with the exception of a guest appearance on a SPLODGENESSABOUNDS album), but has joined his erstwhile MOTÖRHEAD colleagues onstage a few times, noteably at a 2004 London gig and at their 2010 Download Festival appearance.
He has recently resurfaced with a new band called LEADER OF THE DOWN, with a debut album apparently due for release next year.
Believe it or not, but Würz turned 61 last month!
WÜRZEL - Bess EP (1987) UK
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=QUC4H937HERITAGE were a cultured NWoBHM band formed in London in 1980.
The band signed with Rondelet Records and debuted in 1981 with the "Strange Place To Be" 7", which was followed by the band's lone album, "Remorse Code", in 1982.
Despite good reviews and gigs with the likes of DEF LEPPARD and MAGNUM, personnel problems forced the band to split soon after the album's release.
In 1985 the Johnson brothers teamed up with ex-MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP vocalist Gary Barden to form an early incarnation of STATETROOPER.
Paul 'Fasker' Johnson later joined up with SAXON playing on their "Rock The Nations" and "Destiny" albums, and would eventually be reunited with his brother Steve in USI.
In later years "Fasker" would contribute to the 2001 solo album by former SAXON guitarist GRAHAM OLIVER, "End Of An Era".
Co-incidentally Steve Johnson contributed to former Saxon bassist STEVE "Dobbie" DOBSON's "Pandemonium Circus", album.
"Fasker" is currently part of JOHN PARR's band, and still plays with his brother Steve in a covers band called GUNS'n'OATCAKES which grew out of USI and who have recorded two albums, one studio, one live.
If you like what you hear from this 7", have a look back through the archives here, as i posted their lone album, "Remorse Code" here a long time ago too, and it's very very worthy of investigation.
HERITAGE - Strange Place To Be 7" (1981) UK
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=8LAWL5WNSHRAPNEL were a Hard Rock/Punk/Garage/Power Pop outfit formed in New York in the late 1970's.
Their debut release, the "Combat Love" 7" was released by Salute Records in 1979, with a follow-up single "Go Cruisin'", issued in 1981 on the same label.
The band played a lot in the New York area, including opening for THE RAMONES several times, and built up quite a large following.
Shrapnel also underwent a strange phase where they spent their stage time bedecked in military fatigues for no good reason, apparently the idea of their manager Legs McNeill.
The band then underwent line up changes, before reemerging as a quartet, by this time playing in a more straight down the line Hard Rock style.
Signing to Elektra Records, Shrapnel released a self titled five song Mini LP in 1984, but were dropped by the label soon after it's release.
At this point the band split, disheartened by their lack of progress.
Post SHRAPNEL, bassist Phil Caivano founded Thrash/Hardcore band BLITZPEER, releasing two albums on Epic Records.
Vocalist Dave Wyndorf would later found Stoner Rock institution MONSTER MAGNET and would later be joined in the band by his Shrapnel bandmate Phil Caivano.
SHRAPNEL guitarist Daniel Rey became a much in-demand producer by the late 80's, working with the RAMONES, CIRCUS OF POWER and WHITE ZOMBIE to name but a few.
He also recorded with MANITOBA'S WILD KINGDOM and played guitar with the infamous female biker band CYCLE SLUTS FROM HELL.
As well as his Monster Magnet work, Phil Caivano is also part of STIGMA, the side project of AGNOSTIC FRONT man Vinnie Stigma, and the Hard Rock trio CAPRICORN.
SHRAPNEL - Go Cruisin' 7" (1981) USA
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=DPG4AUUMSo there you go, that's tonight's banquet, dig in!
The variety of styles on offer probably means that the chances of all of you liking everything posted tonight are remote at best, but there should be one or two things there which you will become firm favourites.
Thanks as always to everyone who takes the time to comment on the posts, sadly last time was a bit of a disapointment in that respect, i'm hoping to see more of you take the time to respond on tonight's selection.
Just lemmy know what's on your minds, it's not too time consuming and it's not difficult to do.
Anyway, it's getting late and i'm getting tired and grumpy, so i'll frigg awf now.
Until next time, be good to yourselves, and take care.
posted by bigfootkit at 10:00 PM
18 Comments:
Hello Bigfoot,
Glad to see your back with post of obscure bands and tracks from the past. I daily checked your blog to see what you posted. I start worrying because it is nearly two months since "iced by a blind Baker" your quotes are as obscure as your post. They shore must have a meaning but more than aften I don't understand them. Probaly because Iám Dutch.
So Iám glad your back and pick the Heritage album while iám here. Yet an other band I remember and like to hear again.
Respect for the frequency of your posts, at least you post! It don't have to be an obligation and excuses (from you) are out of order!
Perhaps I don't express my self well but you know what I mean.
Keep on Rockin'for a free world !
Nice quote for your post ?
Groeten, Jeroen uit Holland.
hi,
once again you surprised and impress me with your posts.i look forward to see what.s next. as always there is some great music and often obscure things that you give us the pleasure of hearing. thank you for a great blog and hope it's not as long till your next post. thank you very much. it is appreciated.
Cool goodies as always! The Pretty Maids demo should prove interesting. I always thought they should have been bigger than they were, as they struck a nice balance of heaviness and accessibility that should have lended itself to commercial success on a grand scale. One note: I *think* the PAR pressing had the same cover art as the original Bullet pressing, both featuring a lass with her legs in the air and a flying V held in between them. The mini LP was also pressed up by CBS Records with a different cover, featuring several glowing, 'cosmic ladies'; not as enticing as the original cover. Other versions may also exist.
I never got into that Overlord very much; it's ok but rather standard fair. Overlorde from North Carolina were far superior in my opinion, but sadly only released one demo, with one of the 3 track included on a later Metal Massacre volume (8 I think).
Not familiar with Funeral or Shrapnel, so perhaps it's time I stop typing and start listening! :-)
Nice to see you back again BFOOT, rock on ever !!!
Anyone else unable to get the Pretty Maids link to work?
The shrapnel single was ok but not really my thing, not quite heavy enough. Listening to Funeral as I type this... will report back
Good to have you back. That Overlord cover has to be one of the worst sleeves ever !!
I don't think the Overlord artwork's that terrible. I like how irritable the dragon looks. Welcome back, Bigfeet!
Again, a very original selection of uploads nowhere to be found on the net, thanks al lot!
Thanks!
Shadowfax
Ah, it seems this last post has went down well with you all.
Good, good.
Jeroen, no worries my Dutch friend, you expressed yourself perfectly, i got what you meant and i appreciate it.
Mick, thanks for the kind words from you too.
Nightsblood, i've never heard Overlorde (with an "e"), but given your recommendation i think i'll have to rectify this situation sooner rather than later.
Hopefully you got the Pretty Maids link to work okay in the end, it works for me.
Certainly the Shrapnel 7" is a bit poppier than my usual fare, (kinda reminds me of The Dictators), but i try to deliver a little variety here, and with the Monster Magnet/Blitzpeer connections i thought it'd fit right in here.
Shadowfax, Grk! and 6070Rock, as always, it's good to hear from you all.
I dunno why anon was dispariging about the Overlord art work, i thought it was pretty cool personally, a different treatment of a typical metal sleeve theme, but at least individual in it's execution.
Different strokes for different folks i guess.
More of the same but different coming up in about a fortnight, thanks to you all for taking the time to type your thoughts.
Bigfootkit
Pretty Maids link worked upon a later visit. Good stuff!
Funeral was ok but a tad too punk for me. My wife got a good chuckle out of it :-) I like some of the punky metal from the early 80s- Mayhem, Manimals, Baseline, etc- but it's a fine line before becoming too punky for my picky palate
Overlorde did a 3 song demo called 'Medieval Metal', which is a slightly misleading title, as all three songs are actually uptempo, energetic, but also catchy, polished numbers that in no way conjure up anything 'medieval' IMO. Killer demo though, one of my absolute favorite metal demos. If you have trouble locating it, let me know :-) They can also be previewed on Metal Massacre 8 w/ one of the three tracks included thereon
A Fanny Pack Of Fun!
Funeral "Mini LP"
Better than I thought, after reading the post info. 1981 eh? Struck me as having a Garage band vibe also. If these guys had children back in 1981, those kids could have grown up to form bands such as Jet, The Datsuns, Mooney Suzuki, which had some success in the 2000s.
Overlord "Back To The Dragon's Lair"
Gawrsh, I jess loves it when a band's entire output is collected on one release! Pretty good stuff, if a bit lacking in zest at times. But it's mostly demo material, so somewhat understood.
Pretty Maids "1983 demo"
Whenever I hear a demo from a band that ultimately "made it" (or morphed into a successful band) I always wonder, would I have marked these guys back then as a potential big time, major label success? As for Pretty Maids, a solid.....maybe. As with most of the demo tapes that preceded later success, they keep it simple, and try to show hooks and lyrics that would attract a label. No overly dramatic sections, or extended instrumental intros. Nice.
Shrapnel "Go Cruisin'"
Oh, wowwwww, man. The Wyndorf/Monster Magnet connection is way cool, too bad this release is limp-tastic. Are any of the band's other releases any bigger/badder/bolder?
Willcox "Roll Of Three"
meh, I guess they don't suck. The vintage blues standards left me unmoved.
Wurzel "Bess"
Irrelevent and indifferent. Very nice to have though, since a friend of mine is a huuuuge Motorhead fan, and this will amuse him.
Thanks for the Overlorde info Nightsblood, i shall look into them.
Ron, cheers for taking the time to give us your (as usual), thought out and well written appraisals.
I think you're about 50/50 on this weeks selection, which given the breadth of material posted, isn't bad at all.
As for your query regarding Shrapnel, i have their other 7" which is even more in the "powerpop" mode, but i believe the Mini LP is a tougher sounding proposition.
Unfortunately it appears to be a hard one to find, but if i turn it up, rest assured, it'll show up here.
Thanks again.
Bigfootkit
thanks - great posts !!!
Here are 3 different links to the new Manowar album on 3 different hosts.
MANOWAR - Battle Hymns MMXI (2010)
http://lix.in/-963bb6
or
http://lix.in/-9948f8
or
http://lix.in/-94b515
No PW.
Enjoy.
Hello again Kit !
I don't just listen to the music you post in the hopes that I will find obscure bands that I like. Shares like Wurzel and Shrapnel are waaaaay cool to listen to, even when I delete them right afterwards. I enjoy finding out what these musicians were doing before (and even during) the era when I was buying their well known releases. So please keep sharing the music that doesnt sound like what some guy later sounded like. That's part of the fun.
Although I don't think I'd be willing to kill an hour downloading and listening to Wurzel's ambient dance LP. Some things are best left to the imagination.
Hey Ron,
frankly i think your imagination would struggle to conjure up an approximation of just how awful Wurzel's ambient album truly is.
Imagine jabbing a phillips screwdriver in your ear, plugging the hole you've created with a Robin, plugging the other ear with a vibrator, then setting off every car alarm in your street.
It's kinda like that, but not as good.
For god's sake please don't squander an hour of your life downloading and listening to it!
So endeth the sermon.
Bigfootkit
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