“Baby, baby, help me, feel like I’m gonna bust I need a healthy outlet for my teenage lust”
Teenage this, teenage that… This Surfadelic compilation is dedicated to a teen-themed punk, glam, power pop, garage punk songs from 70’s, 80’s, 90’s… It’s a pretty hot stuff as you can see on the cover. Thee Headcoatees, Sylvain Sylvain, Messerschmitt, Stray Cats, The Cramps, The Penetrators, Dirty Lovers, MC5, Ramones, Chesterfield Kings, Iggy Pop, Buzzcocks, Guitar Wolf The Spoons, Flamin’ Groovies, DMZ, The Milkshakes and many more. 31 trax of high energy rock’n’roll action.
Come on darling, come on baby This teenage lust is driving me crazy!
“First time release of 21 live in the studio 1973 demo recordings from this influential NYC combo all from master tapes! Dig these primal studio demos of NY Dolls original classics like ‘Looking For A Kiss’ and ‘Personality Crisis’ and wild covers like Gary US Bonds’ ‘Seven Day Weekend’ and Chuck Berry’s ‘Back In The USA,’ all served up as only the Dolls ever could — with enough raunchy romp and stomp to start a riot! These spring ’73 sessions showcase the young band for the first time with drummer Jerry Nolan and feature the mauling antics of late, great guitar legend Johnny Thunders.”
“A Hard Night’s Day is a recording that better captures the sound of the New York Dolls as they record direct to tape, live on the floor, one-take versions of their repertoire (including covers), as a demo for their first album. This one night of instant demo-ing is what is represented on this recording and it was made to present to Mercury Records and to their eventual producer Rundgren so they could select what songs to put on that first record. The result is a great sounding document that was loose, sloppy and clear, a major improvement, in my opinion. Unfortunately, it was a little too sloppy for official release, but it has the added interest of listening to the between song chatter amongst the band members (mainly Johansen). Just sweaty, raw rock’n’roll, like it should be!”
The Godfather of Garage Rock. A stalwart of the rock scene who began in 1959, became a scenester in the mid 60’s, an urban legend in the mid and late 70’s… and an icon ever since whose influence abounds. With a unique look and image, sideburns that can kill, Jesse Hector is an icon and a rock legend.
This compilation, the first ever to tell the full story of Jesse Hector, pulls the best recorded evidence together. A stripped down band set up, often live in the studio, no frills, plenty of menace, high energy, a rock’n’roll sensibility underpinning everything. Where Jack White has drawn on Blues for the bedrock to the White Stripes material, Jesse Hector drew on Rock ‘n’Roll. It is no coincidence that both acts produced some of their best work at Toe Rag studios, the first three on this compilation being recorded and produced by Liam Watson.
Other producers have also got great results from Jesse; Chiswick’s Roger Armstrong producing the punk era classic ‘Gatecrasher’ and the later Jesse Hector & The Sound recordings, Larry Page producing the equally classic version of ‘You Really Got Me’. The latter graces the recent compilation “Glitterbest” and is often played on the radio by the likes of DJ Mark Lamarr. *The album is timeless, like it’s a brand new album, even though the recordings span 1972-1988, they bear a consistent sound and performance. Even the bonus track on the end – Jesse’s first recording in 1959 – doesn’t sound out of place!
[Amazon Reviews]
KICK ASS compilation-overview of this 70’s UK cult Garage/Punk/Glam rocker career, gathered his recordings with different groups as The Gatecrashers, The Sound, Hammersmith Gorillas, Helter Skelter, Crushed Butler and Jesse Hector Rock’n’Roll Trio. EXPLOSIVE mix of MC5, Stooges, Glam Rock & Garage JESSE HECTOR style!
The Hammersmith Gorillas or Gorillas as they were also known, were formed in 1974 and lasted until 1981. Based around the creative talents of Jesse Hector, who was no stranger to the music scene, the band made a reputation for itself in the early days before and during the punk revolution. Jesse Hector had been involved in the music scene since the age of 15. He had played guitar in the mid-’60s cult band The Clique (not to be confused with the U.S. band of the same name) then fronted some politically incorrect bands by the names of Helter Skelter and Crushed Butler in the late ’60s. In 1971, Hector got together with Alan Butler (bass) and Gary Anderson (drums) and took the name of a pro-Castro activist group and the band, The Hammersmith Gorillas were born.
The band recorded a wild, pumped-up version of the Kinks'”You Really Got Me,” as their first single for Larry Page’s Penny Farthing label, and it immediately captured the attention of a young generation yearning for a new style of music. The sheer energy and attitude behind the single won it immediate recognition among the young people, but it failed to impress the radio programmers, so it didn’t receive the airplay it deserved. After the failure of Page’s label, the band signed to the fledgling Chiswick indie label and recorded further singles.
By 1976, the punk movement began to rear its ugly head and The Hammersmith Gorillas were right in the midst of the movement. Along with their friends in the Damned, Eddie & the Hot Rods, and more, the Gorillas, as they were then known, went to France to play in the legendary Mont de Marsan Punk Festival. After the Festival, punk took the world by storm and many bands popped up vowing to change the world. In 1978, the Gorillas recorded their debut (and only) album titled “Message to the World” for Raw records. The band rode the wave of the punk movement, and in 1981, bandmember Alan Butler died a tragic death and the band broke up.
Nearly a decade later, in 1991, Hector returned to the music business and formed the Sound. “Gorilla Got Me” compiles 22 tracks from the careers of The Hammersmith Gorillas and the Gorillas. This set contains singles and selected album tracks originally released between 1974-1978, and a number of previously unreleased live tracks. Although the Gorillas will never make the rock & roll hall of fame the band’s contribution to the ’70s music scene is worthy of documentation. The set also contains detailed liner notes, a history of the band, a discography, and rare photos. A fitting tribute to one of the forgotten innovators of the punk movement. [Allmusic]
”Superb comprehensive 24 track round up of Glam legends Hello! The album includes the top ten hits “Tell Him” and “New York Groove” signed to bell records in 1974 this foursome from North London had success with a cover of Chuck Berry’s “Carol”, this led to a top 10 UK hit with a version of the Exciters/Billie Davis “Tell Him” and to being named “brightest hope for 1975” in a disc reader poll. It was in this year that they had their biggest success with “New York Groove” which remains the song most people associate with hello, to this day.”
Back to thee good ole days of catchy tunes and glittering grooves. Hello is one of those forgotten 70’s rockin’ gems in vein of Garry Glitter, Sweet or 10cc. So clap your hands, stomp your feet ‘n’ Dig!!!
”Formed in 1972, the band harnessed the New York Dolls’ trashy punk aesthetic and cranked it up to 11. Decked out like a pack of tacky trannies, the band played street rock ’n’ roll, with a twisted sense of humor. The Brats’ look was pop metal way before the likes of Mötley Crüe, while their sound was straight-up punk filtered through the feedback of garage guitars. With the strength of their live set, and the patronage of The Who’s Keith Moon, the band struck a deal and recorded its eponymous debut in 1973. But when things went awry behind the scenes, the finished product wouldn’t get put out until 1975, when Mercury Records Norway released the material as Grown Up Wrong. Cherry Red would later issue a single “Then He Kissed Me” in 1979, then eventually, the entire album years later.
Sick On You is the ultimate reissue of the band’s debut. The opening track “Chez Maximes”—with its ironic piano intro, is as dirty as they come. “Another School Day” is an ode to the 1950s via trashy guitars and a sneer. “Sick On You” is driving punk rock some three years too early, which in essence is the story of the Hollywood Brats—bad timing. The band would implode somewhere around 1976. But all was not lost—keyboardist Casino Steele would soon go on to form punk pioneers The Boys among other sordid activities, while Brats singer Andrew Matheson would pen the recent critically lauded book Sick On You: The Disastrous Story of Britain’s Great Lost Punk Band.”
The classic ‘lost’ debut from London proto-punk legends and masters of disorder The Hollywood Brats + previously unheard outtakes, rarities, live tracks.
”The World’s Not Big Enough is the only solo album by John Du Cann, who was best known as guitarist and vocalist with Atomic Rooster and Hard Stuff in the 1970s. The album was recorded in 1977, but remained unreleased until 1992.”
”John Du Cann joined Atomic Rooster in 1970 after fronting The Attack, a now-legendary freakbeat band, and Andromeda, a heavy rock group. He was with Rooster for the hit singles “Tomorrow Night” and “Devil’s Answer”. Du Cann subsequently joined Bullet (with Rooster drummer Paul Hammond) and signed to Purple Records (they subsequently changed their name to Hard Stuff). He later played in Thin Lizzy (as a replacement for Gary Moore) until, in 1977, he recorded his first “solo” album.
For various reasons, this LP was shelved and it is only now getting its first official release. At this time, John was part of the same management stable as Status Quo and he enlisted the help of Francis Rossi, who produced and played on the album. Also featured are keyboard player Andy Bown (ex-The Herd) and Angel Air stalwart John McCoy on bass (Gillan, Mammoth).
This CD release of “The World Is Not Big Enough” features an impressive collection of demos, singles and outtakes.”
”…three-minute punk-ish pop ditties that could just as easily been blaring out of speakers contemporaneous to anything by The Cars, Blondie or Cheap Trick. “Power Pop” …and much better than the rest, I think. Atomic Rooster fans…know that this is going to be great rock and roll but they would have never guessed at the form it would have taken. Status Quo fans will want to snap it up for the contributions from both Andy Bown and Francis Rossi. Everybody else, don’t be a dummy and get this thing as soon as you can!” Music America, (July 1999)
Yep! Even more Euro glamsters from glittering 70’s. Most of these tunes sounds as real big hits from their heydays, so if you dig “Killed By Glam” series check this out. Come on ‘n’ Dig !!!
More obscure glam rockers on Surfadelic. Here are 3 LP volumes of Euro & UK Junk Shop Glam Rarities From The 1970’s. First volume is dedicated to continental bands while other two are all UK glamsters. Killer stuff all around, check it out !
Iron Virgin were a Scottish glam rock band of the 1970s. Their early stage garb has been compared to A Clockwork Orange, with their later stage costumes similar to American football uniforms, but with added iron chastity belts.
The band formed in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1972 where they were discovered by Decca Records producer Nick Tauber and signed to the label’s “progressive” offshoot, Deram. Their first single was “Jet”, a cover from Paul McCartney’s Band on the Run album. Recorded in December 1973, the song was released in February 1974. It was getting exposure until McCartney himself issued his version as a single, effectively smothering Iron Virgin’s recording.
Their second, and best known, single was “Rebels Rule”, from their 1974 album of the same name. It scored reasonable reviews and a variation called “Stand Up for Kenny Everett” was often played on the BBC by the DJ of the title. The song has been described as “A brilliantly bombastic ode to teenage anarchy; the single’s commercial failure is one of the great mysteries of its era. [wiki]
The Mighty Plod were formed in May 1972 by Colchester Musician Steve Greenfield. The original line-up was Michael Natkansk (drums), Martin Newell (vocals), Carl Symanski (bass), John Fitzsimons (guitar). Their music was based on glam rocks hits of the day such as Slade and Sweet, and a selection of rock’n’roll standards like ‘Johnny B. Goode’ and ‘Shakin’ all over’ done in a fast thrash style. In 1975 the band recorded five studio tracks including the amazing ‘Neo City’. The Mighty Plod turned up again in a feature on lost treasures from the Glam Rock era, the most important bands that got away.
Hot rebell stuff from glitter era. Glam Slam thank you ma’am. Dig!!!
Around 1969 in Greenwich Village, New York, Stefen Shady, Gerhard Helmut and John Christian got together and started forming a band that would become known as ‘Shady Lady’. They were having a difficulties finding the other two members to complete the group. They had been auditioning musicians for months to no avail. One night at a ‘Doors’ concert in the East Village they ran into Johnny Thunders, (pre ‘New York Dolls’) whom Stefen already knew. Stefen told Johnny that they were putting this band together and that they were looking for another guitar player and a drummer. He asked if he was interested in auditioning but Thunders was playing bass at the time and they already had a bass player in Gerhard. After having run out of prospects they soon headed west to Los Angeles where they met guitarist, Leonard Denault. They had already been conducting auditions with other musicians and decided on Leonard as their fourth member. They hadn’t had much luck with drummers as they were looking for a dynamic Keith Moon type.
One day they got a call from Billy McCartney who turned out to be the drummer they were looking for. Now, all the musicians were finally in place. Stefen and John already had a pocketful of tunes that they had written and were continuing to write more all the time. Soon after, a manager was procured but after a short while decided he wasn’t leading them in the right direction and gave him the boot. Robert Stigwood then found the band and offered his expertise. The only problem was Stigwood’s involvement with some other significant major projects which caused the band to shy away. Not long after, Robert Fitzpatrick approached with his offer of management. It turned out that Fitzpatrick had formerly been partnered up with Stigwood and together they had successfully managed Eric Clapton’s band, ‘Cream’ as well as ‘The Bee Gees’ along with some other noted musical talents. ‘Shady Lady’ signed with the Robert Fitzpatrick Corporation, who also was managing Taj Mahal, Buddy Miles, Genya Raven and Bobby Whitlock at the time. Robert was their business manager and his associate Max Byfuglin became the band’s personal manager. Fitzpatrick invested a good deal of his time and money in the group. Also, Max Baer (Jethro from The Beverly Hillbillies TV series) and football great turned actor, Jim Brown had investments in the band. Under Fitzpatrick’s guidance the band started playing the local venues, always being introduced as “the world’s most beautiful rock ‘n roll band.” It wasn’t long before they had an army of ardent fans. ‘Shady Lady’ held all of their rehearsals at either Dress Revue or at the S.I.R. Sound Stages. (Sorry, if anyone thought that they were really a garage band although it sounds good) Actually, at one point they did play in their garage once in awhile. That was when they lived across the street from Ricky Nelson in Nichols Canyon. But hey, ‘Ricky Nelson And The Stone Canyon Band’ rehearsed in the Nelson’s garage.
Sometimes the band held open rehearsals at the studios but soon found out they had to hire security when they did. The studio would be packed as so many kids would show up and there would be a line formed down the sidewalk. The fans were great though, lots of cute girls all dressed up getting into the whole glam thing, the guys did too. However, ‘Shady Lady’ as well as ‘The New York Dolls’ didn’t just start “glam rock” but they also were the jump-starters of “punk rock” along with the infamous ‘Iggy Pop’. ‘Shady L’ and ‘The Dolls’ may have looked glam but both bands had punk attitudes. One time, this obnoxious reporter from some local L.A. rag got all miffed because he was ejected from Shady Lady’s dressing room at Oop-Poo-Pah-Doos. Stefen had asked Bill Rhodes, the band’s road manager to throw the guy out as the guy was being an asshole and Bill promptly did so. The next time the paper was published there was an article calling ‘Shady Lady’ a shitty litter of young “punks.” That really was probably the very first time a rock band was referred to as punks. Anyway, the band didn’t care, they thought any and all publicity was good publicity and they got their share of both good and bad. As long as people were talking about you it didn’t matter is what they said. They just kept playing and having a good time with an occasional bar brawl here and there. Numerous recording offers came their way including such companies as Atlantic, MCA and CBS records but they ended up signing with Scepter Records.
The band had three albums worth of new material to record but only ever recorded one, which by the way was never released. They recorded all but one song at The Record Plant in Los Angeles. That one song being, “Night Witch” was recorded at Larabee Sound Studios also in Los Angeles. Max Byfuglin, John and Stefen produced the recordings. They also had some really talented musicians helping out on some of the sessions such as John Hobbs on piano, Genya Raven, who sang backup on the very nasty lyric tune, “Down ‘N Dirty” while Bobby Whitlock played the Hammond B3 organ on “Stranger”. Stevie Wonder was recording next door in the studio and they borrowed Stevie’s Moog synthesizer along with Malcom who played with Stevie to make it sound right. Buddy Miles showed up regularly for moral support and there seemed to be plenty of white powder daily to keep the band going into the wee hours. Leonard says, he thinks the sax player they used was the then unknown, Dave Sanborn but can’t say for certain. The album was coming along fine and was almost complete except for some fine tuning when they got word Scepter Records were in trouble and were going bankrupt. Everything crashed at that point.
Drugs, ego clashes and now the defunct record label had exacted it’s toll and the band split up. Fitzpatrick and Max called Stefen into a meeting and asked him to go solo which he declined. The band members went their seperate ways. John took off to London, England and Stefen returned to New York City. Stefen ran into The Dolls at Max’s Kansas City not long after he arrived. The Dolls manager immediately asked if Shady Lady would go on an upcoming tour with The Dolls not knowing they had disbanded. After a couple months had gone by Johnny Thunders, his girlfriend Sable Starr and Stefen decided to get an apartment together. The winter was approaching and upon the day of the move-in Stefen called from the airport telling them he was going back to Los Angeles. He had gotten homesick for the warmer city on the West coast. After arriving back in L.A., Stefen and Gerhard attempted to reform the band but it never happened. John had returned but he had been just too overcome by drugs and alcohol. Shady Lady – Raving Mad was recorded in ’72-’73 at the Record Plant in Los Angeles.
Surfadelic presents more obcure proto-punk/glam stuff from 70’s. Here are lost glam rock punkers from L.A. just fer you NY Dolls fans and others. Hip, Hip, Dig!!!
SURFADELIC 