.
Punk band from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. “This Ain’t Hollywood…” is The Forgotten Rebels’ second LP released in 1982. on the Canadian Star label. The album is a revved up party platter of excellent Glam Punk and delivers a nice collection of amped up rockers.
“Perhaps after ruffling more than a few feathers with their past two releases, staying clear of mocking sensitive/political topics was a sign The Forgotten Rebels were wiser than their growing legion of haters gave them credit for. On ‘This Ain’t Hollywood…’ the Rebels discard the politically incorrect satire of their previous releases and focus on what they know best, Rock & Roll.
As the title states, ‘This Ain’t Hollywood, This is Rock & Roll’, vocalist Mickey DeSadist makes his belief clear throughout the album that superstardom is the death of any great Rock & Roll band. Yet at the same time seems annoyed his band has yet to top the charts (keep in mind this is the man who wrote ‘Fuck Me Dead’ & ‘3rd Homosexual Murder’). The title track says it all. “This ain’t Hollywood you know it’s Montreal / This ain’t Hollywood and it ain’t no good at all”.
Mickey further voices his disgruntlement in the Anti-British Invasion anthem ‘England Keep Your Stars’. “Their novel accents made them so rich while I’m stuck playing in a rotting ditch / Radio loves the English bands, radio loves the American bands. Have they censored Canada to get their money from foreign lands?” Unsurprisingly, when Canadian content laws were instated they did absolutely nothing to promote the Rebels.
Brilliantly bookend by opener ‘Hello Hello (It’s Good To Be Back)’ – errrr…a Gary Glitter cover – and closer ‘It Won’t Be Long Until You See Me Again’, ‘This Ain’t Hollywood…’ is an exercise in wit rather than the aforementioned political satire. ‘The Me Generation’ is an excellent example of this. Mickey address’ how he fears a future ran by the selfish youth of the day.
‘Don’t Hide Your Face’ shows there is quite a bit more to the Rebels than corny jokes and power chords while ‘Rhona Barrett’ and ‘Tell Me You Love Me’ showcase the group as topnotch power popsters that are second to none. This album also houses the original and superior version of one of the best known song, ‘Surfin’ on Heroin’. Even the covers ‘Save the Last Dance for Me’ and ‘Eve of Destruction’ seem to fit in well with the albums concept.
Here’s a funny story. It’s been rumored that drummer Robert Allan (the mustachio dude on the right) was never an official member. Their record company at the time forced Dave McGuire to give up the drum seat.
This is the Forgotten Rebels finest hour. Their ‘Ziggy Stardust’ if you will.” [Mofoking]
Great cynical punk rock with a melodic edge.
.
.
***in comments!
.





