Great Metal Albums of 1988: Wrathchild- The Biz Suxx

What seems like a long time ago, I stated that the band Tigertailz were trying to be the British version of Poison. Perhaps I was a bit hasty there because after listening their album, “The Biz Suxx,” it might be Wrathchild who more deserve that title. Although, Wrathchild came out of the new wave of British heavy metal in the early 1980s, they didn’t achieve the success of other bands from that time. Then there’s their image, while not quite the ‘fillies with willys’ which Poison have been called, Wrathchild do try to go heavy on the make up.

The album is pretty fun, a good one to have at parties but I can also hear why they didn’t achieve the success of let me say, Iron Maiden or Judas Priest or even Saxon. What I can say is that there is a sound similar to Poison with many of the songs. What I do like is some of the spoken parts like at the beginning of the title track which states, “What’s wrong? It’s only rock and roll” and the dialogue with an unknown lady on the track, “Hooked.”

Girl: What are you doing, Rocky?

Rocky: Looks like you, babe

Girl: You’re pretty sure of yourself

Rocky: Well, your mother didn’t seem to mind

I know this isn’t too politically correct these days but a cool guitar solo from Lance Rocket follows immediately. The album also features what is possibly Wrathchild’s best known song, “Na Na Nuklear Rokket.” Yes, I am sure the bad spelling on the song titles is one of the band’s selling points but what I like about the song is the fact that it has a real catchy melody and the band aren’t trying to sound like Poison or anyone else for that matter. But if “Na Na Nuklear Rokket” was the single, then “She’z No Angel” is the hidden gem. You get a good vocal performance, cool guitar solo and a steady rhythm section, all in a song about a bad girl.

My realization from the album is that Wratchild use innuendos, some sleazy some not, in the lyrics to attract listeners and not just on the spoken parts. Further along on the title track, there’s the line: “I look like a star but I’m still on the dole” which is a dig at the fact that the band weren’t getting rich from their record sales.

With all that said, the band can play some. Lance puts down a couple of good guitar solos, one on “Hooked” and another on “Ring My Bell.” Furthermore, his opening riffs on “Hooligunz” is quite impressive and a decent guitar solo to boot. Credit where due must be given to the rhythm section as well. While not mind blowing, Marc Angel and Eddie Starr lay down a consistent beat all throughout the album. While I won’t call lead singer Rocky Shades a weak link, he’s not the greatest singer in metal but makes up for it with plenty of charisma.

Track Listing:

1. The Biz Suxx
2. ££ Millionaire $$
3. Hooked
4. Na Na Nuklear Rokket
5. Wild Wild Honey
6. Ring My Bell
7. Hooligunz
8. She’z No Angel
9. OK. UK
10. Noo Sensation
11. Sticky Fingerz

Wrathchild

Rocky Shades- vocals

Lance Rocket- guitar

Marc Angel- bass

Eddie Starr- drums

They say that in 1988, glam and hair metal bands were coming out of the woodwork and I can see truth in that. It could be why Wrathchild never got any real traction. However, this album is a fun listen and oh yes, that’s Bruce Dickinson in the video for “Na Na Nuklear Rokket.”

Next post: Dogs D’Amour- In the Dynamite Jet Saloon

To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com

To sign the petition for a knighthood for Bruce Dickinson, click the link: https://www.change.org/p/special-honours-committees-for-knighthoods-a-knighthood-for-bruce-dickinson?redirect=false

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