Great Metal Albums of 1989: Alice Cooper- Trash

Here’s my weird mind’s ability to notice the not so strange things. Both Aerosmith and Alice Cooper had similar career paths. Both were rock legends in the 1970s, I had albums from both of them. Then by the end of the decade and into the early 1980s, they had fallen victims to the excesses of the music industry. Aerosmith were making albums to pay off their dealers and Alice Cooper describes the same era as his ‘drunk period.’ Then in the late period of the decade, both released albums which let the world know they hadn’t gone away, which was followed by a more solid album. However, it was 1989 where both Alice and Aerosmith had the albums which brought them the adulation they had missed for over a decade. I’ve already posted Aerosmith’s “Pump” album but Alice’s breakthrough album was “Trash.”

Naturally, a breakout album usually needs a great single to propel it. In the case of “Trash,” that came in the form of “Poison,” which was Alice’s highest charting single since 1977’s “You and Me.” I must have this single on at three least rock compilation albums and those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head while I sit here typing this. But make no mistake, “Poison” is a great song and I love everything about it.

Avoiding the temptation to make a boring statement about albums being more than one song, I can say for sure that the rest of “Trash” doesn’t disappoint. The hard rocking “Spark in the Dark” carries on the momentum from the big single and that’s followed by the more melodic offering, “House of Fire,” which was also released as a single. It didn’t have the chart success of “Poison” but it’s a cool tune anyway.

Next comes the hidden gem, “Why Trust You.” This is a fast tempo burning rocker and Alice’s vocals are in no doubt here. However, full credit should also be given to guitarist “John McCurry” as he really shreds on it. Afterwards, Alice ends the first side of the album with a cool power ballad “Only My Heart Talkin.'” I say cool but to be honest, Alice has done better ballads like “Only Women Bleed,” “I’ll Never Cry” and “How Are You Gonna See Me Now.” Alice voice sounded much better on those classics and John ‘s guitar solo could have been a tad longer but it’s still enjoyable.

Another single released from the album, “Bed of Nails,” had better chart success than “House of Fire.” Well, it begins with a horror movie like intro, which made Alice a legend back in the 1970s. This is a good throw back to those days and then some good hard rock comes in but being melodic enough to gain some appeal from the more fickle listeners. Now, I’m going to utter blasphemy but I think I like this one better than “Poison,” though that could be down to the fact that I don’t hear it as often as “Poison.”

A good guitar solo brings in the very amusingly titled track, “This Maniac’s In Love With You.” Alice always has to have one song whose lyrics shouldn’t be taken seriously and this one is it. Then the lyrics don’t matter when you get some great guitar shredding. Guy Mann-Dude from the Dudes of Wrath plays guitar on this track, which might explain things. A huge number of guests appear on the title track, including two members of Aerosmith, which reminds me, Steve Tyler sings on the power ballad. If it wasn’t for all these musicians contributing their expertise, then this track might have been more filler. Instead, it kicks a bit of ass.

Jon Bon Jovi and Ritchie Sambora help Alice out on the penultimate track, “Hell is Living Without You.” Don’t panic, this song sounds nothing like any tracks from the “New Jersey” album. If anything, this is more classic 70s Alice with the horror movie feel to it. There’s also some great power chords on the songs and I think it’s Ritchie but whether it’s him or John, that person lays down a cool guitar solo. Furthermore, the track could have made a good closer, maybe even more so than the actual closer, “I’m Your Gun.” It’s okay as a closer but it could have fitted anywhere else on the album.

Track Listing:

1. Poison
2. Spark in the Dark
3. House of Fire
4. Why Trust You
5. Only My Heart Talkin’
6. Bed of Nails
7. This Maniac’s In Love With You
8. Trash
9. Hell is Living Without You
10. I’m Your Gun

Alice Cooper

Alice Cooper- vocals

John McCurry- guitar

Hugh McDonald- bass

Alan St. Jon- keyboards

Bobby Chouinard- drums

Additional Musicians:

Vocals:

Steve Tyler- track 5, Jon Bon Jovi- track 8, Kip Winger- track 10

Guitars:

Joe Perry- track 3, Ritchie Sambora and Steve Lukather- track 9, Kane Roberts- track 6, Guy Mann-Dude- tracks 2,4,7, Mark Frazier and Jack Johnson- track 8

Tom Hamilton- bass- track 8

Joey Kramer- drums- track 8

Paul Chiten- keyboards

With “Trash,” Alice Cooper had returned to reclaim his crown in the music world.

Next post: Queen- The Miracle

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Great Soundtracks of 1989: Shocker

I’ve never seen the movie “Shocker.” From what I’ve read and what I remember, it received mixed reviews everywhere. I came to be in possession of the soundtrack via my sister, Dawn, who sent it to me as a Christmas present in 1989. It turned out to be a great present because no matter what is said about the film, this is an amazing soundtrack.

The first and last songs on it are from a super-group calling themselves The Dudes of Wrath. It consisted of Desmond Child and Paul Stanley on vocals, Vivian Campbell and Guy Mann-Dude on guitar, Rudy Sarzo on bass and Tommy Lee on drums. Also, Michael Anthony and Kane Roberts provide backing vocals. No argument from me about this being a super-group. They open the soundtrack with the title track and I have to say, it’s a pretty good way to open things. Paul’s vocals are quite obvious and he and all the dudes do a good job on it.

Second up is “Love Transfusion” from Iggy Pop. After the harpsichord sounding intro, the track goes proper metal. It has a strong, commanding beat and I regret to say but this was my first experience of Iggy. Let me say it was a great introduction. T

That is followed by what I guess you can call the single from the soundtrack, Megadeth’s cover of the Alice Cooper classic, “No More Mr. Nice Guy.” I remember this song getting pretty far up the UK charts in 1990 and even the metal hating UK newspaper, “The Sun,” ran a small article on the band and didn’t say anything negative about them. Still, while this is a cool cover, it wouldn’t win an “Original vs. Cover” competition, at least not in my view.

Up and coming German band, Bonfire, are up next with their song, “Sword & Stone.” Like stereotypical Germans, Bonfire get straight down to business with a cool, straightforward metal jam. This one ticks all the boxes, cool vocals, a strong rhythm section and some excellent guitar solos. Side one ends with a very haunting but hard hitting power ballad from Saraya. Some called this band the next Heart and we will explore that more when I get to their self-titled debut album but for now, I just want to sit back and thoroughly enjoy this power ballad. That piano intro and Sandi Saraya’s vocals are just mesmerizing.

Side two opens with the return of The Dudes of Wrath, only this time, Desmond and Paul are relegated to backing vocals. “Shockdance” is a rap duet between the movie’s villain, Horace Pinker, played my Mitch Pillegi and one Alice Cooper. The track is very amusing, especially the line “And I never do the dishes.” The backing music from The Dudes make sure the rap isn’t a joke.

Like Saraya, another metal band which got some notoriety on this soundtrack is Dangerous Toys and I will be posting their 1989 album in due time. Here, they give us “Demon Bell (The Ballad of Horace Pinker)” and for me, it has 1980s hair metal all over it. Still, it’s a nice track and there was great potential with Dangerous Toys here.

The following two tracks are from bands I have only heard of on this soundtrack. First up is Voodoo X with “The Awakening.” Since, I had never heard of this band I heard this song, I can award it the hidden gem of the soundtrack. It’s a good metal song, sort of Whitesnake before they went into more ballads. It did prompt me to research them more and I can say their one and only album has been added to the list for 1989.

Maybe, like many soundtracks from the 1980s, who try to incorporate all forms of music, the people who put the “Shocker” soundtrack tried it with all forms of metal. Penultimate track, “Different Breed” from Dead On is a nice thrash/speed metal track. While there is nothing ultra spectacular about it, it is good enough for me to add their debut album to the list. The soundtrack ends with a reprise as The Dudes of Wrath takes it out singing, “We will have the power, we will have the glory.” It’s a nice way to end things.

Track Listing:

Dudes of Wrath

1. The Dudes of Wrath- Shocker

Iggy Pop

2. Iggy Pop- Love Transfusion

Megadeth

3. Megadeth- No More Mr. Nice Guy

4. Bonfire- Sword & Stone

Saraya

5. Saraya- Timeless Love

6. The Dudes of Wrath featuring Alice Cooper and Horace Pinker- Shockdance

Dangerous Toys

7. Dangerous Toys- Demon Bell (The Ballad of Horace Pinker)

Voodoo X

8. Voodoo X- The Awakening

Dead On

9. Dead On- Different Breed

10. The Dudes of Wrath- Shocker (Reprise)

Who cares about the film? I ask. This is a great forgotten soundtrack with some excellent heavy metal. Now, I know some of you will come back with “I haven’t forgotten this soundtrack” and that’s cool. In fact, pull it out and listen to it again as it’s that great.

Next post: A joint post with Mike Ladano- Our Top Ten Savatage songs.

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Great Metal Albums of 1988: Hurricane- Over the Edge

Whenever the term ‘hair metal’ is mentioned, one of the first bands which comes to mind is Hurricane. By 1988, that term seemed to be thrown around quite liberally and many bands, rightfully or not, was given the branding. However, I never really cared about the hair, I left that to the ladies like my sister who were jealous of bands who had better hair than they did. Hurricane was such a band.

Me, I just focused on the music and Hurricane’s second album, “Over the Edge,” delivered quite a bit of good music. The title cut starts things off very nicely with some great power chords and a cool guitar solo. Furthermore, the vocals come through very well too, making me want to stick around for the rest of the album. Following on is a very interesting cover of the Alice Cooper classic, “I’m Eighteen.” This version is definitely slowed down with some clever guitar hooks. On top of that, Kelly Hansen’s vocals are sinister but very articulated and a smoking guitar solo from Robert Sarzo.

While the opening tracks are great and that includes, “I’m Onto You,” it’s the middle of the album which does it for me. “Messin’ With a Hurricane,” “Insane” and “We Are Strong” are the best tracks on the album. I don’t know if any of these songs were released as a single, but “Messin’ With a Hurricane” definitely fulfills the criteria for it. It’s a very powerful but melodic metal song with a great bassline. Then you get the more bluesy “Insane,” which is done extremely well. Great harmonizing opens “We Are Strong,” which is followed up by some great power chords and solo. It turns into a very cool, straight up metal rocker. You know, I can’t decide which of these three songs I like best.

Although I praise the middle of the album, things don’t deteriorate as the album winds down to its conclusion. “Give Me an Inch” is the best of this bunch with the harmony vocals. It’s what Yes would sound like if they went heavy metal. At first, I thought closer, “Baby Snakes,” might be a cover of a Frank Zappa song but it’s not. It’s a spoken song where a boy named Jeff constantly phoning this girl named Jenny in the hopes of getting a date. She shoots him down every time but Jeff will not give up. It’s all done with a great musical backdrop.

Track Listing:

1. Over the Edge
2. I’m Eighteen
3. I’m Onto You
4. Messin’ With a Hurricane
5. Insane
6. We Are Strong
7. Spark in My Heart
8. Give Me an Inch
9. Shout
10. Baby Snakes

Hurricane

Kelly Hansen- vocals, guitar

Robert Sarzo- guitar, vocals

Jay Schellen- drums, percussion, vocals

Tony Cavazo- bass, vocals

Now I see why Hurricane were so big in 1990. This “Over the Edge” album was the springboard which launched them into that greatness.

Next post: KISS- Chikara

Note: I’m off to Edinburgh for the weekend so the next post won’t be for a week. Furthermore, if I find a good metal bar in Scotland’s capital, I’ll post about that before the KISS album.

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Great Metal Albums of 1987: Alice Cooper- Raise Your Fist and Yell

You know what? The more I reflect back on the music of the 1980s, the more I am convinced of the similarities in the careers of Aerosmith and Alice Cooper. Both were 1970s icons with great albums. Then by the end of the decade and into the early 1980s, they were both nearly destroyed by the excesses enjoyed by many great rock and roll musicians. Aerosmith had become druggies dabbling in music Alice describes the early 1980s as his ‘drunk period.’ Then in the middle of the decade both dried up enough to cut albums which got them back on the rock map. Aerosmith released “Done With Mirrors” and Alice gave us “Constrictor.” But in 1987, both came out with defining albums which stamped their comeback as the real deal. I have already covered Aerosmith’s “Permanent Vacation” and Alice hit us all with this album, “Raise Your Fist and Yell.”

Alice tells us all to “raise our fists and yell” with the opening track and my favourite on the album, “Freedom.” The song is a totally undisguised dig at the PMRC when Alice says, “You want to rule us with an iron hand, change the lyrics and become big brother. This ain’t Russia! You’re not my dad or mother.” Whenever I hear the song, I want to raise my fist and yell. It also helps that with the exception of a new drummer, Alice keeps the same band he had from the last album.

New drummer Ken K. Mary introduces himself with a thundering drumroll on the second track, “Lock Me Up.” That’s followed by spoken word from Freddy Kruger actor Robert Englund accusing Alice of mass mental cruelty. As always with Alice, his sense of humour comes through here when he sings that he’s a criminal and if you don’t like it you can lock him up. Not me, Alice, not me. Guitarist Kane Roberts takes his turn to shine on “Give the Radio Back” as he solos his way all throughout the song. The lyrics have me thinking here. Did someone take Alice’s radio and he wants it back or is he singing out against how crap commercial radio had become by then? Yes, commercial radio did suck back then.

Was Alice at a thrash gig when he came up with “Step on You?” He does sing about sharpening his spikes and strapping up his boots. Anyway, on this track, it’s bassist Kip Winger’s turn to shine as the bass line here is just outstanding. The drumming and guitar get an assist though. More Alice humour closes out side one with “Not That Kind of Love.” He doesn’t favour romantic love on this one but wants to get down and dirty. If there is any song that would have riled the PMRC on this album, it would have definitely been this one. Once again, the band is really tight here.

Side two of the album has a death related theme starting out with my vote for hidden gem, “Prince of Darkness.” This is a song which takes me back to his shock, horror rock days of the 1970s. This is a great metal track with some great changes and no one can make this sound this good like Alice does. The eerie acoustic part at the tail end says it all.

Some great guitar work backs up Alice telling us that it’s time to kill. He’s going to take his fist and make them understand is augmented with some more magnificent guitar work from Kane, possibly his best solo on the album. Once he realizes he only has time to kill, Alice tells us how he’s going to do it with “Chop Chop Chop.” There is some great musicianship all around on this one. I love the intro. Afterwards, we get to know who his victim is, it’s “Gail.” The knife wound on her chest and her blood served time in its skeletal jail lets us know in this slow acoustic ballad. At the end of the album, we learn that Alice loves what he has done because he tells us that blood drops look like roses on white lace. It’s a great closer and with more great metal musicianship, (it’s almost a speed metal song), you definitely don’t forget this album.

Track Listing:

1. Freedom
2. Lock Me Up
3. Give the Radio Back
4. Step On You
5. Not That Kind of Love
6. Prince of Darkness
7. Time to Kill
8. Chop Chop Chop
9. Gail
10. Roses on White Lace

Alice Cooper

Alice Cooper- lead vocals

Kane Roberts- guitar, backing vocals

Kip Winger- bass, backing vocals, keyboards on “Gail”

Paul Taylor- keyboards

Ken K. Mary- drums

Robert Englund- Freddy Kruger on “Lock Me Up”

For all the similarities between Alice Cooper and Aerosmith, there will be one difference. Aerosmith will go onto make a greater album in 1989 with “Pump.” As for Alice and I have already put up the screen to defend against all the rotten vegetables about to be thrown at me, I prefer “Raise Your Fist and Yell” to his next album, “Trash.” Nothing wrong with “Trash,” I know I’ll sing its praises when I get to1989, but “Raise Your Fist and Yell” will be my favourite 80s Alice Cooper album. It could be down to the fact that I finally got to see him live on tour for the album but who’s to say? I just love this album.

Next post: Helix- Wild in the Streets

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Happy 30th Birthday Wayne’s World

Wayne and with him always is Garth

Another reason to feel really old. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the release of one of the greatest heavy metal party films of all time, “Wayne’s World.” I really can’t believe the movie has been out that long! When it came out here in Britain way back in 1992, I saw it twice in the cinema and the moment it became available on VHS a few months later, of course I grabbed a copy!

This film embraced everything I loved about heavy metal and the lifestyle associated with it. I could identify with most of the characters and those I couldn’t identify with personally, I knew of someone who could. Being a married man with two small children when the film came out, it took me back to a few years earlier when my friends and I would cruise down the road with the car stereo playing. Although in our case, it was usually the Stormtroopers of Death. I could even identify with Phil because there were some occasions where I was ‘partied out.’ I was also a bit jealous because we didn’t have a rock club as cool as The Gasworks where I lived.

For those not familiar with the history behind the movie, the concept was born out of a television segment on the US comedy series, “Saturday Night Live.” “Wayne’s World” was a ten minute spot on the show where Wayne, played by Mike Meyers and his friend Garth, played by Dana Carvey are two metalheads who have their own cable access show of the same name. They would get up to all sorts of metal related antics. Often times, they would have guests actors on as well including and my favourite episode was when Aerosmith appeared on it.

Aerosmith on Wayne’s World. I tried pasting this from Youtube but it wasn’t having it.

Obviously, the movie is taken from the TV show. The quick synopsis of the film is that Wayne’s cable access show is bought by a seedy TV executive, Benjamin, played by Rob Lowe who intends to exploit it. At the same time, Wayne’s love interest, Cassandra, (Tia Carrere) who is also lead singer and bassist in a band also catches Benjamin’s eye and plans to make a video for her band. Let’s just say, everything unravels in a hilarious way with three endings. First the tragic ending, then the Scooby-Doo ending and finally the mega-happy ending. There are appearances by Meat Loaf, Alice Cooper and Robert Patrick, who played the T-1000 robot in “Terminator 2.”

Wayne and Cassandra

Have you seen this boy?

“Wayne’s World” not only appealed to metalheads, many people who wouldn’t normally associate themselves with heavy metal said they enjoyed the film. Back in 2003, I found that a colleague at the school I was teaching at was also a big “Wayne’s World” fan and on the last day of school, agreed to show it to our classes. Other teachers scoffed calling the film dated. However, we went ahead and the students were glued to the screen. They all said they loved it.

So, happy 30th birthday “Wayne’s World!” I hope everyone will watch it again or even for the first time. I know it will be as funny now as it was then. Party on!

Next post: Overkill- Taking Over

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Great Metal Albums of 1984: Anthrax- Fistful of Metal

Normally, when I hear a band’s second album before their first one, I appreciate what a great album the debut was, even if I prefer the second one. That was the case with Twisted Sister, Van Halen and Molly Hatchet for sure. However, there’s always an exception and that comes in the form of Anthrax. My first experience with this band was the second album, “Spreading the Disease,” and you will hear me sing its praises to the heavens. Now, I in no way, shape or form, dislike Anthrax’s debut album, “Fistful of Metal,” it has some great songs which I will elaborate on in a minute. What I do think is that “Spreading the Disease” was a major improvement from this one.

The big improvement comes in the form of the lead singer. While I have nothing against the vocal ability of Neil Turbin, he does some great things on “Fistful of Metal,” it’s just I think Joey Belladonna is a far superior singer. That’s just my opinion. Therefore, I will cease the negative and go for the positive because I have always thought this was a brilliant, in your face, thrash album. In fact, I’ll change my personal history and pretend that I first heard “Fistful of Metal” when it first came out in 1984.

Power chords of Scott Ian and Dan Spitz, combined the shrieks of Neil begin the album in a totally mad metal mayhem. Even though I hadn’t yet heard the term ‘thrash,’ I would have thought that the opening song “Deathrider” comes out and grabs your attention. With the exception of Motorhead, I would have thought it was the most aggressive sound I ever heard back then. Following on immediately after is my favourite song on the album, “Metal Thrashing Mad.” It’s just as thrashy as its predecessor but there is a slight melody to the chorus and I do mean slight. Of all the tracks on the album, this one highlights Neil Turbin’s voice the best.

What I have always liked about the cover of the Alice Cooper classic, “I’m Eighteen,” is the fact that they don’t thrash it up and they pretty much stick to Alice’s formula. Hell, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The next three tracks go back to more mad thrash. It is on the tracks, “Panic” and especially “Subjugator” that I fully hear the brilliant guitar work from Dan Spitz. Also on “Subjugator,” rhythm guitarist Scott Ian has a cool guitar bit on it. It’s certainly the best song of the three and I’ve always questioned why “Soldiers of Metal” was released as a single as there are better tracks to choose from. It still gives you a good mosh. Oops, that word didn’t come out til 1985.

Scott Ian- Anthrax

“Death From Above” is my second favourite song on here. I can’t explain the semantics as to why but I really love this song. Maybe it’s how the song starts with a cool guitar solo from Dan but it just does it for me. The album concludes with “Anthrax,” followed by a very cool instrumental, “Across the River” and probably the best song for the closer, “Howling Furies.” Now there’s a song that lets you know you’ve just had year ears bashed by a cool album.

Track Listing:

1. Deathrider
2. Metal Thrashing Mad
3. I’m Eighteen
4. Panic
5. Subjugator
6. Soldiers of Metal
7. Death From Above
8. Anthrax
9. Across the River
10. Howling Furies

Anthrax

Neil Turbin- vocals

Scott Ian- rhythm guitar

Dan Spitz- lead guitar

Dan Lilker- bass

Charlie Benante- drums

Looking back at history, I now realize how important “Fistful of Metal” was in establishing Anthrax in the metal world and laying down a foundation for them to go onto to better things. The band is certainly hungry on this album, no doubt. The weird thing is that shortly after the album’s released, Dan Lilker would be forced out of the band by the same two band members whom he’d join up with a year later to make my all time favourite album. Still, that’s something to worry about in the future but if you want a thrashing good mosh, then “Fistful of Metal” is one to have.

Next post: Lee Aaron- Metal Queen

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Great Rock/Metal Albums of 1983: Alice Cooper- Da da

“Da da” was the final album recorded by Alice Cooper during his too drunk to remember recording it period. There was no tour to promote the album and I don’t remember seeing or hearing any publicity for it back in 1983. Therefore, like so many people then, “Da da” completely passed me by. Having read some reviews on the album from some of my fellow bloggers, I thought I would give it a couple of listens and post about it.

The first thing I noticed about “Da da” after the first two listens was that it really strays very little from the traditional Alice Cooper format, he was  known for before his drunken period. A shining example of this is heard with the opening title cut, which reminds me of the horror settings laid down in such Alice classics as “Welcome to My Nightmare” and “Goes to Hell.” The second track, “Enough’s Enough” is a fun sounding song with some good hard guitar. This could have been a single, it might not have dented the charts but it still could have been one.

With the third track, “Former Lee Warmer,” I think it too tries to recapture Alice’s glory days of the 1970s. Maybe it’s me but that song reminds me of “Steven” from the “Welcome to My Nightmare” album. The problem with it and the title track is that neither of them quite measure up to the classics. Neither song is bad, just not as good as the originals. On the other hand, he does have some fun with tracks four and five. They both sound that he might have actually enjoyed singing them but though he might have had fun with “Dyslexia,” I must give him full marks for not being afraid to bring this subject to light. Little was known with the dyslexia condition back in 1983, so well done Alice. It’s just a shame that the album didn’t make enough noise to enlighten others.

The hardest song on “Da da” to me is “Scarlet and Sheeba.” There is some good power chords here and Cooper’s voice makes the song a potential hard rock anthem. What lets the song down a little is the keyboard bit where I would be expecting a guitar solo but that’s a minor thing and the solo kicks in and makes it all better anyway.

Alice Cooper does not play any of the songs from the album when he goes live. If there is one song that may deserve to be heard, it’s “I Love America.” Not only does the song rock for me, I really love the satirical lyrics. I speculate that he’s taking the mickey out of rednecks here and the emerging blind patriotism that was beginning to hit Regan America back then. Then again, I did watch the “A- Team” on Tuesday nights. “I Love America” is the climax for “Da da” and sets things up for the other two songs to close the album. Note, the guitar solo on the closer, “Pass the Gun Around” is very well played.

Track Listing:

1. Da da
2. Enough’s Enough
3. Former Lee Warmer
4. No Man’s Land
5. Dyslexia
6. Scarlet and Sheeba
7. I Love America
8. Fresh Blood
9. Pass the Gun Around

Alice Cooper

Alice Cooper- vocals

Dick Wagner- guitar, bass, vocals

Bob Ezrin- drums, percussion, keyboards, vocals

Graham Shaw- OBX-8, Roland Jupiter, vocals

Prakash John- bass

Richard Kolinka- drums

John Anderson- drums

Karen Hendricks- backing vocals

Lisa DalBello- backing vocals

I have now listened to “Da da” three times and I find nothing wrong with the album. There are some good songs on here and while none of them quite reach the plateau of some of the 70s greats, they were a hell of a lot better that some of the other stuff that was beginning to find its way onto commercial radio back then. But don’t take my word for it, have a listen yourself. The album is easily accessed on Youtube.

Next post: Blue Oyster Cult- The Revolution by Night

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ALICE COOPER On This Day In METAL History – November 25th

This is why November 25 should always be Alice Cooper Day

Metal Odyssey > Heavy Metal Music Blog

On November 25th, 1986 – Alice Cooper brought The Nightmare Returns Tour to the UK at Edinburgh Playhouse in Edinburgh, Scotland. Alice Cooper was touring in support of his solo studio album, released in September of 1986: Constrictor.

On this day in 1987 – Alice Cooper brought his Raise Your Fist And Yell Tour to the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.

On November 25th, 1989 – Alice Cooper peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart with his hit Poison. This song was Alice Cooper’s final top ten single in the United States. Poison is featured on Alice Cooper’s 18th studio album from 1989: Trash. This song was co-written by Desmond Child and John McCurry.

On this day in 2000 – A burglar broke into the home of Alice Cooper, in Paradise Valley, CA and stole $6,400 worth of clothes, shoes and video cameras belonging to his daughter. The…

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Tribute to Frank Formica- A True Metal Fan

Hi everyone, it’s been awhile and let me just say that I am having a great time here in New Jersey. In the past ten days, I’ve eaten Cap’n Crunch for breakfast nearly every day and I think I’ve consumed enough Yuengling to make up for the eight years I’ve gone without it. Of course there’s the local cusine, I couldn’t go without at least eating one Philly cheese steak. When I return to the UK on Friday, I will be introducing the country, well Gloucestershire anyway, to the game of beer pong. But the best thing about my time in NJ is the chance to meet up with long time no see good friends.

Frank and Me

The great thing about friends, as far as music goes, is that they are always introducing one another to new music and the latest offerings from artists they have in common. Back in the golden days of heavy metal, the 1980s, my metal friend Frank Formica was always discovering new metal and playing it for the rest of us. Frank  almost singlehandedly introduced me the thrash and enlightened me to the musical offerings of Metallica and Anthrax. On the flip side I introduced him to Kreator and The Killer Dwarfs and together we experienced the Stormtroopers of Death when we saw them live in New York. That concert will live in both our memories as the insaneist one we’ve ever been to and there were many others. Frank was clearly an inspriation behind my love for heavy metal back then.

Frank as Alice Cooper

Nowadays Frank runs a karaoke show called Veteran Cosmic Rocker named after a song from a Moody Blues album I visited earlier this year. In order to get gigs, it’s not total heavy metal although, I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if it was. I went to his show last night at a bar called The Riverside, near Mays Landing, NJ. First, I never knew he could sing that well as he belted out a few classic Alice Cooper ditties in line with the Halloween theme. He also sang several Rolling Stones classics like “Sympathy for the Devil” and his girl friend helped get the party started by singing a few more mainstream tunes like the song by Pink which creates a pun here. The biggest surprise, however, was when Frank introduced his friend who had come all the way from England and that he was going to sing some heavy metal. He proceded to sing some Judas Priest, although I can’t for the life of me remember which one, “Detroit Rock City ” by KISS and to end the night on a good note, he sang “For Whom the Bell Tolls” by Metallica. I felt very honoured that he sang those songs for me.

Frank in action

After a slow start, the night took off and overall things went pretty well. Since half of the clientelle was made up with members of the Tough Guys MC, there wasn’t going to be a mad rush to the microphone but several ladies made more than one trip up and entertained the crowd. Did I go up to the mike? You must be kidding, I can’t carry a tune in a bucket which is why I have always been more of an appreciator of music rather than a purvyeor.

The Riverside or for non- Americans, a typical American bar

Many factors have contributed to making me the metalhead I am today. One of the more major ones was my friend Frank Formica who opened my eyes to all sorts of heavy metal. If it hadn’t been for Frank, I would not have been able to write “Rock and Roll Children” and I suspect those who have read it have already figured out that I based the Frankie character in the story on Frank. I’m sure we all have friends who influenced us musically and for me, there was no one better than Frank.

Next post: Black Sabbath- The Mob Rules

To buy Rock And Roll Children, go to http://www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/RockAndRollChildren.html

Also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle and on sale at Foyles Book Shop in London

 

 

Great Rock/Metal Albums of 1981: Alice Cooper- Special Forces

Like the Thin Lizzy album in my previous post, this was another album by an established superstar of 70’s rock that passed me by back in 1981. I vaguely remember that Alice Cooper had an album out at the time and I even more vaguely remember that it was called “Special Forces” but that’s all I can remember. I never listened to it until now and if wasn’t for my fellow blogger mikledano, I wouldn’t have even done that. So, thank you Mike for enlightening me about this album.

Perhaps I can use a similar excuse to Alice for not experiencing this album back in 1981. He doesn’t remember writing or recording “Special Forces” or his next two albums due to being drunk all the time. Okay, I wasn’t drunk all the time even though the military bullshit was taking its toll on me at the time and I briefly became what is known in the military as a shitbird. But now that I have listened to it, (I got to thank youtube for that) I realise that I missed a rather good album. If Alice Cooper was drunk at the time, it might have been a good thing because “Special Forces” has some amusing songs played in well established hard rock fashion. “Vicious Rumours,” “The Prettiest Cop on the Block” and “Don’t Talk Old to Me” are all catchy, enjoyable songs. “You’re a Movie” and “Skeletons in the Closet” are just as amusing but more new wave in their sound. Still, they’re both decent songs and the one that stands out for me is “Seven and Seven Is.” For me, that song reminds me of the Alice Cooper that I came to love in the 70’s.

Track Listing:

1. Who Do You Think We Are

2. Seven and Seven Is

3. Prettiest Cop on the Block

4. Don’t Talk Old to Me

5. Generation Landslide 81(Live)

6. Skeletons in the Closet

7. You Want It, You Got It

8. You Look Good in Rags

9. You’re a Movie

10. Vicious Rumours

Alice Cooper

Alice Cooper- lead vocals

Duane Hitchings- guitar, keyboards

Mike Pinera- guitar

Erik Scott- bass

Danny Johnson- guitar

Craig Krampf- drums

“Special Forces” proves that you can put out a decent album while you’re drunk and have no recollection that you did. Now, I  could write the cliched “Imagine what he could have done if he was sober” line but I don’t think it really applies here. “Special Forces” was one of those surprise albums that make me ask myself, “Why didn’t I listen to this sooner?”

Next post: Blue Oyster Cult- Fire of Unknown Origin

To buy Rock And Roll Children, go to http://www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/RockAndRollChildren.html

Also available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle and on sale at Foyles Book Shop in London