Warsaw-based Heavy Medication Records announces their first release of 2026, a six-song e.p. Ex-Lazy Cowgirl frontman Pat Todd, jhas always had his heart and soul dipped in the good stuff and he’s wrung every last drop from that heart through his music on this his umpteenth release he’s only gone back to the well of Dolls legends Thunders and Johansen and tipped his hat in the form of three cuts from each songwriter as a thank you for the music they gave him he’s passing on the batton to the next generation who might not have heard the Dolls.

The vibe of the release is perfectly summed up by Pat, “This record is something I’ve been wanting to do for 20 years or so, but never seemed to have the time to record. To me, the New York Dolls are in the pantheon of all-time greats, right along with Dylan, the Stones, Chuck Berry, Muddy Waters, the Velvets, etc. And just like those people, I thought Johansen & Thunders wrote many great songs after what is thought of as their prime period. The Rankoutsiders started this record way before we knew that David Johansen was ill, and we finished it after his death. I personally owe David and Johnny a lot for all the inspiration and love I got out of their music and being. For me, they will always be around.”

Of the three Thunders tracks, side one kicks off with a barroom take on ‘Dead Or Alive’ where the energy and trade mark Tunders slides are all intact, as is the tone of that lead guitar, nailed it! To be fair, it’s a no-brainer, isn’t it? Of course, Todd and his rank outsiders were always going to nail it. Of the three Johansen tunes, maybe lesser known to be fair, ‘Wreckless Crazy’ has a ton of DJ’s magic in the delivery, and it sounds like a load of fun was had in the performing of this much underrated gem. ‘Melody’ probably being the more sophisticated track on offer (is that fair? Who knows), again, having new life breathed into these tracks is a joy to hear.

The EP closes with a snotty raising of the glass to ‘The Rope (The Let Go Song)’. I guess if the point was to tip the hat and pass on the baton, then job done all round. Another fantastic release from Heavy Medication and Pat Todd, and a real joy to review. My advice is just pick up a copy and turn it up!

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Tracklist:

Dead or Alive

Disappointed In You

Short Lives

Wreckless Crazy

Melody

The Rope (The Let Go Song)

Tracks 1-3 are Johnny Thunders songs

Tracks 4-6 are David Johansen songs

Band lineup on this recording:

Pat Todd  – Vocals, Acoustic Guitar

Nick Alexander  – Electric and Acoustic Guitar, Vocals

Kevin Keller – Electric and Acoustic Guitar, Vocals

Stephen Vigh – Bass, Vocals

Walter Phelan – Drums, Percussion

Daniel Whitmore – Drums, Percussion on “Diappointed in You”