Anytime is the right time for a good rock n roll record so RSD is a good enough reason for a reissue of a fantastic platter of tunes and this 1982 album, plus the 1984 mini-LP with three previously unreleased tracks is reason enough to venture out on RSD 2026. 

The first time this album has been available on vinyl since the 80’s, It’s on a limited-edition coloured vinyl double-LP with notes from the main protagonists Steve Dior and Barry Jones.  Born from the embryonic London punk scene and played alongside both four of the Sex Pistols and four of the New York Dolls!  Guitarist Barry Jones was a co-promoter at the famous Roxy Club; whilst Dior was a young punk scenester. 

Reaching back in time, Firstly, the Idols formed in New York in 1978 with Steve Dior, Barry Jones and Jerry Nolan after he left the Heartbreakers, releasing a single on the US label Ork Records (there is a fine ORK box set out there if you can track it down maybe RSD 27).  The Idols (with Arthur Kane) then became Sid Vicious’s backing band for his final Max’s Kansas City shows.  When Jerry had UK work permit issues, The Idols morphed into the London Cowboys with Barry staying in the USA, joining the legendary Max’s Kansas City club.  The London Cowboys attracted many names from the punk scene, including Glen Matlock, Tony James, Terry Chimes and others a veritable whos who of the punk scene; Barry later returned to the UK to join the Cowboys.  They gigged around the UK and Europe and after recording sessions for major labels in 1982 signed with the French Underdog label, issuing ‘Animal Pleasure’ in ’82 and Tall in the Saddle in ’84.  Barry later joined Johnny Thunders band alongside Glen Matlock & Jerry Nolan (& the Dolls’ Arthur Kane in the USA).  Steve Dior formed Filthy Lucre with Phil Lewis.  In 2025, Dior & Jones announced that a new London Cowboys album was being recorded in London.

Jungle always was th ehome to cool artists and have always been at the forefront of championing the mighty Johnny Thunders over they years so it seems about right that they would release this most excellent double album from the horn honking sleazy rock n rollin of ‘Hook Line And Sinker’, ‘Going Thru The Motions’ and ‘Wow Wow Oui Oui’ it wasn’t all sleazy punk n roll they also dish up the late night ‘Reggae Cop’ which is right in the more rowdy Lords Of The New Church pocket. ‘Rockin’ On A Bad Beat’ is like Eddie Cockran riffin on a Stray Cat and with the favours called in they had some hefty guests lending a hand to create a wonderful record that has stood the test of time and looking back maybe I can appreciate it more now making this a must have RSD purchase. If you are an avid collector of fine audio records or a lover of the hype train that is RSD this is a must own record. IT’s great that the archives were raided and the three bonus track have been added to the release pulling in the EP ‘Tall In The Saddle’ is great and with Monroes horn honkin on ‘Blue Murder’ I’ve said it many many times the saxophone is a much underused instrument especially in sleazy rock n roll it adds flavour and can shape a tune in a totally different direction and its put to great effect here.

‘Centrefold’ is a sneering Dior and who doesn’t love the choppy breakdown with the backing girls. They go a little Stonesy on the mellow ‘Courtesan’ before the time capsule drum intro of ‘It Takes Time’ harks back to simpler times and if a song carried a scent this one would be late nights in Soho or the Lower East Side when they were darker more mysterious places. Side four or the second side of ‘Tall In The Saddle’ will be the one with the intrigue after the choppy ‘False Emotion’ we get the funky ‘Little Misfire’ is like a polaroid of Studio 54 before ‘Candy’ is a stright down rock n rolla before the final offering of ‘Die For Your Love’ is maybe more of the filthy lucre direction and a fitting way to sign off this most excellent record drawing in a wonderful forgotten band of the late 70s early 80s who should have been a staple in alternative post punk kids collections. All these years later is the perfect chance to pick up a gem on RSD and get some London Cowboys in your collection – no brainer just buy it!

Author: Dom Daley