The RPM Online Podcast – Episode 95

The RPM Online Podcast – Episode 95

There is only one way to start episode 95, and that’s with a palet-cleansing blast of Zeke and their brand new single ‘Peterbilt’ out on 7″ vinyl from the most excellent Hound Gawd! Records. If only all shows began like that, no deaths, just loud, fast rock n roll. Then to follow it up with the brand new single from The Isle OF Wight punks Grade 2 with their brand new single ‘Cut Throat’ also available now on Hellcat Records.

We change the pace a bit and kick back as we introduce a second airing from the most excellent Fruit Tones and their recent single ‘Double Shot’ available from Chris’s favourite label Alian Snatch Records. These cats have got some serious swing with their garage rock n roll, and they hail from Manchester and sport some of Rock n roll’s finest facial hair and without doubt have one of the finest record sleeves this year. Get an eyeful of that beauty and on one of your five a day colour variants as well, and if they want to send us a copy, we’ll keep playing them, or so I’ve been told.

After reviewing the brand new Supersuckers album recently, there was a great take on the Lee Harvey Oswalds ‘Rocket 69’, so it’s a good time to play the original and what a treat it is too.

‘Inside Out’ from the Dogs is up next on the awesome Rum Bar Records who are prolific supporters of Rock n Roll and have an amazing output, of which the Dogs is the latest offering. Go check ’em out and tell Lou the RPM boys sent you.

Chris takes control for the next pick, and he Turns Up The Volume and drops one off the brand new Agnostic Front album. We do like a bit of NYHC, and there are none finer than Vinny Stigma and Roger Miret, and thankfully they are showing no sign of slowing down, still the kings of hardcore. If the Hardcore wasn’t your thing, how about some tip-top garage rock courtesy of the formidable Wild Billy Childish and his band Thee Headcoats with a track off their new record ‘And The Band Played Johnny B Good’ off the Damaged Goods album ‘The Sherlock Holmes Rhythm N Beat Venacular’.

Hotshots Hot Picks begin this week with the formidable and always excellent Ian Hunter and The Rant Band with ‘Bow Street Runners’ from the impressive ‘Fingers Crossed’ album. Hotshot has fallen head over heels for the Hunter catalogue, and we thought he’d gone underground, as we hadn’t heard from him in a while, as he delved into the incredible back catalogue of mr Hunter. I’m sure this wont be the last Hunter related offering from Hotshot.

Anyone who knows Hotshot is aware that his all time favourite is Elvis the pelvis Presley and his font of knowledge knows no bounds and he would easily win mastermind as his specialist subject which is a shame because his general knowledge is shocking othe rthan beer drinking and hellrasing but you can’t have everythign in life.

Hotshots third and final Hot Pick of the week is a brand new, I know its sounds a bit weird but T Rex have a new record out. Its unearthed recently which is amazing considering his passing was in 1977 Take it away Hotshot ‘I’m Dazed’.

One of the best new albums over the last 18 months happed to be the garage rock album courtest of Martin Savage and the Jiggers which cam e out on Damaged Goods. Before the Jiggers Martin was part of the Locomotions another brilliant album that was released on Alian Snatch Records and this is a track off their one and done LP entitled ‘Stockholm City Girls’. Ragged Rock n Roll that burned so brightly back in the early naughties go check em out. It’s loose but a real earworm.

Last week we brought a brand new track from The Sideshows, a three piece band featurign the awesome Sami Yaffa, Rich Ragany and Simon Maxwell. Considering whos involved in this project of course it doesn’t dissapoint and with the new year coming into focus theres a whole album coming down the track and all wrapped up. Not as full throttle as last weeks offering but its effortless cool and a real earworm but what else did you expect? head over to their social media page and get involved so you don’t miss out on any updates.

One of the greatest if not thee greatest punk rock n roller was the one and only Johnny Thunders who just has his epic ‘Que Sera Sera’ album released on two disc vinyl courtesy of Jungle Records who’ve always had thunders back and keep the flame burning. Its on a fetching pink vinyl 40th Anniversery edition with a clutch of outtakes and remixed brilliance. So what better way to remember Johnny than drop his track ‘Crime Of The Century’ from ‘Sticks And Stones Sessions’ that features Wayne Kramer maybe we’ll drop the original ‘Cool Operator’ in the next few weeks from ‘Que Sera Sera’.

Up next we drop a rare alternative recording of The Alarm Classic ‘One Step Closer To Home’ which happened to be Mike Peters favourite Alarm song and with Peters postumous autobiography coming out this week with the second instalment of three ‘Hope’ seems like the perfect time to remind everyone how bloody good this Dave Sharp song is.

Chris picks the excellent Bad Nerves with one o ftheir early single ‘Can’t Be Mine’. the band have been busy playing with th elikes of Green Day over in the States and also headlinging their biggest headline shows to date recently.

After releasing their latest album recently Ash began their UK Tour and Chris and myself were present its always a good time to play some Ash so Heres one off the new album ‘Ad Astra’ This is ‘Hallion’.

As we head into the homestraight the Mission recently announced a couple of dates for next year and their 40th Anniversery of their debut album. It seems fair that we play a track from their drummer Alex’s band Cheeks and a track ‘Transmission Interupted’ that fans should check out if they haven’t already.

The penultimate offering this week is Lemmy and his Black Flag cover ‘Thirsty And Miserable’ taken from the fund raising album for the west memphis three. Amazing story and how Rollins got involved you should go google the background but in the meantime the pick of the tracks on the album just happens to be Lemmy doign Black Flag and what a version it is too.

Finally this week we close the show with a track off the brand new Johny Vincent album Which is reviewed on RPM by Martin so watch out for that. Its a Glam slammin slice of snotty rock n roll. Johny explained it by saying, “This collection has been a long time in the planning. About 15 years ago Johny found a set of cassette demos of songs he wrote and recorded between 1983 and 87 using the overdubbing capability of a funky twin cassette karaoke machine from Argos. This was in the pre Skullknuckles days when he was known as plain old Johny Vincent.
These catchy little beauties were written for the band White Trash. Some of these songs would have made it onto the 2nd White Trash album (sadly the band fell apart before this happened). The large majority of this collection have never seen the light of day, until now that is.
These versions were recoded during the 1st three quarters of 2025 at Millionaire Mansion Studios (not using an Argos karaoke machine this time) and there you have it, the first instalment of “Songs Of Arrogance And Innocence”. the track off the album is ‘Two Time Train’ so enjoy and give us a listen and a save and if you’re feeling generous why not tell your friends about our little podcast as we hurtle towards 100 episodes which I might add has provided some amazing bands and we can safely say we’ve never played a bad song, yet. Go on give us a share on your socials and we promise to keep playing awesome music.

Diolch.

Johnny Thunders – ‘Que Sera Sera'(Jungle Records)

Johnny Thunders – ‘Que Sera Sera'(Jungle Records)

When Jungle said they were releasing a brand new 40th Anniversary edition of the classic ‘Que Sera Sera’ album, I was curious. Having such a small repertoire, or rather official output, Thunder’s always delivered exceptional records. This latest reimagined version of this fine record is well worth investigating, not just because of its shocking pink records, but there are hidden gems within.

Completely remixed and reimagined with the big claim that this is how it should have sounded (to be fair, they’re not wrong on this claim). Gone are the muddy mixes and replaced with crisp, vast widescreen takes. The second album is six previously unheard outtakes and live tracks. Remixed by the now departed Pat Collier, having revisited them because Johnny missed the original mix back in the day, so his guitars have been put in their rightful place – Front and centre and LOUD!

This fine package comes with a splendid overview from Nina Antonia with quotes from the people who were there, like Michael Monroe, who also added some exquisite sax on ‘Blame It On Mom’ and the majestic ‘Cool Operator’. The side I went to first had to be the brand new takes on side three, where you get a raw and vibrant version of ‘Blame It On Mom’ with an absolutely fire solo. Quite how ‘Take You Up Avenue D’ never made the original, I don’t know, with its slap funk Bass and wailing sax, it’s sleazy as hell and the embodiment of the place when this was recorded. ‘Short Lives’ is more of a guide jam with the vocal deep in the mix and Thunder’s unmistakable guitar right front and centre. And Johnny fucking up on ‘I Only Wrote This Song For You’ is classic. Bringing the studio takes to a close is the awesome ‘Cool Operator’ first take. They definitely nailed the final version that made the album way more funky than this pretty straight take. Lacking the swing and arrogance that elevates the original release. But to hear Johnny rip it up on guitar is a joy all by itself.

With your usual ensemble of legends who play on Thunder’s albums, this might have been his most creative with Tregenna, JC Carroll, Monroe, Suicide, Matlock and Wilco Johnson alongside his incredible band from the time this is how ‘Que Sera Sera’ was meant to be heard. From the iconic cover to the shocking pink vinyl, this might just be the definitive version. The real gold here is the unearthed Outtakes on side three of this record, worth it for these alone, as well as the excerpts from a live show in Northern France taking up side four. Johnny Thunders is still the greatest there ever was and will ever be. Cherish his archive and get on board with this lovingly preserved collection from people who give a fuck about his music and the search for perfection of how he should have and deserved to sound.

Having unearthed the live recordings, this is Thunders at his finest. Taken way too soon, he never realised his true potential, but the studio albums he did leave behind are lovingly preserved by the likes of Jungle, and apart from the punk police wagging their fingers, I’m all for hearing these unedited takes and alternative versions. Just buy it the guy was a genius.

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley

*There is also a 12″ and 7″ test pressing available of ‘Short Lives’ and a mix of ‘Cool Operator’

Johnny Thunders ‘Que Sera Sera’ 40th anniversary edition in PINK 2LP

Johnny Thunders ‘Que Sera Sera’ 40th anniversary edition in PINK 2LP

Also – an unreleased ‘Short Lives’ 7” & 12” single, limited test-pressings with printed sleeve art are made available for the very first time

The 1985 studio album – in PINK vinyl & sleeve for this 40th Anniversary Edition. Features Glen Matlock, Wilko Johnson, Mike Monroe, John Perry, Patti Palladin & many others.

It’s the superior remixed & revamped version from 2019 with many unheard tracks – two extra tracks were discovered on the album 2” tapes; along with six unreleased outtakes and six live versions.

Remixed by The Vibrators’ Pat Collier (RIP), who has brought the guitar properly up in the mix – Johnny missed the original mixing sessions, now it is heard as he originally intended.

Gatefold notes by Nina Antonia. Limited edition. Also on 3xCD, now at a new keen price.

**To coincide, a limited quantity of 1986 test-pressings of an unreleased Short Lives 7″ and 12″ single with an unheard mix are on sale at the Jungle Direct UK store.  It was planned as a single, and a sleeve featuring 98 famous people who’d had Short Lives was designed by then-resident artist and designer Blodgett Waxwing.  However, that release got aborted and the Que Sera Sera single was recorded and released instead.  Now we’ve printed copies of the sleeve design and put these together with the unreleased test-pressing, on sale now.**

Simultaneously, the 3xCD box set is reissued at a super-keen price.  It includes extras of twelve more live tracks and the original 1985 album version, along with remixes, and a 36-page booklet that features the lyrics and exclusive photos alongside Nina’s informed notes.

2xLP tracks:

DISC 1: Remixed: Alone in a Crowd, Countdown Love, Blame It on Mom, Talk About You, M.I.A., Little Bit Of Whore, Short Lives, I Only Wrote This Song For You, Cool Operator, Billy Boy, Endless Party, Que Sera Sera.

DISC 2: Outtakes & alternate versions: Copy Cat, Blame It on Mom (outtake), Taking You Up Avenue D, Short Lives (outtake), I Only Wrote This Song for You (outtake), Cool Operator (first version). Live: Countdown Love, Just Another Girl, Talk About You, Alone in a Crowd, It’s Alright (Blame It on Mom). First issued in purple, 2019

3xCD tracks:

DISC 1: Resurrected: Alone In A Crowd, Countdown Love, Blame It On Mom, Talk About You, M.I.A., Little Bit Of Whore, Short Lives, I Only Wrote This Song For You, Cool Operator, Billy Boy, Endless Party, Que Sera Sera. Extras: Copy Cat, Blame It On Mom (outtake),Taking You Up Avenue D, Short Lives (outtake), I Only Wrote This Song For You (outtake), Cool Operator (first version).

DISC 2: Live in Europe: Geneva: Blame It On Mom, M.I.A., Cool Operator, Personality Crisis, Countdown Love, Little Bit of Whore, Amsterdam: Short Lives, So Alone, Sad Vacation, Too Much Junkie Business, Little Bit of Whore, Born To Lose, Chinese Rocks, Lyon: Countdown Love, Just Another Girl, Talk About You, Alone In A Crowd, It’s Alright (Blame It On Mom). (74 mins)

DISC 3: The original album: Short Lives, M.I.A., I Only Wrote This Song For You, Little Bit of Whore, Cool Operator, Blame It On Mom, Tie Me Up, Alone In A Crowd, Billy Boy, Endless Party. Remixes & single: Cool Operator (Black Cat mix), Short Lives (Heavenly ver.), Short Lives (Johnny’s remix), Que Sera Sera               

Jungle Records

UK Subs – ‘Flood Of Lies’ (Jungle Records)

UK Subs – ‘Flood Of Lies’ (Jungle Records)

Another day another Subs reissue. Get over it I say the more the merrier. Looking for a crisp copy on vinyl with a raft of bonus songs pertaining to the release is most welcome. The fifth Subs studio album, from 1983, not available on vinyl for years, gets an October rebirth just in time for some live-action where we might get to hear some long-lost tunes.  The remastered LP has a new inner bag featuring the lyrics and unseen band photos in limited, transparent yellow ochre vinyl with improved original sleeve art so whats not to like?

The 2xCDversion has seven extra tracks from singles; and a bonus CD ‘Gross-Out USA’ – plus three never-before released demo tracks, one an unheard song.  Packaged in an all-card 6-panel sleeve.   Albums ‘F’ and ‘G’ in the UK Subs A-Z series of albums, on Fall Out Records. Now that’s not to be sniffed at either.

The album came at a time when punk was changing from the original burst of bands who (most of ) were no longer a going concern to the bands who were born from that original youth movement. Remember it took time for the word to spread there were no mobile phones – no social media and the second wave saw the UK Subs right up there. Punk was no longer fashionable, this record saw Charlie having to start from scratch and form what was effectively a new band. Call in Subs bassist Steve Slack (who’d left before their first recordings, replaced by his brother), drummer Steve Jones and guitarist Captain Scarlet.

Embracing wider styles and God forbid acoustic guitars and strings many songs were co-written by Slack and Scarlet with Charlie’s lyrics reflected the current times and politics.  ‘Soldiers Of Fortune’ with its intro made way for a more familiar sound. ‘Working For The DBs’ is punk by numbers and only highlights the “of its time” production that let down some of the songs off this time period. at times it’s paper thin and would possibly have benefitted from a complete overhaul and a (dare I say It) modern production offering some bottom end, especially on the tribal drumming and bass on ‘Tampa Bay’.

I’ve enjoyed replaying an album that probably doesn’t get the love it deserves and considering what it followed it’s probably benefitted from the distance of its release. ‘In The Red’ is still quality and the medieval intro of ‘Dress Code’ still baffles me to this day. The band were clearly not put off small straying away from the punk rock many would have expected and some of the drum stabs explosions like on ‘Jelly Devils’ are of the time for sure. I’m also hearing some Ant music in the arrangments and that’s no shock ‘In The Wild’ could be a punier Adam Ant song. All in all its a great addition to any Subs LP collection and one that should appeal not just to completists but people curious to investigate the second wave or third wave of Subs music. Buy it! Its worth it for the cover art alone, superb.

Buy Here

Author: Dom Daley

Johnny Thunders: In Cold Blood Updated & Revised Biography

Johnny Thunders: In Cold Blood Updated & Revised Biography

Johnny Thunders: In Cold Blood

The Official Biography: Revised & Updated Edition

A brand-new edition of a classic of rock’n’roll literature—the official biography of legendary New York Dolls and Heartbreakers guitarist Johnny Thunders. Revised, updated, and republished to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Dolls’ landmark debut album, in the week of what would have been Johnny’s 71st birthday.

‘A cautionary tale about creating a myth and living it out on behalf of others. All the glory and sadness of Johnny Thunders’ short life is in this book. God bless him.’ BOBBY GILLESPIE

‘In Cold Blood. The title says it all. Johnny Thunders inspired us in many ways—not all good, as any band member with junkie business at hand can attest—but his carefully attended elegance of dress, the way he commanded the stage, his sensitive songwriting, and most of all his reckless guitar playing (in defiance of his gentle personality) lives on in the heart of every guitar hero and rock fan.’ CHRISSIE HYNDE

‘Nina knew Johnny and has observed his life with fandom, understanding, compassion, and detachment. She is more than qualified to capture its dynamics in her well-chosen words and a series of illuminating interviews.’ MIKE SCOTT, from his foreword to this book

Johnny Thunders: In Cold Blood is the definitive portrait of the condemned man of rock’n’roll, from the baptism of fire and tragedy that was The New York Dolls, through the junkie punk years of The Heartbreakers, to his sudden and mysterious death in 1991. It is an unflinching account of a unique guitarist whose drug problems often overshadowed his considerable style and talent, but whose unquestionable influence on glam, punk, and more still resonates today.

Nina Antonia discovered Johnny Thunders and The New York Dolls as a teenager and spent her formative years as a dedicated fan before starting work on this book in her twenties. Then, when Johnny and his manager read her early drafts, they decided she should make it an authorised biography, granting her unique access to Johnny’s life. As such, it begins by painting a historical portrait of Thunders and his early life and work before shifting into the present tense as Nina vividly describes her own experiences with Johnny and his associates.

First published in 1987, Johnny Thunders: In Cold Blood has been kept alive over the years by an audience that isn’t always catered for. Johnny is the voice of the disenfranchised; he is every gifted son or daughter who went off the rails. Like Jesse James or James Dean, he couldn’t come in from the badlands of rock’n’roll; he wouldn’t kowtow to the establishment. This revised and updated edition adds a new closing chapter, bringing Thunders’ legacy up to date, as well as new photographs and a foreword by Mike Scott of The Waterboys.

In conjunction with the book’s publication, Jungle Records will releaseThe L.A.M.F. Demo Sessions digitally together for the first time on July 14th. The album brings together four sets of studio demo sessions for The Heartbreakers’ classic 1977 album – two from 1976 in New York, two from 1977 in London. For more information, visit www.jungle-records.net.

Nina Antonia is an author and journalist who has contributed to Uncut, Mojo, Classic Rock, and Record Collector. Since Johnny Thunders: In Cold Blood was first published in 1987, she has written biographies of The New York Dolls and Peter Perrett of The Only Ones and edited the diaries of The Libertines’ Pete Doherty. She has appeared on BBC Radio One and 6 Music, performed at spoken-word events, held a retrospective at the Barbican, and lectured on glam at the Tate Liverpool. She has also featured in various documentaries, including Danny Garcia’s poignant film Looking For Johnny. Johnny himself called her ‘the smartest chick I ever met’.

Pre Order Here

Johnny Thunders and the heartbreakers – ‘LAMF’ Found Mix

Johnny Thunders and the heartbreakers – ‘LAMF’ Found Mix

First issued as a much sought-after vinyl LP for RSD in July 2021, now this CD version comes together with a bonus CD – ‘the L.A.M.F. demos, plus’; a 19-track collection of four demo sessions from 1976-77 (previously released in two now-deleted box sets) and three tracks from Track Records singles.  It’s packaged in a hardcover 32-page book, with notes by Simon Wright and a 2012 interview with Walter Lure (the last of the LAMF Heartbreakers who sadly passed away in 2020), together with rarely-seen photos.

 

Order Here

 

  • PRE-ORDER here for release date of NOVEMBER 5 2021
  • Johnny Thunders & the Heartbreakers’ newly discovered 1977 LP’s master-tape!
  • The faulty 1977 LP was known as ‘muddy’ – the master was lost when Track went bust
  • Previous issues were outtakes, remixes or ‘mud’ – but it’s now heard clearly at last
  • 2CD edition in hard-back 32p book with bonus disc of four demo sessions and more
  • PRE-ORDER now for release date of November 5th 2021

 

 

The Found L.A.M.F. Masters to get CD release with bonus disc and 32 page Book

The Found L.A.M.F. Masters to get CD release with bonus disc and 32 page Book

After 44 years of hearing only outtakes, remixes and mud … NOW IT REALLY SOUNDS LIKE A M.F.

FOUND IN AN ATTIC – a copy master of the original tape, without ‘mud’! This classic punk album, made in London by New York Dolls Johnny Thunders and Jerry Nolan’s new band the Heartbreakers, was always controversial – and not just for the acronym. Upon release on Track Records in 1977, it was universally condemned in the music press for having a ‘muddy mix’ – later found to be a mastering fault. When Track went bust the following year, manager Leee Black Childers managed to burgle the Track Records’ Carnaby Street office and liberated the tapes that belonged to him and the band – but he found everything except the master-tape.

Subsequent releases were remixed from the multi-tracks (‘Revisted’, 1984) or compiled from outtake mixes – the ‘lost ’77 mixes’ (1994) being the version most known since. A tweaked needle lift from vinyl for a ‘definitive’ box set removed a lot of the ‘mud’ but still didn’t achieve full clarity. Meanwhile, fans found that the 1977 cassette version didn’t have that infamous ‘mud’, nor did certain European vinyl matrixes.

 

Unexpectedly, in 2020 a chance meeting led Jungle to Daniel Secunda’s archives. Danny was an old-school music biz pioneer who became a Track Records director – and the Heartbreakers ‘L.A.M.F.’ co-producer. In amongst his archives stored in his attic were numerous tape boxes, including two with no artist name, marked: ‘Copy Master 12.7.77’. They turned out to be a crystal-clear ‘L.A.M.F.’, just as the band and producers intended it. Sadly, in August 2020 the Heartbreakers co-lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Walter passed away. He was the last of the Heartbreakers ‘L.A.M.F.’ line-up – Johnny Thunders died in 1991, Jerry Nolan in 1992, and Billy Rath in 2014. Walter’s punk memoir autobiography is published in paperback in June 2021, and his band The Waldos also get their album ‘Rent Party’ reissued on blue vinyl for Record Store Day’s RSD Drop2, followed by a CD reissue.

 

‘L.A.M.F. – the found ’77 masters’ was released on vinyl for Record Store Day 2021 RSD Drop2 on July 17 as a limited edition in transparent purple vinyl. It has an inner bag with new notes by Simon Wright, plus a 12″ poster of a Roberta Bayley cover outtake pic. A CD version will be released at the end of October.

 

An example: ‘It’s Not Enough’ – when choosing tracks for ‘the Lost mixes’ from the attempts at assorted studios, there were only two versions to choose from. One had vocals mixed far too high; the other very low. We went with the low vocals version – they almost fade away at one point. Now, we can hear the correctly balanced mix.

Tracks: Born To Lose, Baby Talk, All By Myself, I Wanna Be Loved, It’s Not Enough, Chinese Rocks, Get Off The Phone, Pirate Love, One Track Mind, I Love You, Goin’ Steady, Let Go, Can’t Keep My Eyes On You*, Do You Love Me*. Cat. no: TRACKLP77. *Includes two tracks originally released as single b-sides. Direct Metal Mastered from 24-bit transfers from analogue tape.

 

WHERE TO BUY? The vinyl has SOLD OUT so it’ll be difficult to find. Don’t pay stupid prices; there’ll be another pressing in summer 2022.

The CD edition – with a bonus disc of four demo sessions 1976-77 and a 32-page booklet in a hardback book – will be available to preorder our Direct Webstore around a month prior to the release date of November 5th 2021

 

Upon release in 1977, Johnny Thunders & the Heartbreakers’ L.A.M.F. had a mastering fault, widely condemned as a ‘muddy mix’. Track Records went bust and the master was lost – so subsequent releases were compiled from outtakes or re-mixes. Forty-four years later, the master has been found in the attic of producer Daniel Secunda, a crystal-clear 1977 ‘Copy Master’.

Now L.A.M.F. can at last be heard as the band and producers intended!

“Previously buried clarity enables the astounding live chemistry sparking between band-members to rear unfettered at full power … Nobody in love with this definitive NYC classic should hesitate to splash out” – Kris Needs, Classic Rock, 9/10 review.

First released as a much sought-after vinyl LP for RSD in July 2021, this CD version comes together with a bonus CD – ‘the L.A.M.F. demos, plus’; a 19-track collection of four demo sessions from 1976 – 77 and three tracks from Track singles.  They are packaged in a hardcover 32-page book, with notes by Simon Wright and a 2012 interview with Walter Lure (the last of the LAMF Heartbreakers who sadly passed away in 2020), together with rarely-seen photos.

More info:  http://www.jungle-records.net/index.php/156-heartbreakers-l-a-m-f-the-found-77-masters

 

www.jungle-records.com ~ ~ ~ www.facebook.com/JungleRecords

Iggy Pop – ‘From KO to Chaos’ 8-disc boxset trailer – Skydography!

Iggy Pop – ‘From KO to Chaos’ 8-disc boxset trailer – Skydography!

An 8-disc box set – 7 x CDs + DVD – all of the Skydog label’s Iggy and the Stooges releases.  Includes the infamous ‘Metallic KO’ ‘Stooges last live show’ issued in ‘76, plus the two full source shows.  Rare studio and live collections ‘We Are Not Talking About Commercial Sh!t’ and ‘Wake Up, Suckers!’.  A DVD of unique Iggy ‘Acoustics KO’ performances together with a studio ‘Acoustics KO’ CD.  The 2003 Stooges reunion live album ‘Telluric Chaos’ recorded in Japan.  Plus, additional EP tracks, together with a 48-page booklet and detailed notes by Iggy Pop biographer, Paul Trynka

When the riotous, confrontational ‘last ever’ Iggy & the Stooges gig Metallic KO was issued in 1976 on the French indie Skydog label, it heralded the punk movement and cemented Iggy’s position in it.  Iggy’s career then took off, and a lengthy liaison between Skydog and Iggy Pop continued, with releases through and beyond the Stooges reunion 29 years later.

Here are all of the Skydog label’s Iggy releases, remastered, in a clam-shell box set containing seven CDs and a DVD – a fitting tribute to the label’s punk pioneer boss Marc Zermati, who passed away in June.  Marc started Skydog in 1973, Europe’s first independent rock label, and in the same year that Metallic KO was released he organised the ‘First Punk Festival’ in Mont de Marsan.  He worked closely with The Clash, Johnny Thunders, Wilko Johnson and Chrissie Hynde amongst many others.

Alongside Metallic KO the box includes the two Metallic KO source tape gigs, pitch-corrected after a tape speed fault was discovered; two collections of live and studio rare songs; unusual Iggy acoustic shows on DVD; a studio acoustic CD and the Stooges long-awaited 2003 live reunion in Tokyo.  The 48-page booklet has notes by Paul Trynka, the Iggy Pop ‘Open Up and Bleed’ biographer and former Mojo editor, and rare and unseen photos.

Disc 1. Metallic KO (original album);  2. Metallic KO (1973 Michigan tape);  3. Metallic KO (1974 Michigan tape);  4. We Are Not Talking About Commercial Sh*t;  5. Wake Up Suckers;  6. Acoustics KO live NTSC DVD;  7. Acoustics KO studio CD;  8. Telluric Chaos – reformed Stooges live in Tokyo in 2003.

EP tracks are added as bonus tracks.

Johnny Thunders – Que Sera Sera: Resurrected gets CD release

Johnny Thunders – Que Sera Sera: Resurrected gets CD release

35th Anniversary 3CD Box Set featuring a remixed version with extra tracks, the live version, the original album plus a 36-page booklet and the reinstated ‘Tie Me Up’

Coming September 11th – FULL TRACKLISTING and PRE-ORDER HERE
The 1985 studio album – ‘Resurrected’ – revamped with two new tracks plus six bonus outtakes, all remixed by The Vibrators’ Pat Collier.
Disc 2 is ‘Que Sera Sera – live in Europe’ – 18 mostly unreleased recordings, 1984-85.
Disc 3 is the original album mix and related single tracks.
Packaged in a clam-shell box with a 36-page booklet featuring new notes by Johnny’s biographer Nina Antonia, plus lyrics and unseen photos

In 1985 Johnny Thunders went into the studio in London, to record his third and final solo album. He gathered friends Mike Monroe, Patti Palladin, John Perry, Wilko Johnson, Henri-Paul Tortosa, Nasty Suicide, JC Carroll, Stiv Bators, Glen Matlock and others, and the resulting album was christened ‘Que Sera, Sera’.

It wasn’t all plain sailing – with Johnny it rarely was. Johnny had spent the previous two years in relative stability. He’d been gigging around the world, and between tours he was filming in France. Life was a series of nice apartments and hotels shared with his constant companions – his girlfriend Susanne and his manager Christopher.

Now circumstances meant he had neither. Without a new release, touring slowed, and his high-maintenance lifestyle led him to seek friend favours for somewhere to live. The major labels that Christopher hoped would provide financial support hadn’t materialised.

In a row with Susanne, she complained that Johnny had never written a song for her. Johnny obliged, and along with new songs from his live set, he recorded I Only Wrote This Song for You. Before the album was finished, as soon as he had a rough monitor mix of the song, he flew to Sweden to attempt a reconciliation.

Those remaining at the studio were left to put the pieces together. Patti Palladin oversaw the mixing with the engineer, and found there wasn’t really enough for an album. Patti added Tie Me Up from the b-side of her Crawfish project, and Blame It On Mom was found from an earlier session. The title-track was actually an afterthought; recorded as a single 16 months later.

The album was well-received, and it got Johnny touring again, but there was always a sense that it could have been better, and that the guitar was restrained – in ’85 many artists were seeking mainstream crossover. Two tracks had been left off – Jerry Nolan’s Countdown Love song was unused as he hadn’t yet recorded it; and Talk About You, a lengthy blues workout that didn’t seem to fit.

With those two tracks in mind as bonus tracks for a reissue, Pat Collier, former Vibrators’ guitarist, was asked to mix them. When the results came through, it became obvious that Pat should remix the whole album using today’s technology and viewpoint.

In the multi-track tapes a few outtakes were discovered, and last year the ‘Resurrected’ version was released as a Record Store Day double-vinyl with 5 bonus live tracks. After interruptions, the CD version was reappraised and expanded to a three-disc box set. The original album is included, reinstating Tie Me Up and the old, familiar mixes. Three live gigs were uncovered, and they became the live version of the album as a bonus CD.

Johnny Thunders’ biographer, Nina Antonia, has written new notes with interviews for the 36-page booklet. It also includes lyrics and unseen photos from the recording sessions, the cover session and from one of the featured live gigs.

Tracks:
DISC 1: Resurrected: Alone In A Crowd, Countdown Love, Blame It On Mom, Talk About You, M.I.A., Little Bit Of Whore, Short Lives, I Only Wrote This Song For You, Cool Operator, Billy Boy, Endless Party, Que Sera Sera. Extras: Copy Cat, Blame It On Mom (outtake),Taking You Up Avenue D, Short Lives (outtake), I Only Wrote This Song For You (outtake), Cool Operator (first version).
DISC 2: Live in Europe: Geneva: Blame It On Mom, M.I.A., Cool Operator, Personality Crisis, Countdown Love, Little Bit of Whore, Amsterdam: Short Lives, So Alone, Sad Vacation, Too Much Junkie Business, Little Bit of Whore, Born To Lose, Chinese Rocks, Lyon: Countdown Love, Just Another Girl, Talk About You, Alone In A Crowd, It’s Alright (Blame It On Mom). (74 mins)
DISC 3: The original album: Short Lives, M.I.A., I Only Wrote This Song For You, Little Bit of Whore, Cool Operator, Blame It On Mom, Tie Me Up, Alone In A Crowd, Billy Boy, Endless Party. Extras: Cool Operator (Black Cat mix), Short Lives (Heavenly ver.), Short Lives (Johnny’s remix), Que Sera Sera

Fallen Angels – Fallen Angels (Fall-out/Jungle Records)

Fallen Angels – Fallen Angels (Fall-out/Jungle Records)

Way back in the mists of time there were records that got released that a small collection of people went absolutely nuts over much to the bemusement of the rest of the population and still to this day some bands – records are the things of legend and that first Fallen Angels album can certainly be placed into that bracket somewhere near the top if you please.  Sharing the same management and having the stars align meant Knox could have what some (me included) to have the dream team rhythm section helping knock these tunes into shape that would eventually make up The ‘Fallen Angels’ album.  It originally surfaced early 84  after being recorded late 83.  Fallout records released it The band consisted of Knox, Sami Yaffa, Razzle, Nasty Suicide Knox cousin Richard Wernham (The Motors), Michael Monroe and Andy McCoy also guested on the recordings.

The sleeve notes are the same as those used on the CD reissue in 2006 but this RSD exclusive has an extra two tracks to that CD so don’t dismiss this out of hand because those of us who know – know right? Right!

Judging by the sleeve notes it was a bit of a riot recording this and those Hanoi boys had a ball as Sami testifies but lets not gloss over their efforts here because those kids could play and whilst they did like to indulge they were also extremely talented players and Knox knew this and with the rock and roll songs he’d written they would lend themselves perfectly to each other.  From the single ‘Inner Planet Love’ to the ‘Chinese Rocks’ of ‘Rain Rain Rain’ its blistering stuff.

What’s not to love about the snotty ‘Runaround’ and the magnificent ‘Amphetamine Blue’ probably the definitive version right here edging it due to Razzles sense of rhythm and his floor tom rolls having said that how he managed it with Yaffa and Nasty trying to put him off god only knows. The album proper finished with the melancholic ‘Vipers In The Dark’ with its acoustic strum which just about wrapped up an absolute 24 carrot album from the middle of the ’80s make no mistake about that and seeing as its celebrating its 35th year this year why not bring it back for more people to enjoy.

This version pulls in the singles and B sides over the two discs and to complete the set and make this the definitive copy it also has the 12″ version of ‘Inner Planet Love’ and the 7″ version of ‘Amphetamine Blue’ oh and it does come pressed on a couple of lovely coloured records.  Make this one you head straight for on RSD on forever kick yourself its a belter! The biggest shame is the line up never got to play these songs live now that would have been something.

Author: Dom Daley

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