THE THROBS The language of thieves and vagabonds

THE THROBS The language of thieves and vagabonds 1991 Geffen 32o kbps

Underground / Come down sister / It's not the end of the world / Dreamin' / Honeychild / Rip it up / Ocean of love / Only way out / Sweet addiction / Ecstasy* / Strange behaviour .

Produced by Bob Ezrin & Dick Wagner .

The Throbs : Sweetheart : vocals / Roger Ericson : guitar & baglama / Danny Nordahl : bass / Ronnie Magri : drums + Little Richard : piano*.

The late 80's/early 90's produced quite a few bands which didn't gain the success they deserved and whose albums are considered to be lost classics. Signed to Geffen, they were considered to be the next Guns N'Roses, but stardom never struck and a band-life full of decadence led to the group's early demise.

Listening to "The Language Of Thieves And Vagabonds" now, you won't be surprised that this band just couldn't last long. These 11 tracks (two of which are previously unreleased demos) are sleazy rock songs which are heavily influenced by drugs, living on the streets and of course the Rolling Stones. Just listen to The Throbs "Honey Child", which sounds like an unofficial follow-up to the Stones "Wild Horses" or the rocking "Ecstasy" and you'll get the idea.

Much like other bands back then such as The Quireboys or The Dogs D'Amour, these guys didn't want to get a piece of the pie of the hair metal pie, their goal was to make a timeless Rock'n'Roll classic. And what can I say now, 17 years later? Well, yep, they managed to achieve that! " The Language Of Thieves And Vagabonds" still sounds fresh, gritty, and most of all, honest. And while in my eyes this album still is over-hyped, it sums up what true Rock'n'Roll is all about. Now what about that second unreleased album?

THE VEINS Hollywoodland

THE VEINS Hollywoodland 2004 Garage-Pop records 320 kbps

Everything inbetween / New con / Black flowers / Walk away / Hollywoodland / ... / Magical / Broken / Bruised and burned / Sleep forever / East avenue scene / Dandelion blind /Real thing .

Produced by the Veins .

THE VEINS : Dr Filardo : drums / Dave : vocals / Jet : guitar / Rob Dos : bass .

The Veins are a straight-ahead, heavy rock 'n' roll quartet without the bitter metal aftertaste or the rising bile of punk. Yes, they are loud and yes, they are intense, but unlike many of their contemporaries, they have a melodic ace up their sleeve. Kind of like Gabriel sweetly serenading you with his heavenly horn just before he brains you with it! The music kerrangs, it rages, it roars... you stagger away singing, your ears ringing!

Onstage, singer Dave careens as if in a perpetual free-fall. Lead guitarist Jet's fleet fingers earn him his own slack-jawed fan club on his side of the stage. Dos, the mysterious one with the intense gaze is "hands down, one of the best players I've ever played with" according to Dave. The ensemble is ultimately corralled by Rob's rat-a-tat, outta-the-garage drumming low-key cool. The four members display a common rock denominator... a desire to perform stellar material. Frank Deblase

THE RAINMAKERS

THE RAINMAKERS The Rainmakers 1986 Mercury 320 kbps

Rockin' at the T-dance / Downstream / Let my people go-go / Doomsville / Big fat blonde / Long gone long /The one that got away / Government cheese / Drinkin' on the job / Nobody knows / Information / Carpenter's son / Rockabilly standard / Long gone long (acoustic version) / Doomsville (live) .

Produced by Terry Manning .

Bob Walkenhorst : lead vocals, accoustic guitar / Steve Phillips : electric guitar , vocals / Rich Ruth : bass vocals / Pat Tomek : drums .

Prototypical Midwestern roots-rockers, the Rainmakers ironically achieved their greatest commercial success overseas, despite generally good reviews in their homeland. Chief songwriter Bob Walkenhorst's playful wit and topical lyrics set the Rainmakers apart from their Heartland bar band peers, though musically they drew from the expected roots rock influences (Chuck Berry, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Bruce Springsteen, etc.). The band was originally formed in 1983 in Kansas City, MO, as a trio called Steve, Bob, and Rich; naturally, the lineup consisted of guitarist/vocalist Steve Phillips, guitarist/vocalist Bob Walkenhorst, and bassist Rich Ruth. This group recorded an independently released album (titled "Balls") that helped get them signed to Polygram, upon which point they added drummer Pat Tomek and changed their name to the less specific Rainmakers. Their self-titled official debut was released in 1986, producing the British Top 20 hit "Let My People Go-Go" and quite a bit of good press both at home and abroad. The band embarked on a relentless touring schedule and found an unlikely fan in horror writer Stephen King, who quoted the band's lyrics in two of his books. The 1988 follow-up "Tornado" didn't attract as much critical attention in the U.S., but the Rainmakers' European audience continued to grow; by the time of 1989's "The Good News and the Bad News", the band was concentrating mostly on that area, recording the concert album "Oslo-Wichita Live" solely for its Scandinavian fans. In 1990, tired of the road life, the Rainmakers disbanded, ostensibly for good. However, Scandinavian interest in their music held strong, and Polygram's Norwegian division requested a new Rainmakers album in 1994. The band obliged and recorded "Flirting With the Universe" on their own in Steve Phillips' basement. The album was a smash in Norway, achieving that country's equivalent of gold sales within two months, and the band was encouraged enough to stage a full-fledged reunion. They signed with the independent Kansas label V&R, and Walkenhorst wrote a concept album about pornography and its effects on human sexuality. Ruth left the band during the recording sessions, with accounts divided as to whether it was due to the lyrical content or the fact that he had moved from Kansas City to Nashville; regardless, he was replaced by Michael Bliss. The resulting album, "Skin", was released in 1996 to mostly good reviews.

DOGS A different kind

DOGS A different kind 1999 Hacienda 320 kbps

Who's wrong - Who's right ? / The story of the Dogs / Back to Bali / Hurricane Judith / Never stop / It's about time / Rock 'n' roll lesson n° 1 / Walkin' shadows (live) / I'm just losin' that girl (live) / Entre deux feux / Tout ce qu'elle veut / La belle saison / Fier de ne rien faire (live) .

Produced by Jean Gamet

DOGS 1999 : Dominique Laboubée : chant , guitare , harmonica / Laurent Ciron : guitare , chant / Christian Rosset : basse / Bruno Lefaivre : batterie .

The last Dogs album before Dominique L. ....

THIS POST IS DEDICATED TO THE DOGS ! ONE OF THE BEST ROCK 'N' ROLL BAND ...

DOGS - 4 of a kind Vol. 1

DOGS Four of a kind Vol. 1 2 cd 1998

Dreadful times / 4 of a kind / Dead girls don't talk / Professional liar / Forget that dog / Back on the horse / I'm bad / (All I want) is some action ! / I must believe in myself / I won't see you anymore / Jenny Jane.
Produced by Jean Gamet.
DOGS 98 : Dominique Laboubée: vocals, guitar, harmonica / Laurent Ciron: guitar , vocals / Christian Rosset: bass / Bruno Lefaivre: drums.
The Dogs were formed in Rouen (Normandie) in 1973 around Dominique Laboubée (vocals, guitars), Paul Peschenaert (guitars), François Camuzeaux (bass), and Michel Gross (drums). At first, the band could have been filed under pub rock for its set lists comprised of many covers, from the Velvet Underground to the Flamin' Groovies. But they quickly came up with some English-sung original material, mainly inspired by their British and American peers, from the Flamin' Groovies to Dr. Feelgood. Like locals Little Bob Story, they were something way more than just a regional phenomenon, and despite an unsuccessful commercial career, the Dogs left a considerable legacy with the release of their two most famous LPs: 1979's Different and 1982's Too Much Class for the Neighbourhood. The constant support of France's veteran music magazine Rock & Folk wasn't enough to make the Dogs explode to a larger scale, but they remain a treasured cult band for many, especially since their definitive end with singer Dominique Laboubée's death in 2002, at the early age of 45.
New link!

V/A Again ... this one's for J.O.H.N.N.Y.

10-inch LP V/A AGAIN THIS ONE'S FOR J.O.H.N.N.Y. 2001 Munster records 320 kbps

BACKYARD BABIES : One track mind / RAMONES : I love you / RONNIE SPECTOR : You can't put your arms around a memory / NIKKI SUDDEN : Have faith / SONNY VINCENT & SAFETY PINS : Chatterbox / ATOM RHUMBA : Downtown / LA SECTA : I wanna be loved / THE SABREJETS : Little bit o'whore .

Another tribute to Mr Rock'n'roll , Johnny T. ! Spanish tribute from Munster records (from an Iñigo Munster idea) this is a very limited 10" lp edition .

Three spanish bands : Atom Rhumba & La Secta , the great Sonny Vincent with spanish Safety Pins , two from US : Ronnie & the Ramones , The Sabrejets from Ireland and last but not least UK N. Sudden .

Artwork by Magician Max !

THE REAL KIDS Down to you

SINGLES THE REAL KIDS Down to you 1999 TKO Records 320 kbps

Down to you / Make it go away / I'll say it / Something bad .

Produced by The Real Kids & Jim Siegel

The Real Kids 1999 (original line-up ) : John Felice : guitar , vocals / Allen "Alpo" Paulino : bass / Billy Biorgoli : guitar / Howard Ferguson : drums .

Lead by singer/songwriter John Felice, the Real Kids exploded onto the club scene playing long-forgotten tunes from the '50s by the likes of Eddie Cochran and Buddy Holly. As well as Felice's dazzling, punky originals such as "Solid Gold (Thru and Thru)", "Taxi Boys", "Just Like Darts" and the classic anthem "All Kindsa Girls". All of these tunes were captured on their self-titled debut release for Marty Thau's Red Star Records in 1978. "The Real Kids" remains one of the best debut albums in the history of rock'n'roll.

As for Felice, he's continued to bounce around the Boston rock'n'roll scene for thirty years--ever since he was the 15 year-old guitarist in Jonathan Richman's Modern Lovers. His various bands (including the Taxi Boys, the Primevals and the Devotions) have played to much critical acclaim and cult worship, but little music biz success.

This cd (there's also a 7' version in blue vinyl) is the last Real Kids ep ! Only a live single & the Norton ( Stones covers) sp will follow.

THE HUMPERS Plastique Valentine

THE HUMPERS Plastique Valentine 1997 Epitath 320 kbps

Plastique Valentine / For lovers only / Anemia / Mutate with me / Fable of luv / Make-up / Sick of tomorrow today / Here comes nothing / With a whip / Dummy got a lunch / Chump change / Say goodbye / Mongrel train.

The Humpers 96 : Billy Burks : guitar , vocals , sitar / Trucker Cartwright : bass, vocals / Scott "Deluxe" Drake : vocals / Mark "Anarchy" Lee : guitar , vocals , sitar/ Jim Silveroli : drums , vocals .

The Humpers' second Epitaph album, Plastique Valentine, isn't markedly different from either "Journey to the Center of Your Wallet" of "Postively Sick on 4th Street", but it does deliver a gritty, post-Stooges garage-guitar grind. Though the songwriting is a bit limited — it's hard to find a hook anywhere on the record — its gut-wrenching, visceral rush is harder and more punk than most of the Humpers punk-revivalist contemporaries.

THE FORGOTTEN REBELS This ain't Hollywood... This is rock & roll

THE FORGOTTEN REBELS This ain't hollywood... This is rock& roll 1981 Star records 320 kbps

Hello Hello / Tell Me You Love Me / This Aint Hollywood / Don't Hide Your Face / Memory Lane / Surfin' On Heroin / Rhona Barrett / The Me Generation / England Keep Yer Stars / Eve Of Destruction / Your Own Little World / Save The Last Dance For Me / It Wont Be Long .

Produced by Bob Bryden .

The Forgotten Rebels: Mickey De Sadist: voice, guitar / Robert Allan: drums / John Welton: bass / Mike Mirabella: guitar.

These Ontario glam punks lead off their first LP with a buzz-saw version of Gary Glitter's "Hello Hello" and then blast a perfect merseybeat melody into the Ramonized present. Elsewhere, they cover "Eve of Destruction," go "Surfin' on Heroin" and vent their frustration about the balance of rock trade in "England Keep Yer Stars." Throughout, singer Mickey DeSadist fights off an overactive echo chamber as the other three Rebels pound out efficient wall-of-guitar punk.

The second LP finds the revamped Rebels in a much more aggressive mood, cursing a lot and resembling Sham 69 on shoutalong choruses like "Bomb the Boats and Feed the Fish" and "In Love with the System." In spots, DeSadist affects an outdated Johnny Rotten voice. The subject matter is similarly well-trod: "Rich and Bored," "Elvis Is Dead," "The Punks Are Alright" (rewriting the Who's "Kids Are Alright"). Also, the playing is fancier, with dynamics and arrangements that often resemble early Clash. It's a weird mixture: pop-punk/straight punk. Not very inventive, but a highly enjoyable throwback.

Thanks to Fabien & Manu for music and scans !

Artwork by Max !
Re-upload!

THE CHERRY BOMBZ Coming Down Slow

THE CHERRY BOMBZ Coming Down Slow 1987 High Dragon records 320 kbps

Intro / House of ecstacy / 100° degrees in the shade / Pin up boy / Lifes been so hard / Oil & gasoline / Sweet pretending / Coming down slow / Gimme good loving / Hot girls in love / Ain't what you do / Travellin' band .

Recorded live at the Marquee Club , London - Produced by Alan Scott.

The Cherry Bombz : Anita : lead vocals / Nasty : guitar & backing vocals / Andy Mac Coy : guitar & backing vocals / Dave Tregunna : bass & backing vocals / Terry Chimes : drums .

What would you call a band that featured Nasty Suicide and Andy McCoy from Hanoi Rocks, as well as Dave Tregunna from Sham 69/Lords Of The New Church and Terry Chimes from various line-ups of The Clash and Generation X? A damn good idea. Throw in an attractive female vocalist--Anita Chellemah who cut her teeth in Toto Coelo--and you would think Rock and Roll Nirvana was right around the corner. Somehow it didn't work out that way, though. It's a little hard to pin point exactly why, but despite a lot of decent press and relentless gigging, the Bombz never quite ignited. Their sole long player was this live LP that was recorded at the Marquee in 1986. While "Coming Down Slow" doesn't completely answer the question of why this band flopped, it does showcase two failings of the group, and why they are known to this day as an Hanoi Rocks footnote. First and most glaringly are Chellemah's vocals. Her voice just can't carry this material. The bloozy/glam punk sounds that the band serve up cry out for a far stronger set of pipes. Chellemah sounds game enough and gets an A for effort, but this band really needed someone along the lines of Texacala Jones or Ann Wilson in her barracuda days. Chellemah sounds like she was plucked off the nearest bar stool, a generic female rasper.
Secondly, the songs are also a little on the forgettable side as well, with the exception of the title track and "Pin Up Boy". Imagine all the weaknesses of Hanoi Rocks and none of their strengths and you get the picture. Furthermore, four of the eleven proper songs are covers to begin with. What can you say about a band who upstage themselves with a version of Loverboy's "Hot Girls In Love"? (funny enough, but so what?). Someone should also have nixed their demolition of CCR's "Travellin' Band" as well. "Coming Down Slow" isn't horrible, but it is a sharp disappointment. Mostly I've held onto it all these years as proof that members of The Clash and Sham actually did wear bolero style finery and eye liner at one point. The band didn’t last much longer after this salvo and eventually morphed into yet another McCoy side project called The Wylde Ones, if my memory serves me correctly. I'm sure someone in Finland, where anything that has anything to do with Hanoi Rocks is immediately huge, could supply those who absolutely must know with a more detailed account of the band. For me, this is about all the cherry pie I need.

Artwork by MAX !