Monday, December 28, 2015

Zero - From Zero to Hero (1995)


Country: Switzerland
Year: 1995
Line-up: Claudio Schiliro (vocals), Angi Schiliro (guitars), Enzo Butta (bass), David Pisano (keyboards), Diego Rapachietti (drums)

Track listing:
1.  Zerock  5:20
2.  Last of the Teenage Idol  4:16
3.  Waiting for Your Love  5:11
4.  Cryin' Out for Mercy  4:48
5.  No Time for Lyin'  4:44
6.  Space Shuffle  6:03
7.  The One and Only  4:48
8.  Breathless  3:53
9.  Billy Boy  4:29
10.  Eternally Yours  4:45
11.  I Still Want You  6:22
12.  Is This the End  2:59
13.  Cryin' Out for Mercy (Acoustic) (Bonus track)  7:52
14.  Johnny's On the Run (Acoustic) (Bonus track)  5:01
15.  Eternally Yours (Acoustic) (Bonus track)  5:13






Fletchanator's comment: Although formed in Switzerland, Zero was fronted by the Italian Schiliro brothers. This was their only album under the name Zero, but a year prior this line-up had recorded the second of guitar hero Angi Schiliro's solo albums, White Lady 2. A car accident involving singer Claudio Schiliro spelt the end of Zero, which is a damn shame because these guys are awesome! They play a very polished style of melodic hard rock, along the lines of Fair Warning, Jaded Heart and 1987-era Whitesnake, while their catchy ballads sound a lot like Journey. Claudio has a powerful voice and Angi shreds on guitar. Highly recommended!

Download

Sunday, December 27, 2015

Physical media collection update #2

Here are some physical media pick ups from the month of December - all are vinyl and all were bought online.


Photo #1 - 33rpm albums:

Alaska - Heart of the Storm (1984)
- Second album by this AOR band, which featured ex-Whitesnake guitarist Bernie Marsden and ex-Deep Purple keyboardist Don Airey.

Jet Red - Jet Red (1989)
- Debut album by this American band. Excellent pop-edged melodic hard rock in the vein of Firehouse, Trixter etc.

Saraya - When the Blackbird Sings (1991)
- Second album by one of the better female-fronted hard rock bands.

DJ Burns - DJ Burns (1988)
- The band name sounds like it's some kind of techno house music, but it's actually really good melodic hard rock (the name comes from frontman Darin Burns).



Photo #2 - 45rpm singles:

Def Leppard - Love Bites (1988)
- The big ballad off Hysteria, backed with a live version of Billy's Got a Gun.

Warrant - Down Boys (1989)
- My favourite Warrant song hands down and their debut single. Backed with Cold Sweat.

Warrant - Heaven (1989)
- The hit ballad from Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich. Backed with In The Sticks.

The Angels - We Gotta Get Out of This Place (1986)
- Cover of the Animals hit by this Australian hard rock band. Backed with I Just Wanna Be With You.

Robin Beck - Don't Lose Any Sleep (1989)
- Female AOR ballad, written by John Waite (Bad English/The Babys). Backed with Sleeping With the Enemy. BLIND BUY.

De Mont - Close to the Edge (1989)
- First single by Australian melodic hard rockers. Backed with Too Late. BLIND BUY.



Heartline - Gentlemen Agreement (1991)

Country: Germany
Year: 1991
Line-up: Jojo (vocals), Michael (guitar), Sergio (guitar), Heiko (bass), Rabin (drums).

Track listing:

1.  Balls Have To Roll  
2.  Listen  
3.  Living On A Frontline  
4.  Takin' Water To The Sea  
5.  Too Late  
6.  Need You More  
7.  Young Heart  
8.  Don't Taste The Fire  

Fletchanator's comment: This one's a bit of a rarity and goes for decent money on ebay (two up for grabs for $50 and $65 right now). From the information I've been able to gather, this is the only release by German five-piece Heartline. The songs are nothing too special and the production value is average, but this one will appeal to fans of heavier-edged hard rock with high-pitched vocals, ala Dirty Looks, Heavy Pettin' and Warrior. Not as good as any of those bands IMHO, but still a good listen and pretty damn rare, so this should be a welcome addition to any collection.


Download

Hardline - Double Eclipse (1992)


Country: USA
Year: 1992
Line-up: Johnny Gioeli (vocals), Neal Schon (lead guitar), Joey Gioeli (rhythm guitar), Todd Jensen (bass), Deen Castronovo (drums).

Track listing:

1.  Life's a Bitch  4:12
2.  Dr. Love  5:31
3.  Rhythm From a Red Car  3:40
4.  Change of Heart  4:42
5.  Everything  3:55
6.  Takin' Me Down  3:35
7.  Hot Cherie  4:47
8.  Bad Taste  4:23
9.  Can't Find My Way  5:28
10.  I'll be There  4:36
11.  31-91  1:33
12.  In the Hands of Time  6:16





Requested by: Geno


Fletchanator's comment: Hardline is most well-known for containing Neal Schon and Deen Castronovo, who had just left the supergroup Bad English, and who would join a reformed Journey (of which Schon is a founding member) a few years after this. This is rockier than the AOR-heavy Bad English and Journey, with Schon probably enjoying some freedom away from Jonathon Cain's sappy balladry in those other bands. Here he really gets to rock out, while singer Johnny Gioeli (earlier of Brunette, lately of Axel Rudi Pell's band) has an excellent voice. The result is a fantastic melodic hard rock band, one of the very best to come out of the early 90s. Highly recommended!

Download

Saturday, December 26, 2015

Wicked Teaze - Wicked Teaze (1988)

Country: USA
Year: 1988
Line-up: Shawn Albro (vocals), Scott Wallace (guitars), Blake Arle (bass), Tommy Craig (drums)

Track listing:

1.  I Want Your Love  
2.  She Likes It On Top  
3.  Lady On My Mind  
4.  In The Dark Tonite  
5.  Diamond  
6.  When Night Falls
 


Requested by: Geno


Fletchanator's comment: This six-track EP comprises the entirity of Florida-based Wicked Teaze's recording output. Like a lot of Sunset Strip-sounding hard rock bands they split in the mid-90s, and this album was re-released by Retrospect Records in 2005. In terms of sound, Wicked Teaze are heavy-edged glam metal - recommended for fans of early Motley Crue, WASP, Nitro and Keel. Singer Albro's voice reminds me of Blackie Lawless from WASP, with less of the gravel and more high notes, while Wallace does some serious shredding. Good stuff.

Download

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Hawk - Hawk (1986)


Country: USA
Year: 1986
Line-up: David Fefolt (vocals), Doug Marks (guitars, bass), Matt Sorum (drums), Dave Tolley (keyboards)

Track listing:
1.  Tell the Truth  
2.  Fades So Fast  
3.  Into the Sky  
4.  Victims  
5.  Witches Burning  
6.  Battle Zone  
7.  The Dream  
8.  Rules The Night  
9.  Can't Fall in Love  
10.  Perfect Day

Requested by: Geno

Fletchanator's comment: Hawk were one of the many LA-based bands, and were led by guitarist Doug Marks, who went on build a fortune in learn-at-home guitar instructional videos. Earlier versions of the band included Scott Travis (Judas Priest) and Lonnie Vincent (BulletBoys). By 1986 he had assembled a new line-up of hired guns including future The Cult/GNR/Velvet Revolver drummer Matt Sorum.
Despite their glam appearance, Hawk were melodic heavy metal in the style of Dio (singer Fefolt has a great Ronnie James-esque voice), with Marks taking centre-stage with his kickass shredding.

Download

Monday, December 21, 2015

Maximum - Just for Kicks (1989)


Country: USA
Year: 1989
Line-up: Jim Gray (vocals), Danny Kopko (guitars), Craig Lapointe (bass), John Blout (drums)

Track listing:
1.  Just for Kicks  
2.  Strictly Sexual  
3.  Candie Sweet  
4.  Lil' Liar  
5.  Dancer  
6.  Pennies from Heaven  
7.  Live It Up  
8.  Missing You  
9.  One More Shot  
10.  Here Come Those Tears  
11.  Baby Stay  
12.  Skin to Skin  
13.  Mistake  
14.  Paint Me a Picture
 
Fletchanator's comment: Maximum might have been from New England (Boston to be precise) but their sound was pure LA Sunset Strip sleaze. Unfortunately this, their only album, was shelved when their label, Enigma, went bankrupt, waiting until 2002 to be released on CD by German label Sunset Records. It's a shame, because this is great stuff - rocking song after glam-infused song. Recommended for fans of bands like Pretty Boy Floyd and early Poison.

Download

Saturday, December 12, 2015

Trash Broadway - Trash Broadway (1989)


Country: USA
Year: 1989
Line-up: David Allyn Steel (vocals), Joe Stump (guitar), Nick Noieux (bass), Jay Gate (drums)

Track listing:

1.  China Blue  
2.  Bite The Hand  
3.  Eyes On You  
4.  Mankiller  
5.  Headchopper's Ball  
6.  Showdown  
7.  Victim Of Love  
8.  Dangerous  
9.  Wild Heart  

Fletchanator's comment: I don't know too much background on this one. It appears that Trash Broadway were another "one-and-done" band from the late 80s, based out of Boston. Guitarist Joe Stump went on to become a successful solo artist in the style of Yngwie Malmsteen, and his axe-work is the definite highlight on this album. The singing, song-writing and overall sound are solid but not spectacular - it's easy to see why they got lost in the shuffle. But Stump's shredding makes this one stand out from the pack - download it if you're a fan of hard rock with superior guitar-work, ala Dokken or Extreme.

Download

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Madam X - We Reserve the Right (1984)


Country: USA
Year: 1984
Line-up: Bret Kaiser (vocals), Maxine Petrucci (guitars), Chris Doliber (bass), Roxy Petrucci (drums)

Track listing:
1. High in High School (3:36)
2. Come One, Come All (3:06)
3. She's Hot Tonight (3:18)
4. Dirty Girls (2:56)
5. Max Volume (1:35)
6. Metal in My Veins (2:46)
7. Reserve the Right to Rock (3:12)
8. Good With Figures (3:44)
9. Cat's Got Your Tongue (3:33)
10. We Want Rock (2:56)
11. Stand Up and Fight (3:40)



Fletchanator's comment: There were plenty of glam metal bands with female lead singers, but it was far more rare to find one with a male lead singer and a female lead guitarist. Well, Madam X had that, as well as a female drummer and male bassist! And on top of that, they seriously rock!
The name Madam X is mainly known in hard rock circles as the band that Sebastian Bach was in immediately prior to joining Skid Row (they didn't release an album with that line-up), but before that Bret Kaiser was the front man, sounding a lot like a glammier version of Rob Halford. Today he's an Elvis impersonator and reunited with this line-up of Madam X in 2014 for a reunion concert and new single.
The female portion of Madam X is made up of the smoking-hot Petrucci sisters. Maxine went on to form her own band, Maxine, while Roxy gained the most fame of the four, forming the all-girl glam metal band Vixen.
Madam X is excellent glammy party rock in the style of early Motley Crue and Quiet Riot. Highly recommended!

Download

Sunday, December 6, 2015

Backseat Romeo - Backseat Romeo (1993)


Country: USA
Year: 1993
Line-up: DR Rydher (vocals), CJ Tyler (guitars), Johnny Heart (bass), Bobby Quik (drums).

Track listing:

1.  Shoot 'Em Up  
2.  Gunshy  
3.  Keeps You Rockin'  
4.  Up All Night  
5.  Dreamchaser  
6.  Waiting On An Angel  
7.  Running Wild  
8.  Got It Good  
9.  Sight For Sore Eyes  
10.  Bad Boyz  
11.  Big Trouble  
12.  You Want What I Got  
13.  Dead End Street  



Fletchanator's comment: This Syracuse, New York-based quartet came along just before the grunge apocalypse and put out a pretty rockin' little album (which is pretty tough to find on CD). The production (on indy label Ice Productions) is a little rough around the edges, but the musicianship is tight and frontman DR Rydher (who still sings 80s metal in Syracuse for covers band 3 Inch Fury) has the necessary swagger and vocal stylings. Sound-wise, they remind me of early Bon Jovi, perhaps with a hint of the poppiness of the hair-metal mainstays of the time (Firehouse, Trixter, Warrant etc). Backseat Romeo don't offer anything too flashy, but guitarist CJ Tyler throws in some George Lynch-esque shredding in a few places. Overall a fun album to rock along to.

Download

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Sister Whiskey - Liquor & Poker (1993)


Country: USA
Year: 1993
Line-up: Dennis Lee Duncan (vocals), Tyler Gentile (guitar), Jack Aurora (guitar), Rich Florio (bass), Greg E West (drums).

Track listing:
1.  Simple Man  
2.  Can You Satisfy Me  
3.  Moonshine  
4.  Keep Waitin'  
5.  I'd Lie to You for Your Love  
6.  Excuse Me  
7.  Count Me In  
8.  Sleepin' Your Life Away  
9.  Ain't 'Bout Love  
10.  Edge of the Night  
11.  Cryin' Inside  
12.  Don't Cha Know Ya Need It  
13.  Open Your Heart  


Fletchanator's comment: With lyrics like "We'll get some moonshine, grab a six-pack and head to the hills" you know what you're getting with Sister Whiskey - southern hard rock ala Four Horsemen, Black Crowes, Tesla etc. The sound on this, their only major label release (on Warner Bros, produced by Slaughter's Dana Strum), is upbeat and fun, kind of like if you took the aforementioned bands and mixed them with Trixter or Firehouse. The result is a highly-entertaining album that doesn't take itself too seriously. Good stuff!


Download

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Update on links

As of right now, all of the links on this blog should now be up to date. If I've missed any, please let me know.

Reckless - Reckless (1994)

 

Country: Sweden
Year: 1994
Line-up: Patrik Axelsson (vocals), Robert Monegrim (guitar), Magnus Ostborg (bass), Johan Romert (keyboards), Stefan Orhamn (drums).

Track listing:

1.  Back in Town  4:05
2.  Mirror  3:15 
3.  Livin' Without You  3:19
4.  Give Me Your Night  3:57
5.  Spirit of the Night  4:00
6.  Stay  3:08  
7.  Got You On My Mind  4:52
8.  Get Excited/Rock the Nation  4:13
9.  Liar  4:07
10.  All Their Needs  3:23
11.  Crimes of Passion  3:48
12.  Give Her a Sign  3:57
13.  Can't Reach the Limit  4:08
14.  Living Without You bonus track  3:14
15.  Hot Sweet Lovin' bonus track  3:08
16.  Sally's Rime Give Her a Sign bonus track  0:26


Fletchanator's comment: The only full-length release by Swedish hard rockers Reckless, who offer a very polished sound. The guitar licks are great - this one definitely rocks, while keyboards add some AOR pomp to proceedings. Singer Axelsson has a voice that at times sounds like your typical hard rock vocalist, hitting all the high notes, but then at other times it has a raspy quality to it. Reckless remind me of a lot of other Swedish bands like Treat, Dalton and 220 Volt, with some Bonfire mixed in.
This CD was released by MTM Classix in 2004 and includes three bonus tracks - which are essentially the band's first EP.

Download

Sunday, November 29, 2015

Physical media collection update #1

I've decided it might be quite cool to post pictures of any new physical media I add to my hard rock/aor/metal music collection. So with that in mind, here's the first such update.

This vinyl lot I got in one day of digging at a record store. Most are from the discount bins, averaging $3 each. A couple were a bit more expensive.


Photo #1:

Joey Tafolla - Out of the Sun (1986)
- Solo album by ex-Jag Panzer guitarist. Instrumental shredding. BLIND BUY.

Raven - Stay Hard (1985)
- Raven's Atlantic debut. The first by this band I have owned on vinyl.

Roughhouse - Roughhouse (1988)
- STILL SEALED, NEVER BEEN OPENED! You can find this album here:  http://houseofhairspray.blogspot.co.nz/2007/06/roughhouse-roughhouse-1988.html.

 Heavy Metal Heroes vol 2 (1982)
- Compilation put out by Heavy Metal Records featuring a mix of NWOBHM, hard rock and prog rock bands like Lionheart, Twisted Ace, Persian Risk, Witchfinder General, Mendes Prey and Overkill.

Triumph - Allied Forces (1981)
- Filling a gap in my Triumph vinyl collection.

Myofist - Thunder in Rock (1981)
- BLIND BUY. Canadian metal band apparently also known as Fist.

Helix - Walkin' the Razor's Edge (1984)
- Fourth album by the Canadian hard rockers and coincidentally the fourth I now I own on vinyl.

Thunder - Back Street Symphony (1990)
- Picture disc, 12" single.

Little Angels - Don't Prey for Me (1989)
- Major label debut by UK hard rockers and one I have owned on cassette tape since its release.



Photo #2:

Shooting Star - Shooting Star (1979)
- US AOR/rock band's debut.

Shooting Star - III Wishes (1982)
- Their third album. I also picked up their second album, Hang On For Your Life, on vinyl recently.

Jerusalem - Live in USA (1985)
- Live album by Swedish Christian hard rockers.

John Waite - Mask of Smiles (1985)
- Third solo album by The Babys/Bad English frontman.

John Waite - Ignition (1982)
- His debut solo album. This is the 1985 repressing with new artwork (released to cash in on the success in 1984 of his album No Brakes and its hit single Missing You). I also own the 1982 pressing with the original artwork.

Lee Aaron - Bodyrock (1989)
- Fifth album from the first lady of Canadian hard rock/metal and the first by her I have owned on vinyl.

Pat Benatar - Live From Earth (1983)
- Her first live album, plugging a gap in my collection. I now own her first six releases on vinyl.

Friday, November 27, 2015

The Four Horsemen - Nobody Said It Was Easy (1991)


Country: USA
Year: 1991
Line-up: Frank C Starr (vocals), Haggis (guitar), Dave Lizmi (guitar), Ben Page (bass), Ken Montgomery (drums)

Track listing:
1. Nobody Said It Was Easy2. Rockin' Is Ma' Business3. Tired Wings4. Can't Stop Rockin'5. Wanted Man6. Let It Rock7. Hot Head8. Moonshine9. Homesick Blues10. 75 Again11. Lookin' for Trouble12. I Need a Thrill / Somethin' Good

Requested by: Janos

Fletchanator's comment: Now this is a great album, by one of the best (and unluckiest) bands from the late 80s, early 90s LA rock scene. Formed by former Zodiac Mindwarp member and touring member of The Cult, Haggis, these guys really did capture lightning in a bottle with this album.
Unfortunately its release was delayed because of singer Frank Starr's drug activities, and then a second album ended up being a disappointment because Haggis (who wrote most of this one) had left by then. Starr died in the late 90s after a motorcycle accident (see, I told you they were unlucky).
Soundwise, this is pure southern hard rock. Take a pot, throw in some Lynyrd Skynyrd, Black Crowes, Cinderella, Jackyl, ACDC and Dangerous Toys and you've got The Four Horsemen. Grab yourself a glass of moonshine, sit back and enjoy!

Download



Dr Sin - Dr Sin (1993)



Country: Brazil
Year: 1993
Line-up: Andria Busic (vocals, bass), Eduardo Ardanuy (guitars), Ivan Busic (drums)

Track Listing:
1.  Emotional Catastrophe  
2.  Dirty Woman  
3.  Stone Cold Dead  
4.  Howlin'In The Shadows  
5.  The Fire Burns Cold  
6.  You Stole My Heart  
7.  Dr. Sin  
8.  Valley Of Dreams  
9.  Have You Ever Seen The Rain  
10.  Lonely World  
11.  Through My Window  
12.  Scream & Shout  



Fletchanator's comment: Mention Brazil and metal and you're likely to think of Sepultura and heavier bands like that, but the South American land is also home to one of the best hard rock bands of all time! Dr Sin have put out at least 13 albums (the latest in 2015), and this is the one that started it all for them. The Busic brothers and guitarist Ardanuy (who shreds bigtime) produce a polished, rocking sound that puts them in the same class as better-known bands like Danger Danger, Black 'n Blue and Baton Rouge. They also have the pre-requisite ballads (You Stole My Heart, Through My Window), and put their own spin on CCR's classic Have You Ever Seen the Rain.
Due to copyright problems, the band re-recorded this album in 2009 and called it Original Sin, but this is the...uh... original version (with very Whitesnake-inspired cover art). Recommended listening!

Download

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Atomik Cocktail - Metal Rages On (1991)


Country: USA
Year: 1991
Line-up: Todd Plant (vocals), Bruce Batten (guitars), Jim Williams (bass), Russ Hammock (drums)

Track Listing:
1.  Times Square  3:43
2.  Foreplay  0:55
3.  Passion Attack  4:49
4.  War Zone  3:47
5.  Metal Rages On  5:27
6.  Road Warrior  3:22
7.  Hard as Nails  5:59
8.  Cutthroat  3:05
9.  First Born  4:41
10.  Don't Lock Me Out  3:28



Fletchanator's comment: The one and only album released by this Florida-based band, which rose out of the ashes of Brat (in which both Batten and Hammock featured). Todd Plant subsequently sang for bands like Eye Witness and Millenium, so if you know those bands you know that he's got a great voice. This one is towards the traditional heavy metal or even power metal end of the spectrum (with song names like War Zone, Road Warrior and Hard as Nails) but also crosses into more melodic territory on songs like Foreplay and Passion Attack. Killer guitar licks, excellent singing, tight musicianship - Atomik Cocktail are great and definitely worth checking out for any fans of melodic heavy metal (ala Riot or Shok Paris). This was re-released by Retrospect Records a few years back but is OOP.

Download

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Cats in Boots - Kicked & Klawed (1989)


Country: USA
Year: 1989
Line-up: Joel Ellis (vocals), Takashi "Jam" Ohashi (guitar), Yasuhiro "Butch" Hatae (bass), Randy Meers (drums)

Track Listing:
1.  Shot Gun Sally  3:28
2.  Nine Lives (Save Me)  3:47
3.  Her Monkey  4:08
4.  Whip it Out  4:14
5.  Long, Long Way From Home  4:15
6.  Coast to Coast  3:17
7.  Every Sunrise  6:13
8.  Evil Angel  3:30
9.  Bad Boys Are Back  4:11
10.  Judas Kiss  3:25

Fletchanator's comment: This band and album kick serious ass! Cats in Boots are one of the definite "could have been huge" bands of the hair metal scene of the late 80s. This was their only album, after a Japan-only EP, until one was put out in 1999 but I haven't heard that one and don't know if it's new material or older outtakes. Anyway, back to Kicked & Klawed - one of the gems of the glam metal scene! Joel Ellis' fantastic vocals ooze sleaze while Jam Ohashi's axework is truly top notch. The stand out song is Shot Gun Sally, but there are no weak tracks here. For fans of Sunset Strip sleaze rock bands like Faster Pussycat, LA Guns, Motley Crue etc, you'll love this!
After Cats in Boots, Ellis was in Heavy Bones,  while Ohashi joined Slumlords. In 2012 Demon Doll Records released material from Ellis and Meers' pre-Cats band, Merri Hoax, recorded in the mid-80s.
I really wish Cats in Boots had been given more opportunity, or had taken what opportunity they had (I don't know the background on why they didn't break out). They had the sound, the swagger and the sleaze to be one of the biggest bands in the land!

Download

Monday, November 23, 2015

Open Fire - Open Fire EP [1990]



Country: USA
Year: 1990
Line-up: Erich Wida (vocals), Chris Yamamoto (guitars), Jack Acevedo (bass), Birdie (Drums)

Track Listing:
1. Top of the Heap
2. Feel the Power
3. Love Comes Tumblin' Down
4. Lying to Yourself

Fletchanator's comment: Following on from the cassette rip I posted of Wild Child, here is another release that as far as I know is only available on tape. Open Fire were a four-piece from Hawaii, a land that is hardly synonymous with heavy metal. They later released a full-length album, No Uncle of Mine, on CD in 1995. But none of the songs on this self-released EP were included on that, so this is likely the only place you can hear these tracks. Bassist Jack Acevedo has uploaded some Open Fire songs onto youtube, but today the band are pretty much a footnote in history. Singer Wida apparently joined a metal covers band called Slug after Open Fire split up.
Soundwise, I can hear similarities with Motley Crue, LA Guns and bands of that ilk but they also incorporate a heavier, faster sound that adds elements of traditional heavy metal bands like Metal Church and Accept.

Download

Wild Child - Wild Child [1989]



Country: USA
Year: 1989
Line-up: Brian Kight (vocals, guitars), Rich Wolfe (bass), Bryan Watson (guitars), Craig Kight (drums)

Track Listing:
1. Street Queen Lady
2. Cry Wolf
3. Thunder and Rain
4. Watching Thru Mirrors
5. Goin Down
6. Gypsy Caravan
7. Winds of Change
8. Gotham City

Fletchanator's comment: Now this is a really rare little gem. It's ripped from a cassette tape and as far as I can tell it has never received a CD or vinyl release. Information on this band is extremely scarce, but Wild Child appeared to be based in Ohio. This is probably their only release. Singer/guitarist Brian Kight is still making music today - he has a Youtube channel which features videos by a recent band called Ripcord, as well as old Wild Child live clips and clips from a pre-Wild Child band called Ripfist.
As for this album, it's a great slice of late 80s hard rock which reminds me in places of Babylon AD or Dokken and at other times has the funky edge of Bulletboys. The guitar work in particular makes this rise above most "undiscovered" bands of the era.

UPDATE: New links

Just a quick note to say that I have updated the links on 18 posts so far and more will be up soon. I'm making my way back from the most recent posts and you can tell which ones have new links by the (NEW LINK NOV 2015) on the download link.

Rock on!

Sunday, November 22, 2015

The return of House of Hairspray!

Well, it's been 6 years since I posted on this blog, but it still seems to be popular - people continue to comment on posts and to send me emails about it.

So, I've decided I'm going to start posting here again. Look out for new reviews/downloads in the near future, aimed mainly towards the obscure and under-appreciated side of glam metal.

And, I'll also be updating the links that are already on here. They're all on Rapidshare, which doesn't even exist anymore, so each one will need to be uploaded to a new server. There's 140-odd posts at this stage, so that's going to be a lot of work, but I'll be doing it gradually. I will post whenever I do an update to let you know what albums are now working (also on the post itself you'll find "updated link" mentioned).

Rock on!