Axatak - Axatak EP (1985)

Country: Australia
Year: 1985
Line-up: John McCulloch (vocals, guitars), Pete Denero (vocals, guitars), Andy Zouman (vocals, bass), Don Hailes (drums)

Track Listing:

1.   Shock Rock 3:37 2.   You  3:44 3.   Let the Beast Run Wild 3:43 4.   Live Out Your Dreams  4:38 5.   Night Fighter  4:26

Fletchanator's comment: Axatak were formed in Melbourne, Australia in 1983, out of one of that city's first Kiss cover bands, Kiss Klones. Hearing this five-track EP it's easy to see that connection, as they do sound a lot like Kiss in places, mixed with early Motley Crue. So essentially you get straight-forward song-writing ala Kiss and a smidgen of the sleaze and underground sound of Too Fast For Love/Shout At the Devil-era Crue. The result isn't anything that's going to blow your socks off, but it's solid stuff and this album is damn near impossible to get hold of (not released on CD as far as I know, and vinyl copies go for $100+ on eBay).

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Boss - Step On It (1984)

Country: Australia
Year: 1984
Line-up: Craig Csongrady (vocals), Kevin Pratt (guitars), Peter Sutcliffe (guitars), Scott Ginn (bass), Joe Tatts (drums).

Track listing:

1.	Kick Ass (Rock 'N Roll)
2.	That Woman
3.	Dancin' Queen
4.	Strange Games
5.	Hard N' Fast
6.	Escapee
7.	Take It or Leave It
8.	Free Wheelin'
9.	Cry Cry
10.	Shake It

Fletchanator's comment: This is my first ever vinyl rip (so expect some minor problems, like long lead-ins to some songs) and for it I chose Australian hard rockers Boss. Step On It was their only album and had moderate success in Europe, but in their homeland it didn't do so well, so Boss split up not long afterwards. Csongrady and Pratt went on to form the band BB Steal.
In terms of sound, Boss are heavily influenced by Def Leppard (an influence that became even more noticeable with BB Steal). Their sound is a lot like the three Def Lep albums up to that point, with perhaps some ACDC thrown in. Singer Csongrady has an unconventional voice, a mix between Steeler-era Ron Keel and Heavy Pettin's Steve Hayman. It's good stuff, check it out!

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