50SHR #17: Buster Brown (Kentucky)

 

50 STATES OF HARD ROCK #17: KENTUCKY

 

Band: Buster Brown
Release: Loud & Clear
Year: 1984
Line-up: Johnny Edwards (vocals), Allan Phelps (guitar), Kevin Downs (bass), Bob Koestel (drums)

Track Listing:

Loud And Clear Under Control Little Bit Of Love Killing Time Get It Up Bad Dreams Comin' On Strong I Don't Want Ground Zero Days Across The Nile

Fletchanator's comment: Louisville Kentucky's Buster Brown are one of those bands who are probably best known for the careers their members had afterwards. While he's not on this album, current Scorpions drummer James Kottak played on the second Buster Brown album. Singer Johnny Edwards had a brief stint in Foreigner and he and Kottak both played in Montrose and Wild Horses after this band folded.
Buster Brown's sound can best be described as glam metal - at the heavy end of the hard rock spectrum and the light end of the melodic heavy metal range. They remind me a lot of another great band, Dirty Looks, perhaps with some Kick Axe and Heavy Pettin' mixed in. Edwards has a great voice and Phelps throws in some great guitar licks. Highly recommended!

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50SHR #14: Marshall Law (Indiana)

 
50 STATES OF HARD ROCK #14: INDIANA

 

Band: Marshall Law
Release: Marshall Law
Year: 1984
Line-up: Craig Watson (vocals), John Doll (guitars, keyboards), Eugene Berg (bass), Glen Woods (drums)

Track Listing:

1.	Love is a Hunter Who Never Sleeps	3:10
2.	Giving Your Love Away	2:44
3.	Somewhere In The Night	3:20
4.	Lyla Run	2:59
5.	Down to the Bone	3:15
6.	Once with Passion	3:16
7.	Getting Better	2:52
8.	Crossroads at Night	2:42
9.	Bring on the Night	3:35
10.	American Dream	2:38
11.	Get Out of My Life	2:26

Fletchanator's comment: The aim of this blog has always been to shine the spotlight on those hard rock/hair metal bands that have faded into obscurity over time or who never got the initial recognition they deserved. This 50 States of Hard Rock series has been a great way to look at some of those obscure bands who plied their trade outside of the typical Sunset Strip scene, many of them in rural towns where their long hair and leather pants would have made them stick out like aliens freshly arrived from another planet. And it doesn't get much more rural than recording an album inside a barn, which is exactly what Marshall Law did in 1984!

Not be confused with the English heavy metal band of the same name, this Indiana-based quartet released their (as far as I know) only album on Heartland Records, having recorded it in a converted barn in Union Mills, a rural community in the north of the state.

In the early 80s arena rock AOR bands like Journey, REO Speedwagon and Loverboy ruled the roost, and Marshall Law definitely fit into that niche. However, they don't over-indulge in the love songs of those bands - their sound is like if you took all of the ballads out of Journey's early 80s albums and left in the rocking tunes like Keep On Runnin'. Definitely recommended!

 

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50SHR #2: Alaska (Alaska)

 
50 STATES OF HARD ROCK #2: ALASKA

Band: Alaska
Release: Heart of the Storm
Year: 1984
Line-up: Robert Hawthorn (vocals), Bernie Marsden (guitar), Brian Badhams (bass, piano), Don Airey (keyboards), John Marter (drums)

Track Listing:

1. Whiteout   3:48 2.   Don't Say It's Over   4:20 3.   Voice On The Radio   3:55 4.   Susie Blue   3:34 5.   Heart Of The Storm   5:25 6.   Need Your Love   4:17 7.   Can't Let Go   3:45 8.   Other Side Of Midnight   4:25 9.   Headlines   3:48 10.   The Socerer   6:02 11.   Coupe De Ville Bonus Track- Demo   3:17 12.   Coming Down On You Bonus Track   3:29 13.   Whiteout Bonus Track- Instrumental   4:18

Fletchanator's comment: I can already hear the howls of protest - "Alaska aren't actually from Alaska! In fact, they're not even from America!". It's true, this is an English band, but I failed to find a hard rock band from the state of Alaska, so I'm cheating by instead using the band named after the state. If you know of any Alaska-based hard rock/glam metal bands, please let me know!
Alaska was formed by ex-Whitesnake guitarist Bernie Marsden (who co-wrote their biggest ever hit, Here I Go Again) and put out two albums, this one and the following year's The Pack. Aside from Marsden, this band was notable for including keyboardist Don Airey of Deep Purple, Rainbow, Ozzy Osbourne etc.
In terms of sound, Alaska play keyboard-heavy AOR. Marsden gets the chance to show off his bluesy riffs throughout, but the keyboards are prominent. Robert Hawthorn's voice is like a mix between Bryan Adams and Rod Stewart. I prefer Marsden's work in heavier bands, but if keyboard-oriented AOR in the style of Angel, Boston and Asia is your bag, you'll dig this.
 

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Lethyl - Lethyl (1984)

Country: USA
Year: 1984
Line-up: Alan Eason (vocals), Robby Ackary (guitar), Jimmie Jones (bass), Mike Jenkins (drums)

Track Listing:

1.   On the Run  3:39 2.   This Time 3:32 3.   Say Goodbye 3:12 4.   Tonight Has Come  3:14 5.   Let Him Go  4:12 6.   Can't Stop 2:16 7.   Fantasy  4:23 8.   Lethyl Dose of Rock       2:47

Fletchanator's comment: Lethyl were a group of teenagers (three of them still in high school) when they recorded this album on indy label Jammer Records in Jacksonville, Florida in 1984. There's not too much information out there about this band, but bassist Jimmie Jones has uploaded a few Youtube videos of the band in action back in the day and it seems they had quite a following in their local area.
With short-and-sharp songs that don't overstay their welcome, Lethyl play a brand of hard rock that infuses elements of early KISS, Poison and Motley Crue. From what I could find out, they reunited in 2011 but this is their only recorded output.

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Paris - Before They Were Poisoned (1984)

Country: USA
Year: 1984
Line-up: Brett Michaels (vocals), Matt Smith (guitars), Bobby Dall (bass), Rikki Rockett (drums).

Track Listing:

1. Looks That Kill 04:34   2. We Belong to the Night 04:21   3. Lipstick Killer 02:59   4. Lightning Strikes    04:19   5. Let's Get Crazy 03:07   6. Sweet Girl 05:09   7. Hot Shot 04:00   8. DOA 04:47   9. Top Dogs 04:42   10.  Strutter 02:50   11.  Jack You Know 03:42   12.  Get It On    03:42   13.  You Got Another Thing Coming   04:46   14.  Night School 03:38 15.  Rock Rock Tonight 05:21 16.  Shout at the Devil 03:22

Fletchanator's comment: As promised, here is the third and final of the poll winners. This is the band Poison when they were still known as Paris and playing covers in small clubs throughout Pennsylvania. These particular live recordings are from a show at a club in Old Forge, PA on January 15, 1984. They feature original guitarist Matt Smith, who would be replaced by CC Deville soon after their move to California and prior to the release of their first album in 1986.
As live bootleg recordings go these are pretty good quality. On them Paris play covers by a variety of bands, including Motley Crue, UFO, Van Halen, Judas Priest and KISS. They also play their first "single", Hot Shot. It's surprising how much they sound like the megastar band they would become, minus of course CC Deville's shredding (Smith is a good guitarist in his own right though).
Definitely a must-have for Poison fans and for any fans of glam hard rock who are curious about what one of the biggest bands of the 80s originally sounded like.

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Madison - Diamond Mistress (1984)

Country: Sweden
Year: 1984
Line-up: Goran Edman (vocals), Anders Karlsson (guitars), Dan Stomberg (guitars), Conny Sundqvist (bass), Peter Fredricksson (drums)

Track Listing:

1.   Lay Down Your Arms   2.   Run Boy   3.   Sneaker   4.   Don't Look Around   5.   Pictures Return   6.   Diamond Mistress   7.   Don't Go   8.   Squealer   9.   Changes   10.   Turn Me Loose

Fletchanator's comment: Swedish singer Goran Edman is one of the busiest men in hard rock, having fronted bands ranging from Brazen Abbot to Street Talk, AOR to Glory, while also having sung on albums by Yngwie Malmsteen and ex-Europe guitarist John Norum. But this is where it all started, with Madison. If you're familiar with Goran's voice you know what to expect, and here it's at its very best.
Madison play a great brand of melodic hard rock, sometimes bordering on melodic heavy metal, that sounds like a mix between classic Dokken and early Europe. If you like those bands, you'll love this!

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Vyper - Prepared to Strike (1984)

Country: USA
Year: 1984
Line-up: Christy Black (vocals), Robbie Saint (guitars), Jacky Foxx (guitars), Rik Brock (bass), Michael Scott (drums).

Track Listing:

1.   I'm Not Waiting   2.   Cold As A Stone   3.   Diamonds   4.   Nighttime Is Wild   5.   Runnin' With The Pack   6.   Can't Stop Dreamin'   7.   Dealer   8.   Climbing Up The Walls   9.   Drivin' Me Insane   10.   She's Nasty

Fletchanator's comment: The only full-length album by Kansas City, Missouri band Vyper, who also released a four-track EP a year later in 1985. Originally put out in 1984 by Greenworld/Kondor Records, this was re-released by Retrospect Records in 2005 (with the four EP tracks tacked on the end). Even the rerelease goes for some hefty money - last time I looked it was going for $50+ on eBay.
Apparently Vyper suffered from the familiar situation of their record label going tits-up and later in the band's life there was two versions of Vyper touring, ala LA Guns, Ratt and so many other hard rock bands in recent years.
In terms of sound, this one bounces between AOR-edged hard rock and NWOBHM-influenced melodic metal. You can definitely hear a Judas Priest influence on the song Dealer, and for the most part the guitar sound is heavier than you would usually hear on AOR/hard rock.
Other songs have a definite Ratt or WASP sound to them, although singer Christy Black doesn't attempt anything close to Stephen Pearcy's or Blackie Lawless's rasp, sticking to straight-forward singing. Some of the lyrics are a bit too simple ("Nighttime is wild so don’t bring your child to the park" as a chorus for example), but this is good, rare stuff - if you like your Sunset Strip glam rock to have a heavier edge to it you'll enjoy this.

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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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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!

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Hanoi Rocks - Two Steps from the Move [1984]

Country: Finland

Year: 1984

Line-up: Michael Monroe (vocals), Nasty Suicide (guitar), Andy McCoy (guitar), Sam Yaffa (bass), Razzle (drums)

Track Listing
1. Up Around The Bend
2. High School
3. I Can't Get It
4. Million Miles Away
5. Underwater World
6. Don't You Ever Leave Me
7. Boulevard Of Broken Dreams
8. Boiler
9. Futurama
10. Cutting Corners 11. Two Steps from the Move 12. Don't you ever Leave Me (12 Inch version) 13. Oil and Gasoline 14. Magic Carpet Ride

Request of: Trayce

Fletchanator's comment: Legendary glam rockers who originated in Finland and took the Sunset Strip scene by storm with this, their sixth album overall and first on a major worldwide label. Sadly it was the last album for drummer Razzle, who was famously killed in a car crash in which Motley Crue's Vince Neil was driving. By 1985 the Rocks had split, but they came back a few years ago to tour and record again. This album showcases a band that were true pioneers of LA hard rock, inspiring the likes of LA Guns and GNR. Highly recommended!

Download (NEW LINK NOV 2015)

TNT - Knights of the New Thunder [1984]

Country: Norway

Year: 1984

Line-up: Tony Hansen (vocals), Ronni Le Tekro (guitar), Morty Black (bass), Diesel Scan-Dahl (drums)

Track Listing
1. Seven Seas
2. Ready To Leave
3. Klassik Romance
4. Last Summer's Evil
5. Without Your Love
6. Thor With The Hammer
7. Break The Ice
8. U.S.A.
9. Deadly Metal
10. Knights Of The New Thunder 11. Eddie (bonus track)

Request of: Diego

Fletchanator's comment: The second album by Norwegian rockers TNT, and the first to feature American-born vocalist Tony Harnell (who billed himself as Tony Hansen at the time). This album signified TNT's move away from Viking-themed power metal to groove-laden hard rock (although a couple of songs have Viking lyrics), which would reach a peak with their next recording, Tell No Tales. There are some great hard rocking tunes on this album and it's worth it just for Harnell's awesome voice - you should definitely check it out.

Download (NEW LINK NOV 2015)

Stone Fury - Burns Like a Star [1984]

Country: USA

Year: 1984

Line-up: Lenny Wolf (vocals), Bruce Gowdy (guitar), Rick Wilson (bass), Jody Cortez (drums)

Track Listing
1. Break Down The Walls
2. I Hate To Sleep Alone
3. Life Is Too Lonely
4. Don't Tell Me Why
5. Mama's Love
6. Burns Like A Star
7. Tease
8. Hold It
9. Shannon You Lose

Requested by: Fish

Fletchanator's comment: Before he was in Kingdom Come, Lenny Wolf (possessor of without a doubt one of the best voices in hard rock, bar none) was in Stone Fury. This was his first band after coming to LA from Germany, and it's good stuff. This is the first of two studio albums Stone Fury put out, and possesses the moderate hit Break Down the Walls. Stone Fury isn't as polished as Kingdom Come, with a rawer sound, but KC fans will love this.

Download (NEW LINK NOV 2015)

H.S.A.S. - Through the Fire [1984]

Country: USA
Year: 1984
Line up: Sammy Hagar (vocals), Neal Schon (guitar), Kenny Aaronson (bass), Michael Shrieve (drums)

Track Listing
1. Top Of The Rock
2. Missing You
3. Animation
4. Valley Of The Kings
5. Giza
6. Whiter Shade Of Pale
7. Hot And Dirty
8. He Will Understand
9. My Home Town

Fletchanator's comment: What do you get when you take a singer from one of the biggest hair metal bands of all time, and the guitarist from arguably the most successful AOR band ever? Well, unfortunately, an end product that isn't as good as either of those bands. But that's not to say that H.S.A.S. isn't worth listening to, because it is. Just don't go expecting something that'll top Van Halen and Journey, because it's not here. Mind you, that's probably impossible anyway.
The abbreviated name stands for Hagar, Schon, Aaronson and Shrieve. The last two aren't big names, but every hair metal/AOR fans will surely know Sammy Hagar (Van Halen) and Neal Schon (Journey). Schon is a vastly underrated guitarist, who gets to show off his axemanship on this album, in a different style than Journey, more hard rock than AOR (especially on Valley of the Kings and Giza). Hagar is a great singer, and that's no different here. Procol Harum's Whiter Shade of Pale makes for an interesting cover, and the best songs on the album, in my opinion are Missing You and the Van Halen-esque Hot and Dirty and He Will Understand. H.S.A.S. was short-lived, with just one album, as Schon went on to play with Bad English, Hardline and later rejoined Journey, while Hagar of course replaced David Lee Roth in Van Halen.

Download (NEW LINK NOV 2015)

Black 'n Blue - Black 'n Blue [1984]

Country: USA
Year: 1984
Line up: Jaime St. James (vocals), Tommy Thayer (guitar), Jef Warner (guitar), Patrick Young (bass), Pete Holmes (drums)

Track Listing
1. The Strong Will Rock
2. School Of Hard Knocks
3. Autoblast
4. Hold On To 18
5. Wicked Bitch
6. Action
7. Show Me The Night
8. One For The Money
9. I'm The King
10. Chains Around Heaven

Fletchanator's comment: This is the debut album from Portland, Oregon rockers Black 'N Blue. A couple of the band members are in successful bands nowadays - singer Jaime St James replaced Jani Lane as singer for Warrant and guitarist Tommy Thayer adopted the Starman makeup of Ace Frehley in KISS a few years back. In their day, Black 'N Blue were a solid hard rock band. Hold On To 18 is a particular highlight.

Download (NEW LINK NOV 2015)

Keel - Lay down the Law [1984]

Country: USA
Year: 1984
Line up: Ron Keel (vocals), Marc Ferrari (guitar), Bryan Jay (guitar), Kenny Chaisson (bass), Bobby Marks (drums)

Track Listing
1. Thunder And Lightning
2. Lay Down The Law
3. Speed Demon
4. Princess Of Illusion
5. Born Ready
6. Metal Generation
7. Till Hell Freezes Over
8. Tonight You're Mine

Fletchanator's comment: Featuring the distinctive voice of frontman Ron Keel, this is the debut of his self-named band. He formed this band after splitting up his earlier project Steeler, which at one point had axeman extraordinaire Yngwie Malmsteen as its guitarist. Drummer Bobby Marks joined Keel after playing for the band London alongside future GNRer Izzy Stradlin. With song titles like Metal Generation and Thunder and Lightning, this is good, fist-pumping hard rock/metal.

Download (NEW LINK NOV 2015)