Having been on a right roaring ol' buzz for The Heartbreakers L.A.M.F of late, (including bagging this bargain box set which includes a bulging booklet, badges and 4 CDs of demo's, out-takes and the unmuddied original album mix), what a treat then to be sharing mag space with Kris Needs hugely detailed study on the Johnny Thunders, the music, the myth and the murder theories. But thumb around from front to back and you'll also find: interview's with Adam Ant, The Flaming Groovies, Johnny Marr, The Blockheads and Brian Connolly remembered.
It's all in Vive Le Rock 11 where you'll also find reviews from me covering new releases by - The Chocolate Watch Band, Patrick Fitzgerald, The Electric Stars
And one on The Virginmarys - which reads thus....
The Virginmarys
King of Conflict (9/10)
DoubleCross/Cooking Vinyl Records
Northern Rock – No Sleep ‘til Macclesfield
Putting King of Conflict through its first spin - my guess was, our immaculately conceived pals were an Australasian outfit, why? The tightly mic'd stomp, the biker-bar brawl and boot-boy boom that echo Jet, The Datsuns and in places Rose Tattoo. Although there's no mistaking that Cooper Clarke twang of regional tongue - Manchester! The Virginmarys are homegrown heavies hammering out an album of high-firing blazers that's more headbutting than headbanging. On repeat plays I'd assumed the fully rounded sound was delivered by a five piece line-up. But no! The fidgety riffing and sand-blasted vocals are powered out by a Macclesfield power trio. King of Conflict is tattoo-knuckled; black-leather clad clout that's so revved up, red hot and rocket fuelled it's like a dragster race between Queens of the Stone Age and Bon-era AC/DC. And if Running For My Life and Dressed to Kill aren't ready-to-serve Bond-themes- I'll eat my License to R.O.C.K.
1 comment:
A pedant writes: there was never a 'c' in Patrik (Fitzgerald).
Does Brian Connolly get a fair hearing? Tell you what, don't tell me and I'll get a copy at the weekend.
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