Young, Loud And Snotty - Dead Boys > Reviews > Pre-Punk Fury+Amazing, profane Frontman=Dead Boys

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	Fantastic insight into early Punk ala Stooges and New York Dolls
Disadvantages:	A few weak tracks

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Dead Boys were a punk/pre punk band that formed in 1975 in Cleveland Ohio, developing out of the band 'Rocket From The Tombs'. They are made up of; Stiv Bator (Vocals) who was once told by Iggy Pop that he was the second best singer in rock & roll (after Jim Morrison), Johnny Blitz (Drums), Cheetah Chrome (Guitar), Jeff Magnum (Bass), Jimmy Zero (Guitar).

In 1976 they moved to New York, and quickly gained s notorious reputation for their outrageous live performances, with profanity being the norm, and on more then one occasion, lead singer Stiv Bators slashed his stomach with his mic stand. They regularly played at the legendary rock club CBGB's and in 1977 they released their debut album, 'Young, Loud and Snotty'. Their song "Sonic Reducer" is frequently regarded as one of the classics of the punk genre; often hailed as one of its greatest anthems. Sire Records coerced the group to change their image and sound to appeal more to the American mainstream (which was much further backward that the rapidly developing UK punk scene) and this contributed to Dead Boys splitting up in 1979. A few months after their split the band had to reunite to record a live album to fulfill the terms of their contract. To exact revenge on the label, Bator intentionally sang off mic and the resulting recording was disastrous. When the material eventually surfaced on Bomp! Records, Bators re-recorded the vocals in a studio.

This album; Young Loud, And Snotty is brutal, fast, sloppy, simple and raw, and for me is a fantastic description of archetypal punk rock. It features crippling riffs, growling, raw vocals, and reverberating rhythm, along with the occasional phase attack, and harmonic face melter.

The standout tracks for me are the opening track; 'Sonic Reducer', with its opening phaser that would impress Hawkwind, followed up by feedback and thunderous drums, then the gravely, voice of Bator, cleaving through the riff like a rusty axe. It also features the memorable chorus line 'I got my time machine, got my electronic dream, Sonic reducer, ain't no loser'. The song has been covered by Pearl Jam, sampled by Beastie Boys, and unfortunately, recently slaughtered by Saves the Day. Also 'Not Anymore', which for me, is the darkest track on the album, opens with a House of the Rising Sun'esque lick, followed by the unusually clear, strained voice of Bator. The song continues is a almost goth-punk way, with a sinister riff, and gut busting guitar solo. This is also reflected in the lyrical content, with lines like 'you can't hurt me anymore' and 'I'll sing your hymns for a cup of soup, So hungry, I don't care'.

The band reformed for several gigs in the 1980's. They released Younger, Louder and Snottier in 1989, which included demos and rough mixes of their debut album. Unfortunately in 1990, Bators passed away in France due to injuries sustained in a car accident.

Other Full Albums By The Band:

We Have Come For Your Children - Sire Records 1978
If I were a pre punk neophyte, or was into other pre punk and UK punk bands, or simply someone looking for some first-rate punk, with one of the most charismatic frontmen of all time, this album is for you.

Further listening; Machine Gun Etiquette-The Damned, The Punk Singles Collection-Sham 69, 999-999, My War-Black Flag