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THERE ARE certain records and bands that send a message to those who are following a scene with a keen eye on the big prize. One such act was Yesterday And Today who burst out of the San Francisco Bay scene like an erupting volcano, knocking the competition sideways with a blitzkrieg of high energy and hard rocking determination. There’s no question that this band had it all in the palm of their hand, squeezing molten metal from largely hard-core ingredients, shocking those in the know that such a live wire unit could’ve have appeared out of the normally sedate West Coast scene. With the band name (a nod to The Beatles) and geographical location indicating a far more relaxed style of music it was a major shock to find out that the band were a raging hard rock outfit hell bent on ripping up the rule book, crafting a vicious slice of electric noise that soon found an underground audience. With an ear for a good tune and the appropriate energy to thrust their noise to every corner of the Bay Area, it didn’t take long for heads to turn. Signed to the independent London label they delivered tracks such as ‘Animal Woman’, ‘Earthshaker’, ‘Fast Ladies (Very Slow Gin)’, ‘Game Playing Woman’ and the exquisite ‘Beautiful Dreamer’, leaving everyone convinced that this was an act going places. Produced by co-manager Louis Bramy (a partner of local legend Herbie Herbert). Getting the band out playing live was the order of the day and the band rolled out their show from San Francisco with new all girl band The Runaways acting as support. Certainly, the package attracted attention and helped to set them up for their second album ‘Struck Down’.
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HAVING ALREADY established themselves with a warmly received debut album and a buzzing local following, Yesterday And Today set about focusing on a follow-up opus, ‘Struck Down’, a release that firmly established them as stars of the San Franciso Bay scene. In the big scheme of things, however, the band were still a small blip on the radar trying to get some traction in a scene that was rapidly expanding to accommodate several up-and-coming acts. However, with serious commitment and a stack of new songs it soon became apparent that they could easily get around the problem by just focusing on the job in hand and playing shows to a loud and devoted audience. For ‘Struck Down’ they enlisted the production guidance of Jimmy Robinson, a man that was well versed in the art of heavy rock having worked in L.A.’s influential Record Plant studio. Robinson gave the band a more direct sound, utilizing a bigger and better vibe, and the material, although not radically different from their previous excursion made use of techniques such as flanging and phase shifting. It brought an expanded palette, giving the sound a contemporary sheen yet harnessing all the heft of their original thunder. The new approach also extended to the shape and form of the new songs. Tracks such as ‘Pleasure In My Heart’, ‘I’m Lost’, the title track ‘Struck Down’ and ‘Stargazer (Round & Round)’ all showing a major advancement in compositional skill and sonic tapestry. This all comes of course wrapped up in the whirlwind vocals of Dave Meniketti, a man whose voice could knock down brick walls and scale mountains. Best of all though Is the sheer passion displayed in the band’s desire to lift the band to greater heights. Of course, it would be a few good years later - with a slight name change - Y&T could propel themselves into the premiere league of hard rock outfits.
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WE AT ROCK Candy always have a special place in our hearts for Mother’s Finest. One of the most formidable acts on the scene during the ’70s they trail-blazed a unique path between funk and crushing hard rock. Sure, many acts attempted this explosive combination at the time from Sly & The Family Stone to Parliament-Funkadelic, but Mother’s Finest always made the most noise, coming on like Led Zeppelin jamming with Aerosmith. Fronted by the supreme vocals of Joyce ‘Baby Jean’ Kennedy with constant support from the irrepressible Glenn ‘Doc’ Murdock, the band’s material stretched from cool as cucumber soul to pummeling heavy rock and all points in between. The only drawback was that record companies could not get their head around how to promote the band, leaving them caught between a rock and a hard place. Amazingly, despite being somewhat affected by this lack of industry understanding, they attracted a devoted audience not only in the USA but also in Europe, developing their career throughout the subsequent decades. Hats off to long standing guitarist Gary ‘Moses Mo’ Moore whose blistering fretwork ignites the songs brilliantly. Recorded in 1979, this album reinforced the band’s command of the live environment and showcased their clear-cut ability to engage an audience in music that they may never have realised that they even liked. We must applaud this band as one of the greatest live acts of all-time.”
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THE man with the golden voice, Steve Perry, is considered by many to be the greatest vocalist in the melodic rock movement. Fronting Journey since 1977, he made his mark at a stall that sold hits at a rapid rate. It wasn't surprising that Sony were happy to capitalise on his popularity and promote this solo album that mines the melodic rock gold of his previous greatest achievements, albeit in a slightly more soulful way. 'Street Talk' showcases a plethora of great tracks, including lead single, the big hit, 'Oh Sherrie', the gorgeous 'Foolish Heart' and the emotional 'She's Mine'. Overall it's a fantastic album from a master craftsman.
TRACKS: 1.Oh Sherrie 2.I Believe 3.Go Away 4.Foolish Heart 5.It’s Only Love 6.She’s Mine 7.You Should Be Happy 8.Running Alone 9.Captured By The Moment 10.Strung Out
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EUROPE'S quest to maintain their massive foothold in the melodic rock word continued with this album, released in 1991. The material here is solid melodic hard rock, produced by Beau Hill (RATT and Winger), showing that the band were still creating high class product with bite. The album contains memorable and impressive songs such as the title track, 'Halfway To Heaven' (co-written with song writer Jim Vallance), 'Seventh Sign' and 'Bad Blood'. With the vocals of Joey Tempest leading the charge, every effort was made in the race for perfection. Of course, sadly, the timing of the release was against them.
TRACKS: 1.All Or Nothing 2.Halfway To Heaven 3.I’ll Cry For You 4.Little Bit Of Lovin' 5.Talk To Me 6.Seventh Sign 7.Prisoners In Paradise 8.Bad Blood 9.Homeland 10.Got Your Mind In The Gutter 11.‘Til My Heart Beats Down Your Door 12.Girl From Lebanon
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BASED in the tough environs of New York City, this hard-hitting four piece strutted their stuff like a wild combination of Aerosmith and the Georgia Satellites... shaggy haired men dressed in black with guitars set to stun. Given the nature of their musical influences, it's not surprising that their debut record has the guitars turned up to ten and vocals that lay down the law in a manner that leaves no room for argument. The record has been a collector's dream acquisition, and it's rightly hailed as an underappreciated classic, a record that keeps on giving. Check out tracks such as 'Call Of The Wild', 'The Distance' and 'Hell's Kitchen' for proof.
TRACKS: 1.Call Of The Wild 2.Hangin’ By A Thread 3.Jilted! 4.The Distance 5.Romance On The Rocks 6.Can’t Love Ya, Can’t Leave Ya 7.Hell’s Kitchen 8.St Jane's Infirmary 9.My Ship 10.I Don’t Wanna Be Loved 11.Girl 12.Everybody’s Baby
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CANADIAN five-piece Zon took the melodic rock world by storm in 1978 with the release of their debut album 'Astral Projector', a work that was heralded as a game changer at the time. Naturally all eyes were focused on their 1979 follow-up record, 'Back Down To Earth', which continued the upward journey of this fine outfit's musical development. The contents are highly polished, and presented in a way that doesn't disappoint, allowing the pomp rock content to flow. Kicking off with the excellence of hard the rocking 'Circus', the album then develops the complexity with tracks like multi-layered 'Gods And Kings'. And look out for the five bonus tracks (two of which are previously unreleased).
TRACKS: 1.Circús 2.Please Stay 3.Lifeline 4.As Seasons Change 5.Suicide 6.Back Down To Earth 7.Cheater 8.Take It From Me 9.When He’s Old 10.Gods And Kings 11.Back Down To Earth (Live) 12.Circus (Live) 13.Gettin’ Off (Live - previously unreleased) 14.Gods And Kings (Live) 15.Let Me Go (Live – previously unreleased)
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THE melodic rock battlegrounds were particularly crowded during the late '70s, with many lesser-known acts attempting to fight their way to the front to be amongst superstar acts such as Foreigner, Journey and Boston. Axe were one such band and they were creating a sound on their 1979 debut that combined pomp rock with AOR. In fact, they laid down a hard rock foundation for the softness and complexity to sit on... making great songs with commanding vocals and super strident riffs. Axe entered the fray with this solid album, craving out a sound and style designed to serve them well in their attempt to break through.
TRACKS: 1.Life’s Just An Illusion 2.Hang On 3.Sympathize 4.How Come I Love You 5.Forever 6.Back On The Streets 7.Doin’ The Best That I Can 8.You’re Out Of Line 9.Battles
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The sophomore album from this fast rising, but still underrated, hard rock band based in Florida who were looking to make their mark with a cool and commanding strain of melodic rock, which had been described as pomp rock. This album was a definite development in their sound, showcasing the band's ability to move with the times and create a harder edge, whilst still demonstrating melodic purpose and precision. Check out tracks such as 'Fantasy Of Love', 'Running The Gauntlet' and 'For A Little While' to sample some of the goodness on offer in this great example of melodic hard rock.
TRACKS 1.Living On The Edge 2.Fantasy Of Love 3.First Time, Last Time 4.Carry On 5.Running The Gauntlet 6.I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) 7.Just Walk Away 8.Let Me Know 9.Save Our Love 10.For A Little While
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WHEN IT COMES to exploring the early years of the British hard rock scene there’s no better place to start that with London-based five piece Strider. A staple of the live circuit, the band built a reputation for lean and mean blues-based rock, securing a solid and faithful following throughout the UK and Europe. It was also a group that freatured a couple of members who went on to be well-known after Strider; guitarist Gary Grainger who went on to play with Rod Stewart and drummer Tony Brock who would later join the Babys. Two individuals with a solid reputation and careers forged directly from the ashes of Strider.
‘Misunderstood’ is the band’s second album, recorded once again for GM Records the label helmed by Billy Gaff, manager of the Faces and Rod Stewart. Produced by Damon Lyon-Shaw, who had cut his teeth as a recording engineer for the Who and Status Quo, the album contains an impressive selection of tracks that showcase the appointment of new vocalist Rob Elliott, a man with a rich voice and a signature delivery. This time around the band focussed exclusively on self-penned material, writing and executing a batch of songs that grabbed the listener by the scruff of the neck and commanded attention.
Amongst all this goodness are stand out tracks such as ‘Searching The Clouds’, ‘Seems So Easy’, ‘Crossed Lines’ and the adventurous ‘Wing Tips’. Despite delivering such a robust album and touring with the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, the Faces and Status Quo, sadly and unfairly the band failed to make any commercial progress.
TRACK LISTING: 1.OPEN YOUR EYES 2.MISUNDERSTOOD 3.CROSSED LINE 4.SEEMS SO EASY 5.ALREADY MONDAY 6.WING TIPS 7.TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT 8.SEARCHING THE CLOUDS BONUS TRACKS 9.SEEMS SO EASY (SINGLE VERSION) 10.ARTHUR HYDROGEN
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