Dumpy’s Tuckoo Baby Nuts

Sad to say, we’ve reached the end of this awesome Best Of British season, but the best has most definitely been saved for last. Yes. it’s the one, the only, Baby Tuckoo. I mean, what were they thinking? You come from Barnsley, home of Saxon, and you name yourself after James Joyce’s ‘Portrait Of The Artist As A Young Man’! Madness, I say, madness.

Their guitarist was a proper NWOBHM fella, having plied his trade in the mighty Geddes Axe, but The Tucks, as no-one called them, were just so desperate for success, you could almost smell it. Their debut was a cover of ‘Mony Mony’ and they even released a cover version of ‘Tears Of A Clown’. Eejits. It was a shame, as I rather enjoyed their second, “Rock Rock” album. Their singer ended up in Accept for about a week in the eighties, but it was the ex Geddes Axe man, Andy Barrott, who was to cement a place in rock history, joining Chrome Molly, purveyors of the legendary ‘Thanx For The Angst”, the 12″ of which still adorns my record shelves.

Fact; I saw Baby Tuckoo and Chrome Molly on a co-headlining tour, just after “Rock Rock” came out. It was awesome, in a Barney kind of way.

MP3 one – Baby Tuckoo – Broken Heart

With The Best Of British at an end, I’m contemplating an outing for the “One Take, No Dubs” EP. Something that is even scarier than it sounds. Alien, Avenger, Black Rose, Hellenbach. Worried? You should be.

However, you’re getting a couple of bonus tracks this time out. As the comments boxes have been full of legendary Dumpy sighting, I felt it only fair to give you a double dose of the man himself. My encounter with Dumpy is a double header. His Rusty Nuts were supporting Hawkwind, when he embarked on his cordless walkabout, only to encounter me, tripping beyond belief, in full “Dumpy, you’re magic” mode. He actually stopped playing to enquire after my wellbeing, and after being assured I was OK by an acquaintance, picked up his solo where he left off, and moved on.

A week later, he was playing a pub in Embra, when he embarked on his cordless walkabout. Only to encounter me again. This time, it was a curt “oh, fugg,not him again”, and a swift return to the stage.

MP3 two – Dumpys Rusty Nuts – Get Out On The Road

And, of course!

MP3 three – Dumpy – Hawkwind

Dumpy Today!

Bonus Baby Tuckoo live 1984 video;

The Best Of British Part 3

The Best Of British Part 3

Yes, it’s the long overdue Part 3 of the series, they’re already calling “eh?”.

Sad to say that this installment kicks off with a tune from Di’Anno. Yes, the self proclaimed beast who was booted out of Iron Maiden, and who has spent the last 27 years desperately trying to find something to do with himself. Di’anno was the first shortlived outfit he was in post Maiden, only recording 2 singles and a live VHS, which only came out in Sweden. Then it was on to Gogmagog, Battlezone, Praying Mantis (for about a week in Japan), Killers, Nomad, another Di’Anno, and numerous permutations of the above. The first two Iron Maiden albums are the best thing that any of the lineups put out, but you can pretty much avoid everything since.

MP3 one – Di’Anno – Antigua

Scarily enough, our next band, Limelight, are turning into GHMI regulars. Which means I really need to get a life. Soon. Mansfields Scrimshaw brothers have already appeared here, thanks to a support slot with Chevy, but they’re back for more, overly melodic rock.

Their 1982 tour went;

South Shields Legion Club April 9
West Cornforth Rock Club 11
Birkenhead Sir James Club 12
London Marquee 15
London Golden Lion 16
Leeds Compton Arms 24
Sunderland Mecca 30
Stoke ON Trent Wagon And Horses May 1
London Marquee 8.

MP3 two – Limelight – White Fire

This installment comes to an end with Savage. Not Sweet, nor Electric, just plain Savage. ‘We Got The Edge’ was the lead track on their 12″ single release from 1984 on Zebra. Their earlier “Loose And Lethal” album was quite enjoyable, but that was absolutely no excuse for them making a comeback in the late nineties, releasing another album. They even managed to get a best of album put out in 2002 on Castle, which makes less than no sense. I mean, they were alright, but I don’t think anyone needed 80 minutes of Savage. Three minutes will do.

MP3 three – Savage – We Got The Edge

PS – Metallica used to cover this Savage track, back before they got their record deal. Fact. It may have been on one of the Garage Days things, but I couldn’t be arsed checking on anything to do with Metallica.

And here’s a live version from the reformed 90’s Savage.

You’ll be glad to know that I’ve decided to be an utter bastard, and hold back Baby Tuckoo for next time!

The Lovely Lenka Request Zone Part 1

Sadly, Sir Jimmy is correct, and “The Taker” by Chevy remains sadly unavailable.

However, we here at GHMI live to serve, so in order to facilitate the lovely Lenka and her request for a CD copy, may we suggest the following;

Download each track as it appears here, over the next week or so.

Copy the images to the same location.

Burn all the tracks to CD.

Print off a CD case sized copy of the pictures.

Put everything into a CD case.

Ta-Da! “The Taker” by Chevy on CD!

Enjoy.

MP3 one – The Taker
MP3 two – You Got Me Runnin’
MP3 two – Skybird

Here’s a rare clip of Chevy in action;

Kuttings Korner 5 – Halloween Arrives Early

We’re off to the Wellington pub in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester this week for an unseasonal Heavy Metal Halloween, courtesy of DJ John Brent.

Sadly, nowadays, “Almost Every Weekend At The Wellington Pub Radcliffe We Have Nites On Where Mc’s Can Join In And Show Of There Skills, Featured Mc’s Are Mc MORTY And McD, All Other Mc’s Are Welcome.” So I suspect that Mr Brent may no longer be welcome.

So, I’ve randomly picked three numbers out of a hat, and they were 2, 3 and 15. Which means you’re in line for some Triumph, Atomic Rooster and Edgar Winter.

I always had a sneaky wee liking for the melodic Maple mayhem of Triumph, even if they did seem like a bunch of egomaniacs back in the day.

Anyone who knows me will know that I am one of the worlds leading authorities on Atomic Rooster having written (and published) articles in international magazines. Even in Finland! My ludicrously large Rooster vinyl collection would shame someone who knew what shame was. Which leaves me out of it.

Finally, it’s Edgar Winter. Hurrah! I spent last Saturday night watching a DVD of a concert he die with Leon Russell back in the eighties, and make no apologies for digging out a jazzy version of ‘Frankenstein’.

Enjoy.

MP3 one – Triumph – Magic Power
MP3 two – Atomic Rooster – Devil’s Answer
MP3 two – Edgar Winter – Frankenstein

A wee bonus as well. You can never have too much Judas Priest, so here’s one of my favourites from waaaaaaay back in the day. @Genocide’ from “Sad Wings of Destiny”. A gem!

MP3 three – Judas Priest – Genocide

And here’s The Wellington, in all its glory! I wonder if Albert used to run the travel agency?

See Edgar Winter on the Old Grey Whistle Test below;

Kuttings Korner 3 – Stallions Of The Highway

Get Ready To Rock with Hereward Radio, as the mighty Saxon team up with Excalibur for five pounds worth of Friday night fun in Peterborough.

Who’d have thought that nineteen years down the line, that Saxon would be back playing proper sized, packed out venues, eh? It didn’t look like it down Peterborough way in 1990. I was there, by the way, as in them days you could get on the sleeper back up to Embra about half past midnight in Peterborough, chug along for twenty minutes, then stop in a siding in Watford for about three hours.

I was very, very drunk, and may have done my bit to live down to the internationtal stereotypical Scotchman. Saxon didn’t seem very happy either, as they bludgeoned their way through a half heartet set to a half empty room of pissed nonces. I’m glad they’ve dragged themselves back up the ladder, as they were the first heavy metal band I ever saw, supporting Motorhead at the Edinburgh Odeon in nineteen mumblety mumble. And they still rocked a couple of months ago at the ABC in Glasgow, despite Doro making a brave effort to steal their heavy metal thunder.

Enjoy.

MP3 one – Live To Rock
MP3 two – Stallions Of the Highway

And my favourite ever Saxon track

MP3 three – Mr Hs favourite ever Saxon track

There are a gazillion best of albums, but this is a triple album for under a fiver. Buy it here.

Here’s Saxon with Lemmy (Motorhead), Angry Anderson (Rose Tattoo) and Andi Deris from Helloween.

Let’s Talk About Uber Hot Chicks

I’ve bravely undertaken the task of preparing a Rock Profile special for Getreadytorock radio on the luscious Pat Benatar.

Scarily, it’s a whole thirty years since her first album came out, which means that it’s 28 years since I developed a ludicrous and still palpating crush on the divine Ms Benatar.

When I realised what anniversary it was, it made me mourn the passing of time, as it’s now five years since I wrote a 25th anniversary retrospective for Record Collector magazine, although it seems like a matter of months. On the plus side, it gave me yet another excuse to leaf through my collection of Pat pictures. Purely for ‘research’ purposes, of course. You can see a portion of my Benatar collection here.

So, I’m going to treat you to a couple of tunes from Ms Benatar, while I go and lie down in a darkened room with only her Hit Videos compilation for company.

MP3 one – Passion – one of the most recent studio recordings from Pat, which was done for an advert for summat or other.
MP3 two – The Effect You Have On Me – from a tribute album to Edith Piaf (why?)
MP3 three – All Fired Up – a live version of one of Pats most rockingest tracks.

Watch some vintage Pat below;

Still awesome in the 21st century

There are a gazillion best of albums, but this is good enough. Buy it here.

Eurovision BBC shame

Eurovision BBC shame

It’s Eurovision this Saturday, which means the phone will be switched off, the door will be locked and I will be immersing myself in my annual Eurovision frenzy.

This year is shaping up to be a good one, although replacing the odious Terry Wogan with the infantile AND odious Graham Norton doesn’t bode well for the commentary.

I’m also worried about the BBC coverage, after their shameful performance during Euro Sme Final Part 1, when they failed to screen the greatest half time entertainment in the history of half time entertainment.

Yes, the Russians went all out with a vintage performance containing hand standing hoodies, cheerleaders, faux lesbians atu singing ‘They’re Not Going To Get Us’, along with the Red Army Choir, some blow-up (not blown up) tanks and a Mig fighter plane.

It’s why telly was invented, so praise be to YouTube.

I’m still suporting the Ukrainian entry by Svetlana Loboda – ‘Be My Valentine’, and expect you all to vote for her on Saturday.

The live version is below;

Altogether now;

Ahh ahah you are sexy BOM
Yeah ahha yeah ahha

You are so sexy BOM
Gonna make me crazy BOM
Were gonna do the BOM-BOM
Aint that amazing BOM

Im very busy BOM
Its not so easy BOM
Im gonna tease you BOM BOM
Without a reason BOM

And the fishul video is here.

Let’s Talk About Chicks, Ja

Let’s Talk About Chicks, Ja

Yup, for the next wee while, we’re going to be talking about chicks, man.

Now, we like chicks here at GHMI. They smell good, they’re soft to the touch, and if you’re lucky, they’ll put out. However, one thing they’re not so good at, is the Rawk.

So I’ll be firing up a few examples of girls singing, good and bad, for your perusal, amusal and disposal.

And today, we’re talking about Doro Pesch.

I first saw the delightful Doro way back in nineteen eighty mumble, when she was still fronting Warlock, a slightly rubbish, lumpy German metal band. They may have been supporting Iron Maiden, but it was a long time ago.

Fast forward a couple of decades and a bit, and I saw her opening for Saxon earlier this month, and she was fan-bloody-tastic, although I did check carefully for any signs of an invasion, after all the Teutonic shouting and gesticulating that had went on. So here is your metal treat for today. A Billy Idol cover performed by a German metal queen. Don’t say I’m not good to you!

MP3 one – White Wedding

Watch the video for ‘Unholy Love’ below

Doro Unholy Love video – Doro Unholy Love video

She has a splendid new album, which you can buy here.

Let’s Talk About Chicks, Man

Let’s Talk About Chicks, Man

Yup, for the next wee while, we’re going to be talking about chicks, man.

Now, we like chicks here at GHMI. They smell good, they’re soft to the touch, and if you’re lucky, they’ll put out. However, one thing they’re not so good at, is the Rawk.

So I’ll be firing up a few examples of girls singing, good and bad, for your perusal, amusal and disposal.

And we’re starting with Cheetah.

An Australian rock band active between 1977 and 1982, the vocal and focal points were sisters Chrissie Hammond and Lyndsay Hammond. They were signed by Vanda & Young, who were trying to parlay their AC/DC success into a broader currency, and ended up on French disco label, Carrere, who also had fellow Oztralians Rose Tattoo, as well as the mighty Saxon.

Naturally, it didn’t work, mainly due to the music not actually being that good. Well, actually, some of the songs are good, but the flat as a pancake production did them no favours. Not that that stopped me buying the “Rock’n'Roll Women” album, and swooning over Lyndsay when they came to Britain on tour. Their album is sadly unavailable on CD, but due to the power of technology, I’ve ripped two hissy vinyl tunes for your pleasure.

The sisters have periodically reformed for Oztralian tours and you can read all abaht them here.

MP3 one – Spend The Night
MP3 two – I’m Yours
MP3 three – Rock and Roll Women

Watch the video for ‘Spend The Night’ below

And if you want to see a couple of more videos, one vintage, one recent, then head off to my Imeem page.

Death Disco 2009 Part 4

Welcome back to Mr H’s Death Disco 2009

If you’re confused about what this entails, then take a look back at Part 1 for guidance. Otherwise, prepare yourself for the next track listed down below.

It’s the 50th birthday of Motown, so it seems appropriate to feature a cast iron Detroit classic. Mind you, I don’t think Berry Gordy envisaged it this way.

As before, a beautifully designed pictographical representation is down below somewhere to assist you in the identification of the band who originally recorded it..

So without further ado, I present the fourth part of the 2009 Death Disco! Insert fanfare here, and click to download. Or you can play them all as they arrive in the Death Box over on the right hand side of your screen.

Pictogram representation somewhere below here.