The following five new Rock Candy titles are all available now from www.rockcandyrecords.com for a discounted price including postage to anywhere ending on October 16th.
MARCUS 'S/T' CANDY314
THIS ALBUM IS a truly a remarkable artefact. Originally issued in 1976 to little or no acclaim, the record, despite it striking cover art and incendiary contents, sank without trace until British music publication Sounds afforded the record a glowing lead review. Aficionados and avid fans of hard rock began a frantic search to obtain copies and were pleased to find that the praise was indeed well deserved. By then, however, the band had already spilt up, disillusioned by a lack of interest and receiving zero promotion.
It was an incredibly unfortunate set of circumstances as the album is a true classic, a mid seventies hard rock album with the reach and depth of a band that, without a doubt, should have risen to the very heights of success. Formed in Detroit by leader and vocalist Marcus Malone (a former member of Mitch Rider's Detroit Wheels), the group was discovered and brought to Los Angeles by 60s soul legend Ike Turner, who secured them a deal with United Artists Records.
Produced by Stuart Alan Love (Phoenix, Black Sheep) the album resonates with impressive depth and maturity. The music is both accomplished and bold, fusing the grand swagger of Aerosmith with the progressive heaviness of Deep Purple. Featuring three lead guitars soloing away in a triple attack formation, alongside intricately arranged material, the record boasts a bevy of classic cuts, including 'Black Magic', Salmon Ball', 'Pillow Stars' and 'Highschool Ladies Streetcorner Babies'. An incredible statement of intent from one of the world's best kept secrets and, sadly, greatest losses.
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR'S EDITION, FULLY REMASTERED SOUND, 12 PAGE FULL COLOUR BOOKLET, 3,500 WORD ESSAY ABOUT THE MAKING OF THE ALBUM, NEW INTERVIEW WITH MARCUS MALONE AND ENHANCED ARTWORK.
TRACK LISTING: 1. BLACK MAGIC 2. SALMON BALL 3. KELLY 4. GYPSY FEVER 5. PILLOW STARS 6. HIGHSCHOOL LADIES STREETCORNER BABIES 7. DREAM WHEEL 8. RISE UNTO FALCON
MAYDAY 'S/T' CANDY288
WE AT ROCK Candy are often asked to reissue rarities and obscurities. With that in mind we have recently turned our attention to a number of acts that do indeed deserve our full attention despite the fact that they barely registered a blip on the rock radar at the time of release. Mayday are a case in point, being a truly outstanding unit that offered a refreshing and compelling alternative to the mega selling acts of the day yet, for whatever reason, were criminally overlooked at the time.
Initially called Sun, and formed in the mid to late seventies, with their roots in Chicago but basing themselves in New York City, Mayday plugged themselves into Manhattan's burgeoning club scene, playing underground clubs such as CBGB's, Great Gildersleeves and Max's Kansas City. It was this live circuit that helped to toughen the band up, winning them the attention of an independent production company who bank rolled the start of their debut album and helped them to sign to industry leaders A&M records.
Issued in 1981, the album was received with glowing reviews and set in motion a dedicated following amongst fans of perfectly executed melodic hard rock blessed with interesting twists and turns. The album boasts a number of superbly written and performed tracks, highlighting Steve Johnstad's captivating voice (compared on occasion with Steve Perry) and the biting guitar work of Randy Fredrix. Biggest surprise on offer is their inspired and indeed rousing version of the Starz classic 'So Young So Bad'.
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR'S EDITION, FULLY REMASTERED SOUND, 12 PAGE FULL COLOUR BOOKLET, 3,500 WORD ESSAY ABOUT THE MAKING OF THE ALBUM, NEW INTERVIEWS AND ENHANCED ARTWORK.
TRACK LISTING: 1. CHICAGO NIGHTS 2. SO YOUNG SO BAD 3. NEW YORK CITY 4. LOCO LOVE 5. LIFE IN SPACE 6. LOVE AFFAIR 7. INNOCENT BYSTANDER 8. GETAWAY 9. FAMILIAR FACES 10. ONCE UPON A TIME
MAYDAY 'REVENGE' CANDY289
NEW YORK CITY has, over the years, been home to a number of great rock acts, but during the early eighties it was fast losing ground to its west coast geographical rival, Los Angeles. NYC, for all its bravado, was actually more enamoured by the burgeoning alternative and power pop scene, scratch below the surface though and you could find several hard rock acts storming through, sticking bravely to a diet of tough-guy guitar work and well written melodic songs. Step forward Mayday, one such example of the city's hard rock counter movement.
Based in NYC, but with roots in Chicago, Mayday's debut album, for the well-respected independent label A&M, certainly put them on the map, helping to earmark them as an outfit to watch. The label's belief carried forward to the recording of their second album, albeit with a slightly revised line up but still retaining key member's, guitarist and song writer Randy Fredrix and vocalist Steve Johnstad ' the dynamic duo's creativity reaching a new level of confidence.
Issued in 1982, 'Revenge' showcases the band sharpening their approach and toughening up their chops, but without sacrificing a well-honed sense of melody and execution. It's all credit to the band that some of the songs showcase quirky twists that help to elevate them beyond the competition and lend a contemporary sheen to their sound.
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR'S EDITION, FULLY REMASTERED SOUND, 12 PAGE FULL COLOUR BOOKLET, 3,500 WORD ESSAY ABOUT THE MAKING OF THE ALBUM, NEW INTERVIEWS AND ENHANCED ARTWORK.
TRACK LISTING: 1. REVENGE 2. FIRST IMPRESSIONS 3. MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT 4. CHERRY 5. READY OR NOT 6. MYSTERY 7. IDENTITY 8. CRUISIN' 9. THIS GIRLS ON FIRE
BAD BOY 'THE BAND THAT MILWAUKEE MADE FAMOUS' CANDY311
GETTING A RECORD deal was not the easiest of tasks in the 1970s, especially if you were based in the mid-west of America with no real prospect of getting heard by industry big wigs at labels in New York or Los Angeles. There was no Internet, and telephone calls cost and arm and a leg. But, as the saying goes, there is no substitute for hard work, and by building a substantial local reputation, word soon spread that Bad Boy were a band fit for purpose.
Catching the ear of producer Bob Brown, who conveniently also worked in artist relations for the respected United Artists label, Bad Boy soon found themselves signed and flown out to Los Angeles to record their debut album. Issued in 1977, the album boasts powerful riffs and memorable songs, the sort of thing that elevated Aerosmith, Ted Nugent and Kiss to superstar status during a time when rough and tumble hard rock was all the rage.
'The Band That Milwaukee Made Famous', may have been a bit of a mouthful at the time but, to those in the know, it made perfect sense, being a humorous parody of a famous advertising hook used by one of the many Beer breweries based in the city. The album sold reasonably well, even making the Billboard charts, but Bad Boy didn't become a house hold name. This album did, however, provide an opportunity for them to record an impressive follow up, 'Back To Back'.
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR'S EDITION, FULLY REMASTERED SOUND, 12 PAGE FULL COLOUR BOOKLET, 3,500 WORD ESSAY ABOUT THE MAKING OF THE ALBUM, NEW INTERVIEWS AND ENHANCED ARTWORK.
TRACK LISTING: 1. OVERTURE 2. SHAKE ME UP 3. DISCO 4. LAST ROCK AND ROLLER 5. I GOTTA MOVE 6. MINDLESS BABBLING 7. WATCHING YOU 8. MACHINES 9. I'VE HAD ENOUGH 10. THINKING OF YOU
BAD BOY 'BACK TO BACK' CANDY312
THERE'S NO DOUBT that the 1970s were a golden time for blues infused rock, but it was also a period where the competition for attention was cut throat. Sure, if an act caught a wave of approval then the sky was the limit, for the majority of acts, however, it was a struggle to keep afloat, despite the fact that regional radio play and venues were plentiful and welcoming.
For Milwaukee, Wisconsin based four piece Bad Boy the odds were stacked against them, even though they had secured a coveted record deal with the United Artists label and had already gained a foothold with a well-received debut album. Stepping back into the studio they were a far more worldly wise team, and they crafted a record that sat easily beside master craftsmen of the era such as Aerosmith, Derringer, Cheap Trick and Kiss.
Originally issued in 1978, 'Back To Back' made for solid listening, focusing on melodic catchy songs with rock solid riffs. Tracks such as 'I Just Wanna Love You' and the funk infused 'Keep It Up' leave no stone unturned in their quest to impress. But the big winners here are the rifftastic 'No Stopping Me Now', and 'Take My Soul'/'Out Of Control', a near eight minute epic of the highest grade. With a regional following remaining forever loyal, the band were hamstrung by a label that was focussing on lighter fare, leaving them to pursue their quest for success independently whilst continuing to cultivate a solid legacy.
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR'S EDITION, FULLY REMASTERED SOUND, 12 PAGE FULL COLOUR BOOKLET, 3,500 WORD ESSAY ABOUT THE MAKING OF THE ALBUM, NEW INTERVIEW AND ENHANCED ARTWORK.
TRACK LISTING: 1. IT'S ALL RIGHT 2. ALWAYS COME BACK 3. ACCIDENTAL 4. GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS 5. KEEP IT UP 6. I JUST WANNA LOVE YOU 7. NO STOPPING ME NOW 8. ROCK AND ROLL BLOOD 9. TAKE MY SOUL (ROCK AND ROLL) / OUT OF CONTROL
