ISM - I Think I Love You (1983)

The early days of hardcore were sometimes confusing for a guy based 1000's of miles from the center. This band were categorized as hardcore, as comicbook and lumped in with the Berts by some, but make no mistake they're really important and were at the epicenter; as soon I got this 7'' I was hooked.

In my opinion, this a great New York band who came my way via a compilation tape and quickly made their way onto my "wants list". They are really chaotic, yet can clearly play their instruments and manage to make a discordant racket sound like the best thing since sliced bread.

This 7'' needs to be heard. A really good band who lasted for far too few years, but they managed to release a couple of albums, and 7'' along with a 12''. I'd suggest getting them all.

Music

This 7'' is pure genius.

New York Dolls - Dancing Backward in High Heels.

I'm always a little dubious when a band reforms after a long break as it can sometimes just mean they want to make some cash and run the nostalgia circuit; Sex Pistols anyone? I'm not against that per se but I prefer it when a band reforms and continues to releases records, so the Dolls reforming was an "oh shit" moment as it could've been a disaster. Gladly, if you bought Coz I sez So, you'll know it wasn't as it's a bloody good record.

They just played my home town recently and I neglected to go, a move I might well regret, but thanks to a guy at work, hi John, I've now heard their latest album - Dancing backward in high heels. This wasn't as instant as the previous one, but it's still a good record and definitely worth investing a few quid in.

Here's a track from their previous album: -

Johnny Thunders - So Alone (1978)

I like the early New York Dolls, but I wasn't a massive fan, they were just a decent band imo. On the other hand i was a huge fan of The Heartbreakers and Johnny Thunders; this is his first solo release and something he never managed to better, again imo. The line up who played on this record is just a who's who of artists I love: -

• Steve Jones and Paul Cook of the Pistols.
• Paul Gray and Steve Nicol - Eddie and the Hot Rods
• Chrissie Hynde - The Pretenders
• Phil Lynott - Thin Lizzy (yep....I love them)
• Steve Marriott -Small Faces 
• Patti Palladin - Snatch
• Walter Lure and Billy Rath - The Heartbreakers
• Peter Perrett and Mike Kellie - The Only Ones
• Steve Lillywhite - producer extraordinaire

This was recorded after the Heartbreakers split due to pressures from recording LAMF. I'd be hard pushed to pick between the two albums; LAMF is straight ahead punk/rock album, while this is Thunders in a more relaxed mode. It's a great, great album.

I got to see Thunders quite a few times, and the Heartbreakers, and he was mostly good to great, but the last time I saw him playing has left a bad memory as he was completely wasted, missing chords, forgetting lyrics and playing for far too short a time. Sad really.

It's 20 years this month since he died/was murdered...who knows, I guess we never will.

RIP Mr Genzale and many thanks for the great music.

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Idols - You (1979)

After the Heartbreakers disbanded Jerry started a band with a couple of ex early London scensters and an ex doll: -

Steve Dior - Guitar/Vocals
Barry Jones - Guitar
Arthur Kane - Bass
Jerry Nolan - Drums

This was their only release and it's really good, but sadly after a stint back in the states Jerry was refused re-entry to the UK due to his previous drugs infractions and it ended the band. Steve and Barry kept playing around and they eventually morphed into the London Cowboys with Glen Matlock.

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Jerry Nolan - Take a Chance with Me 7'' (1982)

Jerry's solo single using an old Heartbreakers song as the A side, interesting if not destined to set the world on fire. The cover photo was taken by his wife Charoltte Nedeby; the A side featured Sylvain Slvain on keyboards.

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