This is one of those records that you just wouldn’t know existed unless you stumble across it in the racks of your favourite record emporium. From the snippets of information available this is limited to 2000 12” records and for all those who like their rock dipped in the 70’s it’s well worth seeking out.
The drill seems straight forward enough, get four down and dirty rock and roll bands to pick a cover each and give it the full overblown hair metal treatment. So far, so good. For those that love Deep Purple, ‘Toys in the Attic’ era Aerosmith, Dave Lee Roth fronted Van Halen, AC DC and early Kiss this is for you. ‘Kid A’ it is not.
So we get THE HELLACOPTERS, an influence on everyone from The Hives to most of the Detroit scene, giving their own unique take on Smokey Robinsons ‘Little Miss Sweetness’. All big guitars, Deep Purple keyboards and buggar all Motown soul. Australians THE CASANOVAS stick to what they know and serve up Ted Nugents’ ‘Just What the Doctor Ordered’ in a bizarre blend of scuzzy Aerosmith riffs and The Beatles ‘Taxman’ in what could have been an awful mess but in reality turns out to be one huge slice of fun. With compulsory masturbatory guitar solo.
If you’re still scratching your head over the success of THE DATSUNS (count me in) their version of ‘I ain’t got Time for Love’ by The Fun Things ain’t gonna change a thing. It’s not so much they’re a bad band but rather it is difficult to see why them over any number of other 70’s throwbacks. That’s the NME for you I suppose. Certainly there is nothing to separate them from the other bands on this EP and this cover version would sit easily on their debut album. That’s not to say they are without their merits, this rocks like prime time AC DC crossed with Deep Purple histrionics. Lead singer, Dolf rasps his way over screaming guitar lines and shouty backing vocals and everyone seems to be having a rare old time.
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Highlight of the EP has to be THE FLAMING SIDEBURNS (great name). Their take on Lou Reed's ‘Leave me Alone’ is a treat and worth handing over your pennies for by itself. Perhaps it’s the break from stadium rock worship but their sleazy groove ridden dirge would make Lou proud (ok, maybe it would just make him grumpy but bear with me here). The Flaming Sideburns have the whole New York ‘cool as fuck’ thing going on and mix it up with guttural Iggy grunts and Stooges grind. Not bad for a band from Helsinki.
Although none of this is likely to be filed under ‘Earth Shattering’, it is the sound of four bands of unashamed rockers cracking open the Jack and celebrating the bands they love. Join the party.
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