SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2014
English
punk legends The Social Deviants began their career back in 1967 with
their debut album "Ptooff!" The album would become an underground U.K.
cult classic being re-issued on five different record labels. The band
would record two more albums, before parting ways. Founding member Mick
Farren would continue on, shortening the name to The Deviants and
calling upon the help of MC5's Wayne Kramer and Motorhead's Phil Taylor
to lend a hand when needed.
After collapsing onstage in 2013, Farren died just two months shy of
his 70th birthday. So, as a tribute and a reminder of this U.K.
underground punk sensation, Gonzo Multimedia is re-issuing three of The
Deviants later albums (1999's "The Deviants Have Left The Planet,"
1999's "Barbarian Princes (Live In Japan)," and 2002's "Dr. Crow").
The
pick of these new releases is the CD (now with a bonus DVD)
of "Barbarian Princes (Live In Japan)." It shows this band in its most
raw form, live and without any boundaries. While Mick Farren may have
been the leader of The Deviants, guitarist Andy Colquhoun is the star of
the show, pulling out all of his guitar tricks, turning songs like
"God's Worst Nightmare" and "Dogpoet" into amazing jams. They turn Bob
Dylan's "It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)" into a chaotic mess, while
showing their bluesier side with "Lennon Song." The DVD is of the same
show with the corrected running order of the songs, but the film is
something to be desired. While not filmed in high definition, at least
there is a filmed document of this band performing live.
The
other two new releases, "Dr. Crow" and "The Deviants Have Left The
Planet" also show other sides to the band's underground success. The
band's final studio album "Dr. Crow" mixes a few cover songs in with its
originals to showcase the band's talents for keeping their music fresh
and raw. While the punk-like furry of their early albums may be missing,
the raw, straight-up rock feel of "Bela Lugosi 2002" and "Song Of The
Hired Guns" shows a maturity within the band's songwriting and
musicianship. The Deviants also put their stamp on the Beatles' classic
"Strawberry Fields Forever" and "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance."
Mick
Farren collected demos, outtakes and live versions of some of their
early songs for the 1999 compilation album "The Deviants Have Left The
Planet." The studio songs feature former Motorhead drummer Phil Taylor
and guitarist Andy Colquhoun as this trio could have brought The
Deviants a bigger slice of the music world than ever before. While the
live/studio feel of the album mixes up the flow, it is also great to
have all these songs together to enjoy.
CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AT GONZO:
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