SPRING 1997

Issue No 12

Contents

• Fish Soup (News)
• Diary of a Madmann
• Eddie & The Hot Rods - Gasoline Days
• Summer Festivals 1996 (Photo's)
• Chris Thompson (Curriculum Vitae)
• The Brook Southampton 1997 (Martin Wilson)
• Winged Messenger (Letters)

Eddie & The Hot Rods - Gasoline Days

The Earthband's very own Mick Rogers became involved with Eddie & The Hot Rods in May 1995 laying down an album in a very short time. The album may be a little dated in some respects, but its quality lies in its directness which is doubtless partly a reflection of the speed in which it was recorded, with that freshness being retained.

The story goes that Mick was going to do some production work, but ended up finding the band short of a guitarist! Consequently, if you like Mr.Rogers playing with a live "feel" coupled with honest hard work then you need look no further. In fact the album is littered with the trademark Mick licks and plenty of easily recognisable backing vocals.

As a bonus Mick steps up to the microphone as lead vocalist on 3 tracks, "Just Do It", "(Oh No) What You Gonna Do" and the title track "Gasoline Days". Although Mick was not responsible for any song writing duties if, like me, you're waiting to hear more of Mick's vocals and guitar and hoping his long awaited solo deal in Germany is confirmed soon, then this album is also to be recommended.

I'll save you a boring track by track breakdown, except to say its punchy with most tracks clocking in at about the 4 minute mark and three being less than 3 minutes long. Mick also played in Europe with the band a few pictures are featured on the sleeve. It would have been interesting to hear Mick on the classic Rods track "Do Anything You Wanna Do", for example as covered in "Criminal Tango" (got any tapes Mick?)

All in all, I'm sure Mick enjoyed playing live with the band and having witnessed him live last year with Earthband and the totally brilliant show at Southampton in February, (I know I'm biased, but I think the technical description of the performance that night is shit hot!), who's to say he hasn't benefited by playing some different songs with some musicians from a new wave (as was) background.

The album hasn't been totally conspicuous in the racks, so if you are having trouble finding it, I can always recommend Track Records, 15 High Ousegate, YORK. YO1 2RZ Telephone 01904-610637 both for the speed of service and their efforts to track down something for you. The CD was released by Creative Man Discs, PO Box 2903 LONDON. N1 3NE (Cat No CMCD008)

Graeme Yates

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