Lost Classic #3

Being from Canada, I have always followed a lot of the Hard Rock and Metal bands our country has produced.  Most have not gone on to multi-platinum success, but the quality has been high, and always influential. Ottawa's Exciter were one of the premier forces in North American Metal in the early 80's.  While other bands like Anthrax, Metallica and Slayer went on to larger audiences, and bigger successes, Exciter was left behind, but not before releasing some of the greatest Metal of the era.  

Their second album, Violence & Force is a classic.  At the time, when I was a teeneager, we were always on the lookout for new bands, and discovered a ton of great stuff from the era.  Bands like Raven, Anvil, Mercyful Fate and Venom were a big part of our musical tastes at that age.  I bought this as a blind buy, it had a crazy cover, and the band members on the back looked pretty cool.  I remember actually sending a note to the band asking for a patch for my jacket...and I'm still waiting lol.  Anyway, this record is full of classic metal, and really should be considered (along with the crushing debut Heavy Metal Maniac) as one of the original examples of Thrash.


 Not a bad track on the record, full of pounding drums and thrashy riffs.  The highlight for me has always been drummer Dan Beehler's voice.  The record is full of true metal anthems such as Scream In the Night, Pounding Metal, Delivering To The Master, and the blistering title track.  I've often felt that although fans in the know get it, Exciter really should have been bigger.  At the time they were playing shows with Motorhead, Anthrax and Mercyful Fate, and those bands all became legendary.  However, it's not a popularity contest, and Exciter put out some classic records.  It's too bad people weren't paying attention.  Violence & Force needs to be recognized as a classic of the genre.  Here's the title track.  Until next time, Horns Up!

My All Time Fave Albums #25

Here's another great record that had a huge influence on me growing up.  A band ahead of their time, with chops, a great image, and most importantly, incredible songs that stand the test of time.  I bring you Sweet, and their 1974 masterpiece, Desolation Boulevard.

My first experience with this album was through a neighbors teenage son, who one afternoon introduced us 8 year old kids to Ballroom Blitz, knowing that we all loved KISS.  After hearing that, I was hooked.  I actually didn't own a copy of it until Junior High, and once that happened, it was in regular rotation.  The version of the record we grew up with was not the same version that was released in the UK.  Our version was a combination of the UK Desolation Boulevard, and their previous album, the amazing Sweet Fanny Adams, along with the two singles Ballroom Blitz and Fox On The Run.  This was something I didn't realize until sometime in the last 15 years.  I now have both versions ,and they both rule in their own right.  

Desolation Boulevard is full of pop rock/glam hooks and chunks of Andy Scott's proto-metal guitar and Steve Priest's bass.  Songs like the above mentioned hit singles blend along deep hard rockers like Set Me Free, Into The Night and Sweet F.A.  The record also includes one of their greatest tracks ever in The Six Teens, where vocalist Brian Connolly really shines.  The UK version includes the riffy Turn It Down, more Glam Metal in Medusa, and drummer Mick Tucker's (who should be mentioned in the same breath as Bonham and Moon) tour de force, The Man With The Golden Arm.

For me, Sweet (along with the mighty Slade) is a band that although they did have some great success with their early hit singles, should have been one of the biggest rock bands ever. The four albums from Sweet F.A. through to Off The Record are as good (or better) than most hard rock stuff from the 70's.  Now, I list them along all the great rock acts of all time..., most know them for Little Willy and Ballroom Blitz.  A criminally underrated band (especially in North America), Sweets's influence can be heard in almost everyone from Def Leppard to Motley Crue, and most of the late 80's L.A. hard rock scene.  One of the all time greats.  Here's a vid of their amazing (and personal fave), Turn It Down!  Do exactly that!! R.I.P Brian and Mick. Until next time...