The power trio. How does rock ‘n’ roll get any more primal than a scrappy, stripped-down combo striving to sound as big and loud as their more fortified competitors? Across the spectrum, power trios over the past several decades have done just that in spades to varying degrees of success. At the top of the heap, you have the likes of Cream, Rush, ZZ Top, Motörhead and Green Day. Then, there are the likes of The Jam and Blue Cheer that have achieved ironclad cult status.
The two fearless power trios that we’re going to get into here, both arrived at the dawn of the ‘80s, specifically during the onset of both the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) and US metal boom.
You can’t talk about the NWOBHM without mentioning—or fixating—a bit on Raven. The Newcastle three-piece forged a unique sound with its first three records and was one of the very first bands to place an extra-heavy emphasis on speed. But Raven’s style goes beyond just the breakneck pace of its output. Formed by brothers John (bass, lead vocals) and Mark (guitar) Gallagher in the mid-’70s, the band’s key lineup was rounded out by drummer Rob Hunter a few years later. Gigging with punk bands, prog outfits, and other ‘70s holdovers, the band developed a style that meshed raunchy guitars with snarky vocals and earth-shattering rhythms that defied the confines of the established genres of the day.
But, good timing was on the band’s side as it signed with the now-iconic Neat Records, one of the pioneering labels of the NWOBHM scene that also featured other trailblazers such as black metal thrash merchants Venom, along with other important early bands like Jaguar, Tygers of Pan Tang, Warfare and others.
Raven’s first three studio albums are its best by most accounts, before its foray into major-label territory (more on that in a few), and the band would soon become household names in the new metal scenes taking shape in the UK and US. Even now, Raven is seen as one of the main influences on early thrash bands such as Anthrax, Exodus, and Metallica. (Fun fact: Raven toured with Metallica in support in 1983.)
But what really set Raven apart was its relentless dedication to its art. Rather than follow the trends, the band incorporated the heavier elements of hard rock, the attitude and thrash of early punk, the unconventional structure of prog, and the songcraft of the prime-era ‘60s rock, a la The Who and The Kinks. In fact, guitarist Mark Gallagher—with his war-torn Fender Telecaster—would often resemble a young and deranged Pete Townshend onstage.
John Gallgher’s idiosyncratic vocals and lyrics were also a standout, with the singer bucking the macho frontman routine for more of a frenetic, unhinged approach with some clever wordplay here and there. In spite of its raucous approach to the music, Raven was far from the caveman side of the heavy metal spectrum.
Now, some 40 years after its original release, the band’s debut Rock Until You Drop has been reissued in an expansive, deluxe box set. Kicking off with the proto-thrash “Hard Ride,” the band sets the tone with a muscular riff Gallagher’s over-the-top vocals. ‘Hell Patrol” keeps the pace up with an ultra-fast shuffle that is both bombastic and unexpected. Rather than defaulting to relentless thrash, the band’s knack for snappy songwriting elevates this number into something completely different (think vintage ZZ Top meets Megadeth and played through a broken speaker). Aside from John Gallagher’s off-kilter vocal delivery, brother Mark Gallagher is also an integral part of the sound. His unhinged but tasteful approach is creative and refreshing, and outstanding in a sea of soundalikes. There are equal parts punk and rock ‘n’ roll in his often bizarre solos and fills, adding an extra layer of uniqueness to the mix.
The long-overdue box celebrates this influential artifact across four discs, which include the original remastered album from 1981, early demo sessions, some live sets from the period, an interview, and more. Meticulously collected, the Rock Until You Drop: Over the Top Edition (Cherry Red Records) has everything a Raven fan from the period would be looking for—and then some. Also, check out new vinyl reissues of the band’s first three albums from Culture Factory Records, who’ve also done a fine job of telling the story with plush, colored vinyl editions.
After two more groundbreaking and influential albums for Neat, the band would break somewhat into the mainstream in the US, and release a pair of albums during the mid-’80s that would see it play up its “athletic rock” image literally, donning shoulder pads, face masks, shin guards and animated makeup. Going back to the band’s penchant for doing its own thing, it was an interesting idea, until it failed to catch fire, and the band would soon go back to its thrashier roots.
While Raven was making a ruckus overseas, the US was also gearing up for a full-on metal onslaught of its own that would later see unparalleled popularity throughout the ‘80s. One seedy trio from New York would soon join the fray. The Rods came together in Cortland, New York in 1980 and were formed by guitarist and vocalist David “Rock” Feinstein, drummer Carl Canedy and bassist Steven Starmer. Feinstein also happened to be the cousin of none other than metal deity Ronnie James Dio and played alongside him in the heavy blues rock band, Elf going back to the late ‘60s. Canedy also played a key role in the early ’80s metal renaissance, producing stuff for the likes of Anthrax, Overkill, Exciter, and others.
The band played everywhere and anywhere developing a following for its raucous performances and would release the independent album Rock Hard. Soon, Starmer would depart and bassist Gary Bordonaro would join, solidifying the band’s core lineup.
While on the surface, The Rods may have seemed like street urchins on a binge, the band packed a lot of musical muscle within its sparse, three-piece format. Feinstein had a superior vocal range and played a mean guitar against the pummeling rhythm section of Canedy and Bordonaro. And the band’s propensity for sweeping harmonies was an unexpected bonus. A deal with Arista Records would soon follow and Rock Hard would be reissued as The Rods for the band’s major label debut in 1981.
The burgeoning metal press, especially overseas, was ecstatic, and the release helped usher in a new strain of American heavy metal that would soon no longer play second fiddle to its UK cousins. The Rods were to some degree the US equivalent to another, far-more famous power trio, Motörhead. And while the band’s name sounded punk and its major-label debut featured a photo that recalled the Ramones’ first album, its roots were solidly metal with nods to ‘70s arena rock and even vintage rock ‘n’ roll, as evident in tracks such as the debut’s “Power Lover” and “Crank It Up.”
The second album, Wild Dogs would be the band’s final release for Arista. Coerced by the suits to create a radio-ready, pop metal offering, the band was at odds with the label and seemed to hold out as much as it could—and it’s that exact struggle that makes Wild Dogs interesting. The negative energy surrounding the album’s creation informs the material with a sense of urgency and continuity—there are as many melodic flourishes as there are seedy riffs and interesting twists. Opener “Too Hot To Stop” kicks things off in style with a pounding, chain-gang chorus. “Burned By Love” is sneakily infectious, featuring an eerie, spidery riff courtesy of Feinstein, and a massive, layered chorus that’s melodic and slightly quirky.
Again the Brits loved it, but the album failed to do much over here. Soon enough, the band would get dropped by its label and release further albums on a slew of different independent labels, but not before some high-profile tours with Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and—in similar fashion to Raven—an early headlining slot with a then young and hungry Metallica.
The Rods have reunited and reformed to play festivals and have even released new material over the past decade. Now, to commemorate 40 years of glorious noise, the band has unleashed Metal Will Never Die – The Official Bootleg Box Set 1981-2010 (HNE Records). In true bootleg fashion, the quality of the recordings varies quite a bit, and the label is very upfront about that in its marketing materials. But for fans of The Rods, that’s part of the charm. There are no special effects, overdubs, or any studio trickery to be had whatsoever on this 4-disc set. What you get is four live sets—two from the band’s prime early ‘80s era and two from its resurgence. Each set is a warts-and-all representation of a band that’s still got the fire in the belly and metal coursing through its veins. For further listening, also check out HNE’s killer reissue of Wild Dogs.
For questions, comments, or something you’d like to see, drop me a note at Retrohead77@yahoo.com. Cheers
