by Mott the Dog
***** 5 Stars
The Deviants have been going in one form or another
since 1966. Over the years a multitude of Rock ‘n’ Roll drifters have
gone through their ranks. Most have gone on to form the basis of the
English Underground Rock Scene like “The Pretty Things”, “Hawkwind’’,
“The Pink Fairies” and “Warsaw Pakt”. Although often thought of as
a British band, leading from the front has always been misplaced American,
lead vocalist and muse, Mick Farren, making him the John Mayall of his own
genre.
Since 1978, standing beside him on stage, playing Wyatt
Earp to Farren’s Doc Holiday, has been guitarist extraordinaire Andy
Colquhoun. In 1978 he had just come out of the punk era, after leaving
“Tanz Der Youth” with Brian James ex-Damned, playing music that they
themselves had labelled “Transmagical”. So, he needed no further
recommendation to Mr. Farren. Since then they have blazed a cosmic trail
across the fluctuating skies of Rock ‘n’ Roll, often dropping down
onto the surface of the Planet to lend a hand to like-minded musical
compadres such as the magnificent “Pink Fairies” re-union in 1987.
(“The Kill ‘em and Eat ‘em” Tour and Album).
But six years after their last album, “The
Deviants” are back with their new album ‘Dr. Crow’. And let me tell
you, this is not a bird to be taken lightly. Mick Farren keeps his role as
the voice of the Deviants, writing some of the most weird but powerful
lyrics that have come out of Rock ‘n’ Roll in many a moon. To keep
those vocal chords in order Mick must still be using sulphuric acid to
gargle with rather than Listerine.
Musical director and lead guitarist Andy Colquhoun is
still his perfect foil, laying down some Sonic psychedelic Hendrix
influenced licks to accompany his old buddy. On ‘Dr. Crow’ the Dynamic
Duo has been joined by the Amazing Doug Lunn, who has been the big noise
behind too many bands and sessions to mention. But to quote him from the
album sleeve (which also includes excellent art work from the late great
Edward Barker, nobody draws Crows like that anymore):
“I started with nothing and I still have most of it.
Music has always been my favorite revolutionary sport. I have friends in
few places.’’
Sadly he sounds like a lot of people this Dog knows.
Filling the drum stool (you won’t find any drum machines on a Deviants
album) is one Ric Parnell, the son of famous British bandleader Jack. Ric
has had an interesting career to say the least. Firstly with British Prog-Rockers
“Atomic Rooster” in the seventies and then with various other bands
and sessions including the dubious honour of twice having filled the
tricky job of Skinsman with “Spinal Tap”. I jest not.
The music starts out strongly (and then gets stronger)
with “When Dr. Crow turns on the Radio”. It begins with the spoken
words, “Appears to be a suicide mission”, which has all the Deviants
trademarks, like gruff vocals, a catchy verse, a strong backbeat, an
opening riff that would shed skin, and a guitar solo that kicks in an
extra gear. All of it builds up to an orgasmic finale with the talents of
Jack Lancaster (ex “Blodwyn Pig’’) on saxophone being brought in to
swap solos with Andy Colquhoun. Sounds good? It gets better. Next up is
over seven minutes of the Beefheart/Blues “You’re Gonna need somebody
on your Bond’’ with its rock solid structure, featuring a never
bettered duet between Mick Farren and Johnette Hapolitane. Over the middle
songs the music remains at an impossibly high standard with Mick Farren
letting everybody know in no uncertain terms his views of the stupidity of
warmongers and the general absurdity of the world.
But not all of the songs have a totally serious subject
matter, as in “Diabolo’s Cadillac” Mick Farren’s ode to his
favorite cocktail, the “El Diabolo”, a drink only second in depravity
to the “Pan-Galactic Gargleblaster”. (An “El Diablo” is basically
a “Long Island Iced Tea” with no vodka but replacing it with a double
shot of tequila. This should be approached with extreme caution.) Mick
Farren leaves you in no doubt as to how you will feel the next day if you
wake up.
“Bela Lugosi 2002” is another warning to beware of
the Darkside of the Force. “A Long Dry Season” sees Ric Parnell vacate
the drum seat to let old pal Phil (Filthy Animal) Taylor, ex Motorhead,
have a bash and very well he does, too, giving this spoken word song some
interesting twists and turns. The band then all return for a final romp
through “What do you Want?”, a great way to leave everybody to go home
happy. Nothing like a bit of straight ahead Rock ‘n’ Roll to raise the
spirits at the end of the day.
A truly great album from Mick and the boys. It would
easily get Mott the Dogs album of the year if it had not been released in
the same year as Larry Wallis’ “Death in the Guitarfternoon”. But it
certainly runs it a close second.
Real Rock music made by real people, for real people,
and should be bursting out of the Tahitian Queen’s speakers this
weekend.
Musicians
Mick Farren - Vocals
Andy Colquhoun - Guitars
Doug Lunn - Bass
Ric Parnell - Drums
Songs
When Dr. Crow Turns on the Radio
You’re Gonna Need Somebody on Your Bond
The Murdering Officer
Sold to Babylon
Taste the Blue
Song of the Hired Guns
Diabolo’s Cadillac
Bela Lugosi 2002
A Long Dry Season
What do you want?
To contact Mott the Dog email: [email protected]
This is a book with a great literary history in this
country. Written by award winning Kanha Surangkhanang, The Prostitute
(ISBN 967-65-3079-4) was first self-published in 1937 after local
publishers refused to accept it, being considered a scandalous topic to be
penned by a young lady of breeding. The fact that it is still being
reprinted (now as a paper-back Oxford University Press) over 50 years
later, says much for the inherent substance of the book itself.
Another Star Trek movie, is it possible? You might ask,
haven’t we had enough?
Mott’s CD review: