5 Stars *****
With a band Called ‘Waysted’ and an album called
“The Good, The Bad, and The Waysted,” this just had to be a fine Rock
‘n’ Roll album, but right from the first track it surpasses all
expectations, giving you full on music right from the get-go.
First a little history behind the band. ‘Waysted’
was led by Pete Way who, from 1969-1982, had been the bassist and one of
the chief songwriters with rock band ‘U.F.O.’ From their humble
beginnings they went on to worldwide superstardom in the late seventies,
with top twenty albums and playing concerts to 60,000 people at a time,
and with an entourage of twenty-four. At the height of their heyday German
guitar legend Michael Schenker left on the eve of an all-important
American tour, and although replacements were brought in U.F.O. never
really recovered. Way finally jumped ship in 1982, firstly to play bass in
the Ozzy Osbourne Road Band. (Ozzy’s instructions to Way every night
were “Go Mental” which was no problem to Pete Way.)
When it was time to look round and form a new band
“Fast’ Eddie Clarke had just left ‘Motorhead’, so “Fastway”
was formed. Jerry Shirley was at a loose end after the demise of ‘Humble
Pie’ so he almost naturally filled the drum stool, and a young vocalist
with the looks and voice of Robert Plant with the name of Dave King was
given the front man role.
Sounds to good to be true: a real super group. Yup it
was. Although it looked great on paper, the chemistry of the band never
gelled and after a disastrous album and tour, Way split to look for
pastures new, taking Jerry Shirley with him.
After various auditions and false starts ‘Waysted’
was formed with old ex-U.F.O. cohort Paul Chapman on lead guitar,
replacing original guitarist Jimmy Dilella in time to co-write all of the
band written songs for the first album proper, whilst a young Scot by the
name of Fin Muir was brought in to front the band - not an enviable task
for an unknown to stand out there with so much experience behind and
beside him up there on the boards, or in the studio, but they breed them
pretty canny up there in the Highlands and Mrs. Muir’s little boy went
on to prove himself to be cut of the same cloth as many other fine
Scottish rock singers (Frankie Miller, Alex Harvey, Dan Macaferty, and Bon
Scott, to name but a few). By the time they got into the studio he was the
star of the show.
For this CD release what you get is ‘Waysted’s’
first release, a mini album of five tracks, preceded by the official first
album (nine tracks) by which time Jerry Shirley had been replaced by Andy
Parker bringing the ex-U.F.O. contingent up to three, and a final bonus
track. As there is not a duff track amongst them, extremely good value for
money.
From the guitar riff-raff of the opening song, “Hang
‘em High” the music literally gallops out of the speakers. Fin’s
vocals give the band a bit of an early AC/DC sound, but with Paul
Chapman’s guitar rounding off any rough edges, especially when allowed
to stretch out on some of the longer songs, like the superb “Manuel” -
a really earthy rocker that clocks in at just under six minutes. When
these guys really want to Rock ‘n’ Roll the roof just flips off.
There is only one cover song on this collection, and
the band wisely chose Chuck Berry’s “Around and Around” which they
rip apart and then put back together in fine Rockin style, with a tongue
in cheek spoken intro by Fin before the band come in, Fin changing the
words slightly to incorporate the band’s moniker in:
“We were Rockin’ goin around and around,
Yeah reelin’ out and rockin,
What a Waysted sound.”
Then finishing the song with a cheeky “Alright
Chuck”.
Ah, Rock ‘n ‘ Roll - you can’t beat it.
Unfortunately, as good as this band was, within six months it had all
fallen apart again. Too many egos to pacify and too much of the over
indulgences of their chosen lifestyle. Paul Chapman went into virtual
retirement in his beloved Wales, Way and Parker to various reincarnations
of U.F.O. and Waysted, Jerry Shirley to this day is beating the skins for
a reformed ‘Humble Pie’ and poor old Fin Muir has disappeared without
trace. Shooting stars burn short, but bright.
The legacy that this version of Waysted left behind is
a testament to a fine band. If you like your Rock ‘n’ Roll with plenty
of raunch, get yourself ‘Waysted’.
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