'CHEQUERED
PAST'
Reviewed by Danny Payne
ZOOM CLUB RECORDS ZCRCD40
Tracks: A World Gone
Wild / Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way / Let Me Rock / Never In A Million
Years / How Much Is Too Much / Only The Strong (Will Survive) / Underworld
/ No Knife / Tonight And Every Night
Running Time: 36.25 mins
This
short lived Eighties band featured Steve Jones on all tracks, along with
Michael Des Barres (Power Station tour vocalist), Clem Burke & Nigel
Harrison (Blondie) and Tony Fox Sales (later of Tin Machine). 16 years
after its original vinyl release by EMI America this is the first time
it has ever been available on CD. The artwork still remains the same,
and the group still look like something out of an Eighties 'New Romantic'
circus (black eye included!). The music is a cross between 'Rock' and
'American New Wave', and probably fitted in well in 1984, however 16 years
later it does sound a little dated. At the time Jonesy was in deep with
heroin, but it doesn't affect his playing on the album at all. The production
on his guitar is awesome and powerful. In fact, the whole album, produced
by Michael James Jackson, has a very 'big' sound to it. Des Barres vocals
sound like a cross between Ozzy Osborne and Rod Stewart, but they're a
snug fit with the Steve Jones wall of sound guitar, which can really be
heard on tracks like; 'A World Gone Wild', 'Never in a Million Years'
& 'Only the Strong Will Survive'. 'No Knife' is the album's ballad,
a folky acoustic number written by Des Barres (slide guitar included).
'Let Me Rock' is as crap as the title (boring Heavy Metal). 'How Much
is Too Much' starts off sounding like John Cougar Mellan-Camp until Steve's
guitar kicks in, and then ends up sounding like Status Quo on acid! In
my opinion it's the best track on the album, along with 'Never in a Million
Years'. Steve co-wrote all but two tracks, and if you're a fan of the
Steve Jones/Professionals guitar sound, then buy it. If you're a Lydon/Pistols
fan - don't buy it!
All material ©1998/2002 Philjens/www.cookandjones.co.uk