Skid
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When people think of 80s metal the bright lights of the famed Sunset Strip immediately come to mind, yet there were thriving scenes in every corner of the world. One of those scenes existed in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley which is being paid tribute in this ambitious double CD collection filled with bands that I've never heard of (except for Teeze), bands that never quite made the big time and bands that didn't deserve to make it.
It would be pointless to examine all 31 songs in this review (you can do that on your own), so I'm just going to touch on the best and the worst of Lehigh Valley Rocks! To generalize, disc one is by far the best. It is a hair metal fan's wet dream and doesn't contain a single crappy song. The second disc on the other hand is more diverse and includes some real stinkers. But for a compilation that is determined to showcase a decade long music scene, one can expect a few lackluster performances - yet performances that are needed to give a proper insight into what this local scene was capable of creating.
On one end of the spectrum you have the sleazy Sweet Tequila (the best of the bunch, and with a slide guitar sound), the glammy Motley Crue-like trio Destroyer, Shok Grafitti with their fifteen year old guitarist, the melodic Idle Threats, the typically 80s Dirty Blond and Red October. On the less entertaining side of things are thrashy Atom West, the horrible rap-metal hybrid of End Zone, and the indescribable Vic Missy. This compilation has it all, the good and bad, rockers and ballads, rock, glam, traditional and trash - there is something for everyone.
If you grew up in the Lehigh Valley area, or passed through it during the 80s metal craze, you need to buy this collection. Or you could be like me, someone that has never been or even heard of Lehigh Valley before, yet I love this album. The two guys that put together this project, Butch Maloney and Tom Lefevre, deserve a big round of applause for bringing back to life a moment in history with great care and detail. A movie of the Lehigh Valley scene is also in the works, and maybe we could talk the guys into tackling another long-lost sector of America next!
www.lehighvalleyrocks.com - www.myspace.com/lehighvalleyrocks - www.cdbaby.com
Reviewed by Skid for Sleaze Roxx, January 2007.
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Paul Scarcia
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Yes, absolutely, Lehigh Valley DOES ROCK!! As a former Northeast Philly naive, now Perkasie, PA, I used to see some of the artists on your CD at the old Empire Rock Room when I was a teenager. My cousin was a bouncer there and would let me in the back and hide me behing the stage just so I could see THE BEST BANDS IN METAL who just so happen to be indiginous to the Lehigh Valley. Great job putting this CD together. It is what is getting me through this brutal tax season as I am now a tax accountant, however also the drummer of Hot Rocks, see www.stonesshow.com.
Please make MORE METAL compilations that include other bands such as The Bloody Stools, Funhouse, Gypsy Rose, JoJo Slik, Sik Vikki, Heaven's Edge, Ivory Tower, Faith Or Fear, METAL WOLF, etc.!!!!!!! Do it!! Now!!!! Pleeeeease!!
Thanks,
Paul
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Rob
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Long time friends, Butch Maloney and Tom Lefevre put together a project of the best unknown hard rock and metal bands that the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania could provide, during the height of this music’s popularity.
This area has produced members of great acts like Poison, Megadeth and Mr. Big, but there were hundreds more that never got the recognition that they deserved. Thanks to Maloney, and Lefevre, we get a stellar, 2 disc, 30 track collection of all of the best glam, sleaze, metal, thrash and progressive rock, that the Lehigh Valley had to offer.
There are far too many stand out tracks to mention in this collection. My current favorites are the Skid Row like Party Hardy, the Poisonish Lickety Split, both Guilty and Alone by Washed and So Long by Dirty Blond. Sweet Tequila’s, “I wont be crying” has a great Cinderella meets AC/DC quality about it. Rage by Uncle Remus is infectious as hell.
This disc reminded me of all the reasons why I came to love this style of music. If you are a fan of the Big Hair era of Rock and Metal, you owe it to yourself to pick this disc up now. It is currently available through CD Baby and at Lehigh Valley Rocks!
Rating: 8.75 Flying V's Out of 10
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Rob
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Long time friends, Butch Maloney and Tom Lefevre put together a project of the best unknown hard rock and metal bands that the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania could provide, during the height of this music’s popularity.
This area has produced members of great acts like Poison, Megadeth and Mr. Big, but there were hundreds more that never got the recognition that they deserved. Thanks to Maloney, and Lefevre, we get a stellar, 2 disc, 30 track collection of all of the best glam, sleaze, metal, thrash and progressive rock, that the Lehigh Valley had to offer.
There are far too many stand out tracks to mention in this collection. My current favorites are the Skid Row like Party Hardy, the Poisonish Lickety Split, both Guilty and Alone by Washed and So Long by Dirty Blond. Sweet Tequila’s, “I wont be crying” has a great Cinderella meets AC/DC quality about it. Rage by Uncle Remus is infectious as hell.
This disc reminded me of all the reasons why I came to love this style of music. If you are a fan of the Big Hair era of Rock and Metal, you owe it to yourself to pick this disc up now. It is currently available through CD Baby and at Lehigh Valley Rocks!
Rating: 8.75 Flying V's Out of 10
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Rock Report from Belgium
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The 1980’s were without a doubt the most fruitful period for bands dabbling in the AOR, melodic (hard) rock, glam and sleaze genre and it was at times hard to keep track of all the new bands that sprang up like the proverbial mushrooms. Not surprisingly many of them-although talented in all the necessary departments- never got past the demo stage and so there music was only heard by a limited number of people.
And this is exactly the reason why long time friends Butch Malony and Tom Lefevre poured their heart and soul into putting together this here compilation of bands from the Lehigh Valley area that were active (and some of them still are very much alive to this day) during that most exciting period.
Featuring an impressive 31 tracks by no less than 27 bands this 2 disc set offers the listener everything from glam, melodic hard rock, AOR, power metal to some genuine Bay Area styled trash and speed metal.
Personally I find the first disc the most interesting as it focuses on the melodic side of the Lehigh Valley scene.
Kicking things of in true party style are glamsters Teeze (who later changed their name to Roughhouse and went to record an album for Columbia Records) with the apptly titled “Party Hardy”, an ode to those much in demand good times. Up next are Sweet Tequila whose sound is a combination of AC/DC, Black Crowes and Cinderella and are sure to get thumbs up by those who favour a dose of sleazy rock ‘n roll.
The most impressive tracks however are delivered by a foursome called Washed who serve up a most tasty mix of elements of Leatherwolf, XYZ, Cry Wolf, a touch of vintage Crimson Glory and even a hint of “Rage For Order” era Queensrÿche. Damn this is good stuff and one can only ask himself why these guys never got to sign a major record deal.
Now I could continue going over every track included on both disc 1 and 2 but that would easily take up a whole page and probably send you off to sleep before reaching the end.
Instead I’ll mention the tracks that have made an impression on yours truly and are surely worth checking out: “Find A Way” by Idle Threats (excellent US styled melodic hard rock with Chris Capozza’s impressive vocals as the focal point), “Don’t Ever Say Goodbye” by Omynus (keyboard driven, radio friendly AOR inspired by the likes of Journey), “So Long” by Dirty Blond (glam-edged melodic hard rock in the vein of Wild Boyz), “Say It’s True” by Fantazy and both cuts by The Mob (melodic hard rock bordering on metal with excellent guitar work).
The second disc gives us a taste of the heavier bands that were active on the scene and although I too had my share of speed and trash metal in the ‘80’s none of the tracks-except for the melodic hard rock of “Whenever I’m Near” by Kings Chamber- were able to send my pulse racing.
That said however I can only congratulate the gentlemen responsible for this here release cause it offered a hair metal addict like myself a chance to discover some really excellent acts. (PS)
5 Stars out of 6
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Wally Wallstrom
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LEHIGH VALLEY ROCKS 1984-1994: "Various Artists"
Fever Rock 2007
Review by Urban "Wally" Wallstrom,
26 January 2007
Well, first off, I guess you'd have to applaud Maloney & LeFevre, the two responsible for putting all the lost pieces back together. Can you imagine all the hard work and dedication it'd take to release a 2-CD compilation about the Lehigh Valley hardrock scene, and the "not-always-too-familiar" acts from the years of 1984 to 1994? Right on... the at the time area of Pennsylvania (Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton) could the easiest be described as a friggin' war zone of poodle perms and hairmetal wannabees. Here you have 30 tracks on double CD with 27 bands!!!
I can tell you right away that I'am indeed impressed by the whole package and the overall high standard and quality of the acts. Nope, you won't find worldwide known acts from the area such as Poison, Mr.Big, Megadeth, Lynch Mob, Alice Cooper, etc. Nonetheless, you're still going to recognize some names (well, at least yours truly did), and it's definitely a rocking good time for fans of the era. TEEZE is however one of the acts that did release music internationally and they are featured here with the song "Party Hardy". It's a fun Glam/Sleaze number which originally was released in 1985 on Roadrunner Records here in Europe (with the cheesiest frontcover ever? at least in a retrospective view - words from a proud owner of the vinyl, yes sir!).
It's difficult to name them all, however, here are some of the highlights. SWEET TEQUILA with their blues-based sound (Cinderella style) and the song "I Won't Be Crying". WASHED with two great songs (Guilty, Alone), especially the latter is a marvelous power ballad from the year of 1989. One of the greatest mysteries of the 'LV' music scene is appearently how they did NOT go onto national or even some international success. Indeed, I can merely nod and agree as these two tracks are superb. DESTROYER and the track "When Morning Comes" is excellent and dirty (raw) Glam in the vein of Wrathchild, Tigertailz, Pretty Boy Floyd. The band NASTY NASTY with "Deception" is yet another song from 1989, which you'll air-guitar your way through. IDOL THREATS and their 1992 "Find A Way" tune will remind you of both Icon and Steelheart (great!). AOR rock next with OMYNUS and the song "Don't Ever Wanna Say Goodbye" from the year of 1990. SAPIENT and "Lay Your Love On The Line" is typical Poison (Glam) rock from the year of 87. THE MOB (1989) with "Angry Young Child" is a sleazy rock version of Sacred Warrior. VICIOUS BARREKA is fun Thrash from the year of 87, KINGS CHAMBER with "Whenever I'm Near", DIRTY BLOND, etc, etc.
Final words: please pay attention, I'am NOT saying that all of these acts had/have quality songmaterial to last a full album release (about this I do not have all the info). However, I'am indeed saying that approx: 20 of all 30 tracks featuring on this double CD, do belong in every serious 80's hardrock music collection. By the way, Maloney & LeFevre are also working on an upcoming documentary style movie on the Lehigh Valley scene from this time frame. Dedicated indeed!
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Theodore Timou (Skope Magazine
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The Review that tops them all!
If famed musicologist Alan Lomax were reincarnated as an '80s metal aficionado, he might compile a release of field recordings like Lehigh Valley Rocks! The Best of 1984-1994. This two-disc compilation captures in loving detail the sounds of 27 bands from an almost forgotten frontier of the spandex nation.
Is it really any surprise that Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley—a blue-collar region long synonymous with steel production—birthed a raucous cast of independent heavy metal and hard rock groups throughout the '80s and early '90s? While nearby Philadelphia spawned gold and platinum acts like Britny Fox and Cinderella, this neglected corner of the Keystone State gave rise to "could've beens" such as Shok Graffiti, Sweet Tequila and Vicious Barreka.
Disc one offers a parade of bands that might have easily enjoyed airplay and MTV support in their era. From the saccharine strains of Omynus' "Don't Ever Say Goodbye" to the lusty bravado of Teeze's "Party Hardy," Lehigh Valley Rocks! shows that unsigned hair metal is just as good (or bad, depending on your perspective) as the corporate stuff. Elsewhere, Sweet Tequila take a salty romp through Black Crowes-inspired territory on "I Won't Be Cryin'" and Idle Threats blend a galloping sound reminiscent of early Queensrÿche with pop-friendly hooks on "Find a Way." Washed's epic and nuanced "Guilty," meanwhile, treads experimental territory and proves that you don't have to be Ravi Shankar to rock a sitar.
Disc two digs even deeper into the underground to spotlight the Lehigh Valley scene's heavier side. Groups like Vicious Barreka and Leviathen unleash the primitive ferocity of thrash metal, while Atom West is a crossover act in the vein of D.R.I. or early Corrosion of Conformity. A welcome moment of demented comic relief comes in the form of Vic Missy's "Terror/Cartoon Lady." The tune's disjointed song structure and menacing soundscapes evoke the creepiness of Mike Patton's Mr. Bungle project.
The compilation's carefully researched liner notes—featuring brief band bios/lineups, songwriting/publishing credits and the bands' current websites or MySpace pages—also deserve kudos. Lomax would be proud.
Review By: Theodore Thimou
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Beth
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Flashback!
Flashback 1989 - 1991 or somewhere around there - it's all a big happy blur - - - to any Sunday morning.
I open my eyes, realize I'm still drunk from a couple gallons of vodka consumed over the weekend, there's a guy next to me with hair at least as long as mine (but with more hairspray), and there are songs still in my head from whatever great band played the night before. Next to the bed is a mirror with two big lines of cocaine. Breakfast. Another week ends. Another week begins.
As I've heard it described, it was ONE BIG PARTY. 198? to 1991. Drink, party, lots of sex, and fantastic music. When we wanted to go out to see a band - any night of the week - we had to either choose who we wanted to see, or plan on making the rounds to catch a set of each one. The local talent was as good - and in many cases, better - than what we were listening to on the radio.
And then it was gone. No more parties 'til the sun came up (or longer), no more bands, no more casual sex, no more rock clubs.
Flash forward to January, 2007 - what seems like a hundred years later. . .
Today I woke up, turned on the CD player and hit "Shuffle". The first song to come on was "Don't Ever Say Goodbye" by Omynus. And it was just like those Sunday mornings years ago - except for the hangover, drugs, and, well, the long-haired guy is still there, but I know who he is and how he got there.
The ONE THING that should have come back from that time has! It's the music! Anyone that was part of the Lehigh Valley rock scene at that time should know about "Lehigh Valley Rocks!" Two very insightful people have brilliantly compiled a 2-CD set of some of the best music of that time from the local bands that played the Lehigh Valley area (and beyond) during that big party.
Anyone who wasn't in on this should find out what you missed! Check out "Lehigh Valley Rocks!" myspace, buy the CD, and enjoy! Anyone who was there, you NEED this CD.
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janice
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kick ass!
yes! the cd has arrived and it kicks ass. thank you so much. i love it. it is such a great cd. brings back many awesome memories and great local music. kudos to you. awesome job, thanks for the dream and vision coming to life.you rock!
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Brian Balich
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The CD kicks all kinds of ass !!! Killer !!! Great job putting this sucker together !! Now how about Volume II ?
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