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’.
Pawed by Mott The Dog
Remastered by Ella Crew
E-mail: review@mott-the-dog.com
