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* First anthology from Indonesia s Heaviest Psychedelic & P ... Read more

* First anthology from Indonesia s Heaviest Psychedelic & Progressive Funk Rock group * Limited edition ultra-deluxe CD & LP releases * 15 tracks & over 70 minutes of mind-blowing music * Double-LP housed in old school gatefold jacket * CD housed in old school gatefold sleeve with insert * AKA featured on Now Again s Those Shocking Shaking Days compilation (2011) Originating from Indonesia s second largest city, Surabaya, East Java, AKA is an acronym of Apotik Kali Asin. Starting off their careers as an infamous local band with notorious crowd pleasing antics, AKA regularly went through repertoires of Steppenwolf, Grand Funk Railroad, James Brown, Jimi Hendrix, Cream and Three Dog Night before finding a significant audience outside their home city. It was soon after that the band signed with a Jakarta based label, Indra Records that they started producing a steady release of albums, including 11 studio LPs and a couple of compilations. The lead singer Ucok Harahap - who famously idolizes James Brown- is perhaps the most notorious rock performer in Indonesia s pop history, infamous for brandishing (amongst others) coffins, whips and stripping naked on stage during performances. Sadly due to recording English based, heavy-psychedelic/progressive funk, AKA s music failed to gain popularity at the time of it s release. Today, AKA is recognized as one of Indonesia s top rock bands of all time, and for good reason. With this release, we are proud to offer an Anthology encompassing AKA s heaviest & funkiest moments. Minimize

The true champions of hard & heavy rock, the proud Swiss na ... Read more

The true champions of hard & heavy rock, the proud Swiss nationals Krokus give the American bands a good reason to fear the Swiss. The time has come with 'Rock The Block' which is the newest building stone in a career which has already lasted more than a quarter of a century. Between the end of the 70s & the beginning of the 90s this Swiss rock group was famous with more than 10 million crazy fans in America. The group reformed around the founding member Fernando Von Arb with the new exceptional singer Marc Storace. His voice is the most magnificent of the group & emblematic of the golden age of Krokus. The sound of Krokus in 2003 is without equal, loyal to the their early style, full of familiar riffs & refrains which are re-energized. A comeback across the Atlantic is pre ordained. Let there be rock! Warner. 2003. Minimize

1 marty & the muff-tones - it's so hard to say i love (when ... Read more

1 marty & the muff-tones - it's so hard to say i love (when you're sitting on my face) 2 connie ligus - fuck me forever 3 the perversions - did he eat your titty 4 Echoes - Sit On My Face 5 couto & the milligans - everybody is an asshole (to somebody sometimes) 6 jackie wilson & lavern baker - think twice (x- version) 7 blenders - don't fuck around with love 8 harry hepcat & the boogie woogie band - streakin' usa 9 the clovers - derby town 10 screamin' jay hawkins - bite it 11 blackie kid - hot nuts 12 slim gaillard - fuck off (the dirty rooster) 13 the bangers - baby let me bang your box 14 the clovers - the rotten cocksuckers ball 15 chinga chavin - asshole from el paso 16 connie vannett - the pussy cat song 17 adam martin pick & the pickers - yo yo 18 p vert - stickball 19 jack & basil - get ready (freanch style) 20 the dildos - fuck off 21 david trout - the fast food song 22 dicky williams - come back pussy 23 dick curless - the ice man 24 james lee meadows - uranus is out tonight 25 screamin' jay hawkins - constipation blues Minimize

The Atomic Forest stand as the only Indian psychedelic/hard ... Read more

The Atomic Forest stand as the only Indian psychedelic/hard rock band that managed to record an album: Obsession '77. The album's mix of blistering, fuzzy rock and synth-lead funk inspired collectors the world over to fork over thousands of dollars for original copies of this until recently unknown platter. Part of the interest certainly stemmed from its liberal doses of searing fuzz guitar; part of it sprung from the oddity of it all: India, a country that had, quite literally, churned out tens of thousands of albums during psych- and hard-rock's heyday, only produced this one, lonely psychedelic album; part of it sprung from the album's rarity. Unknown for years, Obsession '77 suddenly became a top want on every global-rock collector's short-list. Over the past four years, we at Now-Again Records have followed Atomic Forest's sounds and we've struck paydirt. Now, with the full participation of founding member/vocalist Madhukar Chandra Dhas and lead-guitarist Abraham Mammen, we present Obsession. This anthology collects songs from Obsession '77, the band's follow up Hit Film Themes and unreleased studio and live recordings from Atomic Forest band members. Dhas' extensive archives of photos and ephemera add weight to this anthology the first thorough investigation into India's 70s psychedelic rock scene. A scene that, until now, has been shrouded in secrecy and rumor clouded in a druggy haze. Atomic Forest's story stands in for the untold stories of many of India's underground bands - bands remembered vividly by those who witnessed their performances; bands that often homemade, cassette recordings that have been lost to time. We're glad that we discovered Atomic Forest; though their extant recordings are few, those recordings they etched to vinyl captured a powerful energy. That energy sparked our interest and fuels the fires of our imagination. Minimize

After Shave - Skin Deep CD. Official reissue of rare 1972 S ... Read more

After Shave - Skin Deep CD. Official reissue of rare 1972 Swiss underground hard rock album featuring liner notes, photos and five bonus tracks! After Shave were a heavy trio formed in the late 60s and influenced by Cream, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and the usual suspects. They toured Europe in the early 70s and eventually recorded this debut album for the tiny Splendid label in 1972, which now commands big dollars on the rare record collector market. They have been featured in a few books, including The Hard Rock Anthology 1968-1980, Encylopedie du Hard Rock des Seventies and the Hans Pokora books. Track Listing: Skin Deep Him Paper Woman Ride, Ride, Ride Sweet Home Amsterdam in My Living Room Near The Sun Pink Rose Sunflower Greengage Man* On The Ground* One of the Best* Warmaker* Near the Sun* * bonus tracks Minimize

Texas has been known to breed some of the loudest and hard- ... Read more

Texas has been known to breed some of the loudest and hard-rocking' bands on the planet and this gang of five is definitely no exception. Straight out of the saloons and strip clubs comes ANCHORED, a hard-edged rock unit that packs as much pop as their punch with their infectious brand of "Texas Rock". Crossing the tainted lines between Shinedown, Nickelback and Stone Temple Pilots, these Dallas transplants have brought their southern noise to the masses in 2010-11 and everybody was invited. ANCHORED formed in the spring of 2009 as a new project by ex- Advent singer Brandan Narrell after a chance meeting with guitarist B.G. Simpson (formally of South Florida alternative rockers Waking Season). Joining the tandem is drummeratty Clark (formaly of the Sacramento, CA band Bidwell), and ex-venture guitarist Joel Estes rounding out the quintet. Minimize

The opening notes of David Bridie's third solo album SUCCUM ... Read more

The opening notes of David Bridie's third solo album SUCCUMB feature a cracking snare drum and hard strummed guitar. A very deliberate rock band; not what you'd expect from this compelling Melbourne songwriter. Five years after the release of David's previous solo album Hotel Radio, this work begins a new recording relationship with Liberation Music. As the latest in more than 35 albums featuring David's music over the last 25 years - through ambient pioneers Not Drowning Waving, acousticdriven band My Friend the Chocolate Cake, as collaborator with George Telek, creator of movie soundtracks and solo albums - he demanded something fresh of himself. But cataloguing it wasn't easy. Succumb is a startling departure from David's previous solo recordings, which started with the luscious Act of Free Choice album, released in 2000. This has less sweeping, cinematic atmospheres - more lean and direct, almost abrasive for its confronting guitars and urgent rhythms. But listen closely and familiar signatures abound; lush, textural beds of intricately layered and densely overdubbed sound tapestries. The sum is an enticing amalgam of many parts, deliberately exploring sound palates that hadn't featured prominently on albums before - guitars as a dominant voice, rock songs, Melanesian rhythms presented in a rock context. David's words have also taken a more direct line. He addresses social and political issues that burn within contemporary Australia, though the lyrics still shimmer with robust optimism. Succumb is a resilient anthem about rebuilding a better community. First Chapter (Hearts are Heavy), articulates Australia's opportunity write a new chapter in the history of black and white relations, its delicious spirit of possibility underlined by an anthemic chorus sung by the Spensley Street Primary School Choir (including David's daughter, Stella). The upbeat, positive sound of Succumb is a consequence of the people David worked with and the energy they brought; friends he trusts and respects, none more than guitarist Phil Wales, who has been among David's closest musical allies over many years. Many other mates dropped in and contributed: Bart Willoughby, Alan and Stephen Pigram, MFTCC cellist Helen Mountfort, Rob Craw. Ultimately, Succumb is the album of a working band, with dynamic contributions from PNG drummer Airi Ingram, Adelaide bass player Paul Cartwright and producer Chris Scallan adding keyboards. Minimize

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Genuine rock eccentrics are so hard to come by these days t ... Read more

Genuine rock eccentrics are so hard to come by these days that we settle for transparent poseurs in bad Halloween makeup. Julian Cope is the real deal-so thoroughly out there that he was too weird even for American Recordings. Fans in the U.S. have had to wait a year for him to find a domestic label for this, his 20th album(!), but now it's here, and it doesn't disappoint. The former leader of The Teardrop Explodes is once again examining some of his favorite themes-environmental panic, pagan mystery, goddess worship, and technological fascism-tying them all together in a concept album about aliens visiting the earth in ancient times and giving us the secrets to personal happiness. I don't claim to understand it all, but the massive hooks, freaky Krautrock synthesizers, driving rhythms, and Cope's Iggy Pop-on-acid vocals mean that I don't have to, and neither will you. Just check out "I Come From Another Planet, Baby." Truer words were never sung. --Jim Derogatis Minimize

Genuine rock eccentrics are so hard to come by these days t ... Read more

Genuine rock eccentrics are so hard to come by these days that we settle for transparent poseurs in bad Halloween makeup. Julian Cope is the real deal-so thoroughly out there that he was too weird even for American Recordings. Fans in the U.S. have had to wait a year for him to find a domestic label for this, his 20th album(!), but now it's here, and it doesn't disappoint. The former leader of The Teardrop Explodes is once again examining some of his favorite themes-environmental panic, pagan mystery, goddess worship, and technological fascism-tying them all together in a concept album about aliens visiting the earth in ancient times and giving us the secrets to personal happiness. I don't claim to understand it all, but the massive hooks, freaky Krautrock synthesizers, driving rhythms, and Cope's Iggy Pop-on-acid vocals mean that I don't have to, and neither will you. Just check out "I Come From Another Planet, Baby." Truer words were never sung. --Jim Derogatis Minimize

Chicago has been a hot-bed of excellent Melodic Hard Rock b ... Read more

Chicago has been a hot-bed of excellent Melodic Hard Rock bands lately and hot on the heels of bands like The Last Vegas and Bad City comes LOVEBLAST! One of the best new bands I have heard this year , Loveblast do everything right. Shredding guitar solos , hook-laden songs , big harmony vocals and a wicked rhythm section. I liked these guys so much I invited them to their first Rocklahoma this year. Forget crap like Nickelhack or Seether , LOVEBLAST is the new wave of American Rock bands that DESERVE success and have an extremely bright future. I believe EVERY fan of Melodic Rock is gonna love this! Check it out... Minimize

European pressing of the 2008 album from this veteran Hard ... Read more

European pressing of the 2008 album from this veteran Hard Rock band includes two bonus tracks: 'My Way' and 'What A Shame' (Live). Telsa return with their first new studio album since 2004's Into The Now, which debuted on the Billboard Top 200 at #31 and featured the mainstream rock hits: "Caught in a Dream" and "Words Can't Explain". Tesla is a Hard Rock band formed in Sacramento, California in 1984, and they have sold over 16 million albums in the US as of 2008. Forever More is their seventh studio album. This isTesla's first album to be produced by Terry Thomas since 1994's Bust a Nut. The album was engineered by Michael Rosen, who worked with the band on their Into the Now album and marks the first full album of original material for new guitarist Dave Rude. Frontiers. Minimize

Genre-smashing hard rock combo P.O.D. are back with Satelli ... Read more

Genre-smashing hard rock combo P.O.D. are back with Satellite, the highly-anticipated follow-up to their 1999 RIAA platinum-certified Atlantic debut The Fundamental Elements Of Southtown. Much of the new album s lyrical content--at turns powerful, passionate and poignant--deals with the band s outspoken belief in expressions of spiritual adventure and affirmation. Musically speaking, Satellite finds the SoCal-based quartet--Sonny, vocals; Marcos, guitars; Traa, bass and Wuv, drums--progressing by remarkable leaps and bounds. Throughout the record, P.O.D. incorporate a variety of new textures and styles into their sonic arsenal, from hip hop and club reggae, to hardcore punk and heavy metal. P.O.D. have long been inspired by their legion of devoted fans, known as The Warriors. This fiercely loyal grassroots following drove last year s smash single/video Rock The Party (Off The Hook) all the way to the top spot on MTV s Total Request Live. In return, P.O.D. are joined on this album by a choir of 20 Warriors, who sing backing vocals on Youth Of A Nation. Satellite also sees guest appearances from two of P.O.D. s all-time musical heroes, superstar Jamaican toaster Eek-A-Mouse and hardcore icon HR of the Bad Brains, who contributes verses to Without Jah Nothing. Having developed a reputation as one of the hardest touring bands in America, with this album P.O.D. launches its finest work to date. It has everything, enthuses Sonny. I can t wait til it comes out. The people, they ll feel it. Minimize

Tom Petty's love affair with the more pop-oriented output o ... Read more

Tom Petty's love affair with the more pop-oriented output of the Byrds and Dylan at their mid-'60s prime continued to find an increasingly wide audience in the '80s--and damned if some people didn't persist in calling it "new wave." Go figure. If writing hook-laden, instantly memorable pop-rock songs was both a sign of genius and one of music's toughest feats, Hard Promises (and its FM evergreens, "The Waiting" and "A Woman in Love") confirmed that Petty was one skinny, little, hard-working prodigy. Picking up effortlessly where Damn the Torpedoes left off, Petty and the equally conscientious Heartbreakers took nothing about their newfound fame for granted, delivering their fourth strong effort in a row, this one increasingly seasoned with touches of their Southern roots. The title hints at the tough underbelly beneath the jangly veneer of Petty's ever-accessible songwriting, exemplified here by "Nightwatchman," "Something Big," and "The Criminal Kind." All tracks on this edition have been upgraded via digital remastering, and the album's original inner artwork and lyrics have also been restored. --Jerry McCulley Minimize

Raven presents for the first time on one CD two timeless al ... Read more

Raven presents for the first time on one CD two timeless albums by legendary American hard rock band CAPTAIN BEYOND. With superb quality audio, detailed liner notes, color booklet. Originally released in 1972 and 1973 respectively, Captain Beyond and Sufficiently Breathless are considered to be tour de forces of the American Hard Rock tradition, albums brimming with a multitude of catchy riffs, astonishingly adept musicianship and a palpable sense of drama. Formed in 1971 by master musicians Larry `Rhino' Reinhardt (guitar; ex-Iron Butterfly), Lee Dorman (bass; ex-Iron Butterfly), Bobby Caldwell (drums; ex-Johnny Winter) and Rod Evans (vocals; ex-Deep Purple), Captain Beyond forged an identity of sheer class with their sophisticated and soaring brand of progressive hard rock. Captain Beyond boasts a conceptual flow of music, with riffs and songs combining seamlessly to form distinct suites of music yet it remains as a whole. `Dancing Madly Backwards (On a Sea of Air)', `Raging River Of Fear' and `Thousand Days Of Yesterdays (Time Since Come and Gone)' are at the pinnacle of the 1970s hard rock genre. Sufficiently Breathless features a heavier space rock / astral blues vibe with added elements thrown in for good measure, from vibrant Latin funk (`Bright Blue Tango') and heavy metal with a funk base (`Drifting in Space') to progressive fusion (`Starglow Energy'). Minimize

Tom Petty's love affair with the more pop-oriented output o ... Read more

Tom Petty's love affair with the more pop-oriented output of the Byrds and Dylan at their mid-'60s prime continued to find an increasingly wide audience in the '80s--and damned if some people didn't persist in calling it "new wave." Go figure. If writing hook-laden, instantly memorable pop-rock songs was both a sign of genius and one of music's toughest feats, Hard Promises (and its FM evergreens, "The Waiting" and "A Woman in Love") confirmed that Petty was one skinny, little, hard-working prodigy. Picking up effortlessly where Damn the Torpedoes left off, Petty and the equally conscientious Heartbreakers took nothing about their newfound fame for granted, delivering their fourth strong effort in a row, this one increasingly seasoned with touches of their Southern roots. The title hints at the tough underbelly beneath the jangly veneer of Petty's ever-accessible songwriting, exemplified here by "Nightwatchman," "Something Big," and "The Criminal Kind." All tracks on this edition have been upgraded via digital remastering, and the album's original inner artwork and lyrics have also been restored. --Jerry McCulley Minimize

Limited double 180gm grey vinyl pressing of this 1985 album ... Read more

Limited double 180gm grey vinyl pressing of this 1985 album from the British Hard Rock band. UFO were a transitional group between early Hard Rock and Heavy Metal and the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal. UFO were ranked #84 on VH1's '100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock'. Rock Classics. Minimize

Although he never really left, it only felt that way becaus ... Read more

Although he never really left, it only felt that way because much of Alice Cooper’s 80s and 90s output has been, to be kind, forgettable. Hard rock fans were put off by the turn towards frigid techno and all but gone by Cooper’s slash and burn metal years. 2005’s return to the stinging hard rock that put him on the map is a welcome look back in anger. Kicking off with the gritty, driving guitars and snappy lyrical twists of "Woman of Mass Distraction," Cooper’s sleazy voice sounds as robust and distinctive as it did three decades ago. Riff happy nitroburners such as "Steal that Car," "Your Own Worst Enemy" and especially the "Under My Wheels" licks of "You Make Me Wanna" show that Cooper, now pushing 60, still has plenty of gas in the tank. A lovely, entirely non-ironic cover of The Left Banke’s "Pretty Ballerina," complete with harpsichord and string section, proves that Cooper hasn’t lost his touch with "Only Woman Bleed" style ballads either. Dirty Diamonds, with it’s unnecessary nod to hip-hop ("Stand") and weak stab at country ("The Saga of Jesse Jane"), won’t knock classics such as School’s Out, Billion Dollar Babies and Love it to Death from their well-deserved perch as archetypal blueprints of Cooper’s Halloween-styled gutsy rocking. Yet, at its best, the raw guitars and tightly arranged songs refreshingly recapture the brash attack and dark humor of his glory years. --Hal Horowitz Recommended Alice Cooper Killers Love it to Death School's Out Billion Dollar Babies Welcome to My Nightmare Flush the Fashion Minimize

         Product DetailsOr ... Read more

         Product DetailsOriginal Title:Classic Rock Masters - Current Music (DualDisc)Condition: NEWFormat: CDArtist: Classic Rock Masters - Current Music (DualDisc)Language: EnglishGenre: Hard RockTrack Listing: "Disc #1:Voodoo Lake/Lynyrd Skynyrd 'Then & Now'These Are The Times/Styx 'Cyclorama'The Art Of Life/Queensryche 'Tribe'Dance On Stilts (Live)/Blue Oyster Cult 'A Long Days Night'Song Without Sin /Living Colour 'Collideoscope'Firestarter /Gene Simmons 'A**holeGood Boys /Blondie 'The Curse of Blondie'Sweet /Todd Rundgren 'Liars'Enough Of The Blues /Gary Moore 'Back To The Blues'Just One Girl /38 Special 'Live At Sturgis'Something To Believe In (Live)/Eddie Money 'Shakin' with the Money Man'Hallelujah (Live)/Sammy Hagar 'Hallelujah Live'"Your browser does not support iframes. Minimize

Self-titled debut album from 1970. This Chicago-based rock ... Read more

Self-titled debut album from 1970. This Chicago-based rock group provides a lot of hard driving Rock, Psychedelic, Acid and R&B sounds that were so prevalent during the turn of that decade. They would later morph into Rain, who released another LP in 1972. Several members of the band would later go on to play with Paul McCartney! Tracks: Blue, Blue, Lady, Runnin' Through My Mind, When I Was A Boy, I Keep On Trying, Hard And Never Easy, She Has Left Me, Won't You Stay Another Day, I Remember, Babe, I'm Gonna Leave You, Blues, Blues (Mile), Blues (Mike Again). Minimize

Digitally remastered edition of the 1991 sophomore album fr ... Read more

Digitally remastered edition of the 1991 sophomore album from the Hard Rock quartet. Formed at the tail end of the '80s by super-guitarist Jake E. Lee, together with hugely talented vocalist Ray Gillen, drummer Eric Singer and bassist Greg Chaisson, Badlands looked set to become one of the brightest lights on the scene. By the time of this album, volatile personalities started to rip the group apart, with drummer Eric Singer being the first casualty on a conveyor belt of heartache and turmoil. Its a wonder then that Voodoo Highway, originally released in 1991, proved to be such a magnificent follow up to their acclaimed debut. Crammed to the brim with solid yet melodic Hard Rock, the material is faithful to the band's original concept and co-opts the best of the early '70s lacing it with the sound of futuristic Blues. Rock Candy. 2010. Minimize

Although he never really left, it only felt that way becaus ... Read more

Although he never really left, it only felt that way because much of Alice Cooper’s 80s and 90s output has been, to be kind, forgettable. Hard rock fans were put off by the turn towards frigid techno and all but gone by Cooper’s slash and burn metal years. 2005’s return to the stinging hard rock that put him on the map is a welcome look back in anger. Kicking off with the gritty, driving guitars and snappy lyrical twists of "Woman of Mass Distraction," Cooper’s sleazy voice sounds as robust and distinctive as it did three decades ago. Riff happy nitroburners such as "Steal that Car," "Your Own Worst Enemy" and especially the "Under My Wheels" licks of "You Make Me Wanna" show that Cooper, now pushing 60, still has plenty of gas in the tank. A lovely, entirely non-ironic cover of The Left Banke’s "Pretty Ballerina," complete with harpsichord and string section, proves that Cooper hasn’t lost his touch with "Only Woman Bleed" style ballads either. Dirty Diamonds, with it’s unnecessary nod to hip-hop ("Stand") and weak stab at country ("The Saga of Jesse Jane"), won’t knock classics such as School’s Out, Billion Dollar Babies and Love it to Death from their well-deserved perch as archetypal blueprints of Cooper’s Halloween-styled gutsy rocking. Yet, at its best, the raw guitars and tightly arranged songs refreshingly recapture the brash attack and dark humor of his glory years. --Hal Horowitz Recommended Alice Cooper Killers Love it to Death School's Out Billion Dollar Babies Welcome to My Nightmare Flush the Fashion Minimize

The Oregon-based Servant began with a classic rock sound fe ... Read more

The Oregon-based Servant began with a classic rock sound featuring the twin lead vocal of Sandie Brock and Bob Hardy on blues-based songs that sometime recalled Jefferson Airplane. SHALLOW WATER is a hard-edged product forged in the same tradition as Barnabas and Resurrection Band, though not as heavy. The song "Jesus Star" allows guitarist Bruce Wright to churn out some admirable guitar riffs, and "Fly Away" brings the album to a hand clappin', foot stompin' conclusion. Along the way they also offer heavy covers of the Dogwood song, "Water Grave," and the Sammy Hagar tune, "Rich Man." (Taken from the Encyclopedia of Christian Music by Mark Alan Powell) Truly pioneers of Christian rock, this award winning debut album by Servant exploded onto the unsuspecting Christian scene in 1979, mocking the staleness and superficiality of Christianity without a social conscience. The debut release for Tunesmith Records out of Canada, SHALLOW WATER featured social commentary and progressive music (seared onto red vinyl, no less!) that was a tidal wave for the fledgling Christian music scene. Known for their theatrics, light shows, and smoke bomb performances, many critic considered them too raucous to be authentically Christian. Yet, years and years of touring garnered the band legions of fans, winning them over with rhythmic, passionate rock music that would stir audiences. For the most part, it was like nothing they had ever heard before! In 1982 Servant was so well known they headlined a national tour where the ever popular Petra opened for them! This is a limited edition piece of Christian rock history! Minimize

Melbourne's la femme were a fascinating meld of late sevent ... Read more

Melbourne's la femme were a fascinating meld of late seventies influences: punk, new wave, glam and hard rock. Their 1979 debut single 'chelsea kids' is one of the all-time classic australian singles and their only lp: 'la femme', is arguably one of the best to come out melbourne's late 1970's punk/new wave scene (which included models and the boys next door). It contains many fine example s of the band's confident, swaggering glam-infused punk-metal sound. Lead singer chane chane was a charismatic, hyperactive front man, a refreshing personality with a strong audience rapport. Guitarist brett walker was a real live flashy guitar hero for the times, coming on like a punk-metal mick ronson by pealing off large chunks of dense power riffing when other guitarists were still going plink-plonk. The thuggish rhythm section of peter kidd and graham schiavello played it mean and hard, providing the relentless, driving beat. La femme could well have made it into the big league if they'd wanted but swimming against the commercial tide seemed to be their raison d'ˆtre. In many ways they were their own worst enemies. An unwillingness to play the pop star game and the serious drug addiction, among other things, perhaps ended up compromising the band's drive. For an inner-city band with so much potential, in the end they really did give it away. They toured constantly, built up a huge support base on the suburban pub circuit, scored several prestigious support gigs, made three appearances on countdown (one of the first punk/new wave/alternative bands to do so), released one of the great melbourne punk albums and yet they never rose above being a cult attraction. Minimize