After 2 Record Store Releases in a row up for review, we are now on our third in a row and 6 total RSD releases from this band and all fantastic. Cheap Trick’s ‘Out to Get You! Live 1977’ is pretty freaking cool. This was very early on between the debut album and only months away from the release of their second album, In Color, which came out 3 months later. We get basically every song from those two albums (and one the crowd hadn’t even heard yet) as well as a couple from their third album (which hadn’t even been recorded or thought of yet), plus a handful of tracks that wouldn’t show up again for years.

They were hungry, energetic and fresh and yet still a little green. The release is from Record Store Day 2020 and is an exclusive release…well, not that exclusive since you can stream it but physically it is currently only available on vinyl. And there were only 4,700 on this limited release. The show is recorded over 4 performances over two days on June 3rd and 4th at The Whisky A Go Go in Los Angeles and we get 22 tracks of pure and utter joy.

These four unassuming gentlemen were a cross between rockers, nerds and plain quirky looking guys. Meshed together, they were a force to be reckoned with. The albums didn’t necessarily match the power that came from the stage and when you saw them, you had no idea the type of music that would flow from them. In 1977, this was pre-Budokan so the world wasn’t truly hip on them yet, but these performances captured here let us know that we had one of America’s greatest bands waiting to blow up on the world…and they did just that.

LP 1:

If you follow Cheap Trick, you know they are going to kick off their show with “Hello There” as it is a two minute barrage of energy that explodes on the crowd greeting them with what to expect for the next hour and half. The song ends with pounding cascade of drums from Bun E. as they go directly in to “Come On Come On”. Both these songs were on the upcoming new album so the crowd hadn’t even heard them yet. “Oh Candy” is a darker song lyrically, but not necessarily played that way. Rick has some great guitar work on here.

Then “Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace” is a bluesy tune, slowed down before going in to the punk rock anthem “ELO Kiddies” which would put any crowd in to a frenzy. Rick’s riffing was nuts on “Hot Love” as he let loose and showed what he can do. Robin sounds a little tired already as he strains a little which shows how much they put in to a performance. Lastly on this side we get “Southern Girls” which is a bouncy song with some more cool riffs and it keeps the crowd going strong.

“Cry Cry” kicks off the second side and it sounds like old school rocker and I find I like the live version better than the studio as it seems more exciting. Sometimes the albums don’t showcase how great a guitar player Rick is but live, you see him in all his glory as they stretch this song out by 3 minutes and they show what they can do. And well, Robin is the man of a 1,000 voices as he can sing anything. Then we get “Big Eyes” which the crowd has no idea about this one, but it is such a foot-stomping track it is sounds almost familiar and they had to love it. “High Roller” was up next and this song wouldn’t wind up on an album until ‘Heaven Tonight’ so talk about an early version of a song. How cool is that. It is so new that they aren’t totally comfortable with it yet, but that doesn’t diminish from the greatness of it either.

“He’s a Whore” is another short song that packs a punch. Some more great riffing and Bun E. continues to tear it up with those driving beats. Robin is singing in 4 shows over 2 days so the voice might be strained at times, but still better than 99% of all singers. Speaking of whores, we get “Daddy Should’ve Stayed in High School” as he flaunts around with teenage girls. I love Robins’ vocal approach on this one as it is a little playful and then Rick’s guitar sound is crunchy and raw.

LP 2:

The second LP opens with a rare track “Can’t Hold On” that first appeared on the E.P. Found All the Parts, but was recorded at Budokan just not released until Budokan 2. It is slower track and it is real creepy…therefore, I love it. Then they light a fire under everyone’s ass with “Clock Strikes Ten” which is so full of energy and punk angst it is brilliant.

Then we get the strange, bizarre track “Loser” which isn’t on any Cheap Trick album. It is a very different track, slowed temp yet heavy as hell and dark, very dark. Kinda cool, but I still see why it didn’t wind up on an album. The best thing about this version is Rick’s guitar work as it as dark and twisted as the song. “Taxman, Mr. Thief” is a very Beatlesesque song on the album, but here is a straight up rocker. Kind of mellow here and not over the top. Needs a little boost to make it more exciting.

“Ain’t That A Shame” is as fun as it is on Budokan. The Fats Domino cover was a live staple back then as it is a blast. Bun. E opens with some cool drum fills with Tom’s bass adding a great groove to follow then Rick lays down some cool riffage. It is almost two minutes of instrumental before Robin joins in on all the fun. “Oh Caroline” is up next and doesn’t have the punk edge the album version has. I don’t know if they are tired or not, but the energy is missing. Then we get “Oh Boy” which isn’t on any albums so the crowd had no idea about this song. It isn’t a bad track, but a little lackluster. These last two song might have made people go to the bathroom.

“You’re All Talk” gives us back a rocker with a punk attitude and some gritty guitar riffage. Robin found his energy again and attacked this song. And then with “Auf Wiedersehen”, I am all in again. What a great song. This one would not appear on an album until “Heaven Tonight” still another album away. What a solid rocker, with great excitement and energy. Another song you would’ve loved instantly if you had never heard it. The album ends as it began expect this time it is called “Goodnight” played to “Hello There” music just with words changed. Always a great closer.

Cheap Trick does it again with these live Record Store Day Releases. It is another total blast of an album. I am not sure it is as good as ‘Are You Ready?’ but damn near close. This is a band still so young and hungry and the way the can win over a crowd is incredible. They played so many songs the crowd wouldn’t have known, yet the energy level and enjoyment was all there. Live is why this band is one of the greatest American rock bands. My Overall Score is 4.0 out of 5.0 Stars and is another one if you see, grab it!!

UP NEXT: IN ANOTHER WORLD (2021)

The Cheap Trick Collection Series:

1. Cheap Trick (1977)
2. In Color (1977)
3. Heaven Tonight (1978)
4. Cheap Trick at Budokan (1978)
5. Dream Police (1979)
6. Found All The Parts (1980)
7. All Shook Up (1980)
8. One On One (1982)
9. Next Position Please (1983)
10. Standing on the Edge (1985)
11. “Tonight It’s You” (1985) – 7″ Single (Bonus Edition)
12. “Mighty Wings” (1986) – 7″ Single (Bonus Edition)
13. The Doctor (1986)
14. Lap Of Luxury (1988)
15. “The Flame” (1988) – 7″ Single (Bonus Edition)
16. “Ghost Town” (1988) – CD Single Promo (Bonus Edition)
17. Busted (1990)
18. Woke Up With A Monster (1994)
19. Sex, America, Cheap Trick (1996) – Box Set
20. “I Want You To Want Me” (Alternate Version) (1996) – 7″ Single (Bonus Edition)
21. Cheap Trick (1997)
22. Cheap Trick at Budokan: The Complete Concert (1998)
23. Music For Hangovers (1999)
24. Special One (2003)
25. Rockford (2006)
26. The Latest (2009)
27. The Epic Archive, Vol. 1 (1975-1979) (2015)
28. The Epic Archive, Vol. 2 (1980-1983) (2015)
29. The Epic Archive, Vol. 3 (1984-1990) (2015)
30. Bang, Zoom, Crazy…Hello (2016)
31. We’re All Alright! (2017)
32. Christmas Christmas (2017)
33. Are You Ready? Live 12/31/1979 (2019)
34. “Gimme Some Truth” (RSD Black Friday 2019)
35. Out To Get You! Live 1977 (2020)