The Collection: Ep. 53 – Paul Laine (Danger Danger, The Defiants and so much more)

This week on The Collection, we are talking one of my all time favorite singers and one of the nicest guys in the world…Paul Laine. I’ve followed Paul since his debut solo album in 1990 all the way to today through his bands Danger Danger, The Defiants, Dark Horse, Shugaazer and everything else. We go through his catalog so join me and I hope you discover something you’ve been missing.

So go check it out as it will be live tonight at 7pm, April 21, 2025 on YouTube. Thanks for stopping by and please click “Like” and hit “Subscribe” as it helps out the site when you do.

And if you want to watch the Interview I did with Mike Ladano 4 years ago with Paul Laine, check it out below…it was a blast!!

My Sunday Song – “Wide Awake And Dead” by Danger Danger

For My Sunday Song #418, we are talking about Danger Danger’s song “Wide Awake And Dead” off the band’s third album ‘Dawn’ from 1995. Technically, their fourth recorded, but third release but that is a story for another time. The song was written by Paul Laine and Bruno Ravel. Although not a single, the song was one that connected to me for its dark tone and subject matter.

The song is about some major daddy issues. The child is in pain but the dad doesn’t seem to ever listen to him and care. It was as if no father was ever there. The darkness has filled the boy and he is ready to kill his father. The emptiness he feels has left him emotionless. He is wide awake, but dead inside. It is a horrible situation. Read the lyrics below and see how dark this thing gets. No child should ever feel that way.

The music matches the lyrics. This is 1995, the music scene had taken a darker turn from the party time of the 80’s and the earlier Danger Danger albums. To fit with the times, we get this brilliant song. The more somber tones, the heavier beats, the rich bass all giving to the dark soulless feelings of this little child. The guitar solo screams out with pain. If that isn’t enough, the guitar riff from Bruno that is thrown in every now again after the chorus is so cool. Paul’s vocals show the hurt and despair the child is feeling. There is a spoken part from Paul that is hidden behind the instrumental break that you have to listen close. It gives you more insight to the song. For such a depressing song, you can’t helped but be mesmerized by its beauty at the same time. One of the coolest songs on the album.

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Danger Danger – The Albums Ranked Worst to First

It all started for me back in 1990 when I saw Danger Danger open up for Kiss.  I was really impressed by their stage performance and the songs.  I had to check them out.  They were touring in support of their debut, self-titled album which was released in 1989 and I went out and bought it within that week after the show.  I have followed their career ever since.

The band has had two lead singers (they had another prior to any album coming out, but doesn’t count for this list and since I am not including the “Rare Cuts” compilation).  The first for me was Ted Poley.  He is currently the lead singer again.  From the mid-90’s to early ’00’s, the singer was Paul Laine.  Each have 3 studio album and a cool combo set included in this list for a total of 7 albums ranked.  No live albums or any compilations included.

The classic line-up for me is Bruno Ravel (bass/guitar), Steve West (drums), Andy Timmons (guitar), Kasey Smith (Keyboards) and Ted Poly (vocals).  When they switched out with Paul Laine (vocals) I was perfectly happy as he was a great singer and I loved his debut album ‘Stick It In Your Ear’.  The line-up has change over the years, but Bruno and Steve have been the constants.

The band is a story of two different bands.  The beginning was all having a good time, full of fun and excitement with songs about Sex, Sex, Rock & Roll and more Sex…did I mention sex??  Then they became more serious tone, with a more mature sound and flat out better song writing.  Both bands I liked equally as they each brought something to the table.  I think they are worth checking out, but they might not be everyone’s cup of tea.  I hope you enjoy…

WORST – REVOLVE (2009):

 

 

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