Tag: Paul Cook

Generation Sex – ‘Listen To This, Johnny!’ (2024) – Bootleg

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic3 Comments

In 2023, a new Super Group was born. This one was called Generation Sex and consisted of members of both Generation X and The Sex Pistols. From Gen X we get Billy Idol and Tony James. And from The Sex Pistols we get Steve Jones and Paul Cook. The four legends toured Europe in the Summer of 2023. Of course they performed songs from both bands as that was the whole point of the Tour. And like with almost any tour, you generally can find a bootleg and I did just that.

As you know, I love Billy Idol and so any time I can find anything I don’t have I grab it. This bootleg came out on July 16, 2024 and for a show at the Liseberg Amusement Park in Gothenburg, Sweden. The title of the set is called “Listen To This, Johnny!” which is wonderful shout out to The Sex Pistol lead singer, Johnny Rotten. Maybe a giant middle finger…who knows.

The setlist for that show was a whopping 16 tracks, but we don’t get the full show here sadly. This bootleg only gives us 11 songs from that set, but those songs are great. The bootleg was done like those back in the day (70’s/80’s) which means it is a white cardboard jacket with a sheet of paper wrapped around it with the information crudely printed and xeroxed copied. In a word, awesome!! There is no extra information, just basics and the vinyl label is pretty basic with a giant A on one side and basic white on Side B. And as far as sound, a pretty damn decent audience recording and since we are here for the music, that is a good thing. Let us dive right in.

SIDE A:

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Man Raze – ‘PunkFunkRootRock’ (2011) – Album Review (The Def Leppard Collection Series)

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We are now on the 2nd album from Man Raze and still no new Def Leppard studio album. This time Phil Collen, Simon Laffy and Paul Cook bring us more of their eclectic style of music. This one is even in the title as we get some punk, some funk (very little) and a lot of rock. You get two Girls and one Sex Pistol which adds up to even more fun. The album is a chance for the boys to pay homage to their musical influences and so we get a variety of sounds and songs all fit into a fantastic package.

When this came out on back in 2011, I was all over it. I really loved the debut and expected I would this one as well. I have the standard U.S. edition, but Japan got one too on January 26, 2012 and of course it had a bonus track. One day I’ll get that one.

The opening riff of the opening track grabs hold and sucks you in. “Over My Dead Body” is a cranking rocker that is catchy as hell and will leave the song eating away at your brain like an ear worm. A song that could’ve easily been a Def Leppard song as it is so melodic and full of great harmonies plus a tight, killer guitar solo. Man Raze opens the album with a bang.

“I C U in Everything” is up next and instantly things sound different especially in Phil’s vocal delivery. A lot of effects are put on them and he sings much deeper and darker. I love the bass work on this one as it gives it a nice groove. It is another rocker, but a completely different style then the previous song. They are keeping it interesting. The vocals I didn’t like at first, but are growing on me with each listen and Phil does another great little solo.

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Man Raze – ‘Surreal’ (2008) – Album Review (The Def Leppard Collection Series)

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic19 Comments

Def Leppard’s 2008 album was ‘Songs From the Sparkle Lounge’ and it would be the last studio album from them for around 7 years. In the meantime, we would get some live albums, but mostly we got side projects. And the first one up is from guitarist, Phil Collen. Phil was in a band before Lep called Girl. From that band Girl, he rejoined up with Simon Laffy and the added veteran drummer, Paul Cook from the band The Sex Pistols. I believe you’ve heard of them. The trio started a super group called Man Raze. They actually got together back in 2005, played some live shows, even released a single or two. It wasn’t until June 3, 2008, they released their debut album, ‘Surreal’, in the States.

Now, my copy isn’t the U.S. version. No, I had to have the European version which was released on December 1, 2008. It is the better version for one reason. It contains a 2nd CD of bonus material with 5 additional tracks. I also love that they added the British Flag to the design of the cover. It gives it a slightly cooler look. What you get with this trio is an album that has elements of Phil’s current band, along with Girl, The Sex Pistols and all their influences all rolled in to one. And if you like Phil’s backing vocals in Leppard, well, he is the lead singer here and it is a welcome change of pace. Let’s see what this supergroup brings to the table.

The album kicks off with “This Is” which is a full on ball buster with nothing but angst and speed. The drums pound frantically and the guitar and bass are played at breakneck speed. It brings the punk attitude and the rock sensibility to show us that this band is ready to lay it out all on the table and hold nothing back.

And not to slow things down, they keep up that energy with “Turn It Up” which is more of the same destructive behavior. This one is even a step up with more attitude and Phil sounds even better on this one too. The gang choruses are full like Lep which add even more texture to this one. It is almost a militant drum beat with roaring guitars and a killer solo. A definite highlight of the album.

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You Picked It! – The Sex Pistols – ‘Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols’ – Album Review

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Alright…You Picked It! And this one was really, really close. It was back and forth between The Sex Pistols and Twisted Sister for most of the time and then a couple last minute votes pushed one of the other and that was The Sex Pistols with ‘Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols’ which is one I’d never sat down and listened to from beginning to end. The votes were as follows:

  1. The Sex Pistols – ‘Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols’ – 10 votes
  2. Twisted Sister – ‘Under the Blade’ – 8 votes
  3. Wu Tang Clan – ‘Enter the Wu Tang (36 Chambers)’ – 4 votes
  4. The Wallflowers – ‘Exit Wounds’ – 2 votes
  5. Black Sabbath – ‘Paranoid’ – 2 Votes

Thanks to all for participating. The September choices will be up on Saturday!

THE SEX PISTOLS – ‘NEVER MIND THE BOLLOCKS, HERE’S THE SEX PISTOLS’

I have never been a fan of punk, at least not until recently. I’ve slowly started diving in. But due to the antics of Johnny Rotten or Sid Vicious, this band never made me want to listen to their albums. There was so much hype surrounding them and I really don’t want to listen to a band that is so hyped because it will never live up to expectations…i.e. Nirvana…they sucked then and they suck now and there was so much hype surrounding them. And hell, this band only had one studio album officially. Then why should I even bother and how can a band with only one album be so inspirational or critical to a movement. I still don’t have the answer to that question, but damn is this not an amazing album. Okay, they album lived up to the hype and then some. “DON’T BELIEVE THE HYPE”…well, in this case…DO BELIEVE!!!

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