The
Deviants have been going in one form or
another since 1966. Over the years a multitude
of Rock 'n' Roll drifters have gone through
their ranks. Most have gone on to form
the basis of the English Underground Rock
Scene like "The Pretty Things",
"Hawkwind'', "The Pink Fairies"
and "Warsaw Pakt". Although
often thought of as a British Band, leading
from the front has always been mis-placed
American, lead vocalist and muse, Mick
Farren, making him the John Mayall of
his own genre.
Since 1978 standing beside him on stage,
playing Wyatt Earp to Farren's Doc Holiday,
has been guitarist extraordinaire Andy
Colquhoun. In 1978 he had just come out
of the punk era, after leaving "Tanz
Der Youth" with Brian James ex-Damned,
playing music that they themselves had
labeled "Transmagical". So,
he needed no further recommendation to
Mr. Farren. Since then they have blazed
a cosmic trail across the fluctuating
skies of Rock 'n' Roll, often dropping
down onto the surface of the Planet to
lend a hand to like-minded musical compadres
such as the magnificent "Pink Fairies",
re-union in 1987. ("The Kill 'em
and Eat 'em" Tour and Album).
But six years after their last album,
"The Deviants" are back with
their new album 'Dr. Crow'. And let me
tell you, this is not a bird to be taken
lightly. Mick Farren keeps his role as
the voice of the Deviants, writing some
of the most weird but powerful lyrics
that have come out of Rock 'n' Roll in
many a moon. To keep those vocal chords
in order Mick must still be using Sulphuric
Acid to gargle with rather than Listerine.
As musical director and lead guitarist
Andy Colquhoun is still his perfect foil,
laying down some Sonic psychedelic Hendrix
influenced licks to accompany his old
buddy. On 'Dr. Crow' the Dynamic Duo has
been joined by the Amazing Doug Lunn,
who has been the big noise behind too
many bands and sessions to mention. But
to quote him from the album sleeve (which
also includes excellent art work from
the late great Edward Barker, nobody draws
Crows like that anymore):
"I started with nothing and I still
have most of it. Music has always been
my favorite revolutionary sport. I have
friends in few places.''
Sadly he sounds like a lot of people this
Dog knows. Filling the drum stool (you
won't find any drum machines on a Deviants
album) is one Ric Parnell, the son of
famous British band leader Jack. Ric has
had an interesting career to say the least.
Firstly with British Prog-Rockers "Atomic
Rooster" in the seventies and then
with various other bands and sessions
including the dubious honour of twice
having filled the tricky job of Skinsman
with "Spinal Tap". I jest not.
The music starts out strongly (and then
gets stronger) with "When Dr. Crow
turns on the Radio". It begins with
the spoken words " Appears to be
a suicide mission", which has all
the Deviants trade marks like: gruff vocals,
a catchy verse, a strong backbeat, an
opening riff that would shed skin, and
a guitar solo that kicks in an extra gear.
All of it builds up to an orgasmic finale
with the talents of Jack Lancaster (ex
"Blodwyn Pig'') on saxophone being
brought in to swap solos with Andy Colquhoun.
Sounds good? It gets better. Next up is
over seven minutes of the Beefheart/Blues
"You're Gonna need somebody on your
Bond'' with its rock solid structure,
featuring a never bettered duet between
Mick Farren and Johnette Hapolitane. Over
the middle songs the music remains at
an impossibly high standard with Mick
Farren letting everybody know in no uncertain
terms his views of the stupidity of warmongers
and the general absurdity of the world.
But not all of the songs have a totally
serious subject matter as in "Diabolo's
Cadillac" Mick Farren's ode to his
favorite cocktail, the "El Diabolo",
a drink only second in depravity to the
"Pan-Galactic Gargleblaster".
(An "El Diablo" is basically
a "Long Island Iced Tea" with
no vodka but replacing it with a double
shot of tequila. This should be approached
with extreme caution.) Mick Farren leaves
you in no doubt as to how you will feel
the next day if you wake up. "Bela
Lugosi 2002" is another warning to
beware of the Darkside of the Force. "A
Long Dry Season" sees Ric Parnell
vacate the drum seat to let old pal Phil
(Filthy Animal) Taylor, ex Motorhead,
have a bash and very well he does, too,
giving this spoken word song some interesting
twists and turns. The band then all return
for a final romp through "What do
you Want?", a great way to leave
everybody to go home happy. Nothing like
a bit of straight ahead Rock 'n' Roll
to raise the spirits at the end of the
day.
A truly great album from Mick and the
boys. It would easily get Mott the Dogs
album of the year if it had not been released
in the same year as Larry Wallis' "Death
in the Guitarfternoon". But it certainly
runs it a close second.
Real Rock music made by real people,
for real people, and should be bursting
out of the Tahitian Queen's speakers this
weekend.
Pawed by Mott The Dog
Remastered by Ella Crew
E-mail: review@mott-the-dog.com
