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The UK's speed metal demons, the rock band that shaped the heavy metal scene are to be celebrated in style for being in the industry for over 35 years, the celebration comes in the form of an immense box set of the bands early material, which in my opinion is unsurpassed and gave us some of the best fast and furious rhythms’ such as the aggressively brilliant tones of Overkill, the unforgettable chords and snarl of Ace of Spades a true metal classic as well as the loud thrasher that is Killed By Death. The band was formed by the legendary frontman Lemmy Kilmister after he was abruptly fired from Hawkwind in 1975, a blessing in disguise as Motörhead exploded onto the scene, invaded our charts and in turn created the new genre of speed metal, producing great hard rock and metal tracks ever since.

The Complete Early Years box set has it all, this limited collector’s edition, housed in a unique Motörhead case, is a truly remarkable set, containing eight albums (Motörhead; their energetic and powerful debut album, Overkill; metal at its best, Bomber, Ace of Spades; A fierce and up-tempo classic plenty of guitar riffs and lyrics to blow your mind, No Sleep 'till Hammersmith; This live recording transfers their rawness in epic proportions, Iron Fist, Another Perfect Day and No Remorse), seven singles (Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers', Louie Louie, Golden Years EP, St. Valentine's Day Massacre, Killed By Death, Stand By Your Man and Shine) including B-Sides and a 7” vinyl. Also included is a limited edition family tree plus a photo book and collectors guide, making the box set a must for any true Motörhead fan.

So if you can’t get enough of Lemmy’s rasping vocals, the aggressive powerful fast bass and hard-core drumming then this is for you, unfortunately it also comes with a hefty price tag (approx. £260) so maybe it’s for serious collectors only. That said it is a brilliantly put  together collection from one of the greatest rock bands in the world so if you are missing any of the early material and want it all in one place then this is the collection to get and the skull it’s housed in is simply awesome.

Motörhead released their 20th studio album The Wörld Is Yours in 2011, and will be touring the UK throughout November 2012. Check out their official site for more details.

Motörhead, The Complete Early Years boxset will be released on 19 November 2012. You can Pre-Order yours here.

Contents:

• 8 full length Albums: 5” Japanese Miniatures Motörhead (Chiswick) / Overkill / Bomber / Ace of Spades / No Sleep Till Hammersmith / Iron Fist / Another Perfect Day / No Remorse 
• 7 CD Singles: 3” Japanese Miniatures Beer Drinkers And Hell Raisers / Louie Louie / Golden Years Ep / St. Valentine's Day Massacre / Killed By Death (with poster) / Stand By Your Man / Shine
• 1 x 7” Vinyl Single (Leaving Here / White Line Fever) 
•  Limited edition Pete Frame Family Tree
•  The 300 page Motorhead Collector’s Guide
•  84 page Concert Programmes Photo Book with exclusive content.

Full Tracklisting:

Disc 1 – Motorhead (1977)

1.       Motörhead

2.       Vibrator

3.       Lost Johnny

4.       Iron Horse / Born to Lose

5.       White Line Fever

6.       Keep Us On The Road

7.       The Watcher

8.       The Train Kept a-Rollin'

Disc 2 – Beer Drinkers and Hellraisers (1977)

1.       Beer Drinkers And Hellraisers

2.       On Parole

3.       Instro

4.       I'm Your Witchdoctor

Disc 3 – Overkill (1979)

1.       Overkill

2.       Stay Clean

3.       (I Won't) Pay Your Price

4.       I'll Be Your Sister

5.       Capricorn

6.       No Class

7.       Damage Case

8.       Tear Ya Down

9.       Metropolis

10.    Limb From Limb

Disc 4 – Louie Louie (1978)

1.       Louie Louie

2.       Tear Ya Down

Disc 5 – Bomber (1979)

1.       Dead Men Tell No Tales

2.       Lawman

3.       Sweet Revenge

4.       Sharpshooter

5.       Poison

6.       Stone Dead Forever

7.       All The Aces

8.       Step Down

9.       Talking Head

10.    Bomber

Disc 6 – Golden Years EP (1980)

1.       Leaving Here (Live)

2.       Stone Dead Forever (Live)

3.       Dead Men Tell No Tales (Live)

4.       Too Late Too Late (Live)

Disc 7 – Ace of Spades (1980)

1.       Ace Of Spades

2.       Love Me Like A Reptile

3.       Shoot You In The Back

4.       Live To Win

5.       Fast And Loose

6.       (We Are) The Roadcrew

7.       Fire Fire

8.       Dance

9.       Bite The Bullet

10.    The Chase Is Better Than The Catch

11.    The Hammer

Disc 8 – St.Valentines Day Massacre (EP) (1980)  

1.       Please Don't Touch

2.       Emergency

3.       Bomber

Disc 9 – No Sleep Till Hammersmith (1981)

1.       Ace Of Spades

2.       Stay Clean

3.       Metropolis

4.       The Hammer

5.       Iron Horse - Born To Lose

6.       No Class

7.       Overkill

8.       (We Are) The Roadcrew

9.       Capricorn

10.    Bomber

11.    Motörhead

Disc 10 – Iron Fist (1982)

1.       Iron Fist

2.       Heart Of Stone

3.       I'm The Doctor

4.       Go To Hell

5.       Loser

6.       Sex And Outrage

7.       America

8.       Shut It Down

9.       Speedfreak

10.    (Don't Let 'Em) Grind You Down

11.    (Don't Need) No Religion

12.    Bang To Rights

Disc 11 – Stand By Your Man (EP) (1982)

1.       Stand By Your Man

2.       No Class

3.       Masterplan

Disc 12 – Another Perfect Day (1983)

1.       Back at the Funny Farm

2.       Shine

3.       Dancing On Your Grave

4.       Rock it

5.       One Track Mind

6.       Another Perfect Day

7.       Marching off to War

8.       I Got Mine

9.       Tales of Glory

10.    Die You Bastard!

Disc: 13 – Shine (EP) (1983)

1.       Shine

2.       (I'm Your) Hoochie Coochie Man (Live)

3.       (Don't Need) Religion (Live)

Disc 14 – No Remorse Parts 1&2 (1984)

1.       Ace Of Spades

2.       Motörhead

3.       Jailbait

4.       Stay Clean

5.       Too Late, Too Late

6.       Killed By Death

7.       Bomber

8.       Iron Fist

9.       Shine

10.    Dancing On Your Grave

11.    Metropolis

12.    Snaggletooth

13.    Overkill

14.    Please Don't Touch

15.    Stone Dead Forever

16.    Like A Nightmare

17.    Emergency

18.    Steal Your Face

19.    Louie Louie

20.    No Class

21.    Iron Horse

22.    (We Are) The Roadcrew

23.    Leaving Here (Live)

24.    Locomotive

Disc 15 – Killed By Death (EP) (1984)

1.       Killed By Death

2.       Under The Knife

3.       Under The Knife

7” Vinyl Single

1.       Leaving Here

2.       White Line Fever

American rock legends KISS have returned with an almighty roar with the release of their new album 'Monster', the 20th studio album in their remarkable career that spans almost 40 years and it’s not surprising that they have sold more than 100 million records worldwide. 

Monster is the group’s (co-founders Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons and longtime members guitarist Tommy Thayer and drummer Eric Singer) first studio album since the bands smash hit Sonic Boom that was released in 2009 (their first album of new material since 1998) and in my opinion is one of their best yet. I had high hopes for this record and quite frankly they didn’t disappoint, from the very first listen I felt transported back in time as there is an air and underlying tone of nostalgia with a definite nod to the rock sound of the late 70s, down to the fact that this album was recorded on analog tape with as much vintage kit as possible, something that shines through these tracks but in a strange juxtaposition the album also seems new, fresh and exciting.

With the group abstaining once again from using any outside songwriters and penning the tracks themselves, mainly Thayer and Stanley who also produced it along with Greg Collins, it is a true rock and roll album, a collection of toe tapping, fist pumping songs and although there are no lyrical masterpieces they still tell a good story. As Gene Simmons has said “There are no symphony orchestras, boy choirs, keyboards, outside producers or songwriters on this album, the best thing we did was to turn inwards to ourselves. Tommy and Eric have revitalized this band, with a work ethic and the talent to back it up. This is a real band effort. KISS has become a behemoth. We’re going where no bands have gone before.” 

Monster gives us 12 hard hitting tracks as well as a bonus record and opens with a snarl, the fabulously ferocious Hell or Hallelujah that was released in July ‘12. This first track is an energetic rock song, a hard, passionate rollercoaster with killer guitar riffs (check out Thayer's awesome solo), thumping drum work and great vocals from Paul Stanley, in my opinion it’s one of their best and a definite high of the overall album, one that is sure to get any crowd going at their legendary live shows. The fun continues throughout and manages to keep the pace, from the Wall of Sound an intense, floor filling, heart pounding, head banging track that gives us Simmons on vocals and is up there as one of the best on this record, to the impressive A Capella intro to the cowbell driven Eat Your Heart Out before launching into one of the catchiest choruses and another outstanding guitar solo all wrapped up with Simmons unmistakable growl. Even guitarist Thayer takes a turn on his own with Outta This World, a tribute to his KISS “spaceman” character, while drummer Singer provides the vocals (and the back story) for the arena anthem All for the Love of Rock & Roll which has more of a pop rock and old school vibe.

Overall this album is a solid piece of hard rock and roll work, offering hair raising riffs, melodic hooks, exceptional vocals from all members of the group as well as foot stomping bass lines. An album that is energetic, nostalgic, authentic, edgy, a grower, deep down and dirty, one that should be played loud along with plenty of air guitar and air drumming, and to think that these musicians are now in their early 60s is inspiring. An album that is full of arena fillers and anthems just ready to be played in concert and let’s be fair KISS are at their best when they are on stage playing live. 

Get your copy at Amazon

Carli xoxo

www.everything80s.co.uk 

When I think of the Famous Five it takes me back to a time when summers were true summers: hot, sunny and long…a time in my childhood when going on adventures with my friends was what I lived for! I loved the Enid Blyton books (which are 70 this year, wow!!) and was also a huge fan of the original 70’s series which held the same delight and authenticity as the novels (I had it on video throughout the 80s and wore it out). The show also reminds me of creating picnics which consisted of just jam sandwiches, ginger beer (of course, even though I didn’t like it) and some other random items as me and my friends set of into the nearby countryside (where I lived) to see what we could get up too; streams we could walk in, trees we could climb and the ultimate prize was finding the old tree swing which provided us with hours of entertainment. We honestly thought we were the Famous Five but alas we didn’t have a dog and there were only 4 of us, but hey-ho we weren’t concerned over these trivialities ;)

Anyway I’m waffling, what I’m getting at is that I was more than excited when I learned that the original Famous Five series (complete season 1) featuring Julian (Marcus Harris), Dick (Gary Russell), Anne (Jennifer Thanisch), their cousin George (Michelle Gallagher) and her dog Timmy was finally being released on DVD this May with season 2 following in June! Woohoo a time to relive those years gone by in a nostalgic haze filled with laughter, sun and childhood quests. I will admit that I was dubious when I received my copy of the DVDs in the post as rose tinted glasses are a wonderful thing, this was a show that had meant so much to me as a kid and I didn’t want that feeling ruined, but lo and behold it wasn’t, if anything watching it flooded my memory bank with things I had forgotten which only added to my overall enjoyment of this awesome series. Yes the acting isn’t that great and it may look a little dated but the charm it possessed then is still there as well as the yearning to dust off my picnic hamper and pack some retro treats and head off into the wilderness. Unfortunately times are very different today but this series is able to transport you back to a time when you felt safe, warm and excited with life.

If you enjoyed this series as a kid then I’m sure you will enjoy it just as much now, it’s a pure sentimental trip down memory lane that is a must for all of us 70s and 80s kids! A family DVD that is an essential requirement upon the shelf! The full TV series is to be released on the 6th August 2012 and you can now pre-order the COMPLETE boxset here via Amazon.

“Ruined castles and rolling moors; mysterious islands and hidden caves: the five can find adventure wherever they are. Join them at Kirrin Cottage, or away on their holidays as they encounter smugglers, scoundrels and spies. Thankfully, Uncle Quentin and Aunt Fanny are always around to offer lashings of ginger beer.“

Read our interview with the fantastic writer Gail Renard here.

Enjoy!!

Carli xoxo

www.everything80s.co.uk 

Episode List

Five Go to Kirrin Island: Part 1 (Original transmission: 3 July 1978)

Five Go to Kirrin Island: Part 2 (10 July 1978)

Five Go Adventuring Again (17 July 1978)

Five Go to Smuggler's Top: Part 1 (24 July 1978)

Five Go to Smuggler's Top: Part 2 (31 July 1978)

Five Go Off in a Caravan (7 August 1978)

Five Go Off to Camp: Part 1 (14 August 1978)

Five Go Off to Camp: Part 2 (21 August 1978)

Five on a Hike Together (4 September 1978)

Five Go to Mystery Moor (11 September 1978)

Five on a Secret Trail (18 September 1978)

Five Go to Billycock Hill (25 September 1978)

Five on Finniston Farm (2 October 1978)

Five Get Into Trouble - Prisoners (19 November 1978)

Five Get Into Trouble - Conspiracies (26 November 1978)

Five Get Into a Fix (3 December 1978)

Five Are Together Again: Part 1 (10 December 1978)

Five Are Together Again: Part 2 (17 December 1978)

Five Have a Wonderful Time (31 December 1978)

Five Fall Into Adventure: Part 1 (27 June 1979)

Five Fall Into Adventure: Part 2 (4 July 1979)

Five Run Away Together (11 July 1979)

Five Go to Demon's Rocks: Part 1 (18 July 1979)

Five Go to Demon's Rocks: Part 2 (25 July 1979)

Five Go Down to the Sea: Part 1 (1 August 1979)

Five Go Down to the Sea: Part 2 (8 August 1979)