Search - Waysted :: Good Bad & Waysted

Motted

Kim Fletcher | Pattaya, Chonburi Thailand | 07/19/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With a Band Called ' Waysted ' and an Album called " The Good ,The Bad ,and The Waysted." This just had to be a fine Rock'n' Roll Album ,but right from the first track it surpasses all expectations, giving you full on music right from the Get-Go.
First a little history behind the Band. 'Waysted' was led by Pete Way who from 1969 - 1982 had been the Bassist and one of the chief songwriters with Rock Band 'U.F.O.From their humble beginnings to Worldwide Superstardom in the late Seventies , with Top Twenty albums and playing concerts, to 60,000 people at a time ,with an entourage of twenty four.At the height of their heyday German Guitar Legend Michael Schenker left on the eve of an all important American Tour, although replacements were brought in U.F.O never really recovered , Way finally jumped ship in 1982 , firstly to play Bass in the Ozzy Osbourne Road Band. ( Ozzy's instructions to Way every night were " Go Mental" which was no problem to Pete Way.) When it was time to look round and form a new Band "Fast' Eddie Clarke had just left ' Motorhead' ,so " Fastway" was formed Jerry Shirley was at a lose end after the demise of ' Humble Pie ' so he almost naturally filled the Drum Stool,and a young Vocalist with the looks and Voice of Robert Plant with the name of Dave King was given the frontman role. Sounds to good to be true a real supergroup , Yup was, although it looked great on paper the chemistry of the Band never gelled and after a disastrous album and tour, Way split to look for pastures new taking Jerry Shirley with him.After various auditions and false starts 'Waysted' was formed with old ex-U.F.O . cohort Paul Chapman on lead guitar, replacing original guitarist Jimmy Dilella in time to co-write all of the Band written songs for the first album proper , whilst a young Scot by the name of Fin Muir was brought in to front the Band ,not an enviable task, for an unknown to stand out there with so much experience behind and beside him up there on the boards ,or in the Studio , but they breed them pretty canny up there in the Highlands , and Mrs. Muir's little boy went on to prove himself to be cut of the same clothe as many other fine Scottish Rock Singers ,( Frankie Miller, Alex Harvey, Dan Macaferty,and Bon Scott, to name but a few.) by the time they got into the studio he was the Star of the show.
For this CD release what you get is 'Waysted's' first release, a mini album of five tracks, preceded by the official first album ( Nine tracks ) by which time Jerry Shirley had been replaced by Andy Parker bringing the Ex -U.F.O. contingent up to three, and a final bonus track, as there is not a duff track amongst them, extremely good value for money.
>From the guitar riff -raff of opening song " Hang ' em High " the music literally gallops out of the speakers, Fin's Vocals giving the band a bit of an early AC/DC sound , but with Paul Chapmans guitar rounding of any rough edges,especially when allowed to stretch out on some of the longer songs, like the superb " Manuel" a really earthy Rocker, that clocks in at just under six minutes. When these guys really want to Rock 'n' Roll the roof just flips off.There is only one cover song on this collection, and the Band wisely chose Chuck Berry's " Around and Around" which they rip apart and then put back together in fine Rockin style, with a Tongue in cheek spoken intro by Fin before the Band come in, Fin changing the words slightly to incorporate the Bands Moniker in,

"We were Rockin' goin around and around,
Yeah reelin' out and rockin,
What a Waysted sound."
Then finishing the song with a cheeky .

" Alright Chuck ".
Ah ,Rock 'n ' Roll you can't beat it. Unfortunately as good as this band was within six months it had all fallen apart again, too many ego's to pacify and too much of the over indulgences of their chosen lifestyle. Paul Chapman to virtual retirement in his beloved Wales, Way and Parker to various reincarnations of U.F.O and Waysted, Jerry Shirley to this day is beating the Skins for a reformed ' Humble Pie ' and poor old Fin Muir has disappeared without trace. Shooting Stars burn short ,but bright . The legacy that this version of Waysted left behind is a testament to a fine band . If you like your Rock ' n' Roll with plenty of Raunch , get yourself 'Waysted'.
Mott the Dog."

Rock'n'roll

Kim Fletcher | 09/29/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of the best rock cds i've ever listened. I like bands such as Judas Priest, Van Halen, Black Sabbath, Def Leppard, Iron Maiden, UFO, Metallica etc and I must admit that Waysted surprised me. It is heavy and melodic in the right proportion. From the pure rock'n'roll of Dead on your legs and Around and around from the hard rock of Land that's lost the love and Heaven tonight, this album is fantastic. The last 6 tarcks, from the mini-album Waysted, are all outstanding. If you like rock'n'roll buy it."

Against All Odds...

A rock nutter | Melbourne, Florida | 02/17/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Few would have bet on Pete Way's career resurrection after quitting ailing rockers UFO in 1982. But despite umpteen line-up changes and a reputation for excess that matched his old band, Way's new project put out an impressive body of work - of which this album is, arguably, the best. Splicing AC/DC-ish swagger with a fresh injection of melodic nous (courtesy of newly recruited ex-UFO guitarist, Paul "Tonka" Chapman), the likes of Hang 'Em High, Manuel and the distinctly UFO-ish Heaven Tonight more than cut the mustard. It was also to prove a swansong for charismatic Glaswegian frontman Fin Muir. Marvellous stuff."