Year : 1979 (Axepertise Entertainment Records Edition 1997)
Style : Hard Rock
Country : United States
Audio : 320 kbps + all scans
Size : 183 mb
Bio:
Axe was a hard rock band from Gainesville, Florida, USA, formed in 1979 and disbanded in 2012. Previously known as Babyface with a line-up of vocalist Edgar Riley, guitarist Bobby Barth, bassist Mike Turpin and drummer Bob Miles, the group adopted the new title of Axe in 1979 when the band added second guitarist Michael Osborne. Signing with major label MCA Records,by manager Lou Manganiello Jr, Axe released their self-titled debut in 1979 and immediately gained attention with a melodic Rock sound comprising heavy guitars mixed with keyboards. Band leader Bobby Barth had first picked up a guitar in 1965, encouraged by his father who was already an accomplished player, although Bobby's first interest had been in the drums. As a drummer Barth had made his first public appearance in 1963, but wouldn't play in front of an audience in his new vocation until 1967 at a college gig in Colorado. Barth claims to have no recollections of the bands whose singles he played on early in his professional career, although does recall that his first vinyl appearance was covering a Rolling Stones song, before later forming Babyface.The band was notable for being photographed on their first LP all sporting B. C. Rich Guitars, one of the first bands to use them exclusively.Following Axe with 1980's Living On The Edge the group switched labels to Atco in 1982 for third album Offering, an album that included the hit anthem Rock n' Roll Party In The Streets and a cover of Montrose's I Got The Fire. The album marked the addition of new bassist Wayne Haner to the ranks and AXE got to tour with the likes of the Scorpions, Kiss,Judas Priest, Ozzy Osbourne and ZZ Top. The band also played in Britain during 1983 opening for Iron Maiden.Following the arrival of the band's fourth album Nemesis and touring with Mötley Crüe in 1984, AXE suffered a setback when guitarist Michael Osborne was killed in an auto crash in which a badly injured Bobby Barth was lucky enough to escape with his life. The band dissolved following the tragedy.Barth, once recovered, joined Blackfoot, replacing the seasoned Ken Hensley for the 1984 album Vertical Smiles and subsequent touring. The tenure was short lived however and Barth subsequently released a well crafted solo album Two Hearts, One Beat on Atco Records in 1986. In an attempt in 1989 at reforming AXE, including UFO drummer Andy Parker, was made but petered out, with Barth going to Australia in order to work with ex-Rose Tattoo frontman Angry Anderson.Upon his return to America in 1991 the Denver, Colorado based Caught in the Act came to his attention and, persuaded to take the band under his wing, Barth set to work producing demos. The ensuing debut album, which was eventually released on the Swedish Empire label and featuring covers of two AXE classics, Silent Soldiers and Steal Another Fantasy. Barth has continued to work with the group on a second record, although Caught in the Act has since had to revert to the C.I.T.A. handle due to the existence of a Dutch Boy band with prior claim to the name.Due to Barth's connections with the Japanese label Zero and German company MTM Music Bobby felt there was sufficient interest in AXE to make a renewed effort to put the group back together, albeit with a slightly revised line-up, and the release of a brand new album, aptly titled Five.The reformed 1997 line up was former Frank Zappa vocalist Bob Harris, Barth on guitars, Edgar Riley Jr on keyboards and original drummer Teddy Mueller (born Ted J. Mueller on September 13, 1954) plus bassist Blake Eberhard, vocalist Bob Harris, and keyboardist Rob Lowe. Blake is one of Colorado's premier studio and live bassists. He joined Axe after being hired by Barth for several recording sessions, and added the new dimension of fretless bass and slap-bass style to the Axe sound. In the interim period between the band's split and the reformation, Edgar Riley Jr had worked with Frank Zappa and had also played with several unidentified bands in the Southern states of America and Teddy Mueller had got involved in the publishing industry.A brand new AXE album, Axe (Twenty Years From Home) was released in September 1997 featuring re-recorded versions of choice tracks from each of the first four AXE albums, plus two from the recently released V record. For their 2001 album The Crown the group inducted new personnel guitarist Danny Masters and drummer Christian Teele. Masters had previously issued solo albums Electric Babylon and Till The Moon Goes Away. AXE would release a limited edition mini album Live In America 1981 to commemorate their European 2001 tour dates. The same year would find Barth gaining production credits with Denver's BLISTER 66.Barth is also a member of Southern Rockers Red Rock Roosters releasing an album Attitude Is Everything in 1998. During 2003 Bob Harris re-emerged fronting the Edge of Forever project, an eighties Rock styled venture in union with keyboard player Alessandro Del Vecchio, bassist Christian Grillo and the Sleek, Gotthard and U.D.O. credited guitarist Igor Gianola.In 2004, Barth rejoined Blackfoot.Ted Mueller died on June 29, 2012, at the age of 57.
Album:
Prior to the formation of melodic rock legends Axe, we had the band Babyface. Based in the heartland of Wisconsin (in fact from the same region as 80's AORsters Airkraft), Babyface were signed to Minnesota label ASI Records, who are featured well enough here on GD to be familiar to most. It's pretty much acknowledged by most that the 1977 'Babyface' album was a load of crap manifested into vinyl. After having annoyed the mid-west press everywhere between Minneapolis and Milwaukee, the band skulked into hiding, and popped their heads up in Florida the following year in search of inspiration, insight, and a record deal. First a name change was in order. Axe became their moniker, MCA became their label, and a harder form of rock became their calling. Having heard Babyface, it's staggering the change in quality over the two year period.Three members of Babyface made the journey to Axe. Bobby Barth, Edgar Riley and Mike Turpin were joined by second guitarist Michael Osborne and drummer Teddy Mueller, and a damn impressive lineup of songs resulted. An old Creem review of the album suggested Axe swam in the same sea as Foreigner, and as an overall assessment that's not a bad one. I would throw in there a dose of Legs Diamond as well. How this lot churned out a 1979 classic with 'Hang On' defies belief A tremendous track with pompous pretensions, and a massive wall of vocal harmonies. 'Sympathize' is a gritty rocker with a leaning towards some of the British hard rock bands from the 70's, 'How Come I Love You' is also played in a similar vein but a slightly slower tempo. We get plenty of piano from Riley in the plaintive ballad 'Forever', which comes to life halfway through. 'Back On The Streets' has the attitude of a solid rocker combining the best bits of black leather, hot oil and searing tar-seal. 'Doin' The Best That I Can' takes the best bits of Foreigner and Bad Company and wraps it up in a melodic package. 'You're Out Of Line' is a big sounding pomp rocker which could be Morningstar or Shooting Star with its tinkly keyboards and what sounds like violin parts throughout. The finale 'Baffles' is the coup de grace for the album. Long recognised as an Axe classic, this Styx like pomposity is simple magical from start to finish. The band re-recorded it for their 1997 album 'Axe V. The CD re-release of 'Axe' included five bonus tracks ('Never In My Life', 'How Long Can A Rock 'N' Roll Band Keep Carryin' On', 'Angeline', 'Songwriter' and 'Stone Cold'. The band followed this up with the equally good 'Living On The Edge', but these two MCA albums are considered lightweight, when compared to their Atco and MTM Music eras. Still, both 'Axe' and 'Living On The Edge' make for good listening. You just have to chuckle at the band's origins.. still hard to believe actually. loll
Line Up:
Bobby Barth - lead guitars, vocals
Michael Osbourne - lead guitars, vocals
Edgar Riley Jr. - keyboards, vocals
Michael Turpin - bass, vocals
Teddy Mueller - drums, percussion (R.I.P.)
Tracklist:
01. Life's Just an Illusion 3:39
02. Hang On 3:13
03. Sympathize 3:28
04. How Come I Love You 3:24
05. Forever 3:33
06. Back on the Streets 3:47
07. Doin' the Best I Can 4:25
08. You're Out of Line 3:49
09. Battles 6:13
10. Never in My Life 1:59 (Bonus Track)
11. How Long Can a Rock and Roll Band Keep Carryin' On 2:53 (Bonus Track)
12. Angeline 3:49 (Bonus Track)
13. Songwriter 4:01 (Bonus Track)
14. Stone Cold 4:18 (Bonus Track)
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