Big Bang Babies (USA)

[Horex]

Big Bang Babies - Big Bang Babies (1992)













Year : 1992 (B.B.B. Music Edition)
Style : Glam Sleaze Hard Rock
Country : United States
Audio : 320 kbps + scans
Size : 55 mb

Bio:

They are often seen as part of the glam metal genre, as were similar early '90s bands who played on the Sunset Strip, such as Heart Throb Mob, Queeny Blast Pop, Swingin Thing and No Sympathy. Though technically neither band played any form of metal, their sound incorporated rock, bubblegum pop and glam, with a punky attitude and songs were usually delivered tongue in cheek.The band was originally made up of singer Kit Ashley, guitarist Keri Kelli, bassist Tweety Boyd, and drummer Freddie Ferrin. Freddie Ferrin was replaced by drummer Keith Morgan (aka Keith Alan), who is currently with Handsome Devil.All five members later went on to play in other bands, most notably Keri Kelli, who has played with Alice Cooper, Night Ranger, Ratt, Skid Row, and Slash's Snakepit, among others. Kit Ashley played in 98 Ugly Girls, Furr Burger, and Custom Made Scare. Ashley recorded a solo album titled "Songs of Love and Drinking" and currently is now playing in his band Charlie And The Valentine Killers and playing drums in the band "DEADBOLT". Ashley is also working on a new solo album due out in Feb of 2011 under his real name, Charlie Overbey.

Album:

Debut full-length album.Oyez oyez brave glamorous Sunset Strip fanatics! Remember the Big Bang Babies, that mythical combo that ran rampant in Los Angeles between the end of the 80s and the beginning of the 90s. They were undoubtedly one of the most glam bands ever. You can't beat the glam! Poison, Pretty Floyd and Warrant are like a stick of liquorice in comparison. Big Bang Babies are as good as a packet of Tagada strawberries (registered trademark).You'll also remember that this band was the first major band of a certain Keri Kelli, a super-cool guitarist who went on to play with Alice Cooper, Vince Neil, The Bullet Boys, L.A Guns, Pretty Boy Floyd (how odd!), Love/Hate, Warrant and the list goes on. Quite simply, this guy is the epitome of Sunset Strip attitude and style. Reducing the BBB to Keri Kelli is a mistake. The rhythmic base of Freddie Ferrin on drums and Tweety Boyd on bass is seemingly basic in its approach, yet terribly effective. Finally, Kit Ashley is an ideal singer for this type of music. His terribly glammy timbre fits the whole thing perfectly.You'll soon realise that the overall production is a little weak. And yet... it fits perfectly with these 7 little sweet and sour treats. It gives the whole thing a certain charm.This production gets off to a great start with the excellent, cult classic ‘Everybody Needs A Hero’, which resembles Warrant's ‘Big Talk’ except that it's even more glam! The incisive riff and chorus are downright irresistible. The festive, light-hearted ‘Saturday Night’ follows on perfectly. This chorus, which could have worked wonders on one of Crüe's first 2 albums, is a weapon of mass destruction. A few cowbell strikes introduce the very good and trashy ‘Come On’. Are you tapping your foot? Are you spellbound? That's normal, my friend.‘Satisfaction' is more restrained and sophisticated. And yet it hits the nail on the head once again. The backing vocals are addictive (yes you know the oh oh ohhhhhhhhhhh) and make the whole thing even sweeter. ‘Penny Lady' is the ultimate ballad. Very pretty, it would have deserved better than cruel anonymity. The anthemic ‘Do You Wanna Rock’, with its simplistic chorus, has its effect. It's basic, it's glam,it's that good. ‘Love Drug’ is clearly the most interesting track here. The guys have written a real bubblegum glam anthem of the highest order. All the ingredients are there. This song should have been a hit. Unfortunately, this first effort was released in the cursed year 92, when glam bands had become uninteresting for the majority of mortals. Too much too late? No doubt. And yet, if times hadn't changed, the BBB could have been one of the spearheads of a new wave coming out of the Sunset Strip.

Line-Up:

Kit Ashley – Lead Vocals
Keri Kelli – Guitar, Backing Vocals, Keyboards
Tweety Boyd – Bass
Freddie Ferrin – Drums
Brent Jeffers – Keyboards

+ guests:

Choir – Freddie*, Jamie Rowe, Julie , Keri*, Kit*, Layna
Keyboards [Live Keys] – Randy "Why'd I Quit" Williams*
Percussion [Addition Percussion] – Brent Jeffers, Greg Garcia, Keri Kelli

Production:

Recorded At – The Barrelhouse
Mixed At – The Barrelhouse
Recorded At – Neverland
Mixed At – ASAF
Mastered At – Digital Brothers
Copyright © – B.B.B. Music
Engineer – Brent Jeffers, Greg Garcia
Executive-Producer – Shelby LeBorio
Mastered By – Doug Boyle
Mixed By – J.R. (40), Keri Kelli
Producer – Keri Kelli

Tracklist:

01. Everybody Needs A Hero
02. Saturday Night
03. Come On
04. Satisfaction
05. Penny Lady
06. Do Ya Wanna Rock
07. Love Drug




Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/

[Horex]

Big Bang Babies - Black Market (1994)













Year : 1994 (Swollen Records Edition)
Style : Glam Sleaze Hard Rock
Country : United States
Audio : 320 kbps + scans
Size : 118 mb

Bio:

They are often seen as part of the glam metal genre, as were similar early '90s bands who played on the Sunset Strip, such as Heart Throb Mob, Queeny Blast Pop, Swingin Thing and No Sympathy. Though technically neither band played any form of metal, their sound incorporated rock, bubblegum pop and glam, with a punky attitude and songs were usually delivered tongue in cheek.The band was originally made up of singer Kit Ashley, guitarist Keri Kelli, bassist Tweety Boyd, and drummer Freddie Ferrin. Freddie Ferrin was replaced by drummer Keith Morgan (aka Keith Alan), who is currently with Handsome Devil.All five members later went on to play in other bands, most notably Keri Kelli, who has played with Alice Cooper, Night Ranger, Ratt, Skid Row, and Slash's Snakepit, among others. Kit Ashley played in 98 Ugly Girls, Furr Burger, and Custom Made Scare. Ashley recorded a solo album titled "Songs of Love and Drinking" and currently is now playing in his band Charlie And The Valentine Killers and playing drums in the band "DEADBOLT". Ashley is also working on a new solo album due out in Feb of 2011 under his real name, Charlie Overbey.

Album:

This is the second album by the American sleazy rock ‘n’ roll band Big Bang Babies, previously introduced. The first album was also quite catchy and pop-oriented, but this album is even more so. Rather than hard rock, it feels more like a pop band like NEW FOUND GLORY, who broke through a long time ago. The band broke up before releasing this album, and it is not surprising that this is due to the common ‘difference in musical direction’ (there are rumours that Keri Kelli, the guitarist, released this album on her own).After releasing their first cult album, Big Bang Babies are back 2 years later with their second, Black Market.Was the name a nod to the decline of glam metal in ‘94? Or a way of affirming that this is a guilty pleasure that can be bought and sold under the table? Who knows?Whatever the case, this second album is at least as good as their first. Keri Kelli is a prolific songwriter. Before the release of the first album, over 120 tracks were written by our guitarist. Only 7 ended up on the eponymous album, the others on this Black Market. The recipes used remain the same. Big Bang Babies deliver irresistible bubbleglam influenced by Mötley Crüe, Warrant and Pretty Boy Floyd. The only slight difference is that here there are more power pop influences, reminding you of the excellent Cheap Trick at times. Needless to say, the whole thing is catchy, effective and, above all, perfectly tailored to its audience. This may well be a record that catches the ear of anyone who likes good melodies and immediate choruses. The themes remain the same as always: love, sex, all-night parties and the rock that goes with it. There's even an almost adolescent, fragile charm here.The tracks do not seem to have been recorded at the same time. Indeed, the quality of the productions varies. Nothing catastrophic either.13 tracks of nothing but happiness. The only criticism I have is the presence of ‘Everybody Need A Hero’. Not because it's a bad song - it may well be their ultimate anthem - but it's exactly the same version as the one that appeared on their eponymous album. So not very interesting.The opening track ‘8 Arms’ sets the tone perfectly. The acidic glam with the power pop aftertaste of Cheap Trick's ‘I Want You You Want Me’ is bound to hit the spot. The version of ‘Love Drug’ offered here is interesting, and shows that these 4 guys had a definite talent for composition and arrangement. From a single song, they manage to create 2 different versions, each just as good as the other. ‘All I Wanna Do' is a little more melancholy, like a disappointment or a teenage longing that's been satisfied. The ballads are also very good. My preference is for the melancholy ‘Every Loves My Baby’. ‘Hear You Say’ will captivate your ear too. It could have been a ballad that would have enjoyed heavy rotation 5 years earlier on MTV. Different times, different customs. ‘Candy Girl’, as its name suggests, is the best track here. It's a real success in its genre. If you like easy, effective anthems, give an ear (or two) to the very good ‘Let's Go To The Rock N'Roll Show’, so Pretty Boy Floyd in spirit.The instrumental ‘Bliss’ is very surprising. Keri Kelli demonstrates in all simplicity that he probably deserved to become a guitar hero. It's fresh, effective and beautifully constructed. It's a job well done.Unfortunately, the lack of commercial success was to be the end of Big Bang Babies. Only Keri Kelli managed to make it big, becoming one of the most sought-after guitarists on the Strip.This record, like its predecessor, is rather difficult to find. I'd advise you to buy the super 3 Chords And The Truth compilation to discover this essential band.

Line-Up:

Kit Ashley – Lead Vocals
Keri Kelli – Guitar, Backing Vocals, Keyboards
Tweety Boyd – Bass
Freddie Ferrin – Drums
Keith Alan – Drums
Brent Jeffers – Keyboards

Tracklist:

01. 8 Arms
02. All I Wanna Do
03. Hear You Say
04. Love Drug
05. Stop the World
06. Everybody Loves My Baby
07. Right By Your Side
08. Everybody Needs A Hero
09. Wont Be Gone for Long
10. Bliss (Maguro Tataki)
11. Lets Go To The Rock N Roll Show ([Hidden Track)
12. Candy Girl ([Hidden Track)
13. Look At You Now ([Hidden Track)




Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/

[Horex]

Big Bang Babies - 3 Chords And The Truth (1999)













Year : 1999 (Swollen Records Edition)
Style : Glam Hard Rock
Country : United States
Audio : 320 kbps + all scans
Size : 101 mb

Bio:

They are often seen as part of the glam metal genre, as were similar early '90s bands who played on the Sunset Strip, such as Heart Throb Mob, Queeny Blast Pop, Swingin Thing and No Sympathy. Though technically neither band played any form of metal, their sound incorporated rock, bubblegum pop and glam, with a punky attitude and songs were usually delivered tongue in cheek.The band was originally made up of singer Kit Ashley, guitarist Keri Kelli, bassist Tweety Boyd, and drummer Freddie Ferrin. Freddie Ferrin was replaced by drummer Keith Morgan (aka Keith Alan), who is currently with Handsome Devil.All five members later went on to play in other bands, most notably Keri Kelli, who has played with Alice Cooper, Night Ranger, Ratt, Skid Row, and Slash's Snakepit, among others. Kit Ashley played in 98 Ugly Girls, Furr Burger, and Custom Made Scare. Ashley recorded a solo album titled "Songs of Love and Drinking" and currently is now playing in his band Charlie And The Valentine Killers and playing drums in the band "DEADBOLT". Ashley is also working on a new solo album due out in Feb of 2011 under his real name, Charlie Overbey.

Album:

Here’s “3 Chords And The Truth / The Ultimate Collection“, the best-of collection including unreleased tracks from BIG BANG BABIES. Featuring guitarist Keri Kelli (Alice Cooper, Skid Row, Warrant, Saints of the Underground), BIG BANG BABIES were the hottest thing rocking the Strip in the early 90s, and they’re still rocking in the hearts of fans worldwide via this CD including material taken from their 2 indie albums plus 3 unreleased songs.This compilation released by Perris Records has been re-mixed by genius Mike Slamer (Steelhouse Lane, Streets, City Boy) and you can find 12 lovely Power Pop/Glam Rock anthems with influences from bands such as Cheap Trick, Poison, Enuff Z´Nuff, etc. Fans of Pretty Boy Floyd might also recognize the song ‘Everybody Needs A Hero’ as they later re-recorded the smash hit, here you can find the original version and it’s a great Glam rocker with a catchy chorus.For many people Big Bang Babies were way better than Poison. Even better than Warrant. Why did those two bands find fame and fortune while Big Bang Babies did not? Timing, I think. Big Bang Babies just arrived too late. A few years earlier and perhaps they would have been just as successful, they certainly deserved to be.Poison only dreamed of writing songs as great as the Big Bang Babies’ songs, but by the time the band’s self-released record came out in 1992, Nevermind had obliterated opportunities that the band most certainly would have cashed in on just a few years prior.By 1992 any chance of getting signed by a major label or even noticed beyond the Sunset Strip was history for a band that looked and sounded like Big Bang Babies. That’s a tragedy because their songs are insanely good. Just listen to “Come On.” Big Bang Babies sound incorporated Hard Rock, bubblegum Pop and Glam, with a Punky attitude.Their song that probably would have garnered them the most attention if it had come out a few years earlier is the aforementioned ‘Everybody Needs A Hero’. It’s catchy as hell. I think MTV would have given its flashy video (because there would have been one) a few spins in 1988/1989.Something was happening on the Sunset Strip in the Nineties, something decidedly different from the alternative revolution that MTV was propagating. The bands that remained on the strip took the glam image to its furthest extreme and shamelessly indulged their pop sensibilities, I’ve often seen what they were doing referred to as “bubblegum.”Call it what you want, they definitely explored extremes. Bands like Heart Throb Mob, Queeny Blast Pop and Tryx cultivated a style and image that was beyond over the top and a sugary pop rockin’ sound that made no apologies.Big Bang Babies fit with those bands but they also maintained a connection to the earlier Sunset Strip vibe that Poison had co-opted and transplanted from clubs to stadiums.Big Bang Babies had broken up by the time their second album was released in 1994 and apparently guitarist Keri Kelli put it together himself without the consent of the rest of the band. The CD is called Black Market and regardless of how the project came together the songs are goddamn brilliant. Check out ‘8 Arms’.How could anyone resist that song? But the big rock albums of 1994 were Green Day, Live, NIN, etc. ‘8 Arms’ in the context of the musical climate of 1994 was “alternative” because “alternative” had become mainstream.In 1992/1993 a band like Big Bang Babies were the rebels. Big Bang Babies were the real thing.The cynical view of the “hair metal” years is that those bands were just in it for the money. I disagree, I think most of the “hair metal” bands just loved rock and roll. They wanted to be rock stars for a variety of reasons. Most of the members of those “hair band” had shunned societal expectations and risked it all to pursue a dream. Many had a romance with rock and roll that their pretentious and elitist detractors could not relate to.Those who deemed “hair metal” low class and beneath them did not begrudge the similar flamboyant extremes of David Bowie or the New York Dolls because they were allowed to like David Bowie and the New York Dolls. This idea that all “hair metal” was disingenuous and all “alternative” music was honest and heartfelt is just plain bullshit.Back to the topic at hand, the ballad taken from Big Bang Babies second album, ‘Hear You Say’, is an awesomely well-written song and almost certainly would have been a massive hit five years earlier.With the original albums pretty hard to find, “3 Chords And The Truth / The Ultimate Collection” is a great, welcomed release – although also hard to find now, go to Eonian Records seems they have some copies – and Mike Slamer’s remix / remaster makes wonders.Big Bang Babies singer Kit Ashley now goes by Charlie Overbey, he still makes music and has a radio show. Guitarist Keri Kelli went on to play with Alice Cooper, Slash, and numerous others.This is what rock music are all about… great fun and a lotta catchy hooks. A must have for fans of sugar sweet late 80s-style Glam Rock.

Line-Up:

Kit Ashley – Lead Vocals
Keri Kelli – Guitar, Backing Vocals, Keyboards
Tweety Boyd – Bass
Freddie Ferrin – Drums
Keith Alan – Drums
Brent Jeffers – Keyboards

Tracklist:

01. 8 Arms
02. Hear You Say
03. Stop the World
04. Everybody Loves My Baby
05. Bliss (maguro tataki)
06. Everybody Needs a Hero
07. Saturday Night
08. C’mon
09. Love Drug
10. Youth of Today
11. Winter Wonderland
12. Bubble Gum Town




Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/