Year : 1979-1983 (Cleopatra Records Edition 2022)
Style : Hard Rock
Country : United States
Audio : 320 kbps + scans
Size : 400 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:
A killer 4CD collection from one of the unsung heroes of classic hard rock who toured with every major metal act from Iron Maiden to KISS to Mötley Crüe, the indomitable Axe!Includes all 4 of the band's seminal late '70s, early '80s albums from their self-titled debut to Nemesis!Packaged in a deluxe clamshell box with individual wallets replicating the LP sleeve of each album along with a 16-page full-color booklet containing full liner notes by author Dave Thompson, rare photos, and more!They toured with the best – from Iron Maiden to Scorpions to KISS to Mötley Crüe – at the height of those bands’ popularity, electrifying stadium-sized audiences with the fierce determination and fiery spirit of a rock & roll underdog. Signed to MCA Records, they built a cult following on the strength of their superb studio albums, beginning with the classic 1979 self-titled album.They are AXE and although they seem to fly under the radar of mainstream audiences, the band continues to be rediscovered by new generations of classic rock fans.Now 2022, this deluxe 4CD box set “The Albums 1979-1983” seeks to re-introduce the band to young music fans, collecting the ‘79 debut ‘Axe’ and the subsequent albums they released before a long 13-year hiatus. Those LP’s include the slickly produced ‘Living On The Edge’ (1980), the 1982 album ‘Offering’ (including a bonus live recording from its tour) that spawned the band’s best-known song “Rock ‘N’ Roll Party In The Streets” , and 1983’s ‘Nemesis’, which was the last to be released with founding guitarist Michael Osborne who was tragically killed in a car accident shortly following the album’s release.A Limited Edition Box Set only available on physical format. (thanks to Monroy for this one).
Line Up:
Bobby Barth - lead guitars, vocals
Michael Osbourne - lead guitars, vocals
Edgar Riley Jr. - keyboards, vocals
Mike Turpin - bass
Teddy Mueller - drums, percussion (R.I.P.)
Tracklist:
CD1: Axe (1979)
01. Life’s Just An Illusion
02. Hang On
03. Sympathize
04. How Come I Love You
05. Forever
06. Back On The Streets
07. Doin’ The Best I Can
08. You’re Out Of Line
09. Battles
CD2: Living On The Edge (1980)
01. Living On The Edge
02. Fantasy Of Love
03. First Time, Last Time
04. Carry On
05. Running The Gaunlet
06. I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)
07. Just Walk Away
08. Let Me Know
09. Save Our Love
10. For A Little While
CD3: Offering (1982)
01. Rock ‘n’ Roll Party In The Streets
02. Video Inspiration
03. Steal Another Fantasy
04. Jennifer
05. I Got The Fire
06. Burn The City Down
07. Now or Never
08. Holdin’ On
09. Silent Soldiers
10. Holdin’ On (Live In Dallas 1982) (Bonus Track)
11. Running The Gauntlet (Live In Dallas 1982) (Bonus Track)
12. Steal Another Fantasy (Live In Dallas 1982) (Bonus Track)
13. Jennifer (Live In Dallas 1982) (Bonus Track)
14. Silent Soldiers (Live In Dallas 1982) (Bonus Track)
15. Rock ‘n’ Roll Party In The Streets (Live In Dallas 1982) (Bonus Track)
CD4: Nemesis (1983)
01. Heat in The Street
02. Young Hearts
03. All Through The Night
04. I Think You’ll Remember Tonight
05. She’s Had The Power
06. Girls, Girls, Girls
07. Eagle Flies Alone
08. Keep Playin’ That Rock ‘N’ Roll
09. Foolin’ Your Mama Again
10. Let The Music Come Back
11. Masquerade
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
