no Dead Boy fans? I hate having to "stimulate" comment on my own posts

no way man...i was about to post a comment last night when my internet access went down the toilet.

anyhoo...

Young, Loud & Snotty is just classic. i mean, "Caught With The Meat In Your Mouth"?....hey, it's just good clean, punky fun!

I was a Dead Boys follower, Eric, but they were unpredictable. You didn't know what you were gonna get on any given night -- and it ranged from absolutely thrilling to mixed reviews. When they were on, though, they were as good as it gets.

Awww maaaan... lucky Cleveland! The Dead Boys are one of very few bands I would emerge from my fortified zombie-proof bunker to go see, no matter the cost, and they gotta play ten hours away in Cleveland.

Serves me right for ever leaving.

I recall you telling me that MT, a volatile mix indeed! I saw them once in Cleveland and they were hot, but I've heard recordings that were not.

If we can find baby-sitting, we may have to make this one ourselves, John - too bad Halloween is a Monday.

Eric, this is a GREAT article! I've never heard the Dead Boys, much as I've read about them; you really make me wanna hear more.

One thing I'd like to know, if you feel it's explainable: what about the Dead Boys distinguishes them from the other punkers?

thanks Mike, they had better songs than most and an energy that, as Marty said, either propelled them to greatness or doomed them to madness depending upon the night.

Thanks Mark, I know the comments have been down on and off - just feeling sorry for myself.

I think I'm gonna go and beat up the first hippie I see in honor of this event.

as well you should

you people are gonna be sorry when i whip out my patchoulli pepper spray!

Here in Hollywoodland we have a commercial station that plays Sonic Reducer pretty regularly. Only took 28 years.

Last comment -- many felt Genya Raven's production was inadequate. Some felt that Hilly Krystal shouldn't have managed them. However, Genya's production has withstood the test of time and it wasn't like Hilly was fending off producers waiting in line to record the band. Managers and producers are as good as the artist he or she has to work with. Had the band survived long enough to develop a consistency, they might have become examples of Manhattan's malcontents crossing over the Hudson River to the heartland. And don't forget this, there were no radio and distribution outlets for the kind of music the Dead Boys were playing. The majors considered them to be too primitive, MTV was still on the drawing boards, and the band weren't exactly what you would call teen role models. Their personal habits played just as much a part in their demise as it did for the Dolls. Still, all that aside, they are highly under-rated. I really liked them a lot.

excellent points Marty - "personal habits" were certainly an issue for a lot of bands, especially at the time

THE BOYS DID A FEW GIGS AFTER [NIGHT OF] RECORD CAME OUT.I HUNG W/THEM BACK THEN. THOSE GIGS WERE INSANE ,LOTS OF BOOZE DRUGS AND PUSSY ! PRETTY MUCH IN THAT ORDER. GOOD OLEDAZE MR. CHROME AND I USED TO CAUSE A LOT OF MAYHEM TO GETHER WHEN WE LIVED IN BOSTON INMID 1980S MISS STIV HE LEFT TO SOON. B.

thanks B, yes Stiv certaily lef too soon.

I wonder if we'll hear from any of the Boys themselves

Stiv was probably bummed that his movie career didn't take off.

he could have been the next Bond

loved him in 'Tapeheads'

what made the dead boys so great(i remember buying yls first day it came out when i was 20...yeah, i still listen to it a lot)was they were the real deal. where as the ramones were cool, but dumb(at least their image)and loveable, the dead boys were truely gruesome and BAD. if you wanted to separate yourself from the mainstream in those days with a brutal rock'n'roll band, you chose the dead boys. them and the real kids provided all the energy and 'tude that i needed in the crazy year of acne, fumbling drunken sex, and uneasiness most 20 yr olds go through. and they still get it done for me when i need a shot of it today.

Loved reading your post... put me right back in time. The Dead Boys will always be on the top of the list with me.

I knew Stiv and Cheetah when they first formed The Dead Boys. They cut their hair, which astonished me at the time, and told me they were visiting New York where they already had performed. They actually came on stage with my band at Lakewood Highschool in Cleveland. They performed,Mott The Hoople's, "Rock n' Roll Queen", as part of my encore with my band at the time, "The Rock Delinquents". This was I believe, in 1976. They went back to New York, and were soon signed to Sire.I went on to join, "The Raven Slaughter Band", and then formed my Band, "Snake Rock". The rest is history. Please visit:www.snakerock.com. SSSssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

Damn,this is like a Star Trek site! And where is Richard Reigel?? I woulda thought he weigh in on this one!
Barnaby??Yer still alive?!!! How the hell are ya man?

great to hear from you Cheetah - hope the show rocks!

okay, beam me up

HEY Cheetha yeh "OLD LOUD +LAMF".happy halloween gig you sick fuck ! ha ha have some fun man, still love ya you DIRT BAG I will be in touch .B

gotta url for the venue?

YEEAHHH!!! The DEad Boys ~ Lo^ed em then and still lo^e em now.Wish I could make it to Cleveland for the show.Cheap tickets too.Used to see them evry time they hit Deetroit.Bookies show was wild! Stiv was doin lines off an 8-track held up by sum1 in the crowd.THen, when they played the Second Chance in Ann Arboor a near riot broke out with glass pictures sans beer and anything else were thrown at the band making them rereat backstage (Except for Mr. Blitz who defiantly stood onstage and challenged the fuckers to crawl out of the wordwork and recieve their much-desearved ass-kickins!! Talked to stiv afterwards who professed that this being his job he didnt mind all the crazyshit goin down because he got off work early.The 3rd story I have is I once gave Stiv a jar of peanutbutter onstage just like he did with IGGY! That was a splendid night of icky/stickey/ gooey Rawk + Roll.And remember....... "If ya see a hippy in the audience ~ Kick him ~ Ya gotta move Man" STIV BATORS

"What's this bullshit about hippies? It's not the hippies who give us a hard time."

- Eater (a band of 15yo punks at the Roxy Club, London, Spring of '77)

I recently watched the newly released "Dead Boys Live at CBGB's" after not hearing the album for twenty years and it impressed me so much that I immediately bought the cd. I agree with whomever panned Genya's production job (weak drum and bass mix) MT but it is only a slight annoyance - in fact it makes it even more akin to their hero Iggy Pop's "Raw Power." The songs more than hold up and still sound more dangerous and sleazy than any band currently playing that I know of (I hope). But seriously a reuinion? Cheetah said no more reunion until the one in Heaven/Hell (you choose), so I don't get it really. No Stiv, no Dead Boys. Simple as that. It's almost like The Scumfucks without GG Allin - no way!

Oh Crowley,
nice E.A.T.E.R quote by the way!

but since it's Halloween, Stiv can be there in spirit

Tonight's the night - wish I could go

What ever happened to Club Wow? I still have some of the demo tapes from these guys after some shows at the Agora. Jimmy Zero was the front man before he turned into a couch potato...

good question, I don't know

great show I had a good time the guys looked good
took my grandson out for candy headed out to the show and it was dandyyyyyyy
cheetah looked the healthiest johnny second vitamins for the others.
really had a good time thanks
congradulations on you're 30th