Flax, a Norweigian heavy metal band was formed in 1972 and is believed to be Norway's first of the genre. Their first album, "One" (1976) wasn't a big seller, therefore it is yet another hard to find collectors item released on Vertigo. (a label famous for long sought after releases). Strong theatrical heavy rock along the lines of Deep Purple, ("Machine Head" era) and to a lesser degree Uriah Heep and Queen. Their music contained the occational symphonic elements, in true heavy metal fasion.
The band saw a hiatus between 1976 and '78, when thet returned with a single: "What Cha Gonna Do" b/w "Pain in the Ass" (another version of which, is included on their debut album) and in the 80's released two more albums. 1980's Monster Tapes, and 1986's Flax Tracks. Their history is riddled with frequent lineup changes.
Grand Theft, a supposedly joke band which is rumored to be the alter ego of a band called Bluebird, have only two live performances, a self released 7" single, and one self released album (lacking any cover art) in their repertoire. The single, and the album are complied here along with 4 "rehearsal" tracks, and additional material which was meant for a second album that never saw fruition. You gotta love it just for the cover alone, which depicts a rat with wings bearing a significant resemblence to the image of Appolo, the sun god a'la the Swan Song logo.
Replicating the cliches of bands like Zeppelin and Grand Funk, albeit a humorous pisstake, the music is pretty damn good
considering how serious the members took it (or didn't), with names like Crowbar Mahoon and P.K. Skins. A roadie named Cheese Toaster took vocals occationaly, and the band later hired on Loudus Volumus on 2nd guitar.
Alocal radio station took to playing their sole single "Scream (It's Eating Me Alive)" which resulted in a loyal local following (again, they only played live twice in their entire history!). I'ts actually a fuzzed out damn good time.
"Ben the Rat Meets Led Zeppelin" is a personal favorite, with the lyrics telling the story of a big rat going to the "House of Zeppelin" where he encounters a semi coherent Jimmy Page who proceeds to plug his guitar into his rectum to rip out some riffs. Priceless.
Originally from Texas under the name "Aphrodite", W.G. "Snuffy" Walden (guitar/vocals), Alan Roberts (bass/keys/vocals), and Randy Reader (drums) moved to Denver, Colorado and became quite popular under their new moniker, Stray Dog. They were introduced to Neville Chesters, a former road manager for Emerson Lake and Palmer who convinced them to go to London where, along with a friend and fellow tour manager Lorenzio Mazzio leading to Greg Lake signing them to E.L.P.'s label Manticore records. Randy Reader was replaced by Leslie Sampson. Lake produced three tracks on the band's 1973 self titled debut album, with the rest of the band producing the rest.
In March 1973 British music magazine NME reported that Stray Dog were to support ELP on their world tour which was due to commence in Germany at the end of that month.
Stray Dog's follow up album While You're Down There (1974) was co-produced by Austin Godsey and the band. A change in lineup (adding Tim Dulaine -guitar/lead vocals, and Louis Cabaza on keyboards) changed the band's sound from a blues based power trio to a more subdued commercial AOR rock sound.
Leslie Sampson (drums) had played earlier with Noel Redding in "Road."
After the demise of Stray Dog, Snuffy Walden (guitar/lead vocals) went on to write and produce several American television theme songs.
You can hear the beginning of what would end up as 'sludge metal' in the grooves of this disc. Totally heavy rock from Oklahoma with plenty of distorted guitars and great organ. Some of the softer passages have a kind of Allman Brothers feel goin' on. As Rockesteria puts it: "The kind of music where the crunch of the guitars and the drums buries the sound right into your chest if played loud enough."
Drummer Bill "Willy" Daffer eventually went on to play with the reformation of Captain Beyond.
J. Martin (Moby) Anderson - bass/vocals
Glen Ray Townsend - guitar/vocals
George Michael (Mike) Graham - lead vocals
James Patrick Graha - organ/vocals
Danny Cornett - drums (originally)
Bill (Willy) Daffer - drums (on the last 4 songs recorded)
