380) That Petrol Emotion - Fireproof

End of the Millenium Psychosis Blues had underperformed in the charts only making number fifty-three but that was okay because the band had made one of the greatest albums ever with Chemicrazy which would propel them to the top ten. It was in the UK charts for one week peaking at sixty-two. If I had been Prime Minister I would have ordered an enquiry. However, it wasn’t me it was John Major, I disliked him then and now have even more reason to dislike him that he never brought this major issue to the House of Commons.

In 1986 when the band released their debut Manic Pop Thrill John O’Neill had written or co-written ten of the twelve tracks but John had left after Millennium but drummer Ciaran McLaughlin and guitarist Raymond Gorman had proved themselves over the years and John’s brother Damian also stepped up, losing John was a blow but they had recovered and were fighting on.

Anyway, as usual I digress, Virgin pulled the plug on the band who formed their own label, Koogat and Brendan Kelly was drafted in to replace John Marchini on bass. 

I bought the single, Detonate My Dreams the day it came out, of course I did, a more hard-hitting sound than Chemicrazy with each member stepping up, Brendan instantly clicking with Ciaran, Raymond and Damian delivering riff after riff and Steve Mack a true front man of confidence and ability. Chemicrazy had four singles make the UK Top 100, this one didn’t, shit maybe they were not going to make it.

I bought the album, shocker I know, it made number one in the indie chart and contained a storming song that does not let up from start to finish called Last of the True Believers, maybe I was.

Catch a Fire builds slowly then the band crash in at just over the minute mark and a heavy groove set over the song and Too Late Blues is exhilarating, if they were going down, they were going down fighting.

7^th Wave we have the first light touch from the band as Mack glides over the music and Infinite Thrill is exactly what the title states. Speed of Light there are few bands who could produce something so good as we have steady drums, the odd surge of guitar then a sudden burst and the chorus that Mack soars into before the band can demonstrate how they can veer off, Brendan brings a new level to the band, and then they bring it all back round again, not even a bloody single, wouldn’t have mattered sadly.

I am going to stop now, there are three more tracks on this record, guess what, they are all wonderful, full of imagination (okay quickly, love the riffs throughout Shangri-La, the beauty of Heartbeat Mosaic and the harshness and intensity of Metal Mystery) but if I have not got you to have a listen to this band yet then I have failed.

If I am still writing my amateur musings in ten – twenty years I will never tire of mentioning this band. Quite simply, in my eyes(or ears I suppose), the best band ever who did not receive the sales and acclaim they so rightly deserved.

For all the knocks they took and to come back with this I think we all know the score.

10/10

GIVE IT A STREAM:  Speed of Light