Recca Records 1981
I was struck by the Blade Runner/SIGUE SIGUE SPUTNIK aesthetic of Leather Boys From The Asphalt Jungle and just could not pass it up. I knew nothing about FAST (or THE FAST as they're alternately known) before finding this slab, and internet searches don't yield much more information. It'd seem that FAST was a 2-man punk/rock/funk art project with the seediest sides of New York City as both it's backdrop and subject matter. Most songs juxtapose urban life with the wilds of the jungle and the survival of the fittest in both. I can't directly compare this to anything, but it's got a sorta poppy Punk/Glam Rock feel with some funky Disco tinged bass lines. Definitely an interesting and fun listen!
DOWNLOAD: Fast-LeatherBoysFromTheAsphaltJungle.rar (45.68 MB)
PS: The guitar sound on "Ride On The Wild Side" is killer!!!
FAST • Leather Boys From The Asphalt Jungle LP
Monday, September 6, 2010
Labels: 1981, LP, PUNK, RECORD REVIEWS, U.S.A.
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11 comments:
Fucking love this band (RIP). Actually, surprisingly, I found that Amazon has their complete discography plus live tracks available for 9.99. Like 42 songs. definitely worth it.
I thought I saw a photo somewhere and they looked like some kinda 60s throwback (crazy colourful stripey pants, shaggy hair, etc.). Was that another phase of the same band?
They started out as a new wave/glam/powerpop band heavily influenced by The Who, etc. Friends with lots of NY area bigwigs like Joey Ramone, Debbie Harry, Rick Ocasik, Ian North. Then they changed their style to a more funky goth. then as a two piece continued into the Gay Dance scene. I think they are all pretty much dead from AIDS and drug abuse unfortunately. Too bad they never got huge considering all the people they knew and their ability to write super catchy songs.
This band was actually produced by Rick Ocasik for a bit and seem to be revered by hardcore fans of the whole New Wave movement. I like them fairly enough, but some of the fetishist qualities of the group (particularly in dress) never sat well with me. Not to knock them or anything, because the music is cool, but just didn't like the image (any of them).
Taken From Paul Zone's Myspace page: "BIO: Brothers Paul Zone, Miki Zone & Armand Zone formed The Fast in the mid 70s somewhere between glam & punk and soon became an integral part of the Max's/CBGB scene along side Blondie & The Ramones with their blend of power pop & garage punk. As Man 2 Man, Paul & Miki went on to composed, produced & perform songs that would come to define an era in 80s Euro dance/pop and their club sensation "Male Stripper" became a 1 pop hit throughout Europe, Austalia, South America & Mexico. .......................... THE FAST: In 1975, with New York punk just around the corner, The Fast were already a headlining act at Max's Kansas City in New York right from the start and by 1976 their first single "Boys Will Be Boys" for CBS Records UK produced by Bobby Orlando (Pet Shop Boys / Flirts / Bobby O / Divine) was released. Their sound & style was developed with 60s mod pop elements and the use of synths years before they became a staple for 80s New Wave. Their second single "It's Like Love" produced by Richard Gottehrer (Raveonettes / Blondie / Go Go's / Strangeloves) in 1977 was again a blending of electronic synth sounds and bubblegum pop. Throughout '78 & '79 The Fast toured the US and caught the eye & ear of Ric Ocasek who brought them on a tour of stadiums with The Cars and produced them for a Colombia Records compilation release of new acts. In 1980 they released their first LP "The Fast For Sale" and in 1981, their second LP, "Leather Boys From The Asphalt Jungle" would be the last time Paul & Miki would record with a live band. In 1982, The Fast go electronic, Paul & Miki tour up & down the east coast now with two back-up keyboard players. In 1983, for the first time as a duo they performed at New York City's Harrah, s.n.a.f.u., The Pyramid & The Mudd Club with keyboards, electronics & backing tapes. .......................... MAN 2 MAN: In 1983 they recorded a few tracks with the first Fast producer Bobby Orlando (one being an early version of Male Stripper) and got bookings in bigger dance clubs like The Fun House, Limelight & The Saint in New York City and at Heaven in London. At this time they started calling themselves Man 2 Man, recorded self produced 12inch dance singles and would have popular chart topping club hits world wide by 1985. They continued as a live act, touring alongside Sylvester & Divine in clubs and venues holding up to 5000 people in the UK, South America & Mexico. A self produced, re-recording of Male Stripper was released as a b-side in 1986 and DJ's around the world fliped the record over and it shot to number 1 on the dance charts. In March of 1987 Male Stripper went on to become a break out, cross over number 1 pop hit and landed them on the most important music TV show in Europe, "Top Of The Pops" in England. Man 2 Man singles "Male Stripper", "I Need A Man", "Energy Is Eurobeat", "Who Knows What Evil?" & "These Boots Are Made For Walkin" all hit the pop charts in the UK and "At The Gym" became a hit in France with help from Village People producer Jaques Morali. Man 2 Man toured the World for the remainder of the 80s and retired in 1990 and haven't released new recordings or performed live since."
Miss your blog, man, hope you do some new posts soon!
Are you alright mate? You seem to have been kidnapped by aliens... Well, at least if they think the whole human race shares your musical taste they'll never invade Earth...
.....I keep checking in hoping to find another dose of rare 80's metal-please come back!!!!!!
Hi,
are you busy, or just not inspired to post anymore?
I'm hoping to post some more cool 80s/early 90s metal soon.
I asked before you post any & all Nosferatu, since you didn't ,maybe you'll release it on cd/vinyl? or get a retro label like Stormspell Records to release it ? (since you probably have all the master tapes?)
A bit of both really... I intend to post more stuff, but life keeps getting in the way. Eventually I'll get around to it... and the Nosferatu stuff too.
Mediafire have blocked this file beacuse one of the tracks "may be" available from Amazon :-(
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