Twisted Sister : Under the Blade Special Edition

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by John Kindred
Staff Writer

Formed in New Jersey in 1972, under the moniker Silver Star, the band aspired to be Jersey’s answer to the New York Dolls. Taking on the name Twisted Sister in ’73, the band was a revolving door of musicians banging out their existence by playing the local club circuit. Jay Jay French signed on in ’72, and Dee Snider became the band’s vocalist in ’76. Although the band developed a strong following in the Tri-State area, label interest was nonexistent. The band started its own independent label and released the singles “I’ll Never Grow Up Now” / “Under the Blade” in ’79 and “Bad Boys (Of Rock & Roll)” / “Lady’s Boy” in ’80, with Eddie Kramer producing.

Still unable to garner interest from any recording labels, the band pulled up stakes and headed to the United Kingdom. Finally, in April of ’82, Secret Records, with a primary focus of releasing music from the punk genre, signed the band. To heighten interest in the band, the label brought in UFO bassist Pete Way to produce the debut album. With the bands line-up in place, Dee Snider – lead vocals, Jay Jay French – guitars, Eddie Ojeda – guitars, Mark Mendoza – bass and A J Pero – drums, and a recording contract attained, Twisted Sister recorded and released its first album, Under the Blade in 1982.

Flash forward nearly 30 years, and the band remains intact, touring and creating mayhem. The album that launched their career, Under the Blade, has been repackaged, remastered and re-released as a CD / DVD Special Edition package by Armoury Records. Set to drop May 30, the CD features four tracks from their Rough Cutts EP and live version of “Shoot ‘Em Down” from the Reading Festival in 1982. The album’s original running order and original artwork has been restored.

The bonus DVD contains the entire previously-unreleased concert performance of Twisted Sister at the 1982 Reading Festival. Performing the music from their yet-to-be released debut album, the band takes on the unsuspecting British audience. Their performance includes a jam with UFO’s Pete Way, a reunited Fast Eddie Clark (former Motorhead) and Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead on the Rolling Stone classic “It’s Only Rock n’ Roll.” The DVD also includes interviews with the band members who reflect on the creation of the album and their experiences at the Reading Festival.

The music on Under the Blade is raw and edgy, much like the band’s live performance. The guitars are not loaded down in effects or multi-tracked into oblivion. The vocals are approached the same way. Snider’s performance on the album is the same as you expect to hear live. Again, he is not hiding his voice in effects. The drums sound tight, and the kick drum and snare are audible and prominent, making them feel real. The bass guitar pummels, pushes and drives the music forward.

Angst and rebellion, no matter the year, decade or millennium, is always there in the heart of the young. Twisted Sister unleashes it, lives it and is it. Age isn’t a restriction for the message that they lay out before you. There are great songs on Under the Blade, from the title to track to the brooding “Run for Your Life.” The inclusion of the songs from Rough Cutts EP is really cool. And the Reading Festival video performance is over the top. This is a very cool release for Twisted Sister fans. It’s certainly a must-have CD / DVD package.

Label: Armoury Records

Band:
Dee Snider – lead vocals,
Jay Jay French – guitars
Eddie Ojeda – guitars
Mark Mendoza – bass
A J Pero – drums

CD Track Listing:
01. What You Don’t Know (Sure Can Hurt You)
02. Bad Boys (Of Rock ‘n’ Roll)
03. Run For Your Life
04. Sin After Sin
05. Shoot ‘Em Down
06. Destroyer
07. Under The Blade
08. Tear It Loose
09. Day Of The Rocker
Bonus Tracks:
10. What You Don’t Know (Sure Can Hurt You) (Ruff Cutts Version)
11. Shoot ‘Em Down (Ruff Cutts Version)
12. Under The Blade (Ruff Cutts Version)
13. Leader Of The Pack (Ruff Cutts Version)
14. Shoot ‘Em Down (Live At Reading)

DVD Track Listing:
01. What You Don’t Know (Sure Can Hurt You)
02. Sin After Sin
03. Bad Boys (Of Rock ‘n’ Roll)
04. Destroyer
05. Shoot ‘Em Down
06. Tear It Loose
07. Under The Blade
08. It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll

Hardrock Haven rating: 9/10