The Damned

 Today in 1987 The Damned released the single In Dulce Decorum

London, England Punk rock, Gothic rock, Post-punk

Status: Active

Years active :1976-Present

They were rarely cited as the most important of the first wave of British punk bands, nor one of the most influential, but in many respects, the Damned can honestly claim to be first. They released the first U.K. punk single (1976's "New Rose" b/w "Help"), the first U.K. punk album (1977's Damned Damned Damned), and were the first British punks to tour the United States. They were also one of the first major bands on the scene to break up, and were later ahead of the pack when they reunited. And few of their peers have had a longer or more interesting career path. Playing music that was dark but playful at the same time, the Damned started out as a loud, hell-bent-for-leather punk quartet. They soon began adding psychedelic and garage rock influences into their music (1979's Machine Gun Etiquette), detoured into epic-scale pop with a dash of prog (1980's The Black Album), and embraced a tuneful but muscular take on goth (1985's Phantasmagoria), all within their first ten years. While the strong, mannered but witty vocals from Dave Vanian remained a constant, the band's personnel and style was in flux as the group broke up and reunited with remarkable frequency. They finally found a relatively stable lineup in the 2000s, led by Vanian and co-founder Captain Sensible, delivering a slick but enthusiastic fusion of pop, rock, and goth on latter-day albums such as 2008's So, Who's Paranoid? and 2018's Evil Spirits. Throug it all, the band's ability to take their music seriously without taking themselves seriously endeared them to a tremendously loyal fan base.

MCA Records

Dave Vanian − vocals

Rat Scabies − drums

Roman Jugg − guitar, keyboards

Bryn Merrick − bass

Paul Shepley - keyboards on live track

"In Dulce Decorum" (Jugg, Scabies, Vanian, Merrick) - 4:47

"Psychomania" (Jugg, Scabies, Vanian, Merrick) - 4:03

Bonus tracks on 12" single: -

"In Dulce Decorum (Extended Version)" (Jugg, Scabies, Vanian, Merrick) - 5:58

"In Dulce Decorum (Dub)" (Jugg, Scabies, Vanian, Merrick) - 4:41

"In Dulce Decorum" was a single by the Damned, released 16 November 1987 on the MCA label.

The song was originally recorded for the Anything album, but was issued as a single to promote MCA's Damned retrospective Light at the End of the Tunnel. MCA also issued the single in Germany.

The single, the Damned's last to break into the UK charts, hit No. 72. It was featured in the Miami Vice third-season episode "Walk Alone", and an instrumental version was included in the Miami Vice II soundtrack.

The track was inspired by Wilfred Owen's poem Dulce et Decorum Est, and began with an excerpt from a speech by Winston Churchill to the House of Commons as the Battle of Britain began on 18 June 1940: Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire and Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, "This was their finest hour

UFO

 Today in 1985 UFO released the album Misdemeanor

London, England Hard rock, heavy metal

Status:Active

Years active 1969–present

Beginning (1969–1972):

UFO is one of the standout British metal bands of the 70's, now celebrating over forty years in the business. It took a few years for them to get off the ground (the first three albums are not highly regarded), but once the classic Way/Mogg/Schenker/Parker lineup was in place, the band put out some great metal tunes such as "Lights Out", "Doctor Doctor", and (personal favorite) "Rock Bottom". By the mid-eighties their major success was behind them, but an endless array of revolving lineups and albums have surfaced over the years, keeping the name alive. Enigmatic guitarist Michael Schenker has been in and out countless times, in betwen stints with his own band (Michael Schenker Group), as well as a couple of turns with his brother in Scorpions.

Chrysalis

Phil Mogg - vocals

Tommy McClendon (Atomik Tommy M) - lead guitar

Paul Raymond - keyboards, guitar

Paul Gray - bass

Jim Simpson - drums

Side one

1"This Time" (Paul Gray, Phil Mogg) — 4:36

2"One Heart" (Gray, Mogg, Tommy McClendon) - 4:09

3"Night Run" (Gray, Mogg, McClendon) - 4:32

4"The Only Ones" (Gray, Mogg) - 5:16

5"Meanstreets" (McClendon, Mogg) - 4:17

Side two

6"Name of Love" (McClendon, Mogg) - 4:37

7"Blue" (Gray, Mogg) — 5:18

8"Dream the Dream" (Paul Raymond, Mogg) - 4:32

9"Heaven's Gate" (McClendon, Mogg) - 4:15

10"Wreckless" (McClendon, Mogg) — 4:59

Japan CD bonus tracks

11"Night Run" (U.S. Remix) - 4:24

12"This Time" (U.S. Remix) - 4:39

13"Heaven's Gate" (U.S. Remix) - 4:15

Misdemeanor is the twelfth studio album by the British hard rock band UFO. After the disastrous tour supporting Making Contact, UFO disbanded, with Phil Mogg spending time in Los Angeles, where he contacted through Mike Varney guitarist Atomik Tommy M. Mogg decided to start a new band, involving the new American guitarist and Paul Gray, who had played bass guitar in the last UFO tour. The three of them recruited former UFO keyboard player Paul Raymond and drummer Robbie France and started writing new material. Chrysalis Records signed the new band as UFO and assigned experienced producer Nick Tauber for the recording process of a new album. France resigned before the recording started and was replaced by former Magnum drummer Jim Simpson. Paul Raymond quit the band during their US tour in August 1986 and was replaced for the rest of the tour by David Jacobson

Slayer

 Today in 1984 Slayer released the Live album Live Undead

Huntington Park, Los Angeles County, California Thrash Metal
Status:Active
Years active: 1981-present
No introduction necessary here, as Slayer is universally acknowledged as of the premier thrash bands of all time, with Reign In Blood, their most popular album, universally regarded as not just an absolute thrash classic but one of the best metal albums ever. Cut from the same cloth as Metallica (the two debut albums do have similarities), and arguably just as influential, though clearly the musical directions of the two bands grew apart. The band's style has largely remained unchanged over the years, and so has their popularity, as they are still a huge draw live well into their third decade as an active band.
The lineup has largely stayed the same over the years, but recent events have changed that. Drummer Dave Lombardo has been in and out of the band several times, both officially and unofficially. As of this writing, he is unofficially out of the band, with Jon Dette filling his role on tour. Finally, guitarist Jeff Hanneman contracted a rare flesh-eating disease in 2011, forcing him to step aside from the band. Sadly, he passed away in May 2013 from liver failure. Exodus's Gary Holt has been playing live with the band as a replacement, but he has not been named an official member of the band.
Metal Blade Records
Tom Araya – bass, vocals
Jeff Hanneman – guitar(R.I.P. 2013)
Kerry King – guitar
Dave Lombardo – drums
1. Black Magic (3:58)
2. Die by the Sword (4:04)
3. Captor of Sin (3:33)
4. The Antichrist (3:14)
5. Evil Has No Boundaries (2:59)
6. Show No Mercy (3:03)
7. Aggressive Perfector (2:30)
Recorded & mixed at Track Record Studios.
The album was recorded live with a small number of fans in the studio.
CD version (released in 1987) has eight tracks, the last being the studio version of "Chemical Warfare" (06:02).
Remastered version includes Haunting the Chapel EP:
8. Chemical Warfare (06:02)
9. Captor of Sin (03:29)
10. Haunting the Chapel (03:56)
11. Aggressive Perfector (03:28)
Remastered at Future Disc, November 1993.
The 1987 vinyl (reissue) also has "Chemical Warfare" as a bonus.
Re-released in 2009 on splatter vinyl limited to 1000 copies by Metal Blade Records.
Live Undead is the first live live album by the American thrash metal band Slayer. It was released through Metal Blade Records and recorded in New York City in front of a room of people. It has been questioned by both critics and authors that the audience sound may or may not be faked, however when asked if they were fake, producer Bill Metoyer said, "I don't know if I should tell you."
The EP begins with "Black Magic", with an extended introduction building alongside the audience's yelling. The song is performed faster, heavier, and more confident than its original recording in 1983. When the song is over, lead vocalist Tom Araya says, "They say the pen is mightier than the sword. Well I say fuck the pen!", and the band begins playing "Die By The Sword". The band then run-through "Captor of Sin", "The Antichrist", "Evil Has No Boundaries", and "Show No Mercy". "Aggressive Perfector" is performed with more "power", as described by author Joel McIver, who described the entire track listing as, "a fearsome set, although the rest of the songs don't quite have the visceral power of the opening track. In fact, the Live Undead version of "Black Magic" established a career-long trend of Slayer's live songs being more powerful than the studio versions, with very few exceptions

Satan Jokers

 Today in 1983 Satan Jokers released there debut album Les fils du métal

Paris, Île-de-France, France Heavy Metal
Status:Active
Years active: 1981-1985, 2008-present

Satan Jokers were another of those semi-obscure 80's French bands who came and went without much fanfare. The debut, Les Fils Du Metal, was quite good, one of the best French albums of the era, but they wandered into pop territory on the followup and eventually disappeared after a third release. Drummer Renaud Hantson pursued a successful pop solo career for several years after the demise of the band.
In the fall of 2008 drummer (and now vocalist) Hantson decided to put together a new version of the band, in part in tribute to departed bassist Laurent Bernant. A new album is scheduled for a 2009 release.

Vertigo

Renaud Hantson Vocals, Drums
Laurent Bernat (R.I.P. 2004) Bass
Stéphane Bonneau Guitars
Pierre Guiraud Vocals

Side A
1. Prélude 00:44 instrumental
2. Les fils du métal 04:35
3. Samourai 03:29
4. Tokyo Geisha 04:03
5. Offrande 03:34
6. Derrière les portes closes 04:38
Side B
7. En partance pour l'enfer 03:39
8. Age de confusion 03:34
9. Les forces maléfiques 04:08 instrumental
10. Le Fouet 02:38
11. Quand les héros se meurent 06:35
41:37

The album has been reissued by Axe Killer Records in 1999. The reissue contains 3 additional tracks
1. Sons of Metal
2. Offering
3. Samurai

Kiss

 Today in 1981 Kiss released the album Music from "The Elder"

New York City, New York Hard rock, heavy metal

Status:Active

Years active 1973–present

Rooted in the campy theatrics of Alice Cooper and the sleazy hard rock of glam rockers the New York Dolls, Kiss became a favorite of American teenagers in the '70s. Most kids were infatuated with the look of Kiss, not their music. Decked out in outrageously flamboyant costumes and makeup, the band fashioned a captivating stage show featuring dry ice, smoke bombs, elaborate lighting, blood spitting, and fire breathing that captured the imaginations of thousands of kids. But Kiss' music shouldn't be dismissed -- it was a commercially potent mix of anthemic, fist-pounding hard rock driven by sleek hooks and ballads powered by loud guitars, cloying melodies, and sweeping strings. It was a sound that laid the groundwork for both arena rock and the pop-metal that dominated rock in the late '80s.

Casablanca

Paul Stanley - rhythm guitar, vocals, lead guitar on "Just a Boy", "A World Without Heroes" and "The Oath"

Ace Frehley - lead guitar, bass on "Dark Light" and "The Oath", acoustic guitar on "A World Without Heroes"

Gene Simmons - bass guitar, vocals, rhythm guitar on "Only You"

Eric Carr(R.I.P. 1991) - drums, percussion, backing vocals, acoustic guitar on "Under the Rose"

With

Bob Ezrin - producer, keyboards, bass on "Escape From The Island"

Allan Schwartzberg - drums on "Odyssey" and "I", additional overdub

Tony Powers - keyboards on "Odyssey"

The American Symphony Orchestra

St. Robert's Choir

Original Version[edit]

No. Title Writer(s) Lead vocals Length

1. "The Oath" Paul Stanley, Bob Ezrin Stanley 4:33

2. "Fanfare" Stanley, Ezrin Instrumental 1:00

3. "Just a Boy" Stanley, Ezrin Stanley 2:34

4. "Dark Light" Ace Frehley, Gene Simmons, Anton Fig, Lou Reed Frehley 4:12

5. "Only You" Simmons Simmons, Stanley 4:22

6. "Under the Rose" Simmons, Eric Carr Simmons 4:48

7. "A World Without Heroes" Stanley, Simmons, Ezrin, Reed Simmons 2:39

8. "Mr. Blackwell" Simmons, Reed Simmons 4:49

9. "Escape from the Island" Frehley, Carr, Ezrin Instrumental 2:51

10. "Odyssey" Tony Powers Stanley 5:49

11. "I" Simmons, Ezrin Stanley, Simmons 3:54

12. "Finale" Instrumental 1:04

1997 Remastered Version[edit]

No. Title Writer(s) Lead vocals Length

1. "Fanfare" Paul Stanley, Ezrin Instrumental 1:22

2. "Just a Boy" Stanley, Ezrin Stanley 2:25

3. "Odyssey" Powers Stanley 5:37

4. "Only You" Simmons Simmons, Stanley 4:17

5. "Under the Rose" Simmons, Carr Simmons 4:52

6. "Dark Light" Frehley, Simmons, Fig, Reed Frehley 4:19

7. "A World Without Heroes" Stanley, Simmons, Ezrin, Reed Simmons 2:41

8. "The Oath" Stanley, Ezrin, Powers Stanley 4:32

9. "Mr. Blackwell" Simmons, Reed Simmons 4:53

10. "Escape from the Island" Frehley, Carr, Ezrin Instrumental 2:52

11. "I" Simmons, Ezrin Stanley, Simmons 5:04

Music from "The Elder" is the ninth studio album released by American rock band Kiss.

A substantial departure from their previous output with its epic concept and orchestral elements, album sales were so poor that Kiss did not embark on a supporting tour for the first time in its eight-year history, opting instead to make a handful of promotional appearances. Music from "The Elder" was the first album with drummer Eric Carr and the last album to feature Ace Frehley until their 1996 reunion Alive/Worldwide Tour apart from appearing on the cover of the compilation album Killers and the next album Creatures of the Night and a handful of promotional appearances with the band until 1983.

While "A World Without Heroes" was later performed on the band's 1995 MTV Unplugged appearance, Kiss have largely avoided live performances of songs from the album following initial promotional appearances in 1981

The Kinks

 Today in 1973 The Kinks released then album Preservation Act 1

Muswell Hill, London, England Rock

Status:Active

Years active:1964–1996, 2018–present

Although they weren't as boldly innovative as the Beatles or as popular as the Rolling Stones or the Who, the Kinks were one of the most influential bands of the British Invasion. Like most bands of their era, the Kinks began as an R&B/blues outfit. Within four years, the band had become the most staunchly English of all their contemporaries, drawing heavily from British music hall and traditional pop, as well as incorporating elements of country, folk, and blues.

RCA

Ray Davies - vocals, guitar, harmonica

Dave Davies - guitar, vocals

John Gosling - keyboards

John Dalton - bass

Mick Avory - drums

with:

Alan Holmes - brass

Laurie Brown - brass

John Beecham - brass

Krysia Kocjan, Lee Pavey, Lewis Rich, Pamela Travis, Sue Brown - other singers

All tracks written by Ray Davies.

Side one

No. Title Length

1. "Morning Song" 2:00

2. "Daylight" 3:19

3. "Sweet Lady Genevieve" 3:26

4. "There's a Change in the Weather" 2:59

5. "Where Are They Now?" 3:28

6. "One of the Survivors" 4:31

Side two

No. Title Length

1. "Cricket" 2:56

2. "Money and Corruption/I Am Your Man" 6:01

3. "Here Comes Flash" 2:41

4. "Sitting in the Midday Sun" 3:47

5. "Demolition" 4:07

Preservation: Act 1 is a 1973 concept album by the English rock group the Kinks. It is their eleventh studio album.

Preservation was not well received by critics and sold poorly (peaking on the Billboard 200 at No. 177), though the live performances of the material were much better received. Some more recent reviews of Preservation: Act 1 have been more sympathetic to its ambitions, such as AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine, who declared "Sweet Lady Genevieve" to be the "real candidate for Davies' forgotten masterpiece".

The 1991 CD reissue on Rhino was a 2-CD set combining Preservation: Act 1 with its 1974 follow-up Preservation: Act 2, but with no bonus tracks other than an extended mix of "Money & Corruption/I Am Your Man", featuring an extra instrumental break.

The 1998 CD reissue of Preservation: Act 1 on Velvel includes the single versions of "Preservation" and "One of the Survivors", neither of which are available on the original vinyl release. The latter briefly charted on the Billboard Pop Singles chart peaking at No. 108

Grand Funk Railroad

 Today in 1970 Grand Funk Railroad released the Live album Live Album

Flint, Michigan Hard rock, blues rock, boogie rock

Status:Active

Years active:1969–1976, 1981–1983, 1996–1998, 2000-present

One of the 1970s' most successful hard rock bands in spite of critical pans and somewhat reluctant radio airplay (at first), Grand Funk Railroad built a devoted fan base with constant touring, a loud, simple take on the blues-rock power trio sound, and strong working-class appeal. The band was formed by Flint, MI, guitarist/songwriter Mark Farner and drummer Don Brewer, both former members of a local band called Terry Knight & the Pack. They recruited former ? & the Mysterians bassist Mel Schacher in 1968, and Knight retired from performing to become their manager, naming the group after Michigan's well-known Grand Trunk Railroad.

Capitol

Mark Farner – guitar, keyboards, vocals

Mel Schacher – bass guitar

Don Brewer – drums, vocals

"Introduction" and "Words of Wisdom" are spoken-word tracks featuring Mark Farner's stage banter with the audience; consequently, original pressings of Live Album did not list author credits for these tracks. All other tracks are by Mark Farner, except where noted.

Side one

"Introduction" – 2:30

"Are You Ready" – 3:34

"Paranoid" – 6:20

"In Need" – 9:50

Side two

"Heartbreaker" – 6:58

"Inside Looking Out" (John Lomax, Alan Lomax, Eric Burdon, Bryan "Chas" Chandler) – 12:22

Side three

"Words of Wisdom" – 0:55

"Mean Mistreater" – 4:40

"Mark Says Alright" (Farner, Don Brewer, Mel Schacher) – 5:10

"T.N.U.C." – 11:45

Side four

"Into the Sun" – 12:10

Live Album is the first live album by American hard rock band Grand Funk Railroad, originally released by Capitol Records on November 16, 1970. The first single released from the album, "Mean Mistreater", was released on November 23 and the second, "Inside Looking Out", was released in January 1971.

The album was originally released as a double album on the LP format. Subsequent reissues of the album on the compact disc format have been both double and single disc sets.