It was almost inevitable that Stinky's tribute to Stiv Bators would inspire another obsessive compulsive collection of cover versions. All of the songs from the Dead Boys' two studio albums have been covered, most of them more than once.
"Sonic Reducer" is far and away the most popular. Of course, the Dead Boys' version itself originated with Rocket From The Tombs (as did "Ain't It Fun", "Down In Flames" and "What Love Is", all cowritten by Cheetah Chrome.)
Today we have an hour's worth of Dead Boys classics. Most of them are performed in the original style, with the exception of "Sonic Reducer" (which appears as both a surf rock instrumental and a moody extended take by Cleveland's own Rainy Day Saints).
"What Love Is" also appears twice. I couldn't decide between the Supersuckers' version and the one by the reunited Rocket From The Tombs (with Cheetah Chrome, David Thomas, and Craig Bell joined by Richard Lloyd on guitar and Pere Ubu's Steve Mehlman on drums). Supersuckers are finger lickin' good, but that RFTT remake has the original recipe rocket sauce. Two great tastes that taste great together!
Thanks to Wilfully Obscure for reposting the Bum singles.
Thirty years ago this week, Stiv Bators died. (Depending on the source, it was either June 3 or 4). Stinky has compiled a fab collection of two dozen studio and live tracks drawing from Stiv's musical career with the Dead Boys, Wanderers, Lords Of The New Church, and as a solo artist. Stiv Bators was an exceptional singer, a charismatic and fearless performer, and had a dark but playful sense of humor.
After sticking a fork in the Dead Boys, Stiv explored his love of power pop and garage rock on his 1980 solo album Disconnected (still available from Bomp Records with bonus tracks).
Stiv and members of Sham 69 formed the Wanderers, who made the 1981 album Only Lovers Left Alive. Stiv and Dave Tregunna (Sham bassist) then formed Lords Of The New Church with Brian James of the Damned.
The Lords Of The New Church forged a unique blend of punk, glam, garage, and goth from 1982 until 1989, when Stiv "sacked the band live on stage" (according to the Lords' own website) after confronting them wearing a t-shirt printed with the band's ad for a new singer.
The surviving Dead Boys (Stiv, Cheetah Chrome, Johnny Blitz and Jeff Magnum) briefly reunited in 1987 to record a new single, “The Nights Are So Long”. Stiv released a final solo single in 1987 on Bomp. Stiv also appeared on a single by The Lyres, sang on the "Sun City" protest against apartheid, and acted in the films Polyester (1981) and Tapeheads (1987).
Dangerous Minds and Please Kill Me have some great articles and photos from Stiv's life and times, and this oral history of Rocket From The Tombs details how Stiv and Cheetah first met. These interviews with Brian James and Dave Tregunna explain how the Lords Of The New Church formed, and their perspectives on why they split.
Themen Aus Großen Städten has more of Stiv's music. You can also watch the 2018 documentary Stiv: No Compromise, No Regrets for free here. It includes footage of the pre-Dead Boys bands Frankenstein and Mother Goose, as well as that final Lords Of The New Church concert. Buy the soundtrack and support my local record store here.
The Hard-Ons ask the musical question, "What Would Stiv Bators Do?" The answer, one suspects, is "Whatever he damn well pleased." Once again, thanks to Stinky for another of his swell Homemade Records!