New York's favorite fuzzhearts are now dismantled as far as I know, and what better way to canonize them than with a live retro. Singer Rudi Protrudi's stage persona as sex god, Elan's stinging guitar, Deb's essential organ and Ira's polysyllabic drums - most of these can be captured on vinyl. Their slambasting of Link Wray's "Run Chicken Run" is inspiring, as are "Love at Psychedelic Velocity" and the speedin' "Psychotic Reaction." This record was put together with affection, from the sleeve notes to the tour scrapbook (sorry, not available on the SIN version) to Rudi's showiest stage patter: "I never felt a stage so hot in my life. It's like returning to the fucking womb - but I always wanted to do that anyway." This crowd may not have a full grasp of English, but they dig fuzzspeak. Respects are paid to the Cramps' "Human Fly" and the Stooges' "I'm Loose" and the Fuzztones justify everyone's existence completely. Perhaps they're watching us from the psychedelic vox box in the sky. Rest in peace. - JOY PRESS (1987)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------Fuzztones worshippers shouldn't delay in snapping up this nicely recorded live set from their '85 Euro-tour, especially as the first 5000 include a free flexi with Rat Scabies and Doctor & The Medics helping out the 'Tones on "Gloria" (not included on SIN CD) - and such is the power of the band that they can even put some life back into this ol' chestnut. Eleven of the thirteen tracks haven't been released on legit vinyl before, making this album an extra treat for the faithful. Some hot performances have been preserved here, particularly the fowl instrumental blast of "Run Chicken Run" abd a blazing "I'm Loose," and it's all played to the hilt. This is a real bone-crushing bruiser of a disc that fulfills it's mission in bringing the excitement of the Fuzztones direct to your cave. - Jon Storey BUCKETFUL OF BRAINS (1987)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------LIVE IN EUROPE shows the Fuzztones making some primitive, sterno-fueled assaults on such garage punk monoliths as "Bad Little Woman," "Human Fly," the Outcasts' "1523 Blair," and the Count Five's "Psychotic Reaction." They're at their nasty best when Rudi's allowed to slither over the less treaded, sex-soaked ground of "13 Women (and Only One Man In Town)," "Gotta Get Some" and the Stooges' "I'm Loose." From all accounts of Protrudi's lifestyle (many rumours thought to be self-propagated), the songs seem to have been written with Rudi in mind. - Tim Perlich IMPRINT (Canada - 1987)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------LIVE IN EUROPE is one thumbscrewer of an album, digging into lots of lowdown and dirty guitar licks and tons of fuzz, as Rudi Protrudi, the now-departed Deb O' Nair, and their co-fuzzmongers dish up some of the seamiest garage madness yet to assail human ears. From the almost Doorsy quiver of organ and guitar on "Bad Little Woman" to the hellcat rantings of "Human Fly," and their own smoking version of"Psychotic Reaction," this is rank, raunchy rock and you wouldn't want it any other way. And when you get to "Run Chicken Run," things are so wild that you really wish you were there - can there be a higher compliment for a live record? Rudi continually talks about it being 110 degrees or something onstageand everyone's crotches getting smelly and sticky. but just THINKING about this record makes you sweat buckets. If you're looking for something to peel the paint and melt the linoleum, you can't do much better than this. - Chris Wodskou NERVE (1987)
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