Electric Frankenstein waren eine sehr stilprägende Band. Auch an Fleiß ist die Band einst nur schwer zu übertreffen gewesen. Bis zu drei Alben hat die Band zeitweise in einem Jahr veröffentlicht. Insgesamt ist die Band aktuell bei 122 Releases (laut Discogs). Die Band machte auch das „High Energie Rock’N’Roll“ bekannt wie wenig andere Bands es taten.
Gitarrist Sal ist auch der Kopf hinter der A Fistful of Rock’n’Roll Reihe. Seit 2019 arbeitet er an der Fortsetzung dieser Reihe unter dem Titel A Fistful more of Rock’n’Roll.
Hier stellt er uns seine zehn Lieblingsplatten vor. Selten habe ich mich hier auf eine Liste so sehr gefreut wie auf die von Sal!
1The Damned – Machine Gun Etiquette
I would say that this record is full on High Energy Rock decades before everyone else and a major influence on anyone playing Punk Rock & Roll, especially Electric Frankenstein. From the moment I heard “New Rose” on the radio I was a major fan of every version of The Damned. On this record, the band reaches a peak that is hard for any band to follow. Captain Sensible’s guitar playing is light years ahead of most Punk bands of that time period. It has all the power and exuberance of Punk Rock while still having elements of uk Hard Rock, with great lead guitar intros, solos, breaks that make for a very exciting and fun album that is very alive and still always sounds great to listen to no matter what year it is. Dave Vanian, as always, is at his best on vocals.
2The Adolescents – self titled
During the early 1980s there were so many great hardcore punk records coming out one after the other from every area of the world. Bands from southern California were a major influence of EF, such as Black Flag, Circle Jerks, TSOL, Agent Orange, and more. This 1981 album is by far the best example of southern California hardcore Punk Rock at its best. Featuring the great musicianship of Steve Soto (RIP), Rikk Agnew, and others, and Tony Brandenberg’s vocals create melodic but powerful anthems of young angst and mayhem. Every song is perfectly crafted to be emotional and energetic and always unforgettable. I was 21 when this record came out. 10 years later Tony would become of fan of Electric Frankenstein’s mix of Punk Rock and Hard Rock and has been our friend ever since.
3Alice Cooper Band – Greatest Hits
Another album of high energy Rock, exemplifying everything that can be great in hard Rock, without the bullshit. This album was one of my first records when I was a kid, and each song was one of their best. The Alice Cooper Band was a strong influence on everyone in EF. Their song writing and style of playing was not typical and generic, no one sounded like them. The songs were imaginative while still being tight and cohesive. None of their songs rambled with time wasting parts. The imagery was fun and cool, with horror film influences. Great songs like School’s Out, Muscle of Love, I’m Eighteen, Under My Wheels, are perfect 70s Hard Rock.
4Iggy and the Stooges – Raw Power
This 1973 album was the bridge between 70s Hard Rock and 70s Punk Rock and borders on Heavy Metal. The songs cut like a knife and, again, Their Detroit sound was very urban with blistering guitar parts and memorable songs that made you think about the dark side of life. Raw Power is a powerful mean song as is Search & Destroy. On this album they moved away from any 60s feel into aggressive anthemic Hard Rock. It was a very raw and dark record, like a snarling monster. EF wanted to also have a thug like aggressive tone to our songs.
5AC/DC – High Voltage
When this album came out, I saw Bon Scott singing for them, when I was 17. Their loud, stripped down Hard Rock songs had strong melodies and tight arrangements that very much influenced our song writing. EF was called AC/DC meets the Dead Boys in the press in our early days (32 years on so far). EF covered the song High Voltage for many years. AC/DC combined hard rock, blues rock, and heavy metal, while still sounding like their own distinct version of Australian „rock and roll“. They never followed any trends and kept their unique sound intact.
6The Misfits – Walk Among Us
Fellow New Jersey monster themed Punk Rockers, The Misfits were not just a band that we loved, but also a band that we hung out with at shows. Glenn used to sell Misfits, Samhein, and vintage records and cool monster themed shirts that he made at my 1980s record store, Rebel Rouser Records. They often frequented my store and talked to the kids there, such as members of Adrenalin OD. This album and Earth AD, had everything we liked while again not being like everyone else at all. Of course their imagery and merchandising methods were a major influence on EF, and we learned a lot from Glenn.
7Lee Harvey Oswald Band – Blastronaut
This early 90s band features Rick Sims of The Digits, Supersuckers, and Gaza Strippers. Their 3rd and last record from 1996 has a wild almost out of control Heavy Rock with Garage Punk Rock and Noise Rock fiery blasts of 60s/70 Big Rock & Roll that was way ahead of its time. The song Rocket 69 is a perfect blend of Bowie/T-Rex Glam and Hard Rock elements that had a strong influence on EF. Rick comes to see EF when he can if we play in Chicago.
8Big Chief – Drive It Off
Amazing great blend of Hard Rock / Punk Rock / Funk from 1989, featuring former members of great Mid-West 80s Hardcore bands (Necros). They were another big influence on EF. We were on a first name basis with them from the beginning since the days of The Misfits, going to all their shows in the NY/NJ area. They superbly covered Funkadelic’s Super Stupid.
9Bolt Thrower – Cenotaph EP
Along with Slayer, Bolt Thrower is one of my most favorite Death Metal / Heavy Metal bands! I was in London in at Rough Trade Records and they played me this Cenotaph song from their 1991 EP, and I was amazed and excited at how great and new it sounded. I loved how massive and different it sounded. Their blend of death metal and hardcore punk sound was again an example of a theme that I liked in music, mixing together different genres. By weird coincidence the Marshall JCM 800 amplifier I use live belonged to Bolt Thrower. They toured in the USA, bought equipment and sold it back to the store when the tour was over, ha. And, I happened to buy the Marshall a week later and the cabinets.
10Discharge – Hear Nothing See Nothing Say Nothing
In 1982, with this record, Discharge blew up the whole British Hardcore sound and strongly influenced many bands, with their wild and savage sound featuring the D-Beat drumming, fat bass lines, searing guitar attack, and maniacal vocals. Again, this record was a mixture of Punk Rock, Hardcore, and Metal creating something new that was impressive, loud, vicious, and inspiring. Grindcore, Doom Metal, and more genres emerged from Discharge’s records. Slayer is the only equally influential Metal/Punk band worldwide.
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Kurzzeitig hatte Sal unter anderem mit seinem Bruder Dan, welcher auch bei Electric Frankenstein spielt, eine Band mit dem Namen Kung Fu Killers.
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