The Gun Club – Death Party LP

Description

Gun Club‘sDeath PartyEP was issued in 1983 between the mixing and mastering disaster that wasMiami, the band’s second album, and the nearly sublimeLas Vegas Story. The recording also features a new and extremely short-lived lineup that featured guitaristJim Duckworth(Panther Burns), drummerDee Pop(Bush Tetras), a friend of his on bass named Jimmy Joe Uliana, andPierce‘s then girlfriend Linda “Texacala” Jones on backing vocals. The five tracks could have been outtakes fromMiami, powerful, dark rock of disillusionment, drug abuse, and warped sexuality. The playing here is somewhat pedestrian though certainly able. The pathos onthe Gun Club‘s best records is missing here, but the quality of the songwriting makes up for it some. Certainly fans will want this. [In 2004, Sympathy for the Record Industry reissued the EP on compact disc with seven bonus tracks from a live performance on Radio Geneva. What’s notable about it isPierce‘s between-song banter, which is entertaining, snotty, and obviously intoxicated, and he plays piano on every tune. This gig is also the first recorded performance of bassistPatricia Morrison(akaPat Bagfrom the L.A. punk quartetthe Bags) with the band. (She would remain for years before leaving to jointhe Sisters of Mercy.) The material from the radio gig contains three tunes fromDeath Party, covers of “Run Through the Jungle” the old roots rock nugget “Heebie Jeebies,” andLewis Allan‘s “Strange Fruit,” as well as a scorching rendition of “Fire of Love.”] -All Music Guide