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an edge to them a combination of the underproduction of the time and the spiky nature of the band.

Underlying their songs is a strong rhythm and blues strain, though it has been subjected to an attitude change and a rock make over. Be it the infectious groove of "11th street Kids" or the slower, darker menace of "Taxi driver" they wear their influences openly on their sleeves. Whereas the opening end of the album is full of big impact hard hitting songs, the second half is a slightly later affair, more sleazy than aggressive, more spacey than driven but no less catchy for it. Finishing off with a few rock standards, this 18 track live show shows the band capabilities nicely. Although it's difficult for any live album to capture such a force of nature this is a great snapshot of a band on their way to the big time. It presents you with great music and all you have to do is imagine the rest (unless you buy the DVD of course). Shut your eyes and you can picture Monroe, a shock of blonde hair and eyeliner strutting his way across the stage, mike stand in one hand, beer bottle in the other. Andy McCoy duck walks through the band throwing away great guitar licks as if there is no tomorrow, Rhythm guitar Nasty grooves and spins like a whirling dervish, Sammy Yaffa, one foot on the monitor in true rock stereotype draws thunderous grooves from his four string beast and an avalanche of beat bedlam resonates from Razzle from behind his kit. The band seem to stand with one foot in cool and the other in Spinal tap but their brilliance won the day.

This is the Gun n' Roses of its day, trashy, energetic, musical and out to deliver a good time. As a piece of history it has its place in the hall of fame and as a damn good live album it should sit pride of place in any rock fans record collection.

Learn more about this author, Dave Franklin.
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