Earth Vs. the Wildhearts

The Wildhearts: Ginger, CJ (vocals, guitars); Danny (bass, vocals); Stidi (drums).
Additional personnel: Stevie Lang (vocals); Mick Ronson (guitar); Sarah Smith (saxophone); Willie Dowling (piano); Ritch (drums).
Producers: The Wildhearts, Mark Dodson, Simon Efemey.
Engineers: KK, Pete "Pee Wee" Coleman, Mark Dodson, Ian Huffam.
Recorded at Wessex Studios and Mayfair Studios, London, England; Windings Studios, Wrexham, England.
Liner Note Author: Dave Ling.
Formed in 1990 by singer/guitarist Ginger (ex- Quireboys and Throbs) and guitarist Chris "CJ" Jagdhar (ex- Tattoed Love Boys), the Wildhearts augmented their sound with bassist Danny McCormack and drummer Andrew "Stidi" Stidolph. Following the release of two EPs (one a double), the U.K. band released a full-length Earth Vs. the Wildhearts in late 1993 to critical acclaim and a string of chart singles (in their home country). Theirs is a propulsive, full-throttle brand of rock, owing a debt to Motorhead and the Ramones. Clever lyrics and breakneck riffs abound, and it is impossible to not get caught up in the mile-wide hooks on virtually every cut, from "TV Tan" to "Suckerpunch." Mick Ronson adds guitar on the wry "My Baby Is a Headfuck" and the song "Caffeine Bomb" more than lives up to its name. Attitude, melody and rock-solid rhythms make Earth Vs. the Wildhearts a worthy debut. ~ Tom Demalon