GREAT WHITE - GREAT WHITE (1984, EMI AMERICA)
Jack Russell - vocals
Mark Kendall - guitars
Lorne Black - bass
Gary Holland - drums

Background
Originally named Dante Fox (allegedly), Russell and Kendall soon changed their band-name to the simpler Great White, shortly after their inception in 1981. Ploughing the LA club scene, Don Dokken was impressed enough to produce their debut e.p, 1982s Out Of The Night. After selling twenty thousand copies, the band were picked up by EMI America, their full LP debut appearing in early 1984. Great White contains three songs included on the e.p, 'Out Of The Night', 'On Your Knees' and 'Dead End'. Musically it was significantly more metal-influenced than their later, very bland hard rock efforts of the late 80s. It remains the most powerful music they ever conjured, in terms of basic heaviness at least.

The Songs
Having cut my teeth on Great White through Once Bitten (1987) and Twice Shy (1989), this came as an eye opener on first listen some five years back. It has a roughness and raw energy, that if had been maintained, could have seen Great White enjoy a reputation as a genuine metal act, rather than the blues/hard rock later on. There's nothing remotely blues influenced here. The opening blast of 'Out Of The Night' surges with rebellion in outlaw lyrics and warp speed riffing, especially in the verses. 'Stick It' says it all, and the music and lyrics again, define the title. Russell even screams cranking the metal! halfway through, proof of where they were at musically. The cover of The Whos 'Substitute' is intriguingly handled, given a fresh early 80s metal approach to keep it from being a stale retread. Theres no room for breathing, 'Bad Boys' and 'On Your Knees' continue the assault, both worthy examples of primal, anthemic metal. 'Streetkiller' has a vague Scorpions feel, as does the raging speed of 'Dead Line', complete with Klaus Meine styled vocals from Russell. Elsewhere you have the blatant Judas Priest copy 'No Better Than Hell' that revisits their 'British Steel' era. The closest it gets to remotely commercial is 'Hold On', which passes for near AOR, but has nothing in common with 'Lady Red Light' (1987), infinitely more darker and moody.

In Summary
EMI America judged the album a disaster and Great White were dropped (dont get me started on EMI America Alun.. Ed!!!). This led to a rethink by the band, and they became less heavy, introducing a tame hard rock sound for later albums. It helped sell albums, but the promise they displayed on the debut went untapped. There's enough vigour on offer to suggest they could have rivaled Motley Crue and Van Halen, although those bands went soft musically around the same period (85-86). Otherwise they could have been an American alternative to AC/DC, waving the flag for bad boy rock. But it never happened and instead we got a watered down version. It makes you wonder where Great White's heart really lay.

URL: www.mistabone.com

Track Listing:
01 Out Of The Night
02 Stick It
03 Substitute
04 Bad Boys
05 On Your Knees
06 Steetkiller
07 Better Than Hell
08 Hold On
09 Nightmares
10 Dead End

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