A few days ago we featured the remastered reissue of ‘Little Monsters’, the 1985 album by the band Holland, led by singer Tom Holland. But Tom previously cut his teeth with major label act THE B’ZZ, and their sole LP, 1982’s “Get Up” which also has been remastered / reissued by Bad Reputation specialists, for the first time on CD.
Signed by Epic and with skilled knob-twiddler Tom Werman (Cheap Trick, Motley Crue) producing, this 1982 record combines dirty sleazy biker boogie with a skinny-tie pop polished sound, some kind of a mix between Bad Company, early Foreigner, Cheap Trick, Duke Jupiter, and AC/DC. Kind of gritty pop / melodic rock from the first half of the ’80s.
Opener ‘Get Up, Get Angry’ is an absolute winner, a very original stadium-ready anthem which starts off dark and broody then just kicks into full motion as it goes along.
The B’zz were essentially an offshoot of The Boyzz. Upon the band’s dissolution in the late 70’s, three of its members formed The B’zz in hopes of capitalizing on the successful formulas of bands like Foreigner, Survivor and others.
Within a few months of forming, the band had already amassed an impressive repertoire of music, booked successful tours in the Midwest and landed a spot on American Bandstand. They retain the distinction of being the only unsigned band to appear on the show.
Epic Records took notice and promptly signed them, enlisting Tom Werman to produce their debut. In 1982, “Get Up” was sprung upon the unsuspecting masses.
The band’s lone offering showcased the group steering in a more commercial and melodic direction, but still putting together well-crafted songs. The true highlight of the album is the leadoff track, “Get Up Get Angry” which slowly builds itself up to a fully-furious, angry climax all the way to the end.
Another highlight is “Too Much To Ask For”; pure melodic hard rock gold with some tasty guitar work throughout. Other cuts worth mentioning: the revved-up “When You Love”, the single-ready “Make It Through the Night”, “I Love the Way” (with a slightly Boston-esque guitar solo), and the rollicking closer “Runaway Love Affair.”
This late 1982 / early 1983 hard rock release bubbled under for one week on the Billboard charts, and probably would’ve taken off had there not been some problems with weak LP pressings.
Though two singles charted respectably – “Too Much To Ask For” is a cracking rocker – the band were unable to reach a wide enough audience to support global touring and within a year, The B’zz were no more. Members went on to other acts like W.A.S.P., L.A. Guns and Raw Dogs.
“Get Up” is energetic, well produced and full of hooks. It’s startling that this album never seen a proper reissue considering the band’s bloodline and the quality of material here, until Bad Reputation finally did it.
Check out this smoking album and marvel at the impressive chops The B’zz were able to muster up in the studio.
Highly Recommended
Tracklist:
1 Get Up Get Angry 4:09
2 Too Much To Ask For 3:26
3 Caught In The Middle 3:10
4 Steal My Love 4:35
5 When You Love 2:35
6 Make It Through The Night 3:39
7 I Love The Way 3:41
8 Take Your Time 3:37
9 Not My Girl 3:08
10 Runaway Love Affair 3:29
The B’zz – Get Up – 1982 (Remaster 2020 Bad Reputation), FLAC+MP3, CD-Rip w/ Scans
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