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Eater
produced 5 singles and 1 album in their career spanning from December 1976 to January 1979
and all on Dave Goodman's The Label.
They originally had a one year contract that was due to end November '77
but this was extended. |
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"We always thought that it
was a question of time with Eater. They were so young to start with we
just wanted to help them mature. Malcolm thought the same and in some ways
put this idea into our heads. We gave them too much rope and in the end
they tied themselves up with it. The second album was going to be a
concept album about Sid Vicious called "Child Hood" but apart from a few
unfinished demos, it didn't materialise. I guess the band or maybe their
parents got too greedy. The joke was we were paying them too high a
royalty and not recouping costs. We had a lot riding on that second album
and in the end we lost everything we put into the Label in he beginning.
It was an expensive lesson but there were some great times and many happy
memories. " Dave Goodman
Punk 77 email
2004
So
how would you describe them? A mixture of Alice Cooper, The
Velvets, T Rex and a healthy dose of juvenile punk attitude. Sheer class! |
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Outside
View / You (March 1977)
Sniffin Glue's
Mark P Described it as crap "..this
single is crap. Its not even good crap, Its just a waste of time"
and said The Label hadn't got a clue about punk. SG8 March '77
He was talking
out of his arse however! Growling bass riff heralds the start of this
raw punk classic coupled with an early venomous version of 'You'.
Tracks were
actually recorded in November 1976 at a very early period of the band
but it still captures the spirit of punk. 'Outside View'
was written by Blade & Chevette at the
back of their chemistry class !!!
"For the history
books, Eater's 'Outside View' was the UK's third ever punk single,
following The Buzzcocks' 'Spiral Scratch' and The Damned's 'New Rose'.
Malcolm McClaren loved the Eater single, and whilst we were sharing a
hotel room on the Anarchy tour, he asked me to play it to him again and
again. "Dave Goodman
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 Click
to hear clip of 'You'
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Thinking
of the USA / Space Dreaming / Michaels Monetary System (1977)
Some would argue
this was Eater's finest moment. I don't necessarily agree but it comes
close from its phased guitar intro to its ending..'Walter
Lure comes from the USA'. A tale of the hassles at the time, The Roxy Club and a life over
the water. On The B side a fine raw version of Space
Dreaming that
sounds like it came from those '76 sessions and a psychedelic track to
boot. |
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Lock it Up / Jeepster
(1977)
Released as a
taster for their forthcoming album. Cracking song and a fine 100mph
version of Jeepster
originally by T Rex. Not
sure why the 12" should feature exactly the same songs on both
sides though in reverse order !
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Eater - The Album (1977)
Tracks: You, Public Toys, Room
For One, Lock It Up, Sweet Jane, Fifteeen, I Don't Need It, Anne, Get
Raped, Space Dreaming, Queen Bitch, My Business, Waiting For The Man, No
More, No Brains & Luv
and Peace.
Not a duff track
on it and it shades in my view other debut albums by supposedly better
and experienced acts like London, Suburban Studs & The Drones.
Terrible cover and worse joke. Ant eater! Get it!
A mixture of
covers (Bowie, Alice Cooper and VU) and originals that are delivered
with a maturity and confidence that belies their ages. Essential
purchase. |
NME Review Paul
Morley17.12.77 |
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Discography
Part 2 |
Eater - Song By Song
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Lyrics
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