"The name Raw Records came mainly from The Users love of Iggy Pop. They wanted the record to sound like an out-take from Raw Power. First we considered Raw Power records. Originally we had discussed this as a one-off project with the four members of the band and myself splitting everything five ways. When I thought about the label having other bands signed, I decided on Raw Records."

Spaceward Studios was located in Cambridge, in the basement of a small house. We did four tracks. Three in the normal way of laying down backing tracks and then overdubs and vocals. Louie Louie was recorded 100% live, exactly as on "Raw Deal". No overdubs, nothing added at all. The first cut was a disaster. So even though it had cost a lot of money, I decided (much to the relief of The Users), that we would re-cut the record."  Lee Wood Punk 77 Interview.

Negative Reaction 2 June 1977

 Click to hear audio  clip of 'I'm In Love With Today'

Sounds 7.5.1977

I wish I had recorded the single Sick of you / (I'm) In Love With Today (1977 Raw Records).

Quite simply one of the greatest punk records ever made. White hot guitars, snarling sarcastic vocals all delivered with confidence and aplomb, encased in a cool monochrome picture cover and on the greatest punk label ever marked RAW 1.  An absolute classic.

Sick Of You

Don't want to fight  with you
Don't even want to talk to you
Well I wish I had never met you girl
You're always trying to rule my world

Sick of you like I've never been sick before

Always hanging around
Always trying to please
Well all you seem to be is terminal disease

I don't stand for nothing
I believe we're through
I'm sick of everything
But most of all its you, its you, its you...babe

When you're with me
You're like a bitch on heat
People like you
Are all out on the street

I can get you out of my soul
I can get you out of my heart
But my head is trying to tell me
That we are never going to part

(I'm) In Love With Today

Got a chain reaction into my brain
White hot fever burning out through my veins
I'm sick, I'm tired, I'm taking the blame
I won't listen no more coz I'm in love with today

Sometimes I feel more than dead or alive
But I realise that I'll always survive
Don't ever look back life's much too fast
Another thing I hate is living in the past

Future plans don't mean a thing
I don't care what tomorrow may bring
I don't care what people say
Don't even listen coz I'm in love with today hey hey

Ah you better believe it
Won't take no more of your shit!

"The Users. Yes, they were the Bloodclots. They didn't want the track released under their name. They thought it wasn't good enough. Someone suggested the name (I think it was David Jefferies, a local designer who did all our artwork) and I used it. The band didn't like it. I must admit I didn't ask them first."  Lee Wood

Kicks In Style / Dead On Arrival (Warped Records 1978)

Another frenetic romp through some fine punky tunes in that familiar sneering Users style. Released on their own Warped label and produced by Dave Goodman of Eater and Sex Pistols fame. Their swansong as it were.