TRACK INFORMATION

LEAVE ME ALONE – Johnny’s New York Dolls period show stopper, known then as CHATTERBOX, revamped and recalibrated with the Hot Rods.
GREAT BIG KISS – The Shangri-Las hit also whisked from Dolls days, remoulded by Johnny. It became a staple of his live show for a decade.
PIPELINE – The Chantay’s hit surf instrumental gets Johnny-fied. It is his signature guitar rocker, and featured in The Sopranos (Ep 74). This is his previously unreleased original studio version.
LONDON BOYS – The Heartbreakers acerbic retort to the Sex Pistols, this rollicking run-through showcases the hi-octane Hot Rods engine room boys to maximum effect.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

A remarquably special release launches new label REMARQUABLE RECORDS. Cult guitar hero JOHNNY THUNDERS was a founding member of two highly influential groups: the fabulous, peerless NEW YORK DOLLS and punk pioneers THE HEARTBREAKERS. By 1978 Johnny was living in London, forging plans for a solo career which culminated in the release of his career-peak album ‘SO ALONE’, and his near-hit masterpiece single, ‘YOU CAN’T PUT YOUR ARMS ROUND A MEMORY’.

Remarquable’s REAL TIMES EP introduces Remarquable Records’ first project ‘JOHNNY THUNDERS : 1978’, a series of releases highlighting Johnny’s embryonic solo career. Recently recovered remarkable tapes showcase Johnny in the studio with engineer / producer STEVE LILLYWHITE (who had co-produced EDDIE & THE HOT RODS British hit single ‘Do Anything You Wanna Do’) as they worked on crafting some of Johnny’s new songs, re-shaping classics from his New York Dolls days and adding choice covers that had informed his teenage years. Lillywhite’s downtime access at Island Studios allowed Thunders freedom and space to develop his next musical step without a label on board, and in the company of his numerous London musician friends only too eager to join Thunders and Lillywhite. It did not take long for Johnny to find a suitable label in Dave Hill’s REAL RECORDS, who signed him along with their other preliminary signing, Chrissie Hynde.

‘REAL TIMES EP’: Thunders had forged a kinship with Lillywhite whilst hanging out at his friend Michael Beal’s flat, where Lillywhite also lived. Walloped by the poor sound of The Heartbreakers album ‘L.A.M.F.’, Beal convinced Johnny to let Steve produce the next Heartbreakers album – he’d make it sound great. But by January The Heartbreakers had imploded on the eve of an Italian Christmas tour as their label severed their support. The rest of the band flew back to New York, leaving Johnny alone in London with his family.

With Lillywhite at his side, Johnny began rehearsing and recording with the HOT RODS rhythm section, PAUL GRAY (bass) and STEVE NICOL (drums) ostensibly in preparation for his solo shows at The Speakeasy Club. Whilst the powerhouse rock’n’roll trio belted out a handful of energized songs soaked in rock’n’roll spirit and crackling with f-u-n, photographer KEITH MORRIS captured the playful mood of the sessions, which Gray recollected recently “…were not exactly made with the assistance of tea and biscuits”.

Only two recordings with this line-up were released by REAL RECORDS back in 1978, as both Johnny’s and the label’s debut single, ‘Dead Or Alive’ b/w ‘Downtown’. Rendering homage to REAL’s debut release, REMARQUABLE’s debut EP release maintains a similar design and feel and showcases four long-forgotten recordings made by the trio, and mixed by Lillywhite.

It’s essential, it’s limited, it’s Johnny Thunders at the peak of his powers. It’s simply REMARQUABLE 20th Century rock’n’roll!

REMARQUABLE CREDITS :

Remarquable Research - Pedro Mercedes
Remarquable Tape transfers, restoration & digitising – Rob Keyloch @ Church Walk Studios
Mastering – Nick Robbins @ Sound Mastering
Photography - Keith Morris (courtesy of Keith Morris Estate)
Graphic Build (releases & website) – Cara Sly-Platz
Design – Remarquable Conception (inspired by Michael Beal)
(The REMARQUABLE RECORDS logo inspired by BILL SMITH designer of the original REAL RECORDS logo).