By Jim Rowland
1980s cult favourites Twenty Flight Rockers have announced their long-awaited return with a special London reunion show this very weekend, which will coincide with the release of the previously unheard live album, ‘LIVE ’85’, recorded at the height of the band’s powers in 1985.
Twenty Flight Rockers were formed in 1983 by former Generation X drummer Mark Laff and frontman Gary Twinn, formerly of Australian glam rockers Supernaut (check out their classic track ‘I Like It Both Ways’). Joining them were guitarist Ian McKean and bassist Jeff D. Vine. One of the most talked-about bands on the London circuit at the time, they were guided by legendary industry figures Bill Drummond and Bernie Rhodes.
Signing deals with both Warner Brothers and Epic they seemed poised for big things, yet just as they stood on the brink of a breakthrough, Twenty Flight Rockers unexpectedly disappeared.
This live recording from the time the band were rapidly on the rise was originally intended to become the band’s debut release for Warner Bros. Instead, the tapes have remained in the vaults for four decades, gaining a first ever release now.
Twenty Flight Rockers were known for combining the influence of ‘50’s rock’n’roll with punk and the post-punk guitar rock prevalent at the time from the likes of The Cult and Lords of the New Church, both of whom they played shows with.
Tracks like ‘Punishment & Crime’, ‘Weekend Revolution’, ‘I Love To Rock’n’Roll’ and the early single ‘Tower Block Rock’ weren’t a million miles away from the sound of Laff’s former band Generation X and their by-now superstar frontman Billy Idol.
The rockabilly vibe is stronger on tracks like ‘One Man Town’ and ‘Your Fashion’, whilst there’s a quality power-pop tinge to ‘Fall In Love With You’ and ‘Everybody Knows’.
Whilst not a big-production live album quality recording, ‘Live ‘85’ is a decent quality raw, vibrant and gritty capsule in time that certainly won’t disappoint long-time fans of the band, who will no doubt be descending on London’s 100 Club for tomorrow night’s special reunion show.