All This and More

In the late '70s, the Dead Boys became notorious for their rambunctious performances in the legendary New York City nightclub CBGB's. Sadly, there was only one official live album released by the band, a one-off reunion show from the early '80s titled Night of the Living Dead Boys, which contained more than a few overdubs (singer Stiv Bators had to re-record almost all his vocals). But the 1998 double CD/LP release All This And More corrects the problem once and for all. By combining a pair of Dead Boys/CBGB's shows (8/22/77 and 3/11/78) with a San Francisco gig (11/1/77), admirers can once again experience their incendiary live act. Although the sound quality is absolute lo-fi, it's hard not to be taken by the band's raw punk rock energy. You'll find such classics as Sonic Reducer, Ain't It Fun, and What Love Is, but the real story is the inclusion of many songs rarely performed live by the band (Dead or Alive, High Tension Wire, a wild cover of the Stooges' Search & Destroy, etc.). Also tacked on as a bonus is the never-released Death May Be Your Santa Claus (from a different CBGB's show than the other two), plus photos and liner notes by both D.B. guitarist Cheetah Chrome and longtime admirer Arthur Alexander. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide