Plasmatics - Plasmatics Live New York '79

Back in the late 1970s, something was happening in New York City, Punk Rock was taking over. Like an infection, rising from the underground and making its mark, bands like the New York Dolls, Ramones, and Blondie were at the top of the pile, but there was one who always stood out. What if you took the cartoonish rock spectacle of KISS, and mixed it with carnival sideshow freak show visuals, a juggernaut of pulsating barre chords, and the primal pornographic sex appeal of Marilyn Chambers? You’d have the Plasmatics, of course. Formed back in 1977 by Rod Swenson and Wendy O. Williams in New York City, the band’s story has become somewhat of a legend in the world of music.
For those who do not know the story, after receiving an MFA from Yale in the late ’60s, Swenson delved into the artistic life and began experimenting with styles of music running into the likes of the Dead Boys and the Ramones in the process. Then, in the mid ’70s, he met O. Williams in Times Square while he searched for the perfect music act. After seeing and answering Swenson’s ad, O. Williams became the Plasmatics lead singer and as they say, the rest was history. The uncompromising and determined O. Williams came from a colourful background that included performing in live sex shows, porn films, and in strip clubs. She brought this colour with her, and incorporated it within her on-screen persona, which was only a shade away from the real thing.
From the get-go, the band was a hit with Punk fans and The Plasmatics’ live shows not only filled to capacity; they conversely broke many laws, taboos, and ideals. All factors which were due to O. Williams’ unusual and often non-existent wardrobe, her penchant for  chain-sawing guitars, blowing up cars, blowing up speaker cabinets, sex simulations, or multiple arrests for indecent behaviour and public indecency. Yet a Plasmatics concert was not as chaotic as it may have initially appeared to concert goers; in fact it was very tightly choreographed. Ultimately, the fact that the Plasmatics were decades ahead of their time is glaringly, painfully obvious, like a sharp slap across the face. Their influence can be seen across a wide spectrum of musical acts, from the stripped-down Southern raunchiness of Nashville Pussy, to the sci-fi Neanderthal horror shock-rock of GWAR.
Generally speaking, the audio is very good, even if the quality is occasionally a tad lacking. The band, and Wendy, gives outstanding performances. The music is tighter and more diverse than one might think, and in the early days Wendy “sang” more than her later “shouty” metal style. Beech’s guitar playing in particular is extremely competent. The end result of this album is a renewed appreciation of a truly original American rock ‘n roll band, with a fearless and powerful front-woman. It also provides a glimpse in to why the world should always remember and respect Wendy O. Williams and the Plasmatics.

Ripped to MP3

1.    Test Tube Babies (Live)
2.    Butcher Baby (Live)
3.    New York City Jim (Live)
4.    Fast Food Service (Live)
5.    Tight Black Pants (Live)
6.    You Think Youre Comin (Live)
7.    Concrete Shoes (Live)
8.    Want You Baby (Live)
9.    Tight Black Pants (Alternative Version Live)
10.    Butcher Baby (Alternative Version Live)
11.    New York City Jim (Alternative Version Live)
12.    Fast Food Service (Alternative Version Live)