Attitude Check
Liberation Hall, 2023
10/10
A very well received San Francisco outfit who were active from 1979-1984, the only song from Lloyds that got much global attention was when Lita Ford covered “Rock And Roll Made Me What I Am Today” on her 1983 album.
Finally, we’re treated to some further documentation of this criminally overlooked band, where songs captured live in 1980 at the Old Waldorf in San Francisco and the Catalyst in Santa Cruz, plus some studio tracks and a cover of the Exciters, are spread out across 20 tracks.
“And That’s Why (I Don’t Like You)” opens the listen with Lulu Lewis’ spunky and exciting voice alongside playful, melodic garage-rock ideas amid the speedy drumming, and “Curiosity” follows with throbbing bass and crisp drums illuminating the proto-punk ideas.
Deeper into the listen, “Tell Him” recruits ‘60s girl group nods for a very harmonic and frisky album highlight, while “Attitude Check” is a bit darker in scope, and carries plenty of punk rock spirit amid the swirling guitars and dense drumming.
Later in the listen, the live version of “Kill Me” places male vocals in the spotlight for a rowdy and subtly harmonic, busy climate, and “Tell Him” exits with soulful backing vocals that complement the infectious New Wave bursts and power-pop greatness.
The songs here are culled from 2022’s vinyl release, Let’s Go Lloyds!, plus 7 previously unreleased live cuts. It’s not hard to see why Lloyds made fans all over their hometown, but without a record deal during this time, getting much attention further away was unlikely. Thankfully, their legacy is alive and well, where David Martin (lead guitar, piano, synth), Ronnie Jay (guitar, harmonica), Alan Thiele (drums), Peter M. Heimlich (original bassist) and Dan DeShara (late period bassist) sure do complement Lewis’ inimitable pipes.
Travels well with: APB- Three; The Mutants- Curse Of The Easily Amused