The Band
Blackout in the Red Room (1990)
| Greatness | Heaviness | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| The best stuff on earth. We're not worthy! |  |
Like a leaf | |
| Most excellent music | |
You can juggle with this stuff | |
| Enjoy the melodies |  |
No problem, I can handle that | |
| Hmmm....background music | |
Get off your backside and rock! | |
| They call themselves a rock band..... | |
Bloody osmium mate | |
One thing I like about Love/hate is that all their albums are different. One thing I hate about Love/hate is that not all their albums are good, and I think it's fair to say, that they get worse as they go along.
Love/hate debuted in 1990 with "Blackout in the Red Room", a brash hard-hitting rock record. The songs deal with sex, drugs and rock'n'roll, making it comparable to hundreds of other bands out there at that time, but the band's such highly original songwriting with tight production gave the record its special touch. The album sold well and three singles were released : "She's an Angel", "Blackout in the red Room" and "Why do you Think they call it Dope?".
The next album, "Wasted in America", showed a more mature band with a more commercial sound and, in my opinion, was equally as good if not better than the essential debut. The album also sold well and the band toured extensively. "Wasted in America" and "Evil Twin" were both released as singles.
Due to reasons unknown to me, the band then split with their record label, Columbia. A change in line up brought in Darren Householder as new guitarist to replace Jon E Love (due to the band being fed up with his attitude!) and the band came out with a third record, "Let's Rumble". It had a heavier sound and was a bit more experimental than the first two albums. The album was undoubtedly weaker in its songwriting and did not do as well.
Album number 4 saw the return of Jon E Love (apparently Darren just didn't fit in with the rest of the band) but was a poorer effort with nothing new on offer. "Love Me Down", the only single got limited radio play, although it was one of the highlights of the album.
Skid worked hard for two years after "I'm Not Happy", writing songs for the fifth and, what was to be, the final record "Livin' off Layla". It is a great effort and sees some mature songwriting in the form of "Wish I had more Time" and "Walk On". "Walk On" was the only single and video from the album.
Despite announcing "Livin' off Layla" as their last album, Love/hate have come out with a new album this year, called "Let's Eat". I have no news and haven't heard the album.
Latest News
Blackout in the Red Room (1990)
Latest News
!!Love/hate are back!!
Love/hate are gigging once more!! Three members of the band are back together, playing old songs, and getting the fans mad again once more. The band played at the Key Club in West Hollywood on Thursday November 11th 1999 with the Bulletboys, with Robbie Black replacing Joey on the drums. Check out the Official Love/hate WebSite at http://www.lovehate.com .
Meanwhile, get a hold of "Let's Eat", the 6th Love/hate album! Or rather Jizzy Pearl's album - whether it is really a Love/hate album or not is debatable. I don't know much about it and haven't bought it yet.
"Livin' of Layla" was released on the band's own record label (that way they couldn't get screwed, huh?) called SK-9 Records. You can get the CD by sending a check or money order for $13 to one of these addresses:
SK-9 Records
1000 N. Doheny Dr. Suite #204
West Hollywood, CA 90069
phone: 310-247-9259
or:
SK-9 Records
P.O. Box 521
Derby
DE238ZW
U.K.
phone: 01332 602001
Blackout in the Red Room (1990)
Livin' off Layla (1997)
The most mature Love/Hare record which isn't surprising seeing it's their last one and Skid worked on it hard for two years. It's not as energetic as their earlier records, I'd say, but the songwriting is much stronger, especially in the form of "Walk On", "I Wish I had more Time" and the opener "The Driver" that is a very original song.
Track Listing :
1. The Driver 2. Walk On 3. I'm Not Happy 4. The End 5. Ola Mola 6. Die 7. Cutting Chain 8. Searchers 9. We Do what we Do 10. Night Crawler 11. Love Me Down 12. Lady Jane 13. I Am the Walrus.
I'm Not Happy (1995)
Blackout in the Red Room (1990)
I'm Not Happy (1995)
Nor am I! This has got to be Love/hate's worst effort so far. There is little to worship. There are some good bits in the album, but the guitar riffs are really simple and boring and there is not much variety in the songs. However, Love/hate are still rude, obnoxious and just don't give a shit, so if you are in the mood, this album works!
Track Listing :
1. Superfragilistic 2. Hey Man 3. I'm Not Happy 4. The End 5. Ola Mola 6. Die 7. Cutting Chain 8. Searchers 9. We Do what we Do 10. Night Crawler 11. Love Me Down 12. Lady Jane 13. I Am the Walrus.
Let's Rumble (1994)
Blackout in the Red Room (1990)
Let's Rumble (1994)
Hmmm, a bit of a disappointment after "Wasted in America". Just when you thought they has developed a decent style they come out with something completely different. It's much heavier and it takes a lot of getting used to. The first song, "Let's Rumble" is really good and "Flower", "The Boozer" and "Wrong Side of the Grape" are also pretty good songs but the rest are a bit dull. This album has the first ever Love/hate ballad - If You Believe in Miracles!
1. Let's Rumble : 8/10
A simple song but heavy and rockable. Vaguely the same style as "Blackout in the Red Room"and almost as good.
2. Spinning Wheel : 8/10
This one is also simple but boring and pretty shit. The lyrics are stupid but there is a bit of rockiness in it.
3. The Boozer : 8/10
After a dodgy intro, the song picks up. The guitar riff during the verse is cool and the chorus is okay. The singer voice is muffled and is quite cool but you can't hear it very well.
4. Wrong Side of the Grape : 8/10
The guitar riff is, again, pretty good and the chorus is quite good but there's nothing special here..
5. Devil's Squaw : 8/10
Nothing much here either. Not rockable but okay as background music.
6. Beer Money : 4/10
Back to a bit of "Blackout" in that the guitar does not sound in key or playing proper chords but this isn't rockable either so it's a bit of a crap song.
7. Here's to You : 8/10
A bit better at last. Not very rockable, but listenable at least.
8. Sexical : 8/10
A catchy chorus which isn't too bad and a couple of good guitar riffs but nothing amazing.
9. If you Believe in Miracles : 8/10
A soft song with a nice melodic line. Quite sweet, really, for Love/hate.
10. Flower : 8/10
Fast but too fast. Slightly rockable and some cock-about guitar bits which brightens up the song a bit. Apart from that, it's just "You're my flower in my garden, you're my flower in my garden, you're my flower in my garden, you're my flower in my garden" etc.
Wasted in America (1992)
Blackout in the Red Room (1990)
Wasted in America (1992)
Whoa! What happened? Suddenly the band has found some skill and used it to produce some really good songs! They managed to make their music sound really atmospheric and stylish in some of the songs. An excellent album.
1. Wasted in America : 8/10
A really cool riff during the chorus which you can move to. The verse is pretty cool too and there is a cool extra vocal bit after the solo.
2. Spit : 8/10
The guitar bit during the verse sounds a bit out of tune and there are a few irregular rhythm bits. The chorus is okay though.
3. Miss America : 8/10
The verse has a cool rhythm on the guitar and the chorus is fairly catchy. The endings funny. You think it has ended as there is a massive pause and then there's another little bit to finish.
4. Cream : 8/10
The intro is gives a good build up to the song and when the guitar comes in it plays a really cool riff. The vocals start and when the drums come in again the song really picks up. The chorus is also decent.
5. Yucca Man : 8/10
A decent bass line during the verse which is atmospheric. The chorus has a good guitar line and overall it's a fairly decent song.
6. Happy Hour : 4/10
After a cool short guitar intro, the style from their first album comes back (irregular rhythms) during the verse and together with the music sounding out of key and the singer screaming his head off about nothing during the chorus kind of cocks up the whole song.
7. Tranquiliser :
An amazing song. A brilliant intro at the beginning with a melodic acoustic guitar which builds up to another brilliant intro with a melodic lead guitar tune which then ends and the main song begins. The guitar line throughout is brilliant and so is the vocal line. A fast, heavy and head banging song! Why can't all their songs be this good?
8. Time's Up : 8/10
There are two guitars during the verse in this one and they work together brilliantly. The chorus is cool and the bridge to the solo is excellent. Not a bad song at all.
9. Don't Fuck With Me : 8/10
Another amazing song. Sounds like a kind of 'cowboy' song with acoustic guitars and a kind of western style. Totally different from all their other songs.
10. Don't be Afraid : 8/10
A bass intro which sets an atmosphere. The vocals also enhance this and then the song builds up to a stylish chorus. Decent song.
11. Social Sidewinder : 8/10
This song has a catchy chorus and is not fast or rockable but listenable.
12. Evil Twin : 8/10
Another atmospheric intro which builds up to the song which starts with a brilliant riff which you can move to. The verse is simple but cool and the chorus is catchy: "It wasn't me, it must have been my evil, my evil twin." Tell me about it.
Blackout in the Red Room (1990)
Blackout in the Red Room (1990)
The first song is brilliant, but the rest are just a bit on the poorer side. Some of them you can rock to but they are all slightly bitty as if they were just cocking about and thought "Hey, we could make a song out of this." So where's the skill in your music Love/hate? It may not be amazing musicianship but after a few beers, this music does wonders!
1. Blackout in the Red Room :
A brilliant song. It's heavy but not fast so is like heavy rock. The guitar is well powerful and meaty. Perfect.
2. Rock Queen : 8/10
This song has got a brilliant guitar bit during the verse which you can headbang to and the chorus is pretty cool too but the lyrics are a bit crap.
3. Tumbleweed : 8/10
A decent intro with all sorts of guitar effects and the verse is pretty cool but the chorus is a bit dull. But, again the lyrics are a bit stupid and meaningless.
4. Why do you Think they call it Dope? : 7/10
The bass line in this is just funny. It makes a really cool sound. The chorus is funny as well. It's the kind of one you can join in with and shout out.
5. Fuel to Run : 8/10
This one's a bit shit. The verse is a bit of a cock-around and the chorus is a bit better but you wonder why he is screaming his head off for no apparent reason.
6. One More Round : 8/10
The verse is a bit bitty with weird rhythms on the guitar but you get used to it. It's part of Love/hate 's style. The chorus is pretty cool and it's quite a rockable song.
7. She's an Angel : 8/10
A good song. The verse is a real contrast with the chorus, which is rocky and catchy. You get the impression that Love/hate are taking the piss out of music a bit with the "Yeah Yeah Yeah" but it works pretty well.
8. Mary Jane : 6/10
A class intro to this song but after that it's pretty useless. The verse is in Love/hate style with irregular rhythms and ruins the song a bit but the chorus is quite good.
9. Straightjacket : 8/10
A pretty average song in the same sort of style as the rest.
10. Slutsy Tipsy : 8/10
A decent guitar line during the verse but the lyrics are crap and so is the chorus.
11. Slave Girl : 8/10
Another class intro in this song. Brilliant vocal line. The verse has another dodgy guitar rhythm but it's not too bad. The chorus is pretty cool as well and it end with the same stuff as the intro.
12. Hell CA, Pop.4 : 4/10
A bit of a shit song to end the album with. The verse is okay but the chorus is very dodgy.
Blackout in the Red Room (1990)
Other Releases
| Blackout in the Red Room | 1990 | Single |
|---|---|---|
| Blackout in the Red Room, Tinseltown, Hell CA Pop 4. | ||
| Wasted in America | 1992 | Single |
| Wasted in America, Castles from Sand, Soul House Tales. | ||
| She's an Angel | 1991 ? | Single |
| She's an Angel, Slave Girl (Live), One More Round (Live). | ||
Blackout in the Red Room (1990)
For Sale
| Wasted in America | 1992 | 12" Single |
|---|---|---|
| Wasted in America | 1992 | 7" Single |
|
A strickly limited edition numbered 7" on red vinyl. The tracks are : Wasted in America, and Castles from Sand. |
||
| She's An Angel | 1991 ? | 12" Single |
| UK released vinyl with a big poster sleeve signed by all band members under their photos. Live versions of Slave Girl and One More Round. All in very good condition. | ||
| Live E.P. | 1990 | 7" Single |
|
A rare live record which was never released, but came free with an issue of Kerrang!, a U.K. rock magazine. Brand new condition. The tracks are : Blackout in the Red Room, Mary Jane, Fuel to Run, She's an Angel. |
||
| Blackout in the Red Room | 1990 | 12" Single |
| The classic single from the boys' stunning debut. This song rocks like nobody! Single contains non-album track "Tinseltown". | ||
Blackout in the Red Room (1990)
Love/hate Links
-
The Official Love/hate WebSite - http://www.lovehate.com
-
The Unofficial Love/hate Web Page - http://www.alumni.umbc.edu/~thuff1/love_hate/
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