Bloody F. Mess is truly the last punk standing.
All of the original Ramones are dead. Joe Strummer died years ago and with him went The Clash. Where are The Damned? Damned if I know. Sid Vicious was one of the first punks to go and most of the first wave of punk rockers have disappeared.
But Bloody F. Mess continues to stand tall and howl at the moon. His 10th and 40th anniversary album, “Dark Daze Unfazed” is a testament to that aforementioned howling.
This album is an unabashed rock ’n roll/punk rock celebration of one man’s unique and original musical journey through life as few know it. Scratch that. Let’s make that: Life as only Bloody F. Mess knows it. The rest of us can just watch and of course listen!
Bloody is the host of this Dark Daze Unfazed party and there’s lots of notable guests of honor celebrating and playing alongside of him.
Don Bolles from The Germs, Paul Roessler from Nina Hagen Band, Sammytown from FANG, Wes Beech and TC Tolliver from the Plasmatics, legendary South African musicians, Jim Neversink and Neill Solomon, Sister Tracy from the Church of Rock and Jordan Longmuir, who’s father, Alan Longmuir was a founding member of the Bay City Rollers!
Local Peoria musician, Dave Moe is all over this album. He co-wrote several songs with Bloody and is a virtual one man band on the album contributing lead and rhythm guitar, bass and drums.
Another Peoria musician, Lisa Leathers wrote the song, “Mother Under My Wheel” and contributes co-lead vocals and guitar to that rocking tune.
The album has 13 songs, ten originals and three cover songs. The pace is frantic and you want to play this record LOUD. Turn it up to 11, if your listening device has that Spinal Tap frequency on it.
The album kicks off with the anthemic, “Rock ’N Roll Therapy.” This tune sets the pace for the album which rolls along at about 117 MPH. Take off your seat belt and enjoy this wild and freewheeling ride!
The production tiptoes the tight wire of both polished and raw with a tough veneer and edge.
All of the songs are gems and instant classic rockers. “Michael Monroe” is a tribute to Hanoi Rocks vocalist, Michael Monroe.
“Get Leery” is a rocking tune about Direct Energy and was inspired by the Maui fries. Austin and Ren Vice wrote the music for this song and Austin plays guitar and drums with Ren laying down the bass lines.
I loved the “Zeller Dweller” song and the lyrics are about a well-known Peoria mental institution from back in the day. Austin and Ren Vice wrote and play the music once again on this tune.
Local rocker, Lisa Leathers wrote “Mother Under My Wheel” and sings co-lead with Bloody and she also plays guitar on this track. Jeff Eaton, another Central Illinois musician also contributes guitar.
The title track, “Dark Daze” features Fang singer, Sammytown doing both spoken word recitation and additional lead vocals. They’re working on a video for this song.
Speaking of videos, they shot a video for Bloody’s cover of the classic blues tune, “Baby Please Don’t Go.” This song is a duet with Jordan Longmuir handling co-lead vocals on the song. The video is featured below!
This is an instant classic album and there’s a limited supply available. You can contact Bloody about purchasing a copy by emailing him at: dmoody41@hotmail.com.
Front and back cover art by: Sam Dantone.
Cover photography by: Tracy McCloud.
Layout/Life support: Punk Media/Mark Robinson.
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Related Post: My History In Peoria and Beyond by Bloody F. Mess.