Search - Nutz :: Nutz

Now I can die in peace!

M. Sheaman | Hazleton, PA United States | 06/08/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have been waiting since the CD format was introduced in the mid-80s for this incredible album from the mid-70s to be remastered digitally. Countless searches of the word 'Nutz' until now only yielded references to incredibly tasteless albums or "songs" by talentless rappers, such as 'Dese Nutz'. I'll bet that's a toe-tapper. And now at long last, it's here. Anyone who appreciates the genre of pure, uncomplicated rock music would absolutely love this album. If you've never heard this - if maybe you're too young, or you didn't stray too far from mainstream music in the 70s - treat yourself to the great songs and great sounds of this classic record from that decade. I can't imagine someone hearing this album for the first time and being disappointed. Thank you, thank you, thank you for reissuing this great music on CD at long last!!! Great stuff!"

Mott's Nutz

Kim Fletcher | Pattaya, Chonburi Thailand | 02/08/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Starting out from the streets of Liverpool (the birth place of some of England's finest bands, most notably of course "The Beatles") talented guitarist/songwriter Mick Devonport sought out the best musicians from the city to form a scouse super group to conquer the world, following in the footsteps of previous Liverpool bands.



First recruit was powerhouse drummer John Mylett. John had his own tight distinctive style of drumming, powering the band along with flexibility using every single space of skin on his mass array of drums whilst adding thunder to the proceedings with his bass drum footwork. The Mylett drum solo mid-set was always a wonder to behold. There weren't many bass players who would not be swamped playing alongside this God of Thunder, but one was found in Mr. Keith Mullholand, who always played his bass as if he was a lead guitarist. He used to wear Doc-Marten boots on stage, as he stomped around so hard on the stage often breaking the wooden planking as his feet added another dimension to the rhythm section. Of course there, leading this trio was the mercurial Mick Devonport, a Jeff Beck admirer, who had practiced so long and hard that he was a match for his mentor, certainly more consistent, with great songwriting skills. A flamboyant showman with a wonderful sense of humour. But a front man still had to be found. Whilst the three of them were sitting in the local pub watching the telly, the Cadbury's crunchy bar advert came on with a raunchy soundtrack and a terrific vocal over dub. "If only we could find him", they thought. A quick phone call later and they found out that the young lad was a local Liverpool boy playing in the Cavern the very next day in his own band. That night lead singer David Lloyd was persuaded to break up his band and front this new quartet, aptly christened "Nutz".



A residency was set up at the Cavern for the night time, and during the day they recorded their debut album. It was released in 1974 and, quite frankly, did not live up to expectations. Apart from two songs "Joke" and "Round & Round" it was not truly representative of their stage show. A re-think was in order. Back to the studios, and this time they put the edge into the songs. Right from the opening guitar break of 1975's "Nutz Too" opener "Natured Intended" you know how hard rock is supposed to be played. Seven hard rockin Mick Devonport rockers including the head bangin "Sinner". A cover of Pete Pizer's "Changes Coming" and three David Lloyd Ballads, including the beautiful "The Love That You Lost", with John "Rabbit" Bundrick (later of Free & The Who) on piano. "Nutz Too" got to the outer regions of the British Charts. Then a couple of bad decisions put a spanner in the works. A tour of America was a disaster as the albums weren't even out in the States due to complications with unions over printing rights. This tour losing them impetuous in the U.K., and sinking the band heavily into debt. But record company A & M Records stepped in and put them onto the Black Sabbath European tour of 1976, which gave the band excellent exposure, but was not a happy tour as by now Black Sabbath had turned into warring factions and were about too implode. Again salvation seemed to be on hand as Nutz were added to the mid-afternoon time slot on Saturday's Reading Festival, at the time the major rock event of the year. They went on for their forty five minutes set at the peak of their powers. When they came off, the crowd of 95,000 were baying for more. However, the contract said forty five minutes, no more, or they would be fined. Management for A & M records were there and told the boys not to go for an encore. In those circumstances who do you listen too? A suit from the record company or 95,000 screaming fans? They went back on playing 2 encores before the plug was pulled on them.



A & M Records were furious. From that moment on tensions between record company and the band where at breaking point. The band went back into the studio to record a new album, recruiting Kenny Newton on keyboards to fill out the sound. "Hard Nutz" was released in 1977 with very little publicity and the band were sent out on the road with Welsh trio "Budgie", label mates on A & M, but combining Budgies decline, Nutz blowing the headlines off stage every night, and the advent of the dreaded Punk Rock, it stood no chance. In 1978 A & M completed their recording contract with Nutz by releasing "Nutz Live Cutz", an amazing album of pure raw hard rock `n' roll including a great version of the Nutz anthem "Wall Banger" clocking in at 12 minutes, plus tracks spanning all three albums. But with no publicity, A & M holding a contract that would run another 2 years, no financial support to tour, the album, which should have been huge, flopped. The moral of the story: don't upset the suits. So Nutz had to sit out their contract, but this was not the end......

"

Going Nutz

Anthony Gliozzo | Mission Viejo, CA | 04/04/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When at the ripe age of 15 and reading every Circus Magazine and Circus Raves (for those of you that remember both) in town, I recall reading a Thumbs down review of Nutz' eponymous debut LP in 1974. After reading the negative review I thought to seek and give it a whirl as one person's taste is not always the same as mine. After locating this LP with its beguiling cover, I had found a sleeping treasure of incredible versatile rock music. Upon a first listen I thought the Circus writer's (who gave the thumbs down) ears were clogged with Deep Purple juice. Still, to this day 35 years later I have and play that same record. They released 4 LP's during their day and this perhaps their best (thank you Kim Fletcher-Nutz afficiando!) and a handful of singles. Now with the rerelease of extra tracks..well, here we go again!

This CD is a must in every rock fan of the 70s music collection. Offering blistering hard rock at it's finest with harmonies, acoustic guitar, and soulful hammond organ on "I Can't Tell Her Why".

70s rock fans if you don't get this, safe to say you are nutz!"