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L.A.M.F. L.A.M.F.: Live At The Bowery Electric Review by Gary Hill First off, the artist on this isn't precisely right. I wasn't sure whether I should land it under the names of the four main guys (Walter Lure, Clem Burke, Tommy Stinson and Wayne Kramer) or various artists, and ultimately settled on the name that's in the title. Walter Lure is the sole remaining member of Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers. He assembled this group to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the sole studio release from that act - L.A.M.F. This is a live recording from one of the performances. In addition to the four guys previously mentioned, there are guests here in the form of Jesse Malin, Cheetah Chrome and Liza Colby. This is a hot punk rock performance and well worth having. It should be noted that I reviewed the DVD version of this in the last issue of Music Street Journal. This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2018 Volume 3. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2018.

Track by Track Review

Born To Lose Classic punk rock is delivered on this opener. It is mean, sneered and so cool. The guitar solo is tastefully raucous.

Baby Talk I love the fast paced riff that opens this. As strong as the opener was, this takes things to a whole new level. It's a killer.

All By Myself The hook on this is particularly catchy. There is a bit of a Who vibe to this in some ways. It's another potent number.

I Wanna Be Loved A high energy stomper, this is one of my favorites here.

It's Not Enough A bit mellower and more melodic, this is still all punk rock. It just has a bit of a psychedelic rock vibe to it. It's also a little slower.

Chinese Rocks I first heard this song when The Ramones did it. Based on this version, it seems the Ramones didn't change it much. Then again, Dee Dee Ramone claimed to have written it, but so did a lot of other people, Thunders included. Whoever wrote the piece, it's a stomper, and this live version works so well.

Get off the Phone This fast paced hard rocker again calls to mind The Ramones. It has some solid hooks and just plain rocks.

Pirate Love With a drum and bass introduction, Cheetah Chrome guests on this piece. The fast paced section later is purely on fire.

One Track Mind Another energized punk stomper, this works well, but isn't a standout. The guitar solo really stands out, though.

I Love You Liza Colby provides the vocals here. This feels like a cross between early Blondie and some 1960s garage band to me.

Goin' Steady I love the punk riff driving this cut. It's a mean one.

Let Go A raw punk stomper, this is so much fun.

Can't Keep My Eyes on You A more old school rock and roll based rocker, this still has plenty of that punk edge. They break it down for a bit of a funky excursion later in the piece.

Do You Love Me This is an old chestnut, done with a hard rocking punk fury. It's fun and a good closer.

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