ROUGH CUTT – Rough Cutt [Rock Candy remaster]

Although ROUGH CUTT never achieved the commercial success enjoyed by many other L.A. hard rock bands during the ’80s, their two albums from the era are truly excellent. Rock Candy Records has just ‘Remastered & Reloaded‘ both… let’s go with the band’s self-titled “Rough Cutt”.

After rising from the ashes of several San Diego hard rock bands in 1983 (including the pre-Ratt Mickey Ratt), and contributing a few ear-catching tracks to the L.A.’s Hottest Unsigned Bands compilation, the earliest incarnation of Rough Cutt proceeded to be plundered by everyone from Ozzy Osbourne (who snagged guitarist Jake E. Lee), Giuffria (hiring guitarist Craig Goldy) to Ronnie James Dio (who pinched keyboardist Claude Schnell).

But in fact, it was Ronnie James Dio who would have a significant impact on Rough Cutt’s fortunes, as he recorded demos for the band, and subsequently managed by his wife Wendy Dio, the band secured a coveted deal with label giant Warner Brother’s Records.
After waiting around for a year to work with producer Ted Templeman (busy with both Van Halen and David Lee Roth at the time) Rough Cutt decided to record their debut album “Rough Cutt” with Englishman Tom Allom (Judas Priest, Def Leppard, Kix) instead.

Mixing kickin’ hard rockers like the killer “Take Her” (co-written by Craig Goldy & Ronnie James Dio), the irrepressible energy of “She’s Too Hott” or the guitar-driven “Cutt Your Heart Out” with arena-ready anthems such as “Kids Will Rock”, this albums rocks.
There’s more kicking numbers in “Never Gonna Die,” “Black Widow” (co-written by Wendy Dio, manager of the band) and “Dressed to Kill”, while the emotional “You Keep Breaking My Heart” shows the strength of Shortino’s impassioned vocals.
“Dreamin’ Again” is the power ballad, a strong one that should have enjoyed more success back in the day.

Rough Cutt toured extensively in the United States as an opening act supporting Krokus on their The Blitz tour alongside Accept, followed by an extensive trek with Dio on their Sacred Heart tour, which lasted half year. Rough Cutt were also part of the legendary Super Rock ’85 festival bill on August 10, 1985 at Seibu Lions Stadium in Tokorozawa, Japan sharing the stage with headliners Dio, Foreigner, Mama’s Boys, Sting, and several Japanese acts, including Earthshaker.
The show was commemorated with a VHS release titled Super Rock In Japan ’85; Rough Cutt was featured with 4 songs from their debut album, giving the band major exposure.

More stronger than the typical US hard rock acts from the era, Rough Cutt’s debut featured above-average material on their debut, all strong tracks wisely arranged and performed with a top notch musicianship.
This is one of my favorite hard rock albums from the mid-Eighties, and this Rock Candy remastering is superb; punchy, sharp and clean. Truly gives the album a new life.
HIGHLY Recommended

01 – Take Her
02 – Piece Of My Heart
03 – Never Gonna Die
04 – Dreamin’ Again
05 – Cutt Your Heart Out
06 – Black Widow
07 – You Keep Breaking My Heart
08 – Kids Will Rock
09 – Dressed To Kill
10 – She’s Too Hott

Paul Shortino – lead vocals
Amir Derakh – guitars
Chris Hager – guitars
Matt Thorr – bass
Dave Alford – drums, backing vocals

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www.clear-spot.nl/item/432487/rough_cutt_rough_cutt.html