THE FOUR HORSEMEN – S/T aka Welfare Boogie 1989 (Anniversary Edition + bonus tracks) *HQ*
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We featured the blazing rockin’ music of THE FOUR HORSEMEN here, but many also requested the band’s very early release: ”The Four Horsemen” 1989 self-titled EP, often referred to as ”Welfare Boogie”, a 4-song disc which is actually a demo-turned-release that secured their deal with Def Jam Records. Known for its AC/DC and Black Crowes influenced sound, it is a highly sought-after collector’s item.
However, the band never liked the way the EP sounded – no balls. As they compiled the 21st Anniversary reissues of their album, it was found an original un-mastered copy of the record, and fixed that problem with a new potent mastering. Now – BIG CAJONES! They also included 5 of the earliest recordings of the band known to exist.
At the time, 1989, still unsigned, THE FOUR HORSEMEN didn’t mind if they sounded a bit like AC/DC since “nobody is doing AC/DC anymore, not even AC/DC”. The EP has the same raw and rough vibe of Powerage-era Bon Scott, but with a guy who can also scream like Brian Johnson.
Opener “Welfare Boogie” itself works as an example. It’s a basic riff, a rawk vibe, a shout-along chorus and a charismatic shrieker (Frank C. Starr). This track and the laid-back rock and roll “Shelly” were both written solely by drummer Ken “Dimwit” Montgomery. Dave Lizmi’s guitar solo is equal parts Angus Young and Ace Frehley. The date might say 1989, but it sounds more like 1978.
“High School Rock N’ Roller” was written by founding member, Haggis (aka Kid Chaos aka Stephen Harris), who had finished a world tour with The Cult. Once again, it’s easy to point at early AC/DC as the prime influence.
The one track that sounds more like punk rock (Dimwit was from D.O.A.) than AC/DC is “Hard Lovin’ Man”. Starr might not have written it, but it’s clearly about him. “I”m a hard lovin’ man,” he boasts, before inviting “come here baby and see how hard I am.” All this to the rock and roll blitzkrieg of a song so fast that it doesn’t even break the 2 1/2 minute mark.
The four tracks combined make for a grand little EP, not even 13 minutes long! In and out, mission accomplished. Thankfully the bonus tracks extend the experience for those wanting a little bit more action.
A demo of “Rockin’ is Ma Business” demonstrates a work in progress as the band fiddled with the arrangement. Comparing the final track to the demo, it sounds like it ingested a steady diet of coffee and gin before cranking it up to 11. Always interesting to hear these early works in progress. The bones are there but the meat is only being added.
The Needle” is an unreleased song, a menacing night prowler with teeth flashing in the gloom.
“Born to Boogie” transformed completely between this demo and a later demo included on Nobody Said it Was Easy. According to the liner notes here, this song eventually mutated again into “Can’t Stop Rockin’” from the album. This track however is just a good time boogie with a bouncy riff lifted from “New York Groove” by Ace Frehley.
Then there is “Ain’t Telling Me”, a purely AC/DC stomp with a hint of Guns N’ Roses on top like a cherry. Finally, a fun track called “Bring On the Girls” goes down like a round of tequila. You can hear that the chords here later became “Moonshine” on the LP. Even the bass line is identical, but this is a more party-hearty version of a fondly remembered deep cut.
This collection of songs was never meant to be more than a warm-up. The main course was always intended to be the LP. When a band is as good as The Four Horsemen were, the EP still impresses more than a thousand other bands’ proper albums.
Highly Recommended
01 – Welfare Boogie
02 – Shelly
03 – Highschool Rock N’ Roller
04 – Hard Lovin’ Man
05 – Rockin’ Is Ma Business (Unreleased Demo)
06 – The Needle (Unreleased Demo)
07 – Born To Boogie (Unreleased Demo)
08 – Ain’t Tellin’ Me (Unreleased Demo)
09 – Bring On The Girls (Unreleased Demo)
Lead Vocals – Frank C. Starr
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar – Dave Lizmi
Rhythm Guitar – Haggis
Bass Guitar – Ben Pape
Drums – Kenneth “Dimwit” Montgomery
BUY
thefourhorsemen.com/products/welfare-boogie-e-p
