THE PLOT & DAMAGE CONTROL (ft. Pete Way & Michael Schenker) – 2003-2009 [HNE 3CD Box Set] (2022)
The world of hard rock lost a true legend in August 2020 when musician and songwriter Pete Way passed away, shortly after his 70th birthday. Best known as a founder member and bass guitarist of UFO, the enduring music that UFO with Pete Way created influenced everyone from Iron Maiden and Def Leppard to even Metallica. Pete leave and re-join UFO a number of times, leaving for good in 2008.
Pete Way would be involved in a number of collaborations and side projects, including a sporadic solo career. It was during one of his breaks from UFO that he teamed up with fellow UFO band-mate, lead guitarist Michael Schenker, forming the power trio The Plot (CD1) with Badlands’ Jeff Martin on drums in 2003. Quite different to the work that either Pete or Michael had produced with UFO and MSG, and with a slightly sleazy, gritty edge, The Plot has more in common with Pete’s other band, Waysted, but with the bass guitarist now also handling the lead vocals.
Pete Way’s next project was again another collaboration: he joined forces with guitarist Robin George, alongside drummer Chris Slade (AC/DC, The Firm) and The Quireboys’ inimitable lead singer, Spike, to form Damage Control in 2006. This bluesy, melodic hard rock band released 2 albums.
Now Hear No Evil / Cherry red is releasing a 3CD Box Set with these out of print albums.
It’s quite possible that The Plot was put together by Way & Schenker for a bit of energetic and raucous rock ‘n’ roll fun, but when a bootleg version of the recordings was leaked, it was decided to release the album officially.
Quite different to the work that either Pete or Michael had produced with UFO and MSG, and with a slightly sleazy, gritty edge, The Plot sounds pretty ’80s melodic hard rock.
Damage Control self-titled debut has the hallmarks of a super group, but one that has hopefully left its egos at the door to create some enduring, bluesy and melodic hard rock.
Parting company with Spike for ‘Raw’, released in 2009, for this second Damage Control outing, bassist Pete Way and guitarist Robin George decided to share vocal duties. ‘Raw’ was recorded in 2008, and the hard rock numbers set this release apart from others in the blues rock field, and the guitar sound of Robin George creates a trademark sound.
Damage Control is classic British Rock with some intelligent lyrics, well crafted songs and great performances from each of the musicians in the band.
Highly Recommended
DISC ONE
THE PLOT feat. Pete Way & Michael Schenker (2003)
01 – You And Me
02 – Need Her Bad
03 – Kicked Out
04 – Miss You Tonight
05 – Born Again
06 – Take Another Shot
07 – Shake Down
08 – Señorita
09 – Just My Luck
10 – Wild Wild Things
11 – Ain’t Got You
12 – Might As Well Go Drinking
DISC TWO
DAMAGE CONTROL (2007)
01 – Dead Man Walking
02 – Savage Songs
03 – Alice
04 – Selfish
05 – C’mon Down
06 – Damage Control
07 – Victim
08 – Raw
09 – One Step Closer
10 – Redundant
11 – Seven Golden Daffodils
12 – Bitching Blues
DISC THREE
DAMAGE CONTROL – RAW (2009)
01 – Raw (Re-Recording)
02 – Alice (Re-Recording)
03 – Savage Song (Re-Recording)
04 – Damage Control (Re-Recording)
05 – One Step Closer (Re-Recording)
06 – Selfish (Re-Recording)
07 – Pray For You And Me
08 – Spy
09 – Redundant (Re-Recording)
10 – Slaughtered
11 – Victim (Re-Recording)
12 – Seven Golden Daffodils (Re-Recording)
13 – Bitching Blues (Re-Recording)
Pete Way – bass, vocals
Michael Schenker – guitars
Jeff Martin – drums
Robin George – guitars, vocals
Chris Slade – drums
Spike – vocals
BUY
www.amazon.co.uk/2003-2009-Control-Featuring-Michael-Schenker/dp/B0B5TXQRWW