Riot - Fire Down Under (1981)

Truckin

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This is one kick ass album. I not only had this in my collection but I bought it for my 15 yr old nephew last year which he gave it 5 stars.


Originally released in 1981 on the Elektra label, this album was remastered and released in 1999 on the Metal Blade label with two added tracks.

Riot was formed in 1975 in New York City, New York when Kon-Tiki guitarist Mark Reale and drummer Peter Bitelli recruited bassist Phil Fiet and vocalist Guy Speranza. The line up recorded a four-track demo, which they hoped would be included in a proposed compilation of new rock bands. While waiting for the project to get off the ground, they added Steve Costello on keyboards.

Reale took the various demos to New York based producers Billy Arnell and Steve Loeb, who also owned Greene Street Recording Studio and the independent label Fire-Sign Records. Arnell & Loeb turned down the compilation proposal but signed Riot. The band added second guitarist Louie Kouvaris, replaced Fiet with Jimmy Iommi and recorded its debut album, Rock City. After a promising start and support slots with AC/DC and Molly Hatchet, the band were unable to maintain momentum, and were on the verge of breaking up for good by 1979.

In that year however, the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal broke mainstream, and the band came to the attention of influential DJ Neal Kay who spread the word about them in Britain. British fans bought imported copies of Rock City which was recorded and produced by Billy Arnell and Steve Loeb and released on their Fire Sign Records. Encouraged, Arnell & Loeb recorded the band's new album Narita. In the course of recording, Kouvaris was replaced by band roadie Rick Ventura.

Subsequent to a successful support of Sammy Hagar on his US Texas tour Capitol Records offered Riot a worldwide deal for Narita, mostly to support Hagar. Capitol and Hagar needed a harder, younger edge to associate with him, so Riot was chosen if they agreed to support Hagar on his UK tour. Hagar and Riot had a successful tour, but Riot was dropped by Capitol as soon as they were finished promoting Hagar.

Riot's management, Billy Arnell and Steve Loeb spent their last dollars remaining from the Capitol advance retaining important indie FM radio promotions to promote the Riot album. They put it on as many radio stations around the country as possible, thus raising the radio profile enough to where Capitol picked up their option for another record. And thus began Riot's biggest selling album titled Fire Down Under.

When the record was completed some months later, Capitol turned the record down calling it "commercially unacceptable" which put the band in contractual limbo. Capitol also refused to let the band out of the contract and insisted if the band wanted off Capitol, they would have to sue. A campaign was organized and financed by producer Billy Arnell & Steve Loeb with fans around the world, but especially in the UK where the fans picketed the offices of EMI Records. Finally Elektra Records worked things out with Capitol's Rupert Perry and signed Riot and immediately released Fire Down Under which then soared into the Billboard Top 100 chart.






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TRACKLIST:Original release 1981

1.Swords and Tequila
2.Fire Down Under
3.Feel the Same
4.Outlaw
5.Don't Bring Me Down
6.Don't Hold Back
7.Altar of the King
8.No Lies
9.Run for Your Life
10.Flashbacks


Bonus Tracks 1999
Misty Morning Rain
Hot Life



Guy Speranza - vocals
Mark Reale - guitar
Rick Ventura - guitar
Kip Leming - bass
Sandy Slavin - drums


http://listen.grooveshark.com/#/album/Fire+Down+Under+Remastered/3603165
 

METALPRIEST

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Re: Riot~ fire down under

WOW!!! I have this is my collection!! Good to see it get some props!!! :grinthumb

My favorite track...NO LIES!

:oy: :phones: :bounce:






I've always liked this track as well from the late 80's!! :cheers:

 

annie

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Re: Riot~ fire down under

ha ha I thought this thread was going to be about another Aussie band - my bad :grinthumb
 

Magic

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Re: Riot~ fire down under

This really should be in the album review forum....Is it ok to move it Truckin?
 

LG

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Re: Riot~ fire down under

^^She already moved it Before you agreed Truckin'...:heheh:

I just found a copy of the album you posted, I was inspired as soon as I finished reading your glowing commentary Truckin'.:ty:
 

runtfan

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Re: Riot~ fire down under

I've got this CD and it's pretty good. My favorite tune, far and away is "Don't Hold Back" but I also like Swords & Tequila, No Lies, and Altar Of The King alot too.
 

Truckin

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Re: Riot~ fire down under

^^She already moved it Before you agreed Truckin'...:heheh:

I just found a copy of the album you posted, I was inspired as soon as I finished reading your glowing commentary Truckin'.:ty:


HaHa..yes I noticed that it was already moved when I was posting a reply to Magic. It don't pay to argue with a woman.:lmao: Actually I didn't realize there was an album review forum(although it's plain as the nose on yer face) so I guess I should be thanking her for pointing it out. Although this is my 2nd infraction, so paranoia is setting in that I might do it again.

I'm glad those who replied enjoyed it and it inspired you LG. I thought it was my best work of art yet. :D
 
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