The 90s are alive and well, and it starts at Eonian Records. Lately, bands like Toy Cannon, NY Fury and Misery have joined my music collection, and all of them are getting some heavy rotation on my stereo, Especially Misery – Risk It All
A Brief History
Misery started out mid – 1989 in the heart of Texas. Singer Greg Gilley just so happens to be the son of Country Legend Mickey Gilley. Music must be in the blood, even though they are different genres (could you imagine a country review here on CGCM?!) and in 1991 Misery Loves Company was recorded independently without the help of outside producers or engineers. They even included a fantastic cover of “Great Balls of Fire”, made famous by Jerry Lee Lewis, who in fact is a cousin of Mickey’s, and yes, they did have Mickey play piano on the track as well.
The success of Misery Loves Company led to the 1992 recording of Risk It All, and with their success finally made the trip to the infamous Strip where they showcased at clubs like The Whiskey a Go-Go, and at what became later known as The Viper Room.
The idea wasn’t to travel much, the band wanted to focus on new music. Nothing was really happening for the band in the big sense but did manage to land a deal, which they ultimately turned down because the owner of the label wanted the band to change its music direction into a harder and heavier sound. This resulted in the band’s third album, Out of My Hands in 1994 coming out to not much growth for them. The band had a huge following in their home state, but with the music scene beginning to change into a different sound, and direction it just wasn’t meant to be for the band.
Reignited
Now with the reintroduction of Misery to the world from Eonian Records, I, and you get to hear this fantastic music in its full glory, with a new life behind it. The sound of the greatest era in Hard Rock (what I say is about 82-96) is coming back thanks to the reissues of bands like Misery and giving them the proper treatment, respect, and success, they should have had back then.
Risk It All
What I’m here to talk about however is the second Misery album to come out from Eonian Records, Risk It All. Ten tracks of pure strip-era hard rock that bring back those vibes of smoke-filled, alcohol-driven good times of the clubs, and simpler times when rock was fun, and a form of escape.
Tracks like “Risk It All”, “I Need You”, “Do You Wanna”, and the necessary ballad, “Angel” makes this album an absolute must-have for any fan of the era that many of us love and crave still. I should mention however that if you are interested in Risk It All to be added to your personal collection, you might as well also get its predecessor Misery Loves Company while you’re at it. Nothing like getting that one, two punch all at once!
Psychotic Thoughts
I for one have been very thankful for companies like Eonian Records. Without them, I would have never known bands like Misery, along with many others as well. Living in rural Ontario I never got much of a chance to be introduced to bands like them. Maybe in things like Metal Edge, or RIP magazines (When our local convenience store brought them in), I might have seen a pic, but never the music or vibe they had. It was strictly based on whether they looked cool or not.
So, thanks for the music Eonian, but a larger thanks go to Misery for bringing me back to better times, and putting the party back into my rock.
Keep On Rocking
Trevor “Psychoone” McDougall
Tracks:
- Risk It All
- Love
- Angel
- I Need You
- Crystal Clear
- Do You Wanna
- Out Of The Gutter
- All Your Love
- Feel It Too
- Can You Hear Me
Band:
- Greg Gilley – Lead Vocals, Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
- Joe Villarreal – Lead Guitar, Vocals
- Marcus Johnston – Bass, Vocals
- Kevin Coffey
BUY Misery: Eonian Records
Furthermore, check out all my reviews: Trevor’s Archives
Email Me at Trevor “Psychoone” McD
