Name: Gang War!
Brand: Johnny Thunders

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

FREUDCD076

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2020-12-11

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

5013145207628

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Total Cap

1 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Johnny Thunders

Genre GB

New Wave / Post Punk

Label GB

Jungle

Johnny Thunders was a Queens, New York-born guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He first gained recognition as the lead guitarist for a prominent rock band and later went on to form his own group. With his unique style and undeniable talent, Thunders left an indelible mark on the music industry.
Influenced by artists like Richard Hell and Stiv Bators, Johnny Thunders created a sound that was raw and authentic. His work with bands such as the New York Dolls and The Heartbreakers showcased his exceptional guitar skills and songwriting abilities.
With a discography that includes collaborations with notable punk rock bands like Dead Boys and The Damned, Johnny Thunders cemented his status as a true icon of the genre. Fans of MC5, Buzzcocks, or The Undertones will appreciate his gritty yet melodic sound.

In 1979, Johnny Thunders, legendary Heartbreakers and New York Dolls guitarist, teamed up with Wayne Kramer, also legendary guitarist of Detroit's seminal MC5, to form 'Gang War', an alliance that lasted the best part of a year. Although Gang War released no records and at the time they got little attention, in retrospect the collaboration is looked on as a 'rock fantasy' supergroup. These live recordings bear testimony to this unique partnership between two renowned rock guitar icons. Gang War came about shortly after Johnny released his 'So Alone' album, and Wayne was not long out of jail after serving two years of a sentence of four for a coke bust. Arriving in Detroit with the Heartbreakers, Johnny met his teenage idol Wayne who jammed with them at the gig. Johnny stayed on, moving his family to Michigan and pledging his future to Gang War. They toured regularly and recorded a couple of demos with a view to getting a deal, but they couldn't get record company interest and after eight or nine months they split. On the recordings, both contribute lead vocals and guitars on Thunders and Dolls tracks such as London Boys, Endless Party and M.I.A.; songs familiar from Kramer and MC5 such as Ramblin' Rose and Hey Thanks, and fascinating cover versions such as These Boots Are Made For Walking. Together with the between-track repartee they also demonstrate the difference between the two - as Wayne Kramer has said: "Music is important to me and I value the honor, the opportunity, to be an important musician. Johnny, on the other hand didn't consider himself a musician. He considered himself an entertainer."

Gang War!

Music GB