Waysted EP completely slipped me by back in the day, which is a shame as hearing it now, it carries on the blueprint set by Vices only a little more refined (for want of a better description). Also with the addition of Tonka and Parker, it’s a bit closer to what UFO seemingly moved away from.
Won’t Get Out Alive… Starting off with a riff reminiscent of Shoot Shoot, and Parker more solid than Frank Noone, this song makes its point as an opener. Fin joins in sounding more like Dan McCafferty this time. Chapman solo brings more familiarity. Short and (not) sweet. Yes.
The Price You Pay… Initially seemingly has Parker reprising his Couldn’t Get It Right licks, but the song soon becomes typical Waysted with a catchy chorus. Midway, the tempo slows and Fin tries his Mogg crooning accompanied by tasteful Chapman, but it picks up again to finish with a blistering Chapman outro.
Rock Steady… Could be another UFO intro. More tuneful than the previous two cuts, I really like this.
Hurt So Good… A slower tune, reminiscent of Morning Dew at the beginning, but a good one, with Fin doing another Dan McCafferty.
Cinderella Boys… Rather bluesy with an initially sinister speaking Fin vocal. This reminds me of ZZ Top in a good way, before picking up the tempo. Chapman reminds us why he’s really no slouch halfway through, before it becomes bluesy again. Another really good song.
This EP may not be quite as raucous as Vices. It’s slightly more polished, but without losing much of the edge from that LP, and with Leo Lyons, perhaps a little more what Pete Way was trying to get back to. However, because of that, it’s slightly down on the fun factor too. Still a good collection of songs though.
Jumping ahead slightly, I found this EP again tagged onto the end of the the next album together with a sixth song... Ball and Chain... It's terrific, but doesn't really fit with the EP original, certainly a different singer. What's the story here Tim?