MisdemeanorMisdemeanor (1985)Released November 1985 (UK)
March 1986 (USA)
1. This Time
2. One Heart
3. Night Run
4. The Only Ones
5. Meanstreets
6. Name Of Love
7. Blue
8. Dream The Dream
9. Heavens Gate
10. Wreckless
11. The ChasePhil Mogg-Vocals
Tommy (Atomik Tommy M) McClendon-Guitar
Paul Gray-Bass
Jim Simpson-Drums
Paul Raymond-Keyboards/Guitar
In 1984, Phil Mogg was looking to start a new band. Paul Gray, left over from the previous tour was with him, as was American guitarist Tommy (Atomic Tommy M) McClendon. On drums was former Diamond Head drummer Robbie France. They did a brief tour and even had a promo pic:
Gray, Mogg, Tommy, France
France would be replaced by Magnum drummer Jim Simpson and Paul Raymond would be added to the lineup that would record Misdemeanor.
Simpson, Tommy, Mogg, Raymond, Gray
Phil's intention was to not call the band UFO. It was actually called Lost Parade. I had a great picture of their tour bus with Lost Parade on the sign on the outside of the front of the bus, but I cannot find it. I remember reading that and it explained the sign on the bus....
Anyway, leave it to Chrysalis to try and cash in on the name.
The album was released in November of '85 in England, but a remixed keyboard (even) heavier laden US version was released about six months later in the States.
Not sure what to make of Tommy's guitar playing. He has such a shrill tone to it. He seems pretty good though. Songwise, this album is the definition of half killer half filler. But there's some great tunes here..
Name Of Love, Heaven's Gate, Wreckless, Meanstreets, all excellent.
I also really like Night Run.
But I skip the first two songs every time I listen to this album. The rest is pretty good. I remember finding this in the import bin in 1985 so I had the first version. I played the hell out of it. I thought the songs basically followed the UFO formula, even with an 80's sound. For obvious reasons, people didn't consider this a real UFO album, but I was fine with it as it was.
This show was recorded in Oxford on the UK tour. It was released on VHS as Misdemeanor live. Phil seems pretty out of it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYSnDDjB3ig&t=1sI actually saw UFO on this tour.. more on that later.
EDIT:
I should add, however you listen to this album, you must do two things.
1. Turn the bass up
2. Turn the treble down
The production on this album is so shrill.