The UFO Discography And Listening Party Thread

[TAC]

My computer is spying on me apparently...

[Zoom E]

I too saw Waysted open for Maiden in 87, but really don't recall my impression of them.

 I never heard any of their albums after Vices, so will try and check them out this week.

Really enjoying your photos, TAC. 

[TAC]

I too saw Waysted open for Maiden in 87, but really don't recall my impression of them.

It was the only time I ever got to see Pete Way and Paul Chapman live. I cannot tell you how psyched I was.


Oh and BTW, that was one of the best Maiden shows I ever saw. Top 3 Maiden show.

[wolfking]

My computer is spying on me apparently...

Lol WTF?!

[wolfking]

Loading up these Waysted albums to give them a spin.

[TAC]

Loading up these Waysted albums to give them a spin.

 

[TAC]

Update


So moving forward, I will be stack posting some of the Schenker Discography. If I feel there needs to be one highlighted on its own, I'll do so.

So tonight, I will stack post the three McAuley Schenker Group albums and UFO's Ain't Misbehavin', and you all have the weekend to digest them.



That will take us up to the Phil Mogg & Pete Way reunion on High Stakes, and ultimately the Schenker Reunion next week.

[TAC]

McAuley Schenker Group

During the disasterous 1984 US Tour for Built to Destroy, Gary Barden and Michael Schenker were not getting along. It culminated with Barden basically walking off the tour. A few years later, Michael would resurface with Grand Prix singer, Robin McAuley in what would be known as MSG, or the McAuley Schenker Group. Robin will tell you that before Graham Bonnet joined MSG, Michael had asked him to join, even mentioning that Cozy Powell was still in the band at that time. Cozy would leave shortly thereafter to join Whitesnake.
Robin, loyal to Grand Prix, would turn him down. Eventually Michael came calling again, even offering to include McAuley in the name of the band.

For all intents and purposes, this was Michael Schenker's attempt at Hair Metal. The songs have a real poppy flavor, and all three albums are filled with cringy hair metal styled lyrics.

Even though the songs aren't really that strong, as expected, there is some great guitar playing going on. And Robin McAuley has a fantastic voice. To me, there's something really amiss on these albums. I have included links to all three albums. At the bottom of the post, I have also included what I feel are the 5 best tracks from this era.

I will also say that Save Yourself is by far the heaviest of the three albums, and in my opinion has Schenker's best playing in this Era..


1987

Perfect Timing




Released October 12, 1987

Link

1. Gimme Your Love
2. Here Today Gone Tomorrow
3. Don't Stop Me Now
4. No Time For Losers
5. Follow The Night
6. Get Out
7. Love Is Not A Game
8. Time
9. I Don't Wanna Lose
10. Rock 'Till You're Crazy

Michael Schenker-Guitar
Robin McAuley-Vocals
Mitch Perry-Guitar
Rocky Newton-Bass
Bodo-Schropf-Drums

1989

Save Yourself






Released October 10, 1989

Link

1. Save Yourself
2. Bad Boys
3. Anytime
4. Get Down To Bizness
5. Shadow Of The Night
6. What We Need
7. I Am Your Radio
8. There Has To Be Another Way
9. This Is My Heart
10. Destiny
11. Take Me Back


Michael Schenker-Guitar
Robin McAuley-Vocals
Steve Mann-Guiter/Keyboards
Rocky Newton-Bass
Bodo Schropf-Drums

1992

MSG




Released 1992

Link

1. Eve
2. Paradise
3. When I'm Gone
4. This Broken Heart
5. We Believe In Love
6. Crazy
7. Invincible
8. What Happens To Me
9. Lonely Nights
10. This Night Is Gonna Last Forever
11. Never Ending Nightmare


Michael Schenker-Guitar
Robin McAuley-Vocals
Jeff Pilson-Bass
James Kottack-Drums
Jesse Harms-Keyboards

Listen to the links at your own risk.

Here are my Top 5 recommended tracks from these three albums.

Get Out
Anytime
Save Yourself
When I'm Gone

And this song would actually land in my all time MSG Top 10
Never Ending Nightmare

[wolfking]

McAuley's hair on that first album cover! WOW! 

[wolfking]

Loading up these Waysted albums to give them a spin.

 

Few songs into TGTBTW and it's much better than Vices.  I like the vocals much more here than Vices.  Get a heavy Brian Johnson vibe though.  The intro song was cool and Manuel was very good.  Heaven Tonight is Summer of 69 though.

[TAC]

They redo Heaven Tonight on Save Your Prayers, but I like the Fin version much better.

[wolfking]

They redo Heaven Tonight on Save Your Prayers, but I like the Fin version much better.

It was a decent piece of AOR, just reminded me so much of SO69.

[devieira73]

I found an interesting MSG japanese show from 84:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfcnEjiWnu8&t=1436s
I didn't know about this vocalist in MSG...he reminded me Billy Hargrove from Stranger Things! (do your research, TAC! )
https://strangerthings.fandom.com/pt-br/wiki/Billy_Hargrove
These McAuley Schenker albums, I will give a try, but the few times I already tried, I didn't connect with the style. Although I know Never Ending Nightmare from the acoustic album and it's indeed excellent.

[TAC]

I found an interesting MSG japanese show from 84:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfcnEjiWnu8&t=1436s
I didn't know about this vocalist in MSG...he reminded me Billy Hargrove from Stranger Things! (do your research, TAC! )
https://strangerthings.fandom.com/pt-br/wiki/Billy_Hargrove
These McAuley Schenker albums, I will give a try, but the few times I already tried, I didn't connect with the style. Although I know Never Ending Nightmare from the acoustic album and it's indeed excellent.

He had a guy called Ray Kennedy finish the BTD tour.   Insignificant.
And hell yes, that is a cheesy look.

These McAuley Schenker albums, I will give a try, but the few times I already tried, I didn't connect with the style. Although I know Never Ending Nightmare from the acoustic album and it's indeed excellent.

The heaviest one is Save Yourself, and for the most part, that has the most classic guitar sound of the three.

[devieira73]

No Time for Losers is very cool, specially the version on The Michael Schenker Story Live.
And Get Out could be on Scorpions Lovedrive

[ProfessorPeart]

Got around to listening to the first Waysted album. Really enjoyed it, quite a bit. The version I listened to also had most of the album with what they called the 'Maison Rouge Mixes'. Those were awful. They completely removed the balls from the album. No reason for them to exist.

Anyways, I thought Vices was excellent, aside from Women In Chains. That was interesting.

I also got a hold of the 2 Mogg/Way records. Did some early recon and I am excited for those. The little I heard sounded promising. I also locked down UFO's studio work up to Seven Deadly so I am set in that sense. I have no MSG and the little I have checked out didn't really grab me. Mainly, his choice of vocalists didn't seem too hot to me.

[Zoom E]

I haven’t listened to Perfect Timing in many years. I recall that it was a rather bland affair. Save Yourself is a much better album and is fairly decent. I have never heard the 1992 MSG album. How does it compare to the previous two?

[wolfking]

The Land That's Lost the Love.  That's a damn good song.

[Lowdz]

First of those MSG albums was ok but a bit of a letdown. 2-3 good songs but was pretty average overall.

I really love Save Yourselves. A great album of it's time and well produced.

I think may have heard the 3rd one once but don't remember it. Not sure why I didn't get it, having enjoyed the previous one, but will try and give it a go at work today (urgent referrals permitting). It just never appeared on my radar and after SY I pretty much didn't bother with Schenker for many years, so this is going to be interesting going forward. Again, I'm not sure why. I certainly didn't move o nt grunge or anything, and I was cursing the lack of 80s style metal in the 90s. it may have been due to losing patience with his antics.

 i've already had a sneak peak at a couple of albums to come and enjoyed one, didn't like the other, and sampled some of his acoustic Thank You stuff, which was good.

Just listened to TGTG&TW and enjoyed it overall. I got a bit bored the longer it went on but it started well.

[TAC]

The Land That's Lost the Love.  That's a damn good song.

Hell F’n Yes!!

[wolfking]

The Land That's Lost the Love.  That's a damn good song.

Hell F’n Yes!!

Pretty inconsistent album.  Some really good songs but a few duds too.  That song though is amazing.

[Lowdz]

Listening to the 3rd MSG (how many self titled albums can one man have?) album and enjoying it. it's not as good as SY - a bit too generic - but far better than the first, and I'd take this over the Waysted album.

[jjrock88]

Never heard “Get Out” before. Awesome tune, really heavy 

[Stadler]

McAuley's hair on that first album cover! WOW! 

I'm glad you said that first, because I felt bad for the post I was going to write.   Now, I saw Robin on the Schenkerfest (what a dumb name) tour, and he can sing like no one's business.  He might be the best SINGER on that tour.  But I saw that first album cover, and all I could think was "Poser".  It just looks like he's wearing a costume.  I always though the big hair was ridiculous; even in Kiss, I thought Mark St. John was a joke, and I saw that album and knew that this wasn't going to be the gritty, English, MSG of the first four albums.   I do not own ANY of those albums, and probably will never.  The one single - is it "Save Yourself"? - isn't bad, but it isn't good either. 

[TAC]

I’m so glad everyone is checking these out. I’ll dig through the posts after work. Really enjoyed reading them so far.

[PowerSlave]

Tim, I'll try to get around to posting my thoughts on this era of MSG this weekend or sometime next week. I've been in orientation for a new job the last couple of days, and I'm a little bit out of sorts with everything else.

[Stadler]

Tim, I'll try to get around to posting my thoughts on this era of MSG this weekend or sometime next week. I've been in orientation for a new job the last couple of days, and I'm a little bit out of sorts with everything else.

Priorities, bo.  You should have told them you'll start this new job when the interactive UFO discography on the internet is done.   

[PowerSlave]

Tim, I'll try to get around to posting my thoughts on this era of MSG this weekend or sometime next week. I've been in orientation for a new job the last couple of days, and I'm a little bit out of sorts with everything else.

Priorities, bo.  You should have told them you'll start this new job when the interactive UFO discography on the internet is done.   

Oh, how I wish!!! A nice, long vacation right now would be a wonderful thing!

[wolfking]

I really enjoyed Save Your Prayers.  Love the smooth melodic rock nature of it and Danny has always been wonderful to listen to.  I remember Heroes aldo from a Ben and Brent show! 

[TAC]

I really enjoyed Save Your Prayers.  Love the smooth melodic rock nature of it and Danny has always been wonderful to listen to.  I remember Heroes aldo from a Ben and Brent show! 

That album is one of my favorite vocal ever.

Tim, I'll try to get around to posting my thoughts on this era of MSG this weekend or sometime next week. I've been in orientation for a new job the last couple of days, and I'm a little bit out of sorts with everything else.

 

Congrats on the new job, Jason.  Yeah, definitely circle back to these albums when you have a chance. This thread still has a ways to go..

McAuley's hair on that first album cover! WOW! 

I'm glad you said that first, because I felt bad for the post I was going to write.   Now, I saw Robin on the Schenkerfest (what a dumb name) tour, and he can sing like no one's business.  He might be the best SINGER on that tour.  But I saw that first album cover, and all I could think was "Poser".  It just looks like he's wearing a costume.  I always though the big hair was ridiculous; even in Kiss, I thought Mark St. John was a joke, and I saw that album and knew that this wasn't going to be the gritty, English, MSG of the first four albums.   I do not own ANY of those albums, and probably will never.  The one single - is it "Save Yourself"? - isn't bad, but it isn't good either. 

It's an awful look, but I never considered Robin McAuley a poser. I mean, look at Michael's extensions. Freaking awful.

I haven’t listened to Perfect Timing in many years. I recall that it was a rather bland affair. Save Yourself is a much better album and is fairly decent. I have never heard the 1992 MSG album. How does it compare to the previous two?

The third one is a lot softer in terms of music. There's a few really good songs on it though. I haven't yet relistened to it for this thread, and it's been ages since I did.

[TAC]

I also got a hold of the 2 Mogg/Way records. Did some early recon and I am excited for those. The little I heard sounded promising. I also locked down UFO's studio work up to Seven Deadly so I am set in that sense. I have no MSG and the little I have checked out didn't really grab me. Mainly, his choice of vocalists didn't seem too hot to me.

I like the Mogg Way albums a lot.


And yes, Schenker has had some loaded with talent/ lacking in character vocalists for a number of years. Fortunately he found Doogie.

[TAC]

Ain't Misbehavin'



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGYmr5Dw4aY&list=PLM0QWHFvEjTZvwwDRy_ex2HnGbcChb_uF


Released February 2, 1988


1. Between A Rock And A Hard Place
2. Another Saturday Night
3. At War With The World
4. Hunger In The Night
5. Easy Money
6. Rock Boyz, Rock
7. Lonely Cities (Of The Heart)


Phil Mogg-Vocals
Tommy (Atomik Tommy M) McClendon-Guitar
Paul Gray-Bass
Jim Simpson-Drums

Without money to record a full album, Ain't Misbehavin' was released as an EP. It's actually pretty terrible, but Between A Rock And A Hard Place and At War With The World are pretty decent.



I put the censored cover in the thread. The original cover is in the youtube link and it is most definitely NSFW.

[jjrock88]

I going to take a guess and say that the look and sound of McAuley Schenker was a Hail Mary by Michael to get some mainstream success. Barden is a great singer but Robin clearly has a voice for radio. I like everything I’ve heard from the McAuley Schenker albums.

If Tim is classifying a UFO album as terrible, that’s not a good sign lol. Now I’m more curious to check it out

[TAC]

I like everything I’ve heard from the McAuley Schenker albums.

That's awesome Jason, and it makes me feel like it was worth it to include Michael Schenker's albums in this thread.


Robin McAuley has an awesome voice. Overall, I just wanted something heavier from Michael. Save Yourself is really strong musically. But the third album, while pretty lightweight is still filled with quality tunes and is very well done.

Again, Never Ending Nightmare is fantastic. Hopefully everyone at least samples that one.




I forgot to mention that I did see the McAuley Schenker Group open for Rush on December 3rd, 1987 at the Worcester Centrum. We were in the balcony on the other side of the arena from Michael, but I don't think I ever took my eyes off of him.

[devieira73]

Ain’t Misbehaving...I really like Between a Rock and a Hard Place a lot and At War with the World/Hunger in the Night/Easy Money, although nothing really special, is a good run of songs. The production is very raw, with a live feel to it, but at least you can hear very well the instruments and vocals (by the way, some backing vocals I think are a bit annoying). The best here is not better than the best in Misdemeanor, but I think it’s an enjoyable EP. Maybe it’s just because that I had invested more time listening to this album than the Mcauley Schenker albums, I like it more (but...I'm suspecting that Save Yourself can be a really good album for what I’ve heard so far. I’ll hear it with more attention, no doubt).