Demented Are Go - The Day The Earth Spat Blood/Go Go Demented

Cardiff psychos in full-on crazy mode

In a genre that regarded sickness, both in lyrics and attitude, as a positive virtue, Welsh psychobilly outfit Demented Are Go still stood out from the crowd. They formed in the early 80s, but only made their vinyl debuts (apart from two tracks on Nervous Records’ Hell’s Bent On Rockin’ compilation in 1984) with the 12” single Holy Jack and album In Sickness & In Health in 1986, both on ID Records.

Both releases were well received, reaching Nos 16 and 9 respectively on the indie chart. The future boded well but singer Mark “Sparky” Phillips’ increasingly erratic behaviour led to double-bass player Graeme Grant and guitarist Lex Luther leaving the band, and a new line-up was hastily put together for a third album in 1989.

Released by Link, The Day The Earth Spat Blood consisted of eight tracks written and recorded in just three days, but the result, if a little ragged, was still a surprisingly solid album, though it’s never been listed among their best work. Link followed it up with a live album, Go Go Demented!, in 1990, which was a restrained affair capturing the boys on their best behaviour. Just kidding – it was, of course, complete chaos.

3 stars 3 stars 3 stars

Cherry Red | CDM PSYCHO 66

Reviewed by Shane Baldwin
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