Gang War [Jungle]

by Wayne Kramer, Johnny Thunders

Overview

Supergroups are usually synonymous with prog rockers, not punk rockers. But in 1979, ex-New York Dolls guitarist Johnny Thunders and ex-MC5 guitarist Wayne Kramer decided to unite (with Kramer fresh out of jail), as they began gigging under the name Gang War. Although the group never issued a proper studio album (drug use and mismanagement prevented it), several live Gang War sets have seen the light of day over the years -- one of the better being 2004's Gang War. Instead of working up a whole new set of original songs, the duo focused almost entirely on tracks from their past catalogs, as well as cover tunes of rock & roll standards -- another reason probably why Gang War was never signed by a label. But it's interesting to hear Thunders playing on the MC5's "Ramblin' Rose" and Kramer on the Dolls' instrumental cover, "Courageous Cat," as well as such obscurities as a David Johansen-Thunders collaboration, "Endless Party," and a Kramer original, "Hey Thanks." Of the multitude of covers, you get the expected, such as Chuck Berry's "Around and Around" and the Motown classic "Do You Love Me," as well as the unexpected, tops being a reading of Jimmy Cliff's "The Harder They Come." As longtime fans will attest, Johnny Thunders live recordings are a mixed bag. But thanks to this fleeting collaboration (Kramer supposedly split due to Thunders' unruly monetary demands), Gang War is one of the better ones out there. ~ Greg Prato

Product Details

Release Date:	04/30/1998
Label:	Aware One / Halycon
UPC:	0095451900122
Rank:	102444

Tracks

1. I'd Rather Be With the Boys (Than Girls Like You)
2. The Harder They Come
3. I'll Go Crazy
4. Ten Commandments of Love
5. Like a Rolling Stone
6. Mia
7. Endless Party
8. Do You Love Me?

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Johnny Thunders   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals
Wayne Kramer   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals

Technical Credits

Bob Dylan   Composer
Billy Rath   Composer
Chuck Berry   Composer
James Brown   Composer
Fred Burch   Composer
Cliff Richard   Composer
David Johansen   Composer
David Peel   Producer,Coordination
Walter Lure   Composer
Wayne Kramer   Performer
Johnny Thunders   Composer
Jimmy Cliff   Composer
Alan Tecchio   Executive Producer
Daniel Orion Davis   Executive Producer
Marijohn Wilkin   Composer
Keith Richards   Composer
Steve Kaplan   Coordination
Arthur Marko   Producer,Coordination
Cathy Miller   Photography
Stephen Kaplan   Producer
Murray Brenman   Design,Package Design
Keith Roth   Executive Producer
Andrew Loog Oldham   Composer
Berry Gordy, Jr.   Composer