I'm Leaving

The release of Pezband’s “Dangerous People,” is a thrilling CD of nine unreleased cuts and two live tracks – all recorded during the band’s heyday (1978-80).
This collection augments their previous works and leaves others in this genre in the proverbial dust.

The tremendous energy and their skill as a well-oiled performing unit, with the band’s confidence in its creative prime, gives this new set a timelessness that transcends the period from whence it came.

If you’re not familiar with Pezband, you should be.

For three years in the late ‘70s, this Chicago based four-piece released a trilogy of hard-edged, hook-laden pop-rock albums (and two ferocious live EPs) that preceded Cheap Trick and The Knack by a galaxy. Rock critics reveled in the group’s output. A 1978 “Rolling Stone” review crowned Pezband’s “Laughing in the Dark,” as “one of best albums of the year”.

Today, Pezband’s signature songs, "Baby It’s Cold Outside" and "Stop! Wait a Minute" are staples of every “Best-of Power-Pop” compilations in existence.

And with this newest release, in pure Pezband style, “Dangerous People’s” catchy, hard, pop-rock tracks will make new and long time fans of the band happy and ready to rock.

The sound, the drive and their determination are reflected in the provocative B & W cover photo
of the group.

On record: here they are once again: Mimi Betinis on John-meets-Paul lead vocals and Beckesque lead guitar; Mike Gorman on propulsive bass and deft Winwood-ish vocals, Tommy Gawenda providing slashing rhythm guitar; and Mick Rain on explosive Moon-meets-Bonham drums – the four rock their way through formerly unheard classics like “Back Within the Arms I Love” and “Anything for Fun.”

And with something like Mike Gorman’s turn on “She’s Alright,” the harmonies by Betinis and Rain are so beautifully rendered over the infectious chorus line, it’s a wonder why such a song (and Betinis and Gorman’s extraordinary “I Can Only Say Yes”) was left on the cutting room floor in the first place. Still, such oversights are testament to the strength of the band’s original catalog.

The new album also offers some compelling experimental tracks, which show a side of the band pushing their boundaries. There’s “Death is a Lover” (which should be included on the next blockbuster thriller soundtrack) and “Eastern Woman” Gorman’s moody and introspective take on an Asian femme-fatale.

In the song “Dangerous People” Mimi Betinis and Mick Rain warn the listener of sociopathic lovers with Betinis’ seductive and smooth delivery.

The set’s two, rambunctious, live tracks offer further proof of Pezband’s timelessness. The alternate version of “Black Magic” and “I’m Leaving” are nothing short of galvanic and give a glimpse of the band being a solid and powerful live act.

Finally, the entire set doesn’t sound at all from its period. Mixed in state of the art technology by former Pezband producer and engineer, John Pavletic, it’s a kinetic sound to behold competitive with anything on today’s scene.

“Dangerous People” may just be what Pezband needs to propel the group to its rightful place in pop rock history. It’s perhaps one of the great entertainment tragedies that this group never got its full due during its time, but these eleven tracks could very well electrify this generation’s iTuners to go back and discover Pezband’s full catalog. Finally, then, we can all celebrate together the legacy of this great lost American treasure.

SIDEBAR:

Pezband’s rep should further be accelerated by their newest activities. The “Dangerous People” album dovetails with the release of the group’s dynamic “Woman & Politics” EP, which highlights the reformed early ‘80s Pezband going banshee in the aftermath of original group’s breakup.

Additional, there’s the brilliant Mimi Betinis solo album from 2011, “All That Glitters,” produced with an expert modern touch by Stan Skora (Betinis has a new Skora helmed solo record due out imminently), and a sultry samba-styled new single from Betinis is available as well, “Is It Real Love.”

AUTHOR:

Larry Lange writes for “Goldmine,” and “Hit Parader,” and is author of the personal-growth book “The Beatles Way: Fab Wisdom for Everyday Life” (Simon & Schuster), published in twelve languages worldwide.

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