To understand the significance of Motor Sister, one must first understand Mother Superior. To say that this band had talent would be a gross understatement. Mother Superior released ten records in fifteen years, beginning with the demo, Right in a Row (1993), and ending in 2008 with the record Grande (Kicking Records). They were Jim Wilson on guitar and vocals, bassist Marcus Blake and Matt Tecu on the drums. Mother Superior was a Bluesy, Heavy Rock band with intriguing songs and a powerful delivery. They went on to play live with the Rollins Band, and they also worked with Daniel Lanois, Tony Visconti, Alice Cooper, Meat Loaf, Emmylou Harris, Sparks, Anthrax, Wayne Kramer, Lemmy, George Clinton, Iggy Pop, Mike Patton, and Queens of the Stone Age. Although they did not achieve the level of fame that they perhaps deserved, they were a force in music.
One of Mother Superior’s biggest fans is Scott Ian from Anthrax. Ian named them as a band that hit him in the same way that his favorite ’70s bands like UFO, Ted Nugent, Cheap Trick or KISS had. Ian’s wife, Pearl Aday, has been working with Jim Wilson of Mother Superior for years on her own musical career. Then Ian had a thought – for his fiftieth birthday, he wished to have Mother Superior perform at his birthday party and he wanted to sit in with the band. Wilson agreed without hesitation. So Ian recruited longtime friends, bassist Joey Vera (Fates Warning/Armored Saint) and drummer John Tempesta (White Zombie, The Cult) along with Aday on vocals and along with Wilson called themselves Motor Sister, and played a set of Mother Superior tunes hand picked by Ian at his party. On the guest list were some music industry vets who were seriously impressed by the band’s performance after only one rehearsal.
Soon word got back to Metal Blade records and A&R man Mike Faley, who called and asked Ian if he had any intention of capturing this chemistry on a record. This new group had the potential to resurrect the music of a band that needed to be heard again. Motor Sister flew to Los Angeles, California and recorded an album in two days with producer Jay Ruston (Anthrax, Steel Panther). They set up just like they did at the party and recorded the album live. The result is Ride, released March 10, 2015.
Combine Montrose, Faces, the Rolling Stones, some KISS, UFO and Cheap Trick, and give it a modern Metal edge, and you have Ride. With all songs hand picked by Ian, they are powerful and fresh. Backing vocals by Aday add a new dimension and depth to the songs. “A-Hole” is a high energy song with thick guitars and driving drums, carried by strong vocals from Wilson and Aday that complete this killer opening track. A long, concert style ending adds to the live feel of this record. A standout, “This Song Reminds Me Of You” opens up with a lone, bad ass, wah effected guitar played by Wilson. The band joins in for three before stopping to allow Wilson’s soulful vocals to properly introduce the song. This is a Rock jam with lead guitars everywhere. “Beg Borrow Steal” features a heavy, thumping beat and sweet harmonies between Wilson and Aday, a recurring theme throughout this record. Next up is “Fool Around,” a slow ballad with some heavy chunk. Passionate vocals by Wilson and alluring interaction between he and Aday give this track another must listen. Then there is the spirited “Get That Girl” that could have been a released in the ’60s with its throwback feel. Again, Wilson and Aday team up with great effect on “Head Hanging Low,” with primarily clean guitars giving this track an open, airy, Surf Rock vibe. Then “Fork In The Road” barrels through, a straight ahead rocker with a funky breakdown to give it traction. Slowing things down, the groove stands out on “Little Motor Sister” and “Pretty in the Mornin'” with a hint of Montrose. “Doghouse” shifts between Psychedelic and Hard Rock with Aerosmith-like harmonies. “Devil Wind” is a strong closer, with an epic, driving across the dessert feel. Beginning with a spirited acoustic guitar alone with Wilson’s vocals, it quickly gains momentum as the band fills the song with power. A heavy breakdown completes this piece.
Ride is a Rock-n-Roll album with a modern, slightly Metal edge. A labor of love for Ian, Aday, Vera, and Tempesta, this was a tribute to a band that has influenced each one of their musical journeys. For Wilson, it was an opportunity to travel back to something that he created and loved so much. Ride wears its many influences on its sleeve as it represents different times in the career of Mother Superior. Wilson’s vocal are powerful, especially on “Devil Wind.” Aday compliments his vocals beautifully. Ian adds a hard edge and a new complexity not possible with one guitar, while Vera and Tempesta offer an energetic, great groove and a rock solid foundation to the record. CrypticRock gives Ride 4 out of 5 Stars.
- Metal Blade
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