May 18, 2017 Plasmatics – Live! Rod Swenson’s Lost Tapes 1978-1981 (Live Video Review)
Back in the late 1970s, something was happening in New York City, Punk Rock was taking over. Like an infection, rising from the underground and making its mark, bands like the New York Dolls, Ramones, and Blondie were at the top of the pile, but there was one who always stood out, the unconventional Plasmatics, Formed back in 1977 by Rod Swenson and Wendy O. Williams in New York City, the band’s story has become somewhat of a legend in the world of music. Now four decades later, the legend gets some unseen footage in the form of new Videomentary Plasmatics – Live! Rod Swenson’s Lost Tapes 1978-1981.
Set for release on DVD and VOD on May 19th via Pandemonium, it is a compiling of lost footage uncovered, bringing the painful, yet fun memories of Swenson to fans. Producer/Director by Randy Shooter had a challenge ahead of him, seeing most of the tapes were unlabeled, unedited, and extremely degraded. Thankfully he was able to piece it together to offer fans a new collection of videos recorded between 1978 and 1980. Relabeling, reporting, and editing, this is a must watch for long-time fans, as well as curious newcomers.
For those who do not know the story, after receiving an MFA from Yale in the late ’60s, Swenson delved into the artistic life and began experimenting with styles of music running into the likes of the Dead Boys and the Ramones in the process. Then, in the mid ’70s, he met O. Williams in Times Square while he searched for the perfect music act.
After seeing and answering Swenson’s ad, O. Williams became the Plasmatics lead singer and as they say, the rest was history. The uncompromising and determined O. Williams came from a colourful background that included performing in live sex shows, porn films, and in strip clubs. She brought this color with her, and incorporated it within her on-screen persona, which was only a shade away from the real thing.
From the get-go, the band were a hit with Punk fans and The Plasmatics’ live shows not only filled capacity, they conversely broke many laws, taboos, and ideals. All factors much due to O. Williams’ unusual and often non-existent wardrobe, her penchant chainsawing guitars, blowing up cars, sex simulations, multiple arrests for indecent behaviour and public indecency, or blowing up speaker cabinets. During the band’s time of 1978 to 1983, there were five studio albums and multiple EPs, while only O. Williams, Swenson, and Guitarist Wes Beech remained constant members.
Remaining popular until they ceased recording, they soon gained a cult following. For twenty years, Swenson remained O. Williams’ partner, during which time she attempted suicide a number of times, and sadly she succeeded on April 6th of 1998. Some time after her passing and during the moving process of 1984’s WOW, Swenson found some archived footage from the Plasmatics concert days, hence Plasmatics – Live! Rod Swenson’s Lost Tapes 1978-81. Running for over an hour, there is a lot of classic video to indulge, recollecting the wildness and pioneering of the Plasmatics. In addition, there are two tracks from CBGBs, one of which was among the first Plasmatics shows ever. All this said, this collection is a must have for fans who want to relive those crazy days or take a fresh look at a retro era. Begging consumers take a history lesson, CrypticRock give Plasmatics – Live! Rod Swenson’s Lost Tapes 1978-81 5 out of 5 stars.
Track Listing:
Want You (Baby) (July 26, 1978
Tight Black Pants (June 9, 1979)
Dream Lover (May 17, 1980)
Sometimes I Feel It (May 17, 1980)
Squirm (May 17, 1980)
Butcher Baby (May 17, 1980)
Living Dead (May 15, 1981)
Summer Night (May 15, 1981)
Fast Food Service (May 15, 1981)
Nothing (June 19, 1981)
Summer Night (June 19, 1981)
Sex Junkie (September 22, 1981)
Squirm (September 22, 1981)
Lunacy (September 22, 1981)
Black Leather Monster (September 22, 1981)
Monkey Suit (June 18, 1980)
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