Ufo

[Shaun Ponsonby]

Having digged out a few of my old UFO CDs from the back of the drawer recently, I found a band whose music hasn't aged a day.

I honsetly forgot how much I love UFO. They are without a doubt one of the most underrated bands of all time.

Let It Roll
Natural Thing
Doctor Doctor
Love To Love
I'm A Loser
Just Another Suicide
Rock Bottom
Shoot Shoot
Lights Out
Too Hot To Handle
Hot 'N' Ready
Looking Out For No. 1

It's all good.

Has anyone heard last year's 'You Are Here'?

[Atomic_Rob]

UFO are one fuckin great band. I only got into them very recently, I borrowed my Dad's copy of Strangers in the Night and played it non stop for weeks.

I wish I had seen the Micheal Shencker re-union with them a few years back, they did a couple of shows at the Astoria.

Natural Thing, Rock Bottom, Only You Can Rock Me, Doctor Doctor and Shoot Shoot are my favourites.

They've got Jason Bonham on drums for them!

[Shaun Ponsonby]

You obviously didn't hear about the incident at the Manchester Apollo on 24 November 2000.

During the show, a paralyctic Schenker handed Phil Mogg his guitar during a key solo, pointed at him and said, "This Guy sucks", before admitting "I suck too".

Ray Mayers from my town of home wrote in to a magazine to say that "Schenker was fat, bloated, pathetic and pissed-up. He did not play one song correctly all night".

Then, there is the time (in 1995), when he attacked Paul Raymond with a metal chair backstage, then stormed off stage just 40 mins into a gig.

[PhilFlappoRogan]

'You Are Here' is very good. I heard it at Xmas, very good disc. A must for UFO fans.

[Atomic_Rob]

I did hear about some incident in Manchester, I read an interview with Shenker and he said that Pete Way was treading on his toes and not allowing him to perform properly...

[Mr Badguy]

"Strangers in the night" should be part of anyone`s collection.

[Panamark]

Schenker was cool. UFO was cool !

[ThrillsNSpills]

If you all who love UFO don't own the brilliant reunion CD Walk on Water,
you are missing out in a BIG way . (1995)
The songs and soloing will blow you away. Real inspired stuff !

[nosuchluck]

yeah Schenker had a huge alcohol problem, but i heard he's through with all that schtuff and is playing better than ever now.

[Soul Reaper]

UFO are awesome! Michael Schenker is an insane guitarist!!

[The Scatologist]

yeah he's cleaned up now. A new DVD is out, it kick's ass

[rustoffa]

UFO DEFINES underrated.

Phil Mogg has a rock and roll voice to put it mildly.

I won't get into Schenker, he's in my top 5.

Go and procure yourself copies of "Force It", "Phenomenon", "No Heavy Petting", "Lights Out".....people complain about the over-production of "Strangers In The Night".

It's very good.

Like Badguy said, everyone should own a copy.

[Atomic_Rob]

Schenkers still touring with MSG isnt it?

Anyone seen them? How do they compare to UFO?

I read in an interview hes gotten quite religious or sumthin like that

[Soul Reaper]

What's UFO's best album? I heard 'Strangers in the Night' was really good.

[Shaun Ponsonby]

It is 'Strangers In The Night', but if you want a studio album, get 'Lights Out' or 'Force It!', or there is a great compilation, ironically called 'The Best Of UFO'...oh, fuck it, get them all!!!

[Soul Reaper]

Originally posted by Shaun Ponsonby
It is 'Strangers In The Night', but if you want a studio album, get 'Lights Out' or 'Force It!', or there is a great compilation, ironically called 'The Best Of UFO'...oh, fuck it, get them all!!!

I'll follow your advice, thanks! :D

[Atomic_Rob]

Whats the stuff without Schenker like?

[Shaun Ponsonby]

I haven't heard it to be honest. Schenker stuff was just so good.

[Soul Reaper]

I heard a song called 'Borderline' recently. Does that have Schenker on it?

[Shaun Ponsonby]

Schenker wasn't on 'Boarderline'. Actually, I think I have it on a chaep Rock compilation somewhere.

[Soul Reaper]

Yeah, I found it on a cheap Rock compilation as well.

[Shaun Ponsonby]

It wasn't a 3-CD called 'Metal', was it?

[Atomic_Rob]

Shaun, did you see them when they toured over here in 2004?

[Shaun Ponsonby]

No, I missed them. I'll go next time, though.
Saw a review, though. They played ALL of 'Strangers...' and some new ones apparently. Quite good.

[Soul Reaper]

Originally posted by Shaun Ponsonby
It wasn't a 3-CD called 'Metal', was it?


LOL, yes it was! :D

[Shaun Ponsonby]

There are some live UFO stuff on that as well, you should listen to them, show you what UFO are like live.

[Soul Reaper]

Yeah, I've listened to the live bits, UFO were awesome!

[Shaun Ponsonby]

They still are apparently, those live bits wern't recorded that long ago.

[Shaun Ponsonby]

UFO have lined up the following U.S. dates in July:

Jul. 06 – New York, NY – B.B. King's
Jul. 07 - Hampton Beach - NH - Casino
Jul. 08 - Baltimore - MD - House Of Rock
Jul. 09 - Philadelphia - PA - The Trocadero
Jul. 12 - Cleveland - OH - House Of Blues
Jul. 13 - Pittsburgh - PA - Rex Theater
Jul. 15 - Cadott - WI - Chippewa Festival
Jul. 16 - Comstock - NE - Comstock Rock Festival
Jul. 18 - Chicago - IL - House Of Blues
Jul. 19 - Chicago - IL - House Of Blues
Jul. 21 - Las Vegas - House Of Blues

Additional dates are expected to be announced.

Phil Mogg (vocals), Pete Way (bass), Vinnie Moore (guitar), Paul Raymond (rhythm guitar, keyboards) and Jason 'Son of John' Bonham (drums) — will film and record an official DVD on Friday, May 13 at the Pumpwerk in Wilhelmshaven, Germany. This will be the first DVD in over thirty years of UFO's history, to be kept in the tradition of their legendary live album "Strangers In The Night".

UFO are scheduled to record the whole Pumpwerk show, turning up with a serious contingent of camera crew and heaps of technical equipment. Not only will they perform their greatest hits, but also tracks from their current release, "You Are Here". The show promises to be a memorable occasion, enhanced by a stage design created especially for the night, plus an extravagant light show.

[Soul Reaper]

I don't like Vinnie Moore. I'd rather see Schenker.

[Shaun Ponsonby]

Yea-but see it from their point of view-Schenker is an arse. He is big-headed, violent, stroppy and German.

Would you want to be stuck on a bus for months on end with someone like that?

[Soul Reaper]

True, but I prefer Schenker's playing to Moore's.

[Mr Walker]

I bought the new CD 'Seven Deadly' on Tuesday and after hearing 'Fight Night' on the radio... I've been putting off listening to the disc.
I love the band UFO and buy all their stuff out of loyalty... but Mogg's voice is shot. Maybe 'shot' isn't the right term... his voice has changed in a way that I just don't like anymore.

[binnie]

One of the great British bands, that's for sure. There's a myth that the post-Schenker era is a step down, but I really don't think that's the case.

They released some good albums in the early 80s, too.

[Mr Walker]

One of the great British bands, that's for sure. There's a myth that the post-Schenker era is a step down, but I really don't think that's the case.

They released some good albums in the early 80s, too.

I argue that UFO was a greater "band" during the height of the 'Chapman Years'.

[binnie]

I think you'd have a case. I reviewed a Chapman-era album (might have been 'Mechanics', I can't remember). Once the histrioncs were gone, the songs and arrangements got stronger, IMO.

[Mr Walker]

I think "The Wild, The Willing & The Innocent" was one of their peaks.

[lesfunk]

I think "The Wild, The Willing & The Innocent" was one of their peaks.

Thank you Mr. Trunk. How's the wife and my kids?

[lesfunk]

UFO peaked at "Strangers in the Night"

[Mr Walker]

Thank you Mr. Trunk. How's the wife and my kids?

oh that was a low blow Les!

[lesfunk]

Hah!!

[ThrillsNSpills]

UFO peaked at "Strangers in the Night"

Yes, but Walk on Water is pretty festive.

Especially to solo to Stopped by a Bullet.

[Mr Walker]

Listened to the new CD on the ride home... couldn't get through one track without hitting the skip button.
Mogg sounds like he had a stroke.
Shame, because three or four of the songs had a lot of promise.

[gbranton]

Two killer UFO covers:

Tesla:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xn2aYGu73vU

Europe:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c63Ue6zKZb8

[Green Manalishi]

I absolutely LOVE UFO !!!!! Shamelessly underrated . THE classic lineup of Mogg , Raymond , Schenker , Way , and Parker

just couldn't do anything wrong .

The Chapman era was good but clearly not the same . I bought most of the remastered versions of their classic albums

complete with unreleased live material , killer pics and essays on the band from that particular period in time .

My personal favorites are " Strangers In The Night " , " Force It " , " Obsession " , and " The Wild , The Willing , And The Innocent " .

I have some UFO paraphernalia including a t-shirt from the '82 " Mechanix " tour , a leather and studded UFO wristband from the same show ,

and a tourbook from 1983 . I have all of my ticket stubs ( 8 shows !! ) dating back to 1978 .

If you go to Wolfgangs Vault.com , you can hear the audio from a UFO / Saxon concert that I attended in 1982 . God bless King Biscuit Flour Hour !

Mr. Walker - I clearly remember your UFO avatar .

[atomicpnk47]

Obsession was a killer. Schenker killed on that disc and Strangers In The Night is probably one of if not the top live LP of all time. Chapman was solid but no where near Schenker. Great grossly underated band.

[philouze]

I actually don't know UFO except for three songs: Doctor Doctor, Love To Love (Europe NAILED it, fantastic band) and my favorite one: No Place To Run.
I'll give Strangers In The Night a listen, I promise.
Please, Eddie Trunk, don't beat me, I'm worthless compared to you. Bag o'shit.

[Mr Walker]

Anybody else listen to the new CD yet?
I'm hoping someone can convince me that it's really good. :(

[atomicpnk47]

Not crazy about there new release. I happen see/sample it in itunes the other day. Nothing really catchy. Always liked Moore's work. Mogg sounds a little thin.

[gbranton]

Love To Love (Europe NAILED it, fantastic band)

And they have a new album due out shortly (April 30) entitled "Bag of Bones".

[atomicpnk47]

My bad I was looking at Seven Deadly with a release date of Feb. 28. I'm not following them as close as I use to....

[Mr Walker]

Seven Deadly is the new one... I don't know what Bag of Bones is.
Mogg wanted to name it Last of the Bone Riders (some kind of nod to a bike gang) but Parker said it sounded like the name of a gay porno and vetoed it... thus Seven Deadly.

[gbranton]

Love To Love (Europe NAILED it, fantastic band)

And they have a new album due out shortly (April 30) entitled "Bag of Bones".


My bad I was looking at Seven Deadly with a release date of Feb. 28.


Seven Deadly is the new one... I don't know what Bag of Bones is.

Let me get out my chalkboard here. Notice in the post above, the last words I quoted was "Europe nailed it, a fantastic band", which I followed up with "AND they have a new album due out shortly (April 30) entitled "Bag of Bones".

Bag of Bones is the title of the new EUROPE album, which will be released on April 30th. If you need any further clarification you are on your own, that is as concise as I can make it.

[atomicpnk47]

Seven Deadly is the new one... I don't know what Bag of Bones is.
Mogg wanted to name it Last of the Bone Riders (some kind of nod to a bike gang) but Parker said it sounded like the name of a gay porno and vetoed it... thus Seven Deadly.

Well I was looking at April 30 from gbranton and thought I missed something. Either way not crazy about any of the 1:30 samples off itunes.

[gbranton]

Either way not crazy about any of the 1:30 samples off itunes.

That's too bad but if you remember the samples off Itunes didn't do ADKOT many favors either.

[atomicpnk47]

That's too bad but if you remember the samples off Itunes didn't do ADKOT many favors either.

I'm not going to compare VH w/UFO. There is none. Point taken though....

[Mr Badguy]

"The Wild..." is my favourite UFO album.

Good songs.

Schenker or no.

It's just a pity that they don't encompass their whole career at shows nowadays, rather than focusing on the 70's plus a handful of new ones.

[Mr Badguy]

Incidently, anyone interested in UFO/MSG should check out the recently released "Chrysalis Years" box sets.

Both are very cheap and contain about 6 remastered albums in each.

The UFO one is in two parts (1974-79 & 1980-85).

Part 1 is out now, the other at the end of this month.

That means you can pick up all of their classic catologue for around £22 ($35).

[GreenBayLA]

UFO is my #2 all-time favorite band and Schenker is my all-time favorite guitarist. But I don't like last few UFO CDs, Mogg sounds uninspired. I still catch UFO in concert though, I like how Vinnie Moore puts his spin on the old classics to keep 'em fresh but I really miss Pete Way. Wild Willing and Innocent is tops post-Schenker release in my book.

I just skipped an MSG show at House of Blues Hollywood cuz Robin McAuley was the singer, I don't like that guy's voice.

Schenker auditioned for Aerosmith when Joe Perry split in 1979. Can you imagine if they would've cut an album? I wish that would've happened, ala Ian Gillan in Sabbath.

[Mr Walker]

I remember that the Stones tried to get Schenker to replace Mick Taylor, but Rudolph talked him out of it.

And... Eddie was supposed to audition to replace Schenker when he left UFO, but Ed got too nervous to show up.

[Green Manalishi]

Michael Schenker had a brief run with RATT not too terribly long ago . I believe he recently released at least one CD of cover tunes .

I got to meet him after a UFO night club show in the early - mid '90's . Nice enough guy . He signed several things for me . My girlfriend at the time spoke fluent German so he was rather pleased that he could converse with someone in his native tongue . He travelled separately from the rest of the band . Not too long after that they ( UFO ) were gonna play a return engagement but cancelled the day of the show because he had another one of his infamous meltdowns and he was booted out of the band yet again . Go figure .

[philouze]

Michael Schenker had a brief run with RATT not too terribly long ago

He played with them in '91, fillin' in for the late (& Great) Robbin Crosby.

Remember MTV Unplugged ? Born On The Bayou ??

Schenker's a motherfuckin guitar player. A shame he's an ass.

[Marcus]

Just saw Schenker last night in a local bar here in Toronto on his Temple Of Rock tour.
Pretty awesome. Robin McAuley was singing, and did a great job. The whole band was great, and the song selection was incredible.
He still is a must see if you ever get the chance.

[gbranton]

I remember that the Stones tried to get Schenker to replace Mick Taylor, but Rudolph talked him out of it.

I think that's stretching things quite a bit. I collect books about the Stones and never in the fifteen or so books I've read so far has anyone ever breathed the word "Schenker". From what I read from Schenker, at most he may have got a call from someone who worked for the Stones asking if he was interested to audition, but I don't think he was on Keith's or Mick's radar at all.

The Stones had auditioned a number of top session men, some of whom appeared on the "Black and Blue" album, after which the group chose Wood. Ronnie was the first choice of Keith Richards, a longtime friend of Wood's. After settling commitments Wood still had with Rod Stewart and the Faces, he officially joined the Stones in 1976. In fact, Keith was keen to get Ronnie in the band after the departure of Brian Jones, but did not want to be responsible for breaking up the Faces (who were much more successful in 1969 than later in 1976), because was also friends with the others in the band. I don't think anyone other than Ronnie Wood had a realistic shot.

[Mr Walker]

I think that's stretching things quite a bit. I collect books about the Stones and never in the fifteen or so books I've read so far has anyone ever breathed the word "Schenker". From what I read from Schenker, at most he may have got a call from someone who worked for the Stones asking if he was interested to audition, but I don't think he was on Keith's or Mick's radar at all.

The Stones had auditioned a number of top session men, some of whom appeared on the "Black and Blue" album, after which the group chose Wood. Ronnie was the first choice of Keith Richards, a longtime friend of Wood's. After settling commitments Wood still had with Rod Stewart and the Faces, he officially joined the Stones in 1976. In fact, Keith was keen to get Ronnie in the band after the departure of Brian Jones, but did not want to be responsible for breaking up the Faces (who were much more successful in 1969 than later in 1976), because was also friends with the others in the band. I don't think anyone other than Ronnie Wood had a realistic shot.

Just type schenker and rolling stones in google... he mentions it in an interview... plus I remember reading an interview with rudolph years ago and he mentioned it as well.

[gbranton]

Just type schenker and rolling stones in google... he mentions it in an interview... plus I remember reading an interview with rudolph years ago and he mentioned it as well.

I did before I posted above and if the Stones wanted him, the Schenker brothers seem to be the only motherfuckers in the universe who know about it.