Dead Boys

Very little pro-shot, color footage exists of the first wave of CBGB's bands, let alone a full show. But the Dead Boys were one of the few lucky acts to have had an entire show taped (which was done originally for a TV special on the punk rock movement), and the results can now finally be sampled in their entirety on the Live at CBGB 1977 DVD. Perhaps since they knew they were being filmed that night, the bandmembers pull no punches in this performance, especially Stiv Bators, who hands in such an over the top performance that he often collapses on-stage at the end of the numbers. Also interesting is to see what an authentic CB's crowd looked like way back when -- few to no Mohawks or safety pins are detected -- for the most part, just a regular-looking crowd. Taped right around the time of the release of the group's classic debut, Young Loud & Snotty, many of the expected early faves turn up here in turbocharged form, including "Sonic Reducer," "All This and More," and "What Love Is," as well as an explosive set-closing cover of the Stooges' "Search and Destroy." Also included as a bonus are interviews with all of the group's bandmembers from the same day of the show, as well as a modern-day chat with Cheetah Chrome. Kudos to the folks at Music Video Distributors for unearthing such a gem from the vaults. A must-see for Dead Boys fans and admirers of the early days at CBGB's. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide