Iggy And The Stooges - Metallic 'KO

I typically wouldn't post or write about "Metallic 'KO", because what's more to say about one of the all-time great live records, and the onstage meltdown of one of my favorite bands? I can only jump on top of a pile of great reviews and dry hump my way into the legacy, you know.

It's worth me sharing this, though, in case you're one of the heads who've never received the sacrament of Iggy and his Stooges getting pelted with loose change, threatened by bikers and giving back twice as much hate. And the reason is that Jungle Records just put out a collection of all their Ig releases over the years, starting with this here classic as disc #1. Some kind soul sent me a copy, and it's all I want to listen to. The collection also has both sets (October 1973 and February 1974) that make up "Metallic 'KO"s contents in remastered forms, as well as a number of other cool live and studios rarities.

This, tho...the "Raw Power" lineup of the Stooges, plus Scott Thurston on piano...phew. Give me all the medium drugs and set me loose. It's almost 50 years old and it's still an incredibly sexy, dangerous record.

Discogs

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Iggy Pop - Heroin Hates You

Iggy Pop at the Longhorn Bar, 1979 (Tom Sweeney)

Stinky's awesome post about Brian James over at Jonderblog the other day got me thinking of the first Iggy bootleg I ever picked up. It was the 1997 reissue of "Heroin Hates You", and while it doesn't have the history or cache of "Metallic K.O.", it's still pretty damned good.

KROQ broadcast this live from the Stardust Ballroom in L.A. November 30, 1979, so you're, at best, looking at a FM-quality recording here, right down to the DJ wondering aloud if the Igster is going to do a second encore. The lineup here is pretty strong. Lining up behind Mr. Osterberg is the aforementioned Brian James (the Damned, Lords of the New Church) playing guitar, Ivan Kral (Patti Smith Group, Blondie) on guitar and keys, Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols, Rich Kids) slapping bass, and Klaus Kruger (Tangerine Dream) hitting the skins.

I know some people prefer the Bowie/Sales Brothers lineup from "TV Eye Live", but I prefer this group of first wave punks backing Iggy. They're really in the pocket here, even when playing the looser Stooges cuts. Additionally, I really enjoy the cover of the Kinks and the replay of "One For My Baby", foreshadowing Iggy's crooner records "Après" and "Préliminaires". The addition of some "New Values"-era tracks rounds out a pretty alright bootleg.

Discogs

Click here to download.