Description
Band: Heavy Pettin. Album: Lettin Loose.
Origin: Glasgow, Scotland. Genre: NWOBHM.
Hard rocking Scottish band Heavy Pettin (named after UFO’s 1976 studio album), was formed in Glasgow in 1981 when guitarist Gordon Bonnar, drummer Gary Moat, bassist Brian Waugh, vocalist Steve ‘Hamie’ Hayman and lead guitarist Punky Mendoza joined forces to give the biggest and best rock bands at the time a serious run for their money.
Heavy Pettin gigged extensively before releasing their debut single, 1982’s ‘Roll the Dice‘ on Neat Records. This was good enough to catch the eye of Polydor Records who soon extended a major-label deal to the band then, with Queen guitarist Brian May on board as co-producer along with Reinhold Mack, the group recorded their 1983 debut LP, the classic ‘Lettin Loose‘. Opening slots supporting the likes of Kiss, Ozzy and Whitesnake followed.
All songs: Check Audio (whole album, every song)
Heavy Pettin Lettin Loose
Label: Polydor HEPLP 1
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: UK
Released: 1983
Tracklist:
A1 In And Out Of Love
A2 Broken Heart
A3 Love On The Run
A4 Love Times Love
A5 Victims Of The Night
B1 Rock Me
B2 Shout It Out
B3 Devil In Her Eyes
B4 Hell Is Beautiful
Total lenght: 38:58
Bass Brian Waugh
Drums Gary Moat
Guitar Gordon Bonnar, Punky Mendoza
Producer Brian May
Producer, Engineer Mack
Vocals [Lead] Hamie
5.0 out of 5 stars It comes as no surprise…,
Oh man! This was one of my top 10 favorite albums of the time. I saw these guys in Seattle when they toured with Saxon on their “Crusader” tour, and it was so loud I was physically sick after they got done! Great, melodic stuff, and good energy within the band make this a worthy re-buy.
————————————————————
5.0 out of 5 stars classic NWOBHM,
Under appreciated. Heavy Pettin, in my opinion, was Scotland’s answer to early Def Leppard, however, containing more seriousness. Hard, melodic metal from the great and sadly missed 80s.
————————————————————
5.0 out of 5 stars Great 80s Metal Band that America MISSED OUT ON,
This LP was great. They’ve been compared to Def Lep but with a harder edge. I can’t tell you how many times me and my boys jammed to this LP back in the day. I still break it out several times a year ’cause it rocks.
————————————————————
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome 80s Metal
This is simply an awesome LP by Heavy Pettin. Every song is killer. Nice riffing and good melody. I love it. A must have for any fan of the genre.
————————————————————
Heavy Pettin set about crafting NWOBHM with lots of traditional hard rock influence, sleazy attitude, and some degree of commercial ambition.
Polydor to sign them up pretty early in the scene who financed a couple of minor releases for them before this LP hit the streets in 83. It gathered a decent amount of attention, matching some high-octane thrillers like the anthem Love on the Run and slower, more traditional NWOBHM rockers like Love Times Love & Devil in Her Eyes and is actually a really solid record when you get down to it. Heavy Pettin displays an ability to balance out the ballsy with the commercial viable, not unlike NWOBHM success story and 80s mainstream pinups Def Leppard. Match this with the awesome production values and studio magic made possible by a clearly decently sized budget from large stable Polydor, and were looking at one pretty professional melodic heavy metal record that doesn’t lack on the ability to kick ass and take names.
Of the tougher side of things, Victims of the Night seriously rocks out hard. The intro section is great, and true Scotsman Steve “Hamie” Hayman, really matches up to the power and sound of Biff Byford which has lead to countless comparisons to said band over the last 30 years. Really great production job with Brian May at the helm on the heavier numbers makes the guitars punch you pretty hard in the face. Love on the Run is another ballsy cut that sounds solid through and through, while Hell is Beautiful is tough as nails NWOBHM in the Saxonish way. On the more melodic hard rock side of things Shout it Out carries through the Def Leppardish vibes the bands known for along with In and Out of Love. Overall, the heavy production job, and relentless speed of a couple of the numbers makes for a great mix of cuts which should get them respect from gritty NWOBHMers as well as commercial rock lovers.
With decent promotion behind them, big studio dollars, and production by Brian May, Heavy Pettin released a heck of a début with this one a mixture of Def Leppard and Saxon permeates the sound, with some great catchy pop numbers like Devil in Her Eyes coming up alongside great heavy numbers this album had all the right ingredients to kick start the band into mega-stardom, however it never really eventuated quite like it should have. A commendable effort without a doubt, this one might just surprise you denim clad metalheads out there with its classy tracks and hard crunchin’ riffs. Quit avoiding the band, and give this record a chance.
‘Lettin Loose’ by Dave Ling of Classic Rock magazine
The roots of Heavy Pettin’ lie in Weeper, a regrettably named Glasgow pub
metal band formed in 1975. Their ranks included guitarist Gordon Bonnar
bassist Brian Waugh and drummer Gary Moat. When this trio met singer
Stevie ‘Hamie’ Hayman and guitarist Punky Mendoza six years later, Heavy
Pettin’ were born.
The quintet’s timing was impeccable. The summer of 1981 was a
good time to be a hard rock heavy metal band, and Heavy Pettin’ very
quickly found themselves caught up in the tail end of the New Wave Of
British Heavy Metal. That said, their American-orientated sound and image
was a good deal more polished than that of Iron Maiden and their ilk.
“We listen to Saxon and Def Leppard rather than Black Sabbath
and Deep Purple.” Bonnar later told Sounds magazine. “We’ve alway been
into heavy metal, starting off with Thin Lizzy.”
Hamie was quick to own up to the band’s US flavour in the same
interview acknowledging the influence of bands like Aerosmith. “They’re
more melodic, and I like the way they look,” he told later Dave Roberts,
while Brian Waugh cut to the chase by declaring: “We don’t like the blatant
and fast heavy metal that’s coming out now.”
Young (their average age was just 20), gifted, ambitious and not
exactly shy, Pettin’ saw their opportunity and wasted little time grasping it.
Within mere months of their formation, Kerrang!’s Geoff Barton was prais-
ing a demo consprising the tracks ‘Love Xs Love’, ‘Speed Kills’ and ‘Hell is
Beautiful’ that the band had recorded in just 18 hours. It secured them a
single deal with independent label Neat Records, home of Venom, the
Tygers Of Pan Tang and Fist. ‘Roll The Dice’ b/w ‘Love Xs Love’ won them
acclaim from all over the world. However, with reams of positive press cut-
tings in hand, the band were already thinking of bigger things, turning
down all offers from Neat to record a full-length album.
Times were hard at the start, and the band freely admit to being
forced to steal food to survive. Revealed Bonnar. “Me and Brian used to
work in a butcher’s shop. We’d work for most of the week just to pay off
our debts.”However they eventually scraped together some communal
dosh, invested in an old coach and set about gigging the length and
breadth of the land. And when Tony Wilson, then producer of Radio One’s
Friday Rock Show (and head of Totalrock Radio), invited them to cut
a session, word began to spread like wildfire.
Musically speaking, the self-belief of Heavy Pettin’ was to be vin-
dicated, first in the shap of publishing deal with Warner Brothers, then
a contract with Polydor Records. Better still, none other than Brian May
and his co-producer Mack were being lined up to produce their debut
album. Significantly, it was the first time that Queen’s legendary guitarist
had stepped ouside of the band to produce another act.
“Warner Brothers had sent a tape to Brian in Los Angeles because
they thought he’d be the perfect producer”. “Brian’s been wanting to produce for a long time. He
told us he was just waiting for the right band.”
Recorded at the Townhouse in London, with overdubs and mixing
taking place at Union Studios in Munich, ‘Lettin’ Loose’ was released in
October 1983, three months after a prize spot on the Reading Festival with
Black Sabbath (the Ian Gillan-fronted variety!), Marillion, Stevie Ray
Vaughan & Double Trouble, Suzi Quatro, Anvil, Magnum, Mama’s Boys and
opening act Lee Aaron.
Preceded by a 12″ single of ‘In And Out Of Love’ (b/w ‘ Love On The
Run’ and a Friday Rock Show version of ‘Roll The Dice’), it was warmly
recieved by Kerrang!, though Neil Jeffries did voice some mild
reservations.
He wrote: “There’s a very big buzz about this band at the moment.
Polydor UK are convinced that the young Glaswegians are going to be
hugh. ‘Lettin’ Loose isn’t a classic debut, but Heavy Pettin’ have hit upon
a formula that sounds really good. They can write songs! Electrifying riffs,
super-crisp harmonies, lively solos and dynamic arrangements.. a change
of pace here, and acoustic guitar there. Nothing startlingly original but it
works, Goddammit!”
On the downside – if you consider it as a negative -Jeffries sug-
gested that May and Mack had made the band sound a little too much like
Def Leppard, though he concluded that ‘Lettin’ Loose’ was “a marvelous
mixture of power and melody, riot and restraint”, and offered the bold pre-
diction: “Heavy Pettin’ could well become the new stars of the 1980s.”
Mark Putterford of Sounds went a stage further still, proclaiming
I’d say that ‘Lettin’ Loose’ is better than anything Def Leppard have pro-
duced so far, and amid the critical acclaim for ‘Pyromania’, that’s quite a
compliment.”
With supports slots on Kiss and Ozzy Osbourne’s upcoming British
tours about to be confirmed, only a madman would’ve bet against Heavy
Pettin’ taking over the world. Discover the tale’s conclusion in the notes to
this album’s companion piece, 1985’s defiantly titled ‘Rock Ain’t Dead’
album.
Dave Ling
Classic Rock magazine
London, 7th August 2003
Lettin’ Loose Review
From Kerrang! October 1983 Issue # 53
No excuses for failing to notice that there’s a very big buzz
about this band at the moment. Polydor UK are convinced
that these young Glaswegians are going to be HUGH, so
they’ve pulled out all the stops, put their money where their
mouth is, and now presumably sit back with £ and $ signs in
their eyes.
It’s a big responsibility for a group as green and inexperienced
as Heavy Pettin’, but listening to this has convinced me that these
five guys have got what it takes.
Electrifying, super crisp harmonies, lively solos and dynamic
arrangements… a change of pace here, and acoustic guitar
there. Nothing startlingly original but it works, Goddammit !!
“Love Times Love” in particular, is a brilliant, shining piece of
commercial Metal, just made for the stage. Yet singling out
anyone track would be unfair because it’s my guess everyone
will have different faves. We’re talking strength in
depth here.
“Lettin’ Loose” is a marvelous mixture of power and melody,
riot and restraint. Wall to wall chunky power chords placed with
infectious chorus lines. If they’ve more where this came from
Polydor are probably right. Heavy Pettin’ could well become
the new stars of the eighties.
NEIL JEFFRIES – © Kerrang Issue # 53 October 1983
Heavy Pettin appeared out of Glasgow in 1981 as the New Wave of British Heavy Metal was arguably at its zenith. Their debut album – Lettin Loose – is certainly a classic of the genre and recently seen a reissue along with the band’s other two albums, however Lettin Loose is (in my opinion) by far the superior of the three.
Other than the inability to use the letter “g” where it should be in both band name and album title, the debut album is a classic. A mixture of New Wave of British Heavy Metal, glam rock, big riffs, lots of power, big harmonies and scorching soloing.
Often compared to Def Leppard, Heavy Pettin at this time were in my opinion much, much better. Sure, Leppard stated off as a promising hard/heavy metal band and their debut EP showed that – then came that horrendous, overly-produced debut album and that was that with Leppard for me. Sure, they’ve made squillions of pounds and good luck to them – now back to Heavy Pettin.
Every song on Lettin Loose holds the attention. In and Out of Love a sort of a band anthem. Punchy hard rocker, huge hook. It’s not unlike early Bon Jovi when they were good – though remember that Lettin Loose came out a few years before BJ’s debit – so we JV the American Heavy Pettin……..?
Broken Heart, Love on the run and Love Times Love heavy it up apace with all those riffs, chords, solos and huge vocal hooks and melodies.
Victims of the Night a particular favourite. The intro builds in to a swinging rocker with a machine gun spitting riff, snarling vocals and more of those excellent cutting solos. Even has some slower parts here and there. Have a listen:
A killer debut album involving Brian May in the production, super-high profile support slots with the likes of Kiss, Ozzy, and others and all the media attention a young band could wish for – what could go wrong – surely a matter of time before the area tours followed.
Well, not quite. Seems that the record company might not have been that bothered. Two albums followed which went further and further away from the punchy rock of Lettin Loose in to more AOR territory and, if I recall correctly, the ultimate career killer – Eurovision. How the heck anybody thought that getting the band involved in that nonsense was a good move, who knows.
And that was that. Game over.
However – Lettin Loose remains a huge album and as fresh today as it was in 1981. A proper classic slab of NWOBHM-era goodness as good as any other.
![DESTINY: The Tracy Chapter CD [modern hardcore Metal]](https://yperano.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/18321-DESTINY-The-Tracy-Chapter-CD-modern-hardcore-Metal.jpg)
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.