The
VINYL Collection
Twisted Sister - I'll Never Grow Up, Now! (Twisted Sister Records) 1980
SIDE A
1. "I'll Never Grow Up, Now!"
SIDE B
2. "Under the Blade"Twisted Sister's first independent self-financed vinyl release. The 7" was released to appease the band hordes of fans across the New York/New Jersey area where Twisted Sister were wildly popular. Both songs made it onto the band's "Under the Blade" album, though "I'll Never Grow Up, Now!" was added later as a bonus track to second pressings. This is one of the rarest Twisted Sister collectible vinyls.
SIDE A Rare 7", 45 RPM single. This was Twisted Sister's second release on their own Twisted Sister Records. I've seen this record sell for $35 - $50 on Ebay. "Lady's Boy" was actually a very popular song the band use to play in concert in the late 70's up until they toured Europe for "Under the Blade". Unfortunately this was the only official release of this song. I suppose the song was a bit too 'glitter rock' and camp for the tougher sound and image the band had created by the time they recorded "Under the Blade". The song was later released on the "Club Daze" CD in 1999. The scan to the right is an actual shot of my cover, which has a very small tear in the upper left hand corner, and a slight bend in the lower right hand corner, that looks much worse than it is, due to the lighting. Otherwise the thirty plus year old single is in excellent condition. |
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Twisted Sister - Bad
Boys (Of Rock N' Roll) (T.S.R.) 1980 
Twisted Sister - Ruff Cutts (Secret Records) 1982
SIDE A
1. "What You Don't Know"
2. "Shoot 'Em Down
SIDE B
3. "Under The Blade"
4. "Leader Of The Pack"
Twisted Sister were a huge concert draw in the early 80's. They had been around for years (nearly a decade) and were packing in clubs and theaters without even having a proper release out. Their live show was infamous. The band, however, was plagued with label rejection. Fortunately a small European label called Secret picked up the band. "Ruff Cuts" was their first release for the label. This EP consists of four demo tracks, produced by infamous producer Eddie Kramer (Jimi Hendrix, Kiss, Led Zeppelin, among others.) Three of these four songs would be re-recorded for the band's full length album "Under the Blade". The versions here are raw and heavy. That's not to say they are better or worse than the "Under the Blade" versions. I suppose it just depends on which album you heard first. In my case, I bought this album as a new release in high school, so I have always really enjoyed these versions. The only song that didn't make the cut, was their cover version of "Leader of the Pack". Of course this song was later re-recorded for "Come Out And Play" and even released as a single. I always found it odd that the song flopped so bad for the band. I remember hearing cries of "sellout" back when the song was released in 1985. Apparently those people were just completely unfamiliar with the history of the band. It's not like doing odd covers like this was something the band hadn't been doing since the 70's. Regardless, I have always liked the song, although once again I prefer the version here to the version of "Come Out and Play".
I still think that these songs should be properly released on CD, perhaps as bonus tracks to a remastered version of "Under the Blade". Three of these tracks were released on "Club Daze", but unfortunately "What You Don't Know" was left off. (I wrote that in 2001. Ten years later in 2011, "Ruff Cutts" was released as bonus tracks on "Under the Blade" on Armoury Records.)
Twisted Sister - Under the Blade (Secret Records) 1982
SIDE A
1. "What You Don't Know"
2. "Bad Boys of Rock 'n' Roll"
3. "Run For Your Life"
4. "Sin After Sin"
5. "Shoot 'em Down"
SIDE B
6. "Destroyer"
7. "Under the Blade"
8. "Tear it Loose"
9. "Day of the Rocker"
I was in high school when this record came out. Though Twisted Sister were realtively unknown in the U.S., they were hugely popular in my neck of the woods, being local homeboys who had "made it". When "Under the Blade" was released in 1982 it was only available as an expensive European import, but it didn't matter. We all snatched up copies from our local record store. (Mine was the Record Collector in Trenton. Pretty much lived there in the early 80's.) I know own two copies of this on vinyl, both on Secret Records. One is the black label version, the other the yellow label. My yellow label copy is autographed by Dee Snider.
See CD collection for review.
Twisted Sister - Under The Blade (Atlantic) 1982/1985
SIDE A
1. "What You Don't Know"
2. "Bad Boys of Rock 'n' Roll"
3. "Run For Your Life"
4. "Sin After Sin"
5. "Shoot 'em Down"
SIDE B
6. "Destroyer"
7. "Under the Blade"
8. "Tear it Loose"
9. "I'll Never Grow Up, Now!"
10. "Day of the Rocker"
Under the Blade was originally released on Secret Records in 1982. Secret was a small independent company that eventually went under, leaving the classic "Under the Blade" album out of print. With the massive popularity of Twisted Sister in 1984 and the release of "Stay Hungry", Atlantic Records decided to remix "Under the Blade" and release it with a new cover. The photo featured is from the same photo session as the original "Under the Blade" release, but is obviously a different pose. As well, the label on the record itself has the "Stay Hungry" bone logo on it. In addition, the label added on the single "I'll Never Grow Up, Now!" from the bands first 7" single. The remix was done my Mark Mendoza.
Twisted Sister - You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll (Atlantic) 1983
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ONE 1. "The Kids Are Back" 2. "Like a Knife in the Back" 3. "Ride to Live, Live to Ride" 4. "I Am [I'm Me]" 5. "The Power and the Glory" SIDE TWO 6. "We're Gonna Make It" 7. "I've Had Enough" 8. "I'll Take You Alive" 9. "You're Not Alone (Suzette's Song)" 10. "You Can't Stop Rock & Roll" |
"You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll" was released with two different, albeit similar covers. In the U.S. the cover was mostly black with the pink block lettering. In Europe, the background was red with the metal TS logo leaving a shadow on it. The lettering was a blue-grey color. I own a copy of each. See CD collection for complete review.
Twisted Sister - I Am (I'm Me) (Atlantic) 1983
SIDE ONE
1. "I Am (I'm Me)"
SIDE TWO
2. "Tear It Loose" [live]
3. "Destroyer" [live]
4. "It's Only Rock 'n Roll" [live]The European division of Atlantic Records signed Twisted Sister to their first major label deal. With the release of "You Can't Stop Rock and Roll", "I Am (I'm Me) was released as the first singal. Who would have guessed that the single would become a hit single, at lease in Europe. The label was wise and released the single in various forms with different live b-side tracks, knowing the hordes of NWOBHM fans would buy up all the singles, doubling or tripling sales of the single. Smart move. The label had the band record a at the infamous Marquee club. This fantastic 12" EP featured one of the most outlandish, over-the-top covers of the Rolling Stones "It's Only Rock n' Roll". The b-side became as popular as the single itself. Twisted Sister were at the top of their game here. There were few bands that could top them as a live act and these live tracks are a testimony to that. Together with the "You Can't Stop Rock 'n Roll" 7" and "The Kids Are Back" 12", nearly half of the Marquee show was released on vinyl. It has long been one of my favorite live recordings of all time.
Twisted Sister - I Am (I'm Me) (Atlantic) 1983
SIDE ONE
1. "I Am (I'm Me)"
SIDE TWO
2. "Sin After Sin" [live]7" vinyl single released in 1983 to help promote and support Twisted Sister's UK tour. The live version of "Sin After Sin" is taken from the same Marquee show that the live songs from the various 12" singles are taken from.
Twisted Sister - The Kids Are Back (Atlantic) 1983
SIDE ONE
1. "The Kids Are Back"
SIDE TWO
2. "What You Don't Know Sure Can Hurt You" [live]
3. "Bad Boys Of Rock 'N' Roll" [live]
4. "Run For Your Life" [live]This 12" EP came out amidst a flood of killer EP's to promote "You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll" Each of them had outstanding B-side material and this EP is no exception. Three killer live tracks from the bands legendary gig at the Marquee Club in England in 1982. "The Kids Are Back" was the second single released by the European division of Atlantic Records and again was a hit for the band. Meanwhile the band's US counterparts were doing little to nothing to promote the album.
For a review of the full show, see the Twisted Sister Bootleg Collection.
Twisted Sister - The Kids Are Back (Atlantic) 1983
SIDE ONE
1. The Kids Are Back
SIDE TWO
2. Shoot 'Em Down [live]European single from the "You Can't Stop Rock and Roll" album. Essential for the killer live version of "Shoot 'Em Down" that is the b-side. Together with the "I Am (I'm Me)" 7" and 12" singles, the "The Kids Are Back" 12" EP, and the "You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll" 7" single, almost the entire Marquee show was released.
Twisted Sister - You Can't Stop Rock 'N' Roll (Atlantic) 1983
SIDE A
1. "You Can't Stop Rock 'N' Roll"
SIDE B
2. "Feel The Power"
3. "Four Barrel Heart Of Love"
4. "One Man Woman"12" vinyl EP containing four non-album tracks. This was an essential EP back in the day, but since all three b-side tracks were added as bonus track to the remastered CD release of "You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll, the value of this EP dropped quite a bit.
Twisted Sister - You Can't Stop Rock 'N' Roll (Atlantic) 1983
SIDE A
1. "You Can't Stop Rock 'N' Roll"
SIDE B
2. "Let the Good Times Roll" [live]
3. "Feel So Fine" [live]
7" vinyl EP containing two live tracks from the infamous Marquee shows in 1982. Together with the other 7" and 12" EPs, all listed above, almost the entire Marquee show was released. The cover of this vinyl single folds out into a large poster with black and white photos of classic rock and roll artists from Bill Haley and the Comets to Elvis to Jimi Hendrix and Kiss. (Thanks Trog!)
Twisted Sister - Stay Hungry (Atlantic) 1984
SIDE ONE See CD collection for review. My copy is autographed by Dee Snider (see above). |
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Twisted Sister - We're Not Gonna Take It (Atlantic) 1984
A. "We're Not Gonna Take It"
B. "You Can't Stop Rock and Roll"7", 45 RPM single for "We're Not Gonna Take It", the first single off "Stay Hungry" which was hugely successful thanks in part to the conceptual video getting heavy rotation on MTV. With "Stay Hungry" selling so well, Atlantic added "You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll" as the b-side in an attempt to boast that albums sales as well. Nothing more than a collector's disc for the anal Twisted Sister fanatic.
Twisted Sister - I Wanna Rock (Atlantic) 1984
1. "I Wanna Rock"
2. "The Kids Are Back"Second single from the Sisters that was just as successful as the first, thanks in part to MTV playing the crap out of the video. Another collector's disc for the anal Twisted Sister fanatic.
Twisted Sister - The Price (Atlantic) 1984
1. "The Price"
2. "S.M.F."A 7" vinyl single for the ballad "The Price". This was to be the last single to be released for the "Stay Hungry" album. I always thought it was a great, vastly underrated song in the Twisted Sister catalog, but I guess since it's a ballad, many fans weren't interested. The b-side was the band's tribute to their fans, which they have always referred to as the "sick, mother f***ers" or the "sick mother f***in' friends of Twisted Sister". This was another excellent track off "Stay Hungry". There was also a picture sleeve version of this single that I am still searching for.
Twisted Sister - We're Not Gonna Take It (Atlantic) 1984
Side A
1. "We're Not Gonna Take It"
Side B
1. "The Kids Are Back" [live]
2. "You Can't Stop Rock an Roll" [live]
3. "We're Gonna Make It" [live]12" Single released to promote the "Stay Hungry" tour complete with three live tracks recorded a the Mid-Hudson Civic Center, Poughkeepsie, New York. The scan above is the actual record sleeve as it appears. As can be seen, my copy suffers from a bit of wear and tear, so I am still one the lookout for a pristine, mint copy.
Twisted Sister - I Wanna Rock (Atlantic) 1984
SIDE A
1. "I Wanna Rock"
SIDE B
2. "Burn in Hell" [live]
3. "S.M.F." [live]12" inch single for "I Wanna Rock" featuring two live tracks from the Hammersmith Odeon in England.
SIDE
ONE |
 AJ Pero with his "Come Out and Play Tour" drum kit. |
Twisted Sister - Come Out and Play (Atlantic Records) 1985See CD collection for review.
Twisted Sister - Leader of the Pack (Atlantic Records) 1985
SIDE ONE
1. "Leader of the Pack"
SIDE TWO
2. "I Wanna Rock"First single from "Come Out & Play". A single that pretty much solidified Twisted Sister's cartoon image. Probably a poor choice for the band's first single off this record. However, at the same time, it's obvious the band was trying to cater to both their old fans and the hordes of new fans with this track. However, the first recording of "Leader of the Pack" on the Ruff Cuts EP was far superior.
Twisted Sister - Leader of the Pack (Atlantic Records) 1985
SIDE ONE
1. "Leader of the Pack"
SIDE TWO
2. "I Wanna Rock"UK version of the "Leader of the Pack" 7" single. The import version if far superior to the U.S. version in packaging. While the American version has the identical cover art, it is printed on flimsy paper, while the European version comes in a sturdy, gatefold cover similar to a regular album. In one side of the gatefold cover is the single, which is in a simple white inner sleeve. The other side contains a foldout, full-color poster.
As for the music itself, "Leader of the Pack" was a song that Twisted Sister had covered early in their career and was recorded on their "Ruff Cuts" EP. Dee thought it would be a smart marketing move to release it as a single, as it would appeal to the older fans who remember the band's club days as well as to the younger crowd that the band had attracted with their clever videos on MTV. Unfortunately this single failed miserably and helped to further tarnish the Sister's image.
Twisted Sister - You Want What We Got (Atlantic Records) 1985
SIDE ONE
1. "You Want What We Got"
SIDE TWO
2. "Stay Hungry""You Want What We Got" was the fourth single from "Come Out And Play". It was release in the UK, Germany, Japan and the US. The US & Japan singles have "Shoot 'Em Down" as the b-side.
Twisted Sister - Love is For Suckers (Atlantic) 1987
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ONE 1. "Wake Up (The Sleeping Giant)" (4:20) 2. "Hot Love" (3:33) 3. "Love is for Suckers" (3:25) 4. "I'm So Hot for You" (4:05) 5. "Tonight" (3:52) SIDE TWO 6. "Me and the Boys" (3:52) 7. "One Bad Habit" (3:17) 8. "I Want This Night To Last Forever" (4:19) 9. "You Are All That I Need" (3:13) 10. "Yeah Right!" (4:17) |
See CD collection for review.
Twisted Sister - Hot Love (Atlantic) 1987
SIDE ONE
1. "Hot Love"
SIDE TWO
2. "Tonight"45 RPM single for "Hot Love". I am actually surprised that this single didn't do much better for the band, as it is a very catchy pop metal number. I guess it just wasn't in the cards. I must confess, however, that "Hot Love" is much more 'pop' than I am use to hearing from the Sister. Granted they had mega-hits like "I Wanna Rock" and "We're Not Gonna Take It", but even those were anthems, as opposed to pop metal.
Twisted Sister - Stay Hungry (25th Anniversary Edition) 2009
SIDE ONE Special edition remastered, re-issue on pink vinyl with poster. See CD section for |
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