line up 1  

- Randy Foister -- drums, percussion, vocals

- Joe Hancock -- lead vocals, guitar

- Kurt Stanley -- bass

- Jett Starr -- lead guitar, percussion

- none known

Genre: rock

Rating: 3 stars ***

Title:  Straight from Nowhere

Company: JAM

Catalog: JAM-1001
Year: 1981

Country/State: Oklahoma

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: 4 track EP; red vinyl; includes poster insert

Available: SOLD

Catalog ID: SOLD 2108

Price: SOLD $50.00

Two years after the release of their debut album, J. Paul Hancock and company reappeared with a four track EP on the small Oklahoma-based JAM label.  Self-produced, 1981's "Straight from Nowhere" was an all too-short introduction to the band's enjoyable mixture of AOR and power pop moves.   Front man Hancock had a voice that's always reminded me a bit of a cross between Nils Lofgren and Blue Oyster Cult's Buck Dharma - two artists that I really like.  If you doubted the comparison, then I suggest checking out the rollicking title track.  Anyhow, side one was excellent, but the two tracks on side two found the band slipping into rather faceless arena rock moves - second tier Van Halen came to mind. (The collection was pressed on red vinyl and included a bonus poster.)

"Straight from Nowhere" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Bad News   (David English - Joe Hancock) - 4:10     rating: **** stars

Always liked the way Kurt Stanley's rumbling bass opened 'Bad News'.  The tune abruptly shifted gears into a more conventional fuzz-guitar powered slice of AOR, but it was a tasty tune with a nice melody and some power pop harmonies.   Quite commercial and would have made a good single.

2.) Straight From Nowhere   (Jett Starr - Joe Hancock - Randy Foister) - 3:16     rating: **** stars

Funny but the first time I head this one I wondered if I'd put a Blue Oyster Cult album on by mistake.  Lead singer Hancock's voice had the same slightly ominous sound BOC projected and the song had that same no-frills, tear the roof off the place energy.  Killer tune.     

(side 2)
1.) Easy   (Joe Hancock) - 2:22  rating: ** stars

Listening to 'Easy' with a good set of speakers, or headphones is a treat, if only for Randy Foister's eardrum busing drums.  Seriously, how did they mike this tune?   Foister literally sounds like he's seated next to your headed pounding away.   Elsewhere the song itself wasn't anything spectacular - kind of a second rate Van Halen-styled swagger tune.

2.) My Lady   (Joe Hancock) - 3:21   rating: *** stars

More Diamond Dave-styled arena rock that benefited from the abrupt changes in tempo and the band's nice vocal harmonies.