Nutz
Band members Related acts
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line up 1 (1973-76) - Mick Devonport -- lead guitar, backing vocals - Dave Lloyd -- lead vocals, rhythm guitar - Keith Mulholland -- bass, backing vocals - John Mylett (RIP 1984) -- drums
line up 2 (1976-79) - Mick Devonport -- lead guitar, backing vocals - Dave Lloyd -- lead vocals, rhythm guitar - Keith Mulholland -- bass, backing vocals - John Mylett (RIP 1984)-- drums NEW - Kenny Newton -- keyboards
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- 2 AM (Dave Lloyd) - Demon (Keith Mulholland) - Fieldforce (Mick Devonport) - Rage (Mick Devonportt, Dave Lloyd, Keith Mulholland and John Mylett) - Garth Rockett & the Moonshiners (Keith Mulholland) - Nightwing (John Mylett and Kenny Newton) - No Dice - Sliced Bread (Keith Mulholland) - Spitfire (Mick Devonport, Dave Lloyd, Keith Mulholland and John Mylett) - Tartaarean Desire (Dave Lloyd)
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Genre: rock Rating: 3 stars *** Title: Nutz Too ... Company: A&M Catalog: AMLS
68306 Country/State: Liverpool, UK Grade (cover/record): VG/VG+ Comments: UK import Available: 1 Catalog ID: 5823 Price: $40.00
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So here's a fairly talented mid-1970s outfit that never really made it outside of the UK (not that they were a gigantic success in England). Formed in Liverpool, Nutz came together in 1973 featuring the talents of lead guitarist Mick Devonport, singer/rhythm guitarist Dave Lloyd, bass player Keith Mulholland, and drummer John Mylett.
A&M publicity shot: left to right: Mylett - Mulhollamd - Devonport - Lloyd
Released in 1975, the band's cleverly-titled sophomore album "Nutz Too" teamed the band with producer John Anthony. Musically the set wasn't a major change from the debut; maybe a little heavier this time around. With the majority of material penned by lead guitarist Devonport (Lloyd contributing three tracks), songs like 'I Want Never Gets', 'Change's Coming' and 'The Love You Lost' really didn't make much of an impression on me the first couple of times I listened to them. As a result it was easy to see why these guys had been relegated to 'also ran' status. As I normally do, before getting rid of it, I set the LP aside for a couple of months (well in this case it was more like a couple of years) in order to give it one last chance before saying adios. Glad I gave it another shot. True, there wasn't anything particularly original here, but the band's efforts to merge conventional hard rock licks with an occasional progressive move made for more than it's share of interesting moments. Lloyd may not have had the most distinctive voice, but he used his talents well, generating considerable energy on tracks like 'Cool Me Down' and the ballad 'The Love You Lost'. That said, the big surprise was Davenport. A surprisingly versatile player, his playing added the highlights to most of the album.
- Starting out with a brief section of meltdown guitar, 'Nature Intended' quickly shifted into boogie mode. Hardly the band's most inventive composition, the track seemed designed to give Devonport a change to showcase his hyper speed guitar licks. Okay, the lyrics were actually kind of funny. rating: *** stars - 'I Want Never Gets' showcased the band's mix of hard rock and progressive moves, this time out with a far stronger melody and some nice Devonport lead guitar. Imagine an English version of Styx that could really rock and you'd be in the right aural neighborhood though the cheesy, burping synthesizer at the end wasn't really necessary. rating: *** stars - Going with a more conventional attack, 'Take It From Me' had a nice hook and was one of the album's most commercial effort. By not trying to sound as 'tough' Lloyd's vocals were actually far better than normal. The song also benefited from some nice drums from Mylett. Imagine a less bubble-gummy Sweet and you'd get a feel for this one. rating: *** stars - Tapped as the UK single (there wasn't an American 45), 'Change's Coming' was the only non-original (the song was written and originally recorded by the band Gypsy). Great melody, fantastic group harmonies, and a killer Devonport lead guitar made this one irresistible and the album's standout performance. Could've been a massive hit in the US had someone been paying attention. rating: ***** stars - Another unexpected surprise, 'Dear Diary' was a largely acoustic ballad. Lloyd's performance was the big surprise here, turning in one of his prettiest vocals. For his part Devonport responded with his prettiest lead guitar. rating: *** stars - The first real disappointment, 'Is It All for Real' was a forgettable slice of numbing boogie-rock. Again, imagine a bad Sweet song and you'll know what to expect on this one. rating: ** stars - 'Cool Me Down' was a conventional mid-tempo rocker, but boasted one of the band's best melodies (thanks to Devonport's multi-tracked lead guitar) and incorporated some of the band's surprisingly impressive group harmonies. Always liked Mulholland's mega-fuzz bass on this one. rating: *** stars - 'R.S.D.' started out as a laidback acoustic blues number with Lloyd's vocals sounding like they were recorded over a long distance phone line. About a minute in the song exploded into a full fledge electric arrangement showcasing some first-rate Devonport slide guitar. Nice slinky rocker that actually deserved the comparison to something out of the Zeppelin catalog and it would have sounded great on American FM radio. Easily one of the album highlights. rating: **** stars -'The Love You Lost' was a pretty and relatively laidback keyboard-propelled ballad (Paul Carrack provided the keyboards). Once again Lloyd was at his best when he stopped trying to push it so hard. The album featured another memorable Davenport solo. rating: *** stars - Another full tilt rocker, 'Sinner' had a catchy chorus and lots of hyper-speed Devonport lead guitar, but not much more going for it. rating: ** stars - The album ended with the rocker 'Knife Edge'. Funny, but originally this was one of the few tracks that I liked. This time out it was the exact opposite - I found it kind of plodding and predictable. Guess tastes change. rating: ** stars
A&M also tapped the album for a UK single:
- 1975's 'Change's Coming' b/w 'Long Ships' (A&M catalog number AMS 7160)
Not perfect, but all-in-all an album that I've grown to like more and more every time I spin it. The ultimate irony - the band actually toured the States, but A&M hadn't bothered to release the set domestically. Shame since they could have done something here.
"Nutz Too
..." track listing: 1.) Nature Intended (Mick Devonport) 2.) I Want Never Gets (Mick Devonport) 3.) Take It From Me (Mick Devonport) 4.) Change's Coming (Robin Piazer) 5.) Dear Diary (Mick Devonport) 6.) Is It All for Real (Mick Devonport)
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2) 2.) R.S.D. (Dave Lloyd) 3.) The Love You Lost (Dave Lloyd) 4.) Sinner (Mick Devonport) 5.) Knife Edge (Mick Devonport)
The album also played a role in one of rock and roll's more interesting and bizarre episodes. Rather than go into the details, you can read the story yourself at:
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Genre: rock Rating: 3 stars *** Title: Live Cutz Company: A&M Catalog: AMLS
68453 Country/State: Liverpool, UK Grade (cover/record): VG / VG+ Comments: UK import; punch hole top right corner Available: 1 Catalog ID: 820 Price: $15.00
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Kicked along by Dave Lloyd's wonderful hard rock voice and Mick Devonport's surprisingly tasteful guitar, 1977's "Live Cutz" was a load of fun. Given the album was apparently released as a contractual obligation set which received virtually no marketing, or support (wonder if A&M spent more than $50 on the cover art concept), the results were quite good. Recorded before a partisan club at the Nottingham Boat Club (yes, it was apparently a real boat club), the sound quality on this late-inning live set was a bit spotty ('Knife Edge' sounded like it was recorded under a blanket), as were a couple of the song edits ('Knife Edge' just faded away mid-song), but judging by these energetic performances Nutz must have been a blast to see live in a small club. Was there anything truly special here ? Naw, but it was one of those mindlessly fun hard rock sets.
"Live Cutz" track listing: 1.) Seeing Is Believing (Mick Devonport) - 6:16 'Seeing Is Believing' was a good example of how these guys could rock while retaining a distinctive commercial edge to their sound. I don't think anyone would label this one progressive (well maybe Kenny Newton's cheesy synthesizers gave it a slight progress vibe), but giving all of the members a chance to stretch out within a relatively short period, made for one of their more enjoyable rockers. rating: **** stars 2.) Loser (M. Bersen) - 4:18 Opening up with Newton doing his best Keith Emerson church organ imitation, 'Loser' was a nice power rocker with Lloyd turning in one of his best vocals. Quite commercial and should have given bands like Def Leppard a run for their money. rating; *** stars 3.) Pushed Around (Dave Lloyd) - 3:17 On the surface 'Pushed Around' sounded like a standard slice of '70s hard rock - Complete with Devonport's phased guitar, if you're a certain age (high school in the mid-'70s), you'll have heard this kind of stuff thousands of times. And in spite of the complete absence of originality, the song was engaging and mindless fun ... more cowbell !!! . rating: *** stars 4.) You Better Watch Out (Mick Devonport - Dave Lloyd - John Mylett - Kenny Newton - Keith Mullholand) - 6:30 The first disappointment, 'You Better Watch Out' sounded like a bad Thin Lizzy tune; Lloyd and company simply trying too hard to sound mean and aggressive. The inclusion of an extended Mylett drum solo I it seemed to go on forever), didn't add much to the track. rating: ** stars
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2) To my ears 'R.S.D.' has always sounded like a Paul Rogers and Bad Company track. Good thing if you like that band; not so good if you're not a fan. rating: *** stars 2.) Joke (Mick Devonport) - 3:30 Given the clunky song structure and Lloyd's atypically shrill vocal, 'Joke' was another song that didn't do much for me. rating: ** stars 3.) Can Be Loved (Mick Devonport) - 2:43 Hum takes a stab at pseudo-punk aggression ? Well, that's what it sounded like to me. rating: *** stars 4.) Wallbanger (Mick Devonport - Dave Lloyd - John Mylett - Kenny Newton - Keith Mulholland) - 9:07 So, clocking in at over nine minutes, 'Wallbanger' was apparently their in-concert center piece. A big, loud, and bruising rocker, it gave each member and opportunity to showcase their technical proficiency (which unfortunately meant you had to sit through another Mylett drums solo). rating: *** stars 5.) Knife Edge (Mick Devonport) 3:00 Other than the muddy sound quality, 'Knife Edge' was a bouncy closer showcasing some nice bass work from Mulholland and Newton's goofy synthesizer washes. Again, the track just kind of faded out mid-song without any rhyme or reason. rating: *** stars
In 2007 the album was reissued in CD format with one bonus track - 'Bootlegger'. Drummer Mylott died in 1984 when he was involved in a car accident while vacationing in Spain.
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