Head East - Head East Live!

I had never heard of Head East before John Schlitt joined Petra. It didn't help that I didn't really care for his debut with the band on their 1986 release Back to the Street - then again, I wasn't too thrilled either with Greg X. Volz on his last album with Petra Beat the System. Regardless of who was on vocals it wasn't like the band was on a winning streak. I had subconsciously dismissed Head East and anything that sounded like Schlitt. However, there would be a run in the early '90s where the band fronted by John was killing it, and I had to admit that dude could sing.

I'd continue to see the occasional interview where Head East would be mentioned, but it always seemed to me that John was trying to get as much distance as he could from his past. You know the typical "God Good, Devil Bad" stuff. I suppose if you've lived through an honest to goodness Paul styled conversion story that involves literally being saved from certain death due to the perils of living the rock and roll lifestyle, you don't necessarily want to glorify your past.

So for decades Head East remained one of those band I knew of, but knew nothing of, and didn't miss.

Then a while back I was in the car and a song comes on I'd never heard before. It was obviously from the early to mid '70s and it was a killer. I didn't catch the name of the song but I did catch, "Blah blah blah Head East blah de blah blah." Well, that was interesting, I'd always just figured Head East was just the name of some generic band who never did anything worthwhile. It always seemed like the so called Christian music industry loved to snag a convert, and any validation from the secular arena was cool, but eschewed. Trust me, that actually does make sense but only if you ever followed CCM.

Anyways, after figuring out what the song was I went looking for Flat as a Pancake as their debut had "Never Been Any Reason" the killer song I'd first heard on the radio. I didn't find it ... but I did find this one. 1979's Head East Live! If there was a good place to start this was likely it. Sure, live albums can be a mixed bag of nuts, but back in the '70s after a few albums a band was expected to deliver a live album, particularly a double live album. It was a glorious time and for many artists their live work was career defining. Yeah, I'm thinking about Frampton, and Nugent in particular, this one is in the league.

Right out of the gate Head East let's it be known you're in for a live experience. "Take a Hand" opens with the band's lush harmonies and before you know it you're on your way. I've read more than once Head East described as generic mid-west rock, which seems a little unfair, as this is really solid stuff, and the band seemed to work really well together and the energy from the songs was palpable. I don't really have any of the band's studio output other than one of those 20th Century Masters collections from around 2001. It's okay, but it's the live versions that really shine.

The other "hit" I never heard was their version of "Since You Been Gone" by Russ Ballard. The Head East version  was originally released in 1978 and cracked the top 50 on the Billboard top 100, however when Rainbow covered it a year later in '79 it was a massive hit in the UK, and went as high as #57 in the U.S. Weirdly with the passage of time it's the Rainbow version that's remembered. Which is too bad as I prefer the Head East interpretation. There's a little more swagger, a lot more organ and I like the vocals better., thank you Mister Schlitt, you do indeed rock sir. Besides that little percussion fill right after the Since You Been Gone chorus is pretty cool too.

This has become one of my favourite albums lately. The whole band was on fire, but it was the guitar playing of Mike Somerville who anchored the songs and provided the flourishes and nuances that brought an incredible energy to the songs. He was frenetic but not obtrusive or overplayed. His rhythm work was a wicked combination of structure and fills that made things pop. I'm sure there were easier ways to play those songs ... my goodness the guy was awesome. His hands must have been stiff after each show. Of course it was the '70s, and guitar slingers were everywhere and most got their due ... Mike deserves to mentioned for his work - it's just a shame more people weren't aware.

Of course the whole band was right in the pocket and keyboardist Roger Boyd offers as much to the musical landscape as Mike Somerville (I'm just partial to guitar playters). The other thing here is that in addition to John's lead vocals, there are three other strong vocalists in the band. Drummer Steve Huston would alternate lead vocals with John on "Never Been Any Reason" which was pretty cool and sounded awesome. 

It's strange hearing stuff like this new for the first time. Especially when it is so good, it makes you wonder why these guys never really hit it big. Was there just so much good stuff out there competing in the same space that there just wasn't room for everyone to have a shot?

Who knows.

All I know is that I may be late to the party, but my goodness it's still a party, and I'm feelin' fine.