IGNORED OBSCURED RESTORED

Back in the early 70s a pioneering heavy metal rock band called Dust put out a couple of albums that were largely ignored. The Brooklyn based band soon faded into the dustbin of rock history – nearly, but not totally forgotten. But not the individual band members – Richie Wise, Marc Bell and Kenny Aaronson.

Wise was the band’s leader; lead singer, lead guitarist and main songwriter. He went on to co-produce the first two Kiss albums.

Marc Bell was the groups over the top drummer. This dude really pounds the skins. After Dust, he made his way through a few of the New York City based punk bands, including Wayne County and Richard Hell & the Voidoids. In 1978 he settled in for a 15 year stint as the Ramones drummer using the moniker Marky Ramone.

Bass player Kenny Aaronson scored a big hit with the song “Brother Louie” when he played with The Stories. Then he became an “in demand” road/studio musician working with the likes of Bob Dylan, Hall & Oates, Mick Taylor, Graham Parker, Billy Idol, and Billy Squier and serving as a full time member of Joan Jett’s Blackhearts in the first half of the 90s.

Today’s SotW is from their self-titled, 1971 debut, “Love Me Hard.”

The song rocks with the best of other early 70s hard rock bands like Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and the James Gang.

It opens with a heavy guitar riff, then in comes the pounding rhythm section and vocals. Midway through is an interlude that starts with acoustic guitar and then turns really heavy before returning to the main riff for some guitar soloing and the big rock ending.

Their two albums are available to stream on Spotify. Search for them under the album name Hard Attack.) This music is really deserving of a listen, even if you’re not a big hard rock fan. The songs are inventive and each has its own interesting details and flourishes.

Enjoy… until next week.