Hey!
Who would have thunk it that Tbone’s back yard in 1984 would be the inspiration for the Back Cover drawing of the excellent debut slice o vinyl from Canada’s own Kick Axe.
Course I’m joking about Tbone’s back yard but as goofy as the front cover for this album is. The back cover is a real slick illustration done by Dario Campanile who makes it look like a barren wasteland.
For those who don’t know the deal that is Kick Axe here’s a short summary. Vices was released in 1984 on Pasha Records in the U.S. Wrote songs for King Kobra and apparently Black Sabbath when Sabbath was rotating lineups quicker than Tbone can holler ‘Scotch!’. Opened for Judas Priest in 84 as well. 1985 released another great record titled Welcome To The Club toured as well and being the first band ever to play our Community Auditorium back in 1985! 1986 released third album Rock The World which kinda tanked and that was that! Too bad as this debut is excellent! I don’t post vids for this Back Cover series but today the exception is being made! The song Stay On Top is an excellent track from Vices that believe it or not does not have a guitar solo in the song! How many Metal tunes from 1984 can u say that about? Lead Singer George Criston throws down a very cool vocal..check it out!
The drawing is well done. Simple yet effective and as the 80’s album artwork especially in the form of Metal/Hard Rock albums had to be good to impress our young minds back than(For instance back in 1984 I was 17 years young) as Derek Riggs set the bar very high with those Iron Maiden front and back cover drawings.
Even the band pic’s taken by Sam Emerson fit the bill. Especially the two Gillstrom brothers on the top far left who dress like they live in a cave by the looks of it from that photo! Brian Gillstrom; Drums and Responsibility as its listed. Haha!
Seriously though it’s a great Back Cover drawing. I also like the fact that they used a quote on the far right from the title track Vices. That line being …
“We all live in our Vices. Were all indulging tonight. It’s just part of this crazy world we like!”
Nuff said!
deKe's Vinyl Reviews & More... 
Don’t know this band. Know of them, just never listened to them. Nice back cover though.
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Check em out on Apple Music John. They may be on there
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This is an album I have wanted for 35 years and still do not have!
Me and Aaron found an Lp in Toronto and I passed. I said I’d wait to find a CD. Still waiting.
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Rock Candy has it on CD which they featured today ironically enough!
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I know I saw that! Therefore it’s the Rock Candy remaster I want.
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Bonus track of 30 Days in the Hole which was from the Movie Soundtrack but wasn’t put on the album
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Fuckin’ A dude. Maybe I’ll just Amazon it.
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Its a great rock record! You know the sonics are similar to Metal Health because of the Proffer and Pasha Records connection but I always wondered why Banalli never pooched Criston to front QR when Dubrow got the boot in 86…
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Well he had already worked with Shortino in Hear N’ Aid so I just assumed that was the reason!
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Your probably right Mikey….I love George’s wail at the beginning of Heavy Metal Shuffle!
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Hopefully I’ll hear it soon!
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You have never owned this album?
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I’d like to see the original illustration minus the text and images of the band members. Reckon that would have made for a better back cover, too…
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I have it on vinyl but don’t really remember the album.
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Give it a spin Sir!
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KICK AXE! I had this on tape as a kid. Now I’ve got an LP and and CD. I do want that re-issue though. Oh baby.
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Good ol Can Con Metal!
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“We’re all indulging tonight. It’s just part of this crazy world we like!” – I’m enjoying catching up on the community posts tonight. It’s definitely a part of this crazy world that I quite like!
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So true Mr Stephen So true!
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You know, I never stopped and gave a good look at the back cover, but that’s probably because my copy has a big gash on the back of it, lol! Looking at it here though, it is quite remarkable, and reminds me a lot of Ken Kelly’s back cover for Kiss’ Destroyer (1976).
You pointed out how Brian is listed as “Drums / Responsibility”, but I remember always questioning what’s written under George Criston: “Lead Singer & Inspiration”. Who did he inspire? The rest of the band? The world in general? I need to know, lol!
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Good call on the Destroyer cover. Never thought of that I have seen this back cover for 39 years now. Have no idea what Inspiration means but maybe it had to do with the fact that they had to go outside Canada in their search for George. I dunno, I’m guessing ….
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