The Flesh Eaters have risen again!  Not a sequel to the 1964 b-movie cult classic but a return of the L.A. band out of the late 70's to devour your senses with a new album and U.S. tour with I Used to Be Pretty.  This features the super group of the Flesh Eaters assembled for the 1981 LP A Minute to Pray and Second to Die featuring Chris Dejardins along with  John Doe and DJ Bonebrake from X, Steve Berlin of Los Lobos, Dave Alvin, formerly of The Blasters,  and Bill Bateman, drummer of The Blasters.  Julie Christianson who worked on previous LP's with the band also returns on backing vocals.

 

Dejardins is the driving force known as more than a musician but a multi talented musical soul--a poet, screenwriter, novelist, actor, director and programmer who happens to become emerged as tortured unrelenting soul bearing vocalist on stage.  The other members create the hallowed forest around him with a ferocious fire that powers his vocals like no other in this world.

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I Used to Be Pretty is a great collection of songs new and old by the Flesh Eaters and select cover songs the band has played regularly.  This is the first new release by the band in 15 years and with the all-star lineup 38 years!  For those who remember or have the first release by this line up of "A Minute to Pray A Second to Die", it is not only worth the wait but will satisfy you with the magic that was unleashed the first time together as I Used to Be Pretty scorches with a heart pounding sound like no other.

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I Used to Be Pretty features   two new  songs beginning with the raucous “Black Temptation,” and closes with “Ghost Cave Lament,” and epic 13-minute song inspired by “Moritas Moras,” an extended piece by flamenco guitarist Manitas de Plata.  

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In addition to the new tracks, I Used to Be Pretty deliver some intense versions of previously released Flesh Eaters tracks including "Pony Dress" previously released in 1979; My Life to Live" and "Wedding Dice" which appeared on Forever Came Today (1982); Youngest Profession” originated on Dragstrip Riot (1991); “House Amid the Thickets” debuted on Ashes of Time (1999); and “Miss Muerte” was the title track of the most recent Flesh Eaters album. 
 The album also contains three cover songs with Cindrella, a single by the Sonics a Seattle based garage punk band and then She's Like Heroin to Me by the Gun Club, and The Green Manalishi which is a 1969 single by Fleetwood Mac.

While Chris D.'s vocals are the center piece of the album and of the Flesh Eaters, this line up creates a truly special and magical sound and balance as one showcasing the talents of each member of this line up that for those who remember the first time around in 1981 and longed for a return now have their prayers answered.  Long over due but truly welcomed and with renewed energy now in place for future releases and work to come.  You need to get this LP and experience it.   It is a total buzz all the way from start to finish and one you will inject into your mind over and over again with out overdosing.  Also get a hold of A Minute to Pray  A Second to Die...and complete your Flesh Eaters experience!  It is mesmerizing and addictive hypnotic ecstasy of sound.

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When the Flesh Eaters assembled for A Minute to Pray in 1981 something special was created but due to the members already committed to their original bands there seemed little chance for a second album from the line-up.  However in 2006 the band reformed for the All Tomorrow's Party festival in the UK and the possibility of something new was planted.   The members realized that they needed to make the most of the opportunity and reformed to cut the new album and hire a booking agent for the tour.

 

Although the Flesh Eaters are a true gem from the past and a staple of punk rock history I Used to Be Pretty is a very welcome return of one of the most potent lineups in history and a fresh source of music for the future.  Let's hope that the  Flesh Eaters keep the new energy alive and more releases and touring to follow. 

The band is currently playing live shows across the United States on an 19 date coast to coast tour.  If you can not see the band live you can see some of their video releases for the new album and should make 'I Used to Be Pretty" part of your play list....you will not want to leave any of these cuts out!  They are all mandatory listening!