You Were Robbed – Company of Wolves

"You Were Robbed" features artists and bands that should have gotten much more recognition and fame than they did. Check them out now...better late than never!

Company of Wolves “Company of Wolves”

You might faintly remember a tune called “The Distance”, an amazing breakup song that won a smattering of airplay on rock radio in 1990, boasting lines line “You think we’ll work it out in some restaurant…well I’ve got my reservations, girl” and “Guess I’ll never learn to play it smart…if I twist your arm, you break my heart”.



The band was Company of Wolves and this track was featured on their self-titled debut, one of the most "classic rock" records to come along amidst all the glam and hairband clones. Kyf Brewer (formerly of the popular Baltimore band The Ravyns – remember their hit “Raised on the Radio” from “Fast Times At Ridgemont High”?) and brothers Steve and John Conte led the charge, cranking out track after track of melodic rock goodness. Why “Call of The Wild” didn’t catapult these guys above the crowd I’ll never understand.



There are even better tracks here, including the hugely catchy “My Ship”, “Girl”, and the surprisingly moving acoustic ode to a stripper girlfriend, “Everybody’s Baby”.





Drummer Frankie LaRocka, who played with everyone from Scandal to Bryan Adams, would go on to produce The Spin Doctors, but sadly passed away from complications following heart surgery in 2005. Kyf Brewer would go on to release a number of solo records, frequently collaborating with powerpop favorite Cliff Hillis. He now leads a wildly entertaining Celtic band called Barleyjuice. The Conte brothers formed Crown Jewels and you can follow their latest endeavors here.

Company of Wolves is a must have, folks – it is cheap, so track it down today and enjoy.

Rare Trax: Company of Wolves "My Ship"

Every Saturday at BMF we present rare or deep tracks from my collection for your listening pleasure, or perhaps for your amusement!

This week’s track is "My Ship" by Company of Wolves from their excellent self-titled 1990 album, which I consider to be one of the last "classic rock" records ever made. "My Ship" is one of the catchiest cuts off the record. You just can't resist feeling better after hearing this song - an optimistic anthem about turning a corner and "dropping your anchor away". I wish the band's ship would have come in, but sadly it was lost at sea.

Review: Kyf Brewer "Me and My Big Mouth"

In the linear notes, after the usual thank yous, Kyf Brewer writes, "No thanks to the industry." Amen to that. An industry that is not amenable to Kyf Brewer being another John Mellencamp is clearly broken.

I've been a fan of Kyf Brewer since the 80s, but never knew his name. I knew his bands: The Ravyns (remember "Raised on the Radio"?) and Company of Wolves (remember "The Distance"?). Remember them or not, take my word for it...the debut CD from Kyf's Company of Wolves remains one of the best roots rock albums of all time.

"Me and My Big Mouth" marks Kyf's first outing as a solo artist (1997). Kyf is tamer and appears to have grown older and a bit wiser, but this does not detract in the least from his skills as a songwriter with a sharp wit and knack for ear writing ear worms. The CD had to grow on me a bit - the songs not being as instantly catchy or crackling with the electricity of Company of Wolves. But with the second and even more so with the third listen, the songs were becoming familiar friends. Kyf has stayed true to his roots rock, with more acoustic-driven material than ever. I can see people drawing comparisons to John Mellencamp or Will Hoge, but he's got such a strong Mick Jagger in his vocals (check out "My Big Mouth"), Kyf is in a league of his own.

The strongest cuts include the lead-off track "Beautiful Thing", the sizzling roots rocker "Soul Jerky", and the greatest break-up record of its time, "Ain't Enough Booze".

So what is going on with the toad on the CD cover, Kyf? Frog in your throat? Hungry?

iPOD-worthy*: 1, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11

*I have to clarify that my CD is missing track 1 "Tight Purple Gitup" so the track picks are:

1. Beautiful Thing
3. Soul Jerky
4. Tales from the Couch
5. Diesel
9. My Big Mouth
10. Ain't Enough Booze
11. Little at a Time

Kyf Brewer: Official site.

Trivia: Fans of Ike and Cliff Hillis: Cliff produces some of Kyf's more recent work.