Before the androgynous new wave outfits Dead Or Alive hit the mainstream, there was Nightmares In Wax. After Pete Burns first band The Mystery Girls disbanded (played only one gig with the legendary Sham 69), he formed Nightmares In Wax in 1979 – which have more ‘proto goth’ / post-punk sound. They only released a 7″ (three tracks) EP titled “Birth Of A Nation” in 1980 under this moniker (I believe its really hard to find now), and decided to change name to Dead Or Alive. I really love this band, Burns powerful voice kinda reminds me of Jim Morrison. Its like The Doors playing in a freaky carnival! The first track “Black Leather” somehow on the halfway turned into “That’s The Way (I Like It)”, which later became Dead Or Alive’s hit. And after listening to “Girl Song” (which is my most fav song), now I know where The Horrors got that ‘psychotic sounds’ (listen to “Death At The Chapel” keyboard tunes if you dont know what I mean!). I also urge you to listen to Dead Or Alive’s early materials if you havent (not the new wave era), I still can hear Nightmares In Wax’s reminiscent! Well maybe we have to say thanks to Mr. Wayne Hussey (he joined The Sisters Of Mercy and later The Mission after left the band), he wrote most songs in their early years. Lets step into the nightmares, right after the jump!
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