For those unaware, one of the original early UK punk bands, 999 formed in London in December of 1976. Formed by lead singer Nick Cash (of pub rockers Kilburn and the High Roads) and guitarist brother Guy Days, the group were intact into the mid-1980s with band members Jon Watson on bass and Pablo LaBritain on drums.

They’re best known for their pop-punk classic tracks Homicide, I’m Alive, Nasty Nasty, and Emergency, which was voted one of the all-time best punk singles by Mojo magazine. The band toured the world throughout the late 1970s, making their way to the US on tours in 1978 and 1979.

On the 1979 tour they came through California, playing the famed Old Waldorf on July 2. That show was captured and recorded by KALX DJ and engineer Terry Hammer. The seventeen-track set makes its official release debut here with eleven on vinyl.

Included are all of the band’s best-known tracks at the usual fast-paced energetic style that 999 is most known for. The package includes liner notes from front man Nick Cash with rare photos from the time period. A must have for punk rock fans and collectors.

Telling it like it was, the English music press back in 1978/79 did not support the idea of the current crop of punk/new wave bands touring in the States, stating they were bored with the USA and bands that were considering going would be selling out.

So the band asked some of their fans what their opinion was on this and asked if they thought they should go. The resounding answer was an absolute yes, telling them to jump at the chance and that they would too, given the opportunity.

999 had an agent in the US, Ian Copeland who actually ran the FBI agency in New York and who had also put on other acts of the time, such as XTC, the Police, Ultravox, etc. Copeland had a great idea, rent a small van and go and play lots of venues in places people would not normally play, as well as all the big cities.

You’re talking about a time when there was very little middle ground in music. You are either making it at the top or at the very bottom, but just trying to make it to even get to play a show. They decided to take up what Copeland was offering and give it a go and so toured all over the states constantly.

This enabled them to build up a strong following, because as the new wave/punk music scene was starting to build chart momentum around the world, perhaps people were also looking for something new [as they were in England and Europe].

Thus it was a very good time to play their music and there were plenty of venues in plenty of backwaters to be able to do just that in the US. They also played major cities, like when in LA they would play The Whiskey and other such venues, before graduating to The Santa Monica Civic Center and such.

999 really appreciated the US audiences who in turn appreciated the band. They were proud to break down barriers and share empathy with their audiences there and subsequently received a really fantastic reaction to their music.

In the States, local and college radio played an enormous role in promoting the live shows and introducing the new music to the local community and involving that community in the stations programming [this was something that simply did not happen in the UK].

KLAX DJ and engineer Terry Hammer recorded this very same show here being reviewed today for a live radio broadcast at the Old Waldorf in San Francisco, with the band actually booked to do two shows a night. The doors would open for the first show, they would play their set and encores, the audience would leave, then bang the doors would open for the second show.

It was obviously hard work, but 999 always enjoyed a challenge and it was incredible because so many people from the first show bought tickets for the second to get another dose of the music and fun [which all helped to create a fantastic atmosphere, one that is admirably captured well here by the engineer in this live album of the second show at The Old Waldorf, on July 2nd, 1979].

Featuring all their opening singles and chart exploits, it is a thrill ride per second to listen to the pure, unadulterated energy, fun, love and their total devotion to the musical cause here live on stage.

Recorded in June of 1979, I myself first really got into the band in June of 1981, when they released their mind-blowing (to me then) UK chart single Lil Red Riding Hood (which came from their Concrete album). Man, I played that 7 inch vinyl single (primarily the A-Side, although the B-Side did have two tracks, if memory serves) all the time and still count it as one of my favorite 999 cuts of all time.

1. Pick It Up 2. My Street Stinks 3. Hit Me 4. Me and My Desire 5. Let’s Face It 6. Action 7. Feelin’ Alright With The Crew 8. Lie Lie Lie 9. Nobody Knows 10. Inside Out 11. Titanic (My Over) Reaction 12. Rael Rean 13. Emergency 14. Nasty Nasty 15. Homicide 16. Quite Disappointing 17. Boiler

Musicians:
Nick Cash - Vocals/Guitar
Guy Days - Guitars/Vocals
Jon Watson - Bass
Pablo LaBritain - Drums

www.nineninenine.net

Official Purchase Link