eater

British punk became a true youth movement in 1976 upon the arrival of Eater, a London group with 13-year-old drummer Dee Generate. (The other members were 15 at the time.) Although not taken seriously at first, the unwitting stars of Don Letts' Punk Movie (responsible for the ridiculous pig-head scene) released two credible and likable 45s: "Outside View" (after which Generate was replaced by the more talented, and slightly older Phil Rowland, who joined Slaughter and the Dogs when Eater split in '78) and the punk classic "Thinking of the U.S.A."



The album that followed is uneven but spirited. "Lock It Up" (another choice 45), "Public Toys," "No More" and an improved version of "Outside View"'s B-side ("You") join hilariously trashy sped-up covers of the Velvet Underground's "Waiting for the Man" and "Sweet Jane," David Bowie's "Queen Bitch" and Alice Cooper's "18" rejuvenated as "15." Andy Blade's vocals are Lou Reed deadpan, Brian Chevette's guitar is raspy and simple, and Ian Woodcock's bass runs along with stunning velocity.



Get Your Yo Yos Out is an unremarkable four-song live outing, though it does contain two numbers never released in studio form. While The History of Eater is mostly a reprise of The Album with a few added 45 tracks, it includes a bonus 7-inch, credited to Eater, of a Blade solo single, recorded in the mid-'80s with ex-Damned guitarist Brian James. A second volume of rare and live Eater material was announced but never appeared.