The Lords of the New Church”The Lords...

The Lords of the New Church

“The Lords of the New Church” (1982)

IRS

It’s a bit baffling why this commanding debut blast by punk’s first--and perhaps last--supergroup never made more of a critical and commercial impact when it was released 13 years ago. Rebellious but melodic, political but danceable, the Lords of the New Church seemed eminently capable of appealing to a wide spectrum of rock fans.

Certainly, the nascent quartet didn’t lack for name recognition, at least in hip circles. The Lords were headed by two key members of ‘70s punk royalty, ex-Dead Boy Stiv Bators and back-from-the Damned guitarist Brian James. Rounding out the lineup: onetime Barracuda drummer Nicky Turner, and Dave Tregunna, former bassist with British punk notables Sham 69. Perhaps “The Lords of the New Church’s” gothic rock production values were too dark and sinister sounding for mass tastes. But regardless, this album’s host of meaty and metallic rockers bristles with an undeniably infectious energy. From the hook-laden “Livin’ On Livin”’ to the loud ‘n’ snotty New York Dolls tribute “Li’l Boys Play With Dolls,” this muscular work exerts a gripping dramatic pull. The anthemic and unstoppable kickoff tune “New Church” proved to be a rousing in-concert rallying cry for these black-clad rapscallions during their heyday.

“The Lords of the New Church” contains only one ballad and it’s an ace, the dramatic and hummable “Open Your Eyes.” The Lords released two more albums of new material. Neither managed to recapture the raw vitality of their first disc, though the compilation “Killer Lords” gives a solid overview of the band’s career. The Lords split in the mid-’80s. Bators died from injuries suffered when he was struck by a car in Paris in 1990.