ALLEY CATS - We All Walk Among Shadows Until We Become One (LP)

“Maybe you were smitten by the legendary Alley Cats through Dangerhouse’s ultra-rare and coveted “Yes L.A.” compilation with the Germs, Bags, and X. Or were blown away by them at a midnight screening of the “URGH! A Music War” concert movie with The Cramps, Dead Kennedys, Go-Go’s, and Devo. But if you missed out on them and didn’t catch the first-generation L.A. punk trio at the Masque, Hong Kong Café, Starwood, or Vex in the late ’70s, either, there’s still hope!

For the last 10 years, preternatural guitarist, cryptic singer, and founding member Randy Stodola has been leading a new lineup (rounded out nicely with the fierce bass and backup vocals of Apryl Cady and heavy-duty drums of Matt Laskey) that rips through the classic cuts from 1977–1982 with authority, bolstered by new classics. Finally, they are put on wax for those who aren’t able to find the combo, tearing it up at modern L.A. punk dives like The Sardine, Redwood, or Alex’s Bar, or playing with old friends like the Flesh Eaters or Adolescents.

From full-on punk (“Licorice Cats”) to pitch-dark rock (“Sprinkler in the Cemetery”) to existential heartbreakers (“It Was Me Not You”), “We All Walk Among Shadows Until We Become One” has everything I love about Alley Cats. Cool covers (The Avengers and Hank Williams) and spoken word, too. This is no nostalgia trip but a timeless punk album to add to the canon.”

-Martin Wong
Giant Robot, Save Music in Chinatown, Razorcake

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Tracklist

01. In The Cool of the Evening
02. Sprinkler in the Cemetery 
03. We Are the One
04. We Had a Chance Tonight
05. Licorice Cats
06. It Was Me Not You
07. You Can Be My Highway Song
08. Your Cheating Heart
09. What I Was Thinking Last Night While Waiting for the Bus

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