Johnny Thunders Gang War! (Transparent Red & Black Splattered)

Release date:
November 21, 2025
Pre-order vinyl:

Collaboration of the New York Dolls/Heartbreakers and the MC5 guitarists. First time on vinyl, limited red & black splattered vinyl 2LP

Transparent RED & BLACK SPLATTERED VINYL. In 1979, JOHNNY THUNDERS, renowned Heartbreakers and New York Dolls guitarist, teamed up with WAYNE KRAMER, the legendary guitarist of Detroit's seminal MC5, to form 'GANG WAR', an alliance that lasted the best part of a year. They released no records and were without a label - at the time they were very much an underground act.



Gang War came about shortly after Johnny released his classic 'So Alone' album, and Wayne was not long out of jail after serving two years of a sentence of four for a coke bust. They toured regularly and recorded a couple of demos with a view to getting a deal, but although there was great interest, after nine months or so they split.



Both contribute lead vocals and guitars on Thunders and Dolls tracks such as London Boys, Endless Party and M.I.A.; and Kramer and MC5 songs such as Ramblin' Rose and Hey Thanks, and fascinating covers such as These Boots Are Made For Walking. Wayne Kramer has said: "Music is important to me and I value the honor, the opportunity, to be an important musician. Johnny, on the other hand didn't consider himself a musician. He considered himself an entertainer."



Reproductions of flyers from their club gigs illustrate extended sleeve notes by the biographer of Johnny Thunders and New York Dolls, Nina Antonia.



Tracks:- Live in Toronto, Boston & New York City:-

Ramblin' Rose, London Boys, These Boots Are Made for Walking, M.I.A., The Harder They Come, Endless Party, I'd Much Rather Be with The Boys, I'll Go Crazy, Hey Thanks, The Courageous Cat, Just Because I'm White/Bright Lights Big City, Around and Around, The Harder They Come, Ten Commandments of Love, Like A Rolling Stone, Endless Party, Do You Love Me?

Bonus Side 4 - Live at Max's, May 1980: London Boys, I'd Much Rather Be with The Boys, Endless Party, Just Because I'm White/Bright Lights Big City, Like A Rolling Stone. (22 tracks)

A Skydog Records Release

Track Listing

Disc 1:

Ramblin' Rose I'd Much Rather Be With The Boys London Boys I'll Go Crazy These Boots Are Made For Walking Hey Thanks M.I.A. Courageous Cat The Harder They Come Just Because I'm White/Bright Lights Big City Endless Party Around And Around

Disc 2:

Ten Commandments Of Love London Boys Like A Rolling Stone I'd Much Rather Be With The Boys Endless Party Do You Love Me' Just Because I'm White/Bright Lights Big City Like A Rolling Stone

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