The 1986 Listening Post - Wendy O. Williams - Kommander Kaos

Wendy O. Williams - Kommander Kaos

#53/1220

February 21 1986

The Plasmatics (Wendy O. Williams)

Kommander Kaos

Genre: Metal

3.75 out of 5

Highlights:

Hoy Hey (Live to Rock)

Ain’t None of Your Business (Live)

Work That Muscle (Fuck That Booty)

Imagine what this might sound like if it was produced well. Might. Operative word.

I loved Wendy. Not her voice or her stage persona or really anything that she ever did publicly. I loved what she was. A staunch middle finger to just about everything. She basically ushered in the era of Jerry Springer all by herself. She was what Wrestlemania wanted to be, dressed up in nipple covering gaffer’s tape and a growl that made Joan Jett sound like Celine Dion in comparison. 

My heart broke for her when I learned of her suicide. But I bet the only kind of person who could do or be something like Wendy (a female GG Allin in a way, much less scatological and much more accessible) had some deep seated demons to wrestle with. 

I really wish this didn’t sound like it was recorded in the Holland Tunnel. 

I’ll take her storytelling on “Ain’t None of Your Business (Live)” over any heartland Springsteen story, any day. 

https://music.apple.com/us/album/kommander-of-kaos/78418434

The 1984 Listening Post - Wendy O. Williams - WOW

Wendy O. Williams - WOW

#333
1984 Housekeeping
Wendy O. Williams
WOW
3.25 out of 5

Highlights:
I Love Sex (and Rock and Roll)


I have to believe that the opening track "I Love Sex (and Rock and Roll)" with it's pounding bass & drums and big power chords is Wendy's answer to Joan Jett. The first two notes of the chorus are exactly the same. So, if there was ever a supporting argument, it's that.

My heart has always broken for Wendy. I think she was most like a heavily damaged person and I never found her alluring or compelling in any way. She was fodder for the shock radio/tv circuit before almost anyone. And then she blew her brains out. (Boy, rock really does invite the damaged people, huh?)

I kept thinking that this album sounded like someone was trying really hard to make Wendy accessible and radio friendly and then I looked at the liner notes only to discover that it was produced by Gene Simmons, he and Stanley wrote on it, Ace, Eric, Paul all played on it in various places...it was Kiss as fronted by a woman. A woman of decidedly minimal vocal talents, but still. That's what it is. And yet, did you know that Wendy was nominated for Best Rock Vocal performance Grammy for this album?
I did not.
Good for her.
R.I.P. Wendy

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/w-o-w/78676908