Zulu Beat is the essential debut release that definitely started the legend of Kurt The Rat. The highly collectible item was out on 7´´ and 12 ´´ formats with a bunch of variations of multi-coloured vinyl and different coloured sleeves, the first pressing even painted by the band themselves. The smaller piece of vinyl was backed with Rockin Kurt whilst the maxi single offers three live recordings including the band´s original voice Jef Harvey. Track list: Zulu Beat //Rockin Kurt-- Ghost Riders In The Sky--Oedipus Rex.
After
signing with Stiff Records KING KURT released their second offering back
in 1983. Again out on both 12´´
vinyl as well as on classic two
track 7´´ format , excluding the special mix of Destination Zululand,
the platter was highly supported by the promotion of the new major record label
and even a video clip was made. The disc eventually hit the Top 40 of The UK Pop Chart
and even resulted into a performance of the band on Top
Of The Pops, what was arguably the most popular music event in British
television back then. Track list: Destination
Zululand (Special Mix)
//
Destination
Zululand-- She´s As Hairy.
Another pretty popular single release from KING KURT´s active years with Stiff Records. The title track is a great Psychobilly adaptation of Bertolt Brecht´s famous ballad from the Three Penny Opera . The single was distributed on both formats as 7´´ and 12´´ vinyl. Both tracks are remixes from the band´s debut album Ooh Wallahwallah. Tracklist: Mack The Knife // WreckA Party Rock.
Road To Rack` n ´ Ruin was another Top 100 BBC Pop Chart
buster for the band and the title track eventually reappeared on the Big
Cock album about a year later. Arguably not their best
or most popular tracks, but definitely another collector's item not for
the members of the " Rat & Rodent Club" . Track list: Road To Rack` n ´Ruin //Poppa
Wobbler
This is the two track single release from 1985,backed with a studio cut of Back On The Dole. The 12´´ four song offering , which also has a different sleeve design, includes as bonus tracks a live recording of Back To The Dole and their drinking anthem Alcoholic Rat. Tracklist: Billy--Back On The Dole.
This is the first long-playing
record of KING KURT, originally
released on 12´´ vinyl format by Stiff Records back in 1983. The album
was produced by Dave Edmunds , includes twelve killer tracks and is
another quintessential release from the early history of Psychobilly. The sextet
created a real unique sound that
brings you some hundreds hours of fun, if you don´ t play it at your own party!
"Ooh Wallahwallah "
represents the other side of Psychobilly: electric bass, saxophone, pure
excitement and fun. The highlights are Gather Your Limbs, Zulu
Beat, Do The Rat , Destination
Zululand and Wreck-A-Party
Rock.
"Big Cock" is another classic from one of the most successful Psychobilly bands all-time. Like the forerunner this album is packed with umpteen of KING KURT anthems and fan favorites. The fantastic voice of Gary "The Smeg" Cayton combined with the typical KING KURT sound of saxophone, high-octane Rock'n'Roll, excellent musicianship and pure party atmosphere make this one another stand-out record. Despite being banned from several record shop owners, who were aware to avoid requests for "KING KURT´s Big Cock", the album was a massive hit in the UK Album Chart and even reached the Top 50 back in 1986. Highlights: Billy, Road To Rack`n´Ruin, Momma Kurt ,Horatio and Alcoholic Rat.
This is some sort of farewell album from KING KURT, which was available in the record shops shortly after the band´s first split back in 1988. The 12´´ vinyl which was distributed by the Great Western Records label spots a dozen of the band´s output from the years 1981-1988. The fantastic, awesome record sleeve drawing was again designed by the band´s member Maggot. The highlight tracks on this kind of "Best of compilation“ are Destination Zululand, Zulu Beat, Wreck-A-Party Rock, Banana Banana and Billy.
Despite having released a few live tracks on EPs and even a VHS video from a King Kurt gig was available, no live album from one of the scene´s most popular crowd pleasers has seen the light of day during the band´s first life. The twelve track album was originally out on Link Records "Live And Rockin´" series, which´s best known for its poor quality and bootleg atmosphere, features the audio stream of a show from the bands mid-80s line-up . The live set was eventually re-released with three extra songs on CD format back in 1991. Highlights: She´s As Hairy, Billy, Banana Banana, Lonesome Train and Horatio.
This is a twelve track compilation of demo cuts, originally released on Link Records back in 1990. The album was distributed nearly three years after the band´s first split. Destination Demoland is a solid album, again packed in a sleeve design with an excellent artwork of a drawing , but not quite as spectacular as their official albums and single releases. The 12´´ vinyl was finally re-released with the Live &Rockin´ album, this time entitled Destination Zulu Land. Highlights: ´67 Heaven, Stomp, Momma Kurt, Zulu Joe and their unforgettable interpretation of Bye Bye Baby.
The legend of Kurt The Rat and his mates continued from 1992-1996 and the band released another studio album, this time on Demon Records in 1994. Many of the fourteen tracks have got some straight Country / Western roots in it, but they were all refined with the band´s usual blend of Rock'n'Roll , Punk attitude and humour, simply great stuff. Highlights: Train Kept-A- Rollin´, Too Much Of A Good Thing, Friends, Hey Mister Bartender and Howdy- We´re Your Neighbours!.