Formed in 1982, Fastway was originally the union of ‘Fast’ Eddie Clarke (Motorhead) and Pete ‘Way’ (UFO), hence the name.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Fastway
ALBUM: Fastway
LABEL: CBS
SERIAL: CBS 25359
YEAR: 1983
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: England
LINEUP: Fast Eddie Clarke – guitar * Jerry Shirley – drums * Dave King – vocals * Mick Feat – bass (guest/session)
TRACK LISTING: 01 Easy Livin’ * 02 Feel Me Touch Me (Do Anything You Want) * 03 All I Need Is Your Love * 04 Another Day * 05 Heft! * 06 We Became One * 07 Give It All You Got * 08 Say What You Will * 09 You Got Me Runnin’ * 10 Give It Some Action * 11 Far Far From Home
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Fastway Background
Formed in 1982, Fastway was originally the union of ‘Fast’ Eddie Clarke (Motorhead) and Pete ‘Way’ (UFO), hence the name. Pete Way would only last the first year of operation (1982). He would then go on to form Waysted while Clarke kept the bandname intact.
What is even stranger is that the band and management decided to credit Way on this album even though he played no part.
Also onboard was former Humble Pie and Natural Gas drummer Jerry Shirley. Mickey Feat was bought in as a session bassist. Former Rory Gallagher/Taste bassist Charlie McCracken would join fulltime later on.
Of most interest with this new band was the addition of unknown red-haired Irish vocalist Dave King, who bought a whole new element to the band.
His comparison as a young Robert Plant combined with James Hetfield was right on the money for most. His vocal performance on the album was a standout.
The Songs
The Led Zeppelin like ‘Easy Livin’ has shades of ‘Rock N Roll’ throughout. ‘Feel Me Touch Me (Do Anything You Want)’ has a slinky blues vibe which sounds fantastic.
‘All I Need Is Your Love’ is a short two and a half minute whirlwind. Meanwhile ‘Another Day’ is a stomping rocker with drummer Jerry Shirley called to duty on this one.
The unusually titled ‘Heft’ is another Zep styled rocker with its slow-burn style. Not far behind is ‘We Became One’ which sounds more 70’s than 80’s. Clarke tossing in some Tony Iommi like riffing.
The pairing of ‘Give It All You’ve Got’ and ‘Say What You Will’ are probably the most popular tracks onboard. They are both hard driving and great live tracks.
‘You Got Me Runnin’ is a great relentless rocker in the vein of early Aerosmith and Montrose.
‘Give It Some Action’ sails close to the sound of the likes of St Paradise and Whitford St Holmes. It’s pretty good for what it is.
The album finishes up with the extended playing time of ‘Far Far From Home’. King again pulling some Plant like vocalisms.
This Plant similaritywould be bettered/imitated by German singer Lenny Wolf. In later years Wolf would appear with Stone Fury and Kingdom Come.
In Summary
Fastway had three singles/EP’s released. These included the usual suspects like ‘Say What You Will’, ‘Easy Livin’, ‘Far Far From Home’ and ‘We Became One’.
Critically, Fastway were now on the stadium/arena bandwagon, supporting AC/DC on their ‘Flick Of The Switch’ tour.
The band returned to the studio for 1984’s ‘All Fired Up’. In the reissue market, BGO reissued both ‘Fastway’ and ‘All Fired Up’ as a two-fer in 2000.
Rock Candy Records would go one better and reissue ‘Fastway’ in July 2012 with seven bonus tracks and the usual HQ liner notes/essay.
‘Fastway’ is a good album to become reacquainted with, now that we’ve reached its 40th Anniversary.
Fastway on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
