ROCK SOUND (AUGUST 2004)
Remember when The Wildhearts were great? Before they were shit and then became good again. Oh Fuck it. I'm gonna use the same analogy again. Why the hell not? It's my review. Remember when Terrorvision were good? Just before, and culminating with 'Celebrity Hitlist'? Well, this second comparison actually has history to it, seeing as ex-Terrorvision bassist Leigh Marklew plays the rumble monster for the excellently-named Malibu Stacey. Although I'm sure Waylon Smithers would shit his cartoon pants if he heard this. It's 10 tracks of superb raw-edged rock n roll, with guitars so sharp they could slice open that annoying plastic wrap they seal cassettes in. And that ain't easy is it kids? It's punky, it's rocky, it's infectious. It's many things, but most importantly it's an album every rock n roll degenerate should own.
KERRANG
It's anything but grim up north. For Yorkshiremen Malibu Stacey, life is all about the glitter and grime of sleazy, trend-free rock n roll. Gloriously unafraid to embrace a cliche, they combine aspects of early Ash with the bounce - if not the sound - of bassist Leigh Marklew's previous band Terrorvision, before piling into the filthy disco of 'Horses'. 'On Heat' is nothing new, but it's the sound of a BIG night out - and hang the consequences.
TRASH PIT MAGAZINE (JUNE 2004)
Holy Shit! Talk about grabbing you by the balls, slamming you against the wall, setting you on fire but somehow finding you like it, is close to how you might feel by the time the first track 'Invasion' from 'On Heat' comes to it's explosive end. Simply put - Malibu Stacey sound massive! For those unfamiliar, this is the new band from ex-Terrorvision bassist Leigh Marklew and he's traded the pop rock quirk of the Bradford chart toppers in favour of big, brash modern day punk rock bolted to big ass metal riffs and he's all the better for it. There's still a great deal of humour with it's tongue placed firmly in cheek and it's made to rock all the more as 'On Heat' boasts a slick, fat production job from Apes, Pigs & Spacemen bass player Bart. The album has the feel of a power pop Sex Pistols complete with more than enough fire, attitude and passion to be huge.
There seems something of a recurring theme which takes a dig at current music trends and fads on tracks like 'Init2winit', 'Grade A Fellini' and 'Rockstar' but it's all done in the most sleazy, cocky and thankfully British way!
As loud mouth, hyper active vocalist Jonny Wilson spits 'Who the fuck are Malibu Stacey?', I'm sure it's only a matter of time before everyone around the country will know the answer.
CLASSIC ROCK
With ex Terrorvision bassist Leigh Marklew being involved in gig-aholic Bradford post-punkers Malibu Stacey the band have raised their profile. But while there's plenty to like among the haphazard kick-assery on this,the band's debut album,it sounds more like promising formative recordings than a safe career move after 13 years of chugging with one-time UK chart toppers Terrorvision. One year and 60 gigs down the line the Malibu's disparate musical styles can seem dislocated with Ex Leafeater Kes Loy's power-pop hooks crashing into standard power-metal tricks; likewise Jonny Wilson's punful lyrics sneared over the off-the-peg Oasis-style rock. 'Rock 'N' Roll Invasion' and 'Inittowinit' are speedy openers and reference 1978 in everything but Buzzcocks footnotes; 'We Rockin' launches straight into Eurometal and a luvverly la-la vocal melody; 'Grade A Fellini' is brilliantly cheeky heavied-up glam.And so on. The tunes,attitude and live reputation are all in place,but Malibu Stacey (named after Lisa Simpson's Barbie-type doll) need to develop fast before they threaten to take over as 'America's favorite eight-and-a-half incher'
THISISULL Live review
Malibu Stacey on the other hand, with all due respect to Payola, are in a different league! Having served time in numerous West Yorkshire bands and even done the whole pop industry thing, the spit and polish of over a year gigging in the worst toilets, has left this band on the brink of greatness.
With an album finally due out, I suspect people will start to look seriously at this band, who with the whirling dervish of a front man Jonny Wilson, every inch a showman, should be whipping up audiences everywhere shortly.
The remainder of the band are no slouches either. With both bass guitarist Leigh, and guitarist Kes, giving it loads in equal measure, it was a wonder how the stage of The Springhead kept them in. Let's not forget some of the best, most grooving and danceable rock tunes this side of the late 80's, with a soundclash reminiscent of Cinderella (80's American Big Hair Metal band) meeting the Wildhearts. I cannot say more than this was a fantastic Sunday night in Hull and from the rapturous response from the audience, I was not alone. If you haven't seen (or heard) this band, then I suggest you do so, as it is a premier league example of both performance, musical chemistry and song writing from the heart. 10/10
Leeds Music Scene review of our first ever gig.
Live @ Joseph's Well - Monday, 17 March 2003
This is what I need. I've been at work all day, now I'm out with my ex- girlfriend having been stood up by all the people I was supposed to meet, and here are the first band of the night, the un-heard of Malibu Stacey.
Well I've certainly heard of them now... the band came on stage like they were about to play a sold out Wembley Arena, not the back room of a pub in Leeds. With no faff, they kick straight into their first song, which summarises everything punk should be in the twenty-first century in two and half minuets.
This band has it all. Jonny Rotten Sneers, aggression and power reminiscent of the Ramones, and yet no punk pretension. They look like normal guys, no crazy hair, no baggy trousers, and no outlandish tattoos.
Malibu Stacey is the greatest pop punk band I have seen this century. Not pop punk in the New Found Glory sense of the word, but punk that is instantly likeable, Is catchy with memorable choruses. Is this the saviour of modern punk? 10/10
Leeds Music Scene review of 'ON HEAT'
Lyrics. I've never been good in identifying quality lyrics. That is lyrics that others deem to be of any quality. Possibly because I was never good at writing them myself... but what makes this album so enjoyable, music aside, is that it's full of references and one-liners that I just really enjoy hearing or that I find I can relate to. And if I can't relate to them, I wish I could. Every song is written in the first person too which helps. Lyric critics of course may think otherwise, so look away now: "Mr Tom Verlaine is just insane / My Richard Hell could do with some work / But my Johnny Thunders pout is all the rage / I'm an international playboy of some repute / I'm so super fashionable and very cute" or "I'm a rockstar / Where your daughters at? / I'll give 'em a heart attack / I'm a rockstar / I'm very la-di-dah / Give you a riff and a hook / Make all the girls look". And so on. What's interesting though is that the vocalist Jonny Wilson doesn't get a single songwriting credit in the ten-song CD. As for the music well the general delivery is quite up-tempo, and the first two songs race through at a blistering pace. It's rather fun, frantic rock and roll, with the FX disguising any threat that this could be pigeonholed as punk. Occasionally sleazy, sometimes bass-heavy, but mainly it glistens with glitz and rock glamour. In fact, considering that ex-Leafeater and Terrorvision form half of Malibu Stacey you won't go that far wrong by merging the two musically either. It never sits still enough to become tiresome and the fun upbeat element, coupled with the fact its also rather tuneful and sing-along, makes this a strong debut. 4/5
