Boom, Boom (Out Go The Lights)

They Say...

Review by Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide

Here we have yet another of the half-dozen reissues of Canadian rocker Pat Travers' (guitar/vocals) March 26, 1984 West Palm Beach, FL gig. Not only was it initially broadcast throughout North America on the King Biscuit Flower Hour syndicated radio show, it has been released under a variety of titles containing the same content. Travers is captured supporting his most recent release Hot Shot (1984), which would likewise be his last for nearly half-a-dozen years. Travers is supported by Jerry Riggs (guitar/vocals) and Pat Marchino (drums) -- both of whom were on hand for Hot Shot -- as well as future Yngwie Malmsteen and Saraya member Barry Dunaway (bass). The tight performance repertoire draws heavily on his back catalog, with "Killer," "Just Try Talkin' (To Those Dudes)" and "Hot Shot" derived from the latest effort. The quartet are nothing short of robust as they sonically slash and burn their way through a litany of inspired originals and covers. The full throttle rendering of "Killer" blisters with a wall of electric guitar wails and aggressive leads recalling seminal ZZ Top entries. The hard-hitting "Life in London" and "Getting' Betta'," not only duplicates the opening sequence from Putting It Straight (1977), it actually bests those studio counterparts. In fact, the latter arguably defies the growling (and once considered definitive) reading from the otherwise recommended Live! Go for What You Know (1979) concert platter. As the title implies, the anticipated 'hits' "Boom Boom (Out Go the Lights," "Snortin' Whiskey," and the soulful ballad "Stevie" are included as well. As mentioned earlier, this specific show was first aired -- albeit significantly truncated on -- The King Biscuit Flower Hour and has been issued as King Biscuit Flower Hour (1997), Greatest Hits Live (2001), as well as in 5.1 surround sound on the DVD-A From the Front Row Live (2003).