New England: The New England Archives Box: Vol 1, 5CD Boxset

The short lived New England originally formed around the Boston area in the late 1970s, featuring John Fannon on guitar and lead vocals, Jimmy Waldo on keyboards, Hirsh Gardner on drums and Gary Shea on bass guitar. After being discovered by famed KISS manager Bill Aucoin, their self-titled debut was issued by Infinity Records in 1979, and produced by KISS’s Paul Stanley, produced along with famed Queen, Asia and Journey producer Mike Stone. The tracks ‘Hello, Hello, Hello’ (UK No. 69) and ‘Don't Ever Wanna Lose Ya’ (US No. 40) began to pick up plenty of airplay on AOR radio in the States as the band headed out on a major arena tour opening for KISS. Switching to Elektra Records, New England followed their debut in 1980 with “Explorer Suite”, this time co-produced by Mike Stone with singer and principle songwriter, John Fannon. The title track, plus ‘Livin’ In The Eighties’ were released as singles, but didn’t quite manage to capitalise on the airplay from the first LP. “Walking Wild”, their third and final album, also for Elektra, was released in 1981 and produced by Todd Rundgren. With ‘Don't Ever Let Me Go’, ‘DDT’ and ‘Get It Up’ released as singles, the album had a more harder rocking approach, but unfortunately the band split up shortly after its release, in 1982.

Hirsh Gardner, Jimmy Waldo and Gary Shea would initially put together the short lived Warrior with Vincent Cusano (better known as KISS’s Vinnie Vincent), before Waldo and Shea joined Graham Bonnet in Alcatrazz in 1983, initially with guitar virtuoso Yngwie J. Malmsteen, and then Steve Vai, whilst Gardner went into production work, and eventually a solo career.

Despite the slim catalogue of work New England left in their short time together, thankfully they did leave behind plenty of demo recordings and outtakes, collected here for the very first time on “The New England Archives Box Volume 1”. Starting with 10 tracks recorded at Earmark Studios in Philadelphia in 1978, highlights of Disc One are 'Alone Tonight', 'Hello, Hello, Hello' and 'Turn Out The Light'.

The first half of Disc Two was recorded at Blizzard Studios, and kicks off with 'P.U.N.K. (Puny Undernourished Kid)'; the second half of CD2 returns to more recordings from 1978 Earmark Studios, plus 'Familiar Faces', a very rare track recorded at Intermedia Studios in Boston in 1975.

Disc Three features a rough mix of their self-titled debut, and closes with 'Last Show' and 'Don't Ever Wanna Lose Ya' from London's legendary Trident Studios.

Disc Four is made up of rough mixes for the second LP, "Explorer Suite", plus 'It’s Never Too Late' mixed by Jim Boyer in 1980. The real treat is seven tracks from the band Target, featuring both John Fannon & Kenny Melle vocals, who would eventually transform into New England.

Disc Five is made up of mono versions and alternative demos, including 'Back On The Streets Again', 'Headchopper' and 'Heat Of The Ocean'.

"The New England Archives Box Vol 1" has been drawn and compiled from the band's own collections of tapes and personal recordings, and features a number of rare and never before seen photos and imagery.

FOR FANS OF: JOURNEY, ALCATRAZZ, KISS