BP Fallon & the Bandits

Still Legal (Vibrosonic Records)

After a lifetime as a force behind much of rock & roll’s past greatness – being press officer for Island Records, Led Zeppelin, and T-Rex (he’s “purple-browed Beep” in “Telegram Sam”); managing Johnny Thunders circa So Alone; testing Paul McCartney’s stash as an employee at Apple Records, etc. – BP Fallon decided it was high time to play rock & roll himself. Thus, he stumbled into Austin’s Red Horse Ranch Studio last fall with Blondie’s classic rhythm section, Nigel Harrison and Clem Burke, plus New York Dolls stand-in guitarist Aaron Lee Tasjan and Austin Small Faces/Faces Hall of Famer Ian McLagan. What emerges is some tough sounds backing Fallon’s beat verse on the dissipated glamour of the New York nightlife. If titles like “Fond of Cocaine” and “Kill Me Till I Crawl” don’t supply a clue, this ain’t for you. ‘Tis a strong debut for the Irishman, so a sequel might just be in order.

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This article appears in November 8 • 2013.

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Tim Stegall contributed to The Austin Chronicle 1991-1995, and was a staff writer 1995-1997. He returned as a contributor in 2013. He has also freelanced for publications ranging from Flipside to Alternative Press to Guitar World. He plays punk rock guitar and sings in the Hormones.