Our Complete List Of Plasmatics Albums And Discography looks at the albums of a band formed in New York City in 1977. The Plasmatics were more than just a band; they were a phenomenon. My mom hated them. I liked that my mom hated them. Fronted by the iconic Wendy O. Williams and masterminded by Rod Swenson, the band carved a unique niche in the realms of punk rock and heavy metal, remembered for their outrageous stage antics, aggressive style, and a sound that aggressively fused punk and metal.
The origins of the Plasmatics can be traced back to 1977 when Rod Swenson, an artist and Yale University graduate, met Wendy O. Williams, an enigmatic figure with a penchant for the avant-garde. Together, they formed a band that was as much a musical endeavor as it was a performance art project. The initial lineup included guitarist Wes Beech, bassist Chosei Funahara, and drummer Stu Deutsch, complementing Williams’ fierce lead vocals.
In the late 1970s, the Plasmatics quickly gained notoriety in the burgeoning New York punk scene. Their performances were legendary – chaotic, confrontational, and visually striking, featuring chainsaws, sledgehammers, and the ritual destruction of guitars and televisions. Wendy O. Williams, with her Mohawk and outlandish stage outfits, became an icon of rebellion and female empowerment. I can’t imagine the great videos that would have been captured if we all had iPhones back in the 1970s. I saw the Plasmatics and it was so cool and frightening at the same time.
Plasmatics Albums
“Butcher Baby” EP
Released 1978
Side A
1. Butcher Baby – 3:05
Side B
1. Fast Food Service – 2:07
2. Concrete Shoes
Dream Lover EP
Released 1979
Side A
1. Dream Lover
Side B
1. Corruption
2. Want You Baby
Monkey Suit
Released 1980
- Monkey Suit
- Squirm
New Hope for the Wretched
Released in 1980
The Plasmatics’ debut album, New Hope for the Wretched, is a landmark release in the punk and heavy metal genres. Formed in New York City in 1977, the Plasmatics were known for their outrageous stage antics and the fierce vocals of lead singer Wendy O. Williams. The band was a symbol of rebellion against the mainstream rock scene of the late 1970s and early 1980s. If anyone took it pretty far, it was the Plasmatics. However, when I first heard this album, I was blown away by the sheer anger and energy that is what rock and roll is all about, baby.
New Hope for the Wretched was recorded in the spring of 1980. The sessions took place in mainly at Electric Lady Studios in New York City, known for its association with Jimi Hendrix. Jimmy Miller produced the album. The lineup on this album featured Wendy O. Williams on lead vocals, Richie Stotts and Wes Beech on guitars, Jean Beauvoir on bass, and Stu Deutsch on drums.
CD Track Listings:
- “Tight Black Pants”
- “Monkey Suit”
- “Living Dead”
- “Test Tube Babies”
- “Won’t You”
- “Concrete Shoes”
- “Squirm (Live)”
- “Want You Baby”
- “Dream Lover”
- “Sometimes I”
- “Corruption”
- “Butcher Baby”
Beyond the Valley of 1984
Released in 1981
Beyond the Valley of 1984, the Plasmatics’ second studio album, was released in 1981, following their debut album New Hope for the Wretched. This album continues the band’s tradition of blending punk rock energy with heavy metal’s raw power, but with a darker and more politically charged theme. The title is a nod to George Orwell’s dystopian novel, 1984, reflecting the band’s commentary on the social and political issues of the time. Its amazing how many albums pointed to that book in the 1980s.
Dan Hartman, known for his work with artists like Edgar Winter, and his very happy disco hit “Instant Replay,” took on the production role, bringing a more polished sound while maintaining the band’s raw energy. The lineup for this album included Wendy O. Williams as the lead vocalist, Richie Stotts and Wes Beech on guitars, Jean Beauvoir on bass, and Neal Smith, a former member of Alice Cooper’s band, on drums.
The album’s tracklisting showcases the Plasmatics’ continued evolution. The opener “Incantation” sets a dystopian tone, leading into tracks like “Masterplan” and “Pig is a Pig,” which are full of the band’s typical blend of aggression and theatricality. The album’s centerpiece, “The Damned,” is an epic track that exemplifies the band’s ability to fuse punk and metal into a cohesive and powerful sound.
CD Track Listings:
- “Incantation”
- “Masterplan”
- “Headbanger”
- “Summer Nite”
- “Nothing”
- “Fast Food Service”
- “Hit Man”
- “Living Dead”
- “Sex Junkie”
- “Plasma Jam”
- “Pig is a Pig”
Metal Priestess EP
Released in 1981
The Plasmatics’ Metal Priestess EP, released in 1981, serves as a crucial bridge between their early punk roots and a heavier, more metal-oriented sound that would come to define their later works. This six-track EP followed the release of their second studio album, Beyond the Valley of 1984, and showcases a band in the midst of a significant stylistic transition, further cementing Wendy O. Williams’ status as a formidable frontwoman in the rock genre.
Recorded in New York, Metal Priestess was produced by Dan Hartman, who also worked on Beyond the Valley of 1984. Hartman’s production skills are evident in the EP’s cleaner and more refined sound, compared to the raw energy of the band’s earlier recordings. The lineup remains consistent with their previous work, featuring Wendy O. Williams on vocals, Richie Stotts and Wes Beech on guitars, Jean Beauvoir on bass, and Neal Smith on drums.
The closing track, “The Damned,” previously featured on Beyond the Valley of 1984, appears here in a live version, capturing the raw energy and power of the Plasmatics’ live performances.
CD Track Listings:
- “Lunacy”
- “Doom Song”
- “Sex Junkie”
- “Black Leather Monster”
- “12 Noon”
- “Masterplan”
- “The Damned” (Live)
Coup d’etat
Released in 1982
Coup d’Etat, released in 1982, is the Plasmatics’ third studio album and is often considered one of their most significant works, marking the peak of their fusion of punk rock and heavy metal. This album sees the band venturing further into the realms of heavy metal, with a sound that is both heavier and more sophisticated than their previous releases. It was this album that solidified the Plasmatics’ position in the heavy metal genre, while still maintaining the raw energy of their punk roots.
The album was recorded primarily in New York and was produced by Dieter Dierks, renowned for his work with German rock band Scorpions. Dierks’ influence is evident in the album’s sound, which is characterized by more complex arrangements and a polished production quality, without losing the band’s inherent rawness. The lineup for Coup d’Etat features Wendy O. Williams on vocals, Richie Stotts and Wes Beech on guitars, Jean Beauvoir on bass, and T.C. Tolliver on drums, showcasing the band’s tight musicianship and Williams’ powerful vocal performance.
The tracklisting of Coup d’Etat is a tour de force of heavy metal and punk rock. The opening track, “Put Your Love In Me,” sets the tone with aggressive riffing and Williams’ killer vocals. Other standout tracks include “Stop” and “Just Like on TV,” which showcase the band’s ability to blend catchy melodies with heavy guitar work. The album’s title track, “Coup d’Etat,” is a high-energy anthem that encapsulates the band’s rebellious spirit. This is, hands down, our favorite Plasmatics album. It is the one that all fans looking to get into this band should start with.
CD Track Listings:
- “Put Your Love In Me”
- “Stop”
- “Rock N Roll”
- “Lightning Breaks”
- “No Class”
- “Mistress of Taboo”
- “Country Fairs”
- “Path of Glory”
- “Just Like on TV”
- “The Damned”
- “Uniformed Guards”
Maggots: The Record
Released in 1987
Maggots: The Record, released in 1987, stands as one of the most unique and experimental albums by the Plasmatics. This concept album, significantly different from their previous work, is a foray into a post-apocalyptic, dystopian world overrun by maggots. The record is notable for its narrative storytelling, blending the band’s punk-metal sound with thrash elements and spoken word elements to create a distinctly cinematic experience. It was the last album released by the band before they disbanded.
The recording of Maggots: The Record took place several years after the release of Coup d’Etat. The lineup for this album included Wendy O. Williams on vocals, Richie Stotts and Wes Beech on guitars, Chris Romanelli on bass and keyboards, and Ray Callahan on drums.
The tracklist of Maggots: The Record unfolds like chapters in a story, beginning with the ominous “Overture,” which sets the stage for the apocalyptic narrative. Tracks like “You’re a Zombie” and “Propagators” are driven by heavy guitar riffs and Williams’ powerful vocals, while “Day of the Humans Is Gone” offers a chilling spoken word performance set to a haunting soundtrack. The album culminates in “Finale,” bringing the story to a climactic close.
CD Track Listings:
- “Overture”
- “You’re a Zombie”
- “Full Meal Deal”
- “Day of the Humans Is Gone”
- “Central Research”
- “The One and Only”
- “Test Tube Babies”
- “Propagators”
- “Finale”
Coup de Grace
Released in 2000
Coup de Grace is a posthumous album by the Plasmatics, released in 2000, well after the band had officially disbanded and following the tragic death of lead vocalist Wendy O. Williams in 1998. This album, not to be confused with their earlier work, Coup d’Etat, is a compilation of previously unreleased material, offering a unique insight into the later period of the band’s existence and Williams’ artistic evolution. It serves as a final tribute to the band’s legacy and to Williams’ iconic status in the punk and metal genres.
The tracks on Coup de Grace were recorded at various times in the band’s career, reflecting different phases of their musical journey. The production quality varies across the album, with some tracks presenting a raw, unpolished sound characteristic of the band’s early days, while others show a more refined approach typical of their later work. This diversity in production gives the album a somewhat eclectic feel, but it also showcases the range of the Plasmatics’ and Williams’ artistic output.
The album’s tracklist includes a variety of songs that span the band’s career. Tracks like “Path of Glory” and “Mistress of Taboo” reflect the band’s aggressive, high-energy punk-metal style. In contrast, songs like “Country Fairs” and “The Humpty Song” show a more experimental side of the band, with the latter being particularly notable for its departure from their typical sound.
CD Track Listings:
1. “Put Your Love in Me”- 4:13
2. “Stop” – 4:34
3. “Rock ‘n’ Roll” – 3:58
4. “Just Like on TV – 4:04
5. “Uniformed Guards” – 4:27
6. “No Class” – 2:09
7. “Mistress of Passion” – 3:43
8. “Lightning Breaks” – 3:42
9. “Path of Glory” – 5:00
10. “Country Fairs” – 4:08
11. “The Damned” – 3:54
Complete List Of Plasmatics Albums And Discography article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2023
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