The Stooges formed in ‘67 with the band making their debut performance as the “Psychedelic Stooges.” Later they changed their name to The Stooges and dropped the Psychedelic part. The band garnered attention from Elektra records due to Iggy’s wild stage abandon, as well as the bands visceral live shows around the Detroit area. Danny Fields A&R man for Elektra Records signed the band in 68.

In August of ‘69 The Stooges released their self-titled debut The Stooges. Their highly influential 2nd album titled Fun House was released in ‘70. Due to the mediocre sales of the first two  albums the group disbanded. Iggy was later signed to David Bowie’s management company Main Man Management, as well as Columbia records as a solo artist. At the time of signing to Main Man, Iggy’s heroin addiction had blown up and was out of control; luckily Iggy was rescued by Bowie’s intervention. Columbia records sent Iggy to London to work on writing with collaborator-guitarist James Williamson-a Texas native. After a fruitless search for an English Rhythm section, the Ashton brothers, (Ron was the original Stooges guitarist) Ron and Scott were flown in, with Ron now on Bass, and his brother Scott managing the drums once more.

The newly reformed Stooges now dubbed Iggy & The Stooges would go on to record Raw Power with Iggy handling the producing, as well recording. During the initial recording sessions Iggy accidentally recorded all the instruments onto one channel, with the vocals onto another channel. The final production yielded a thin sound void of any type of body within the music. Columbia records was not pleased with Iggy’s production and demanded the album be remixed by Bowie. Iggys mix of “Search & Destroy” was the only song that was left intact from the original mixing sessions.

I prefer Bowie’s mix of Raw Power to Iggy’s remix that was released in ‘97. Bowie’s mix is more balanced, resulting in a clearer more defined sound. Iggy’s ‘97 remix has everything mixed in the red causing audible distortion throughout the album. Long since available on vinyl, the original Bowie mix was re-released on Apr 13, 2010 on Sony Legacy recordings as a 2 disc special edition. The 2nd disc is live recording of the band from Atlanta in ‘73. In my opinion the live show is a great addition to the Stooges catalog.

Raw Power opens with “Search & Destroy”. On this track we hear how botched the original recording was, with the drums buried within the mix; 10 seconds into the track Williamson’s lead guitar suddenly leaps out of nowhere proceeding to tear our heads off with a trebly lead line. Iggy sings the opening lines ‘I am a street walking cheetah, with a hide full of napalm.’ The lyric is Iggy at his most majestically dangerous, it’s almost as if he is telling us to watch out, I am back and ready to destroy. The original Iggy helmed production lends its own character to “Search & Destroy” and I couldn’t imagine hearing it otherwise. Search & Destroy has been quoted by Morrissey as the ultimate LA song.

Columbia Records requested that the band write, as well as record, two ballads for Raw Power (a funny request for a band such as The Stooges). The band responded with the tracks “Gimme Danger”, as well as “I Need Somebody.” Track 2 “Gimme Danger” opens with an arpeggiated acoustic guitar line, in which Iggy sings ‘gimme danger little stranger, and I’ll give you a piece.’ “Gimme Danger” proceeds to take us through a drug fueled encounter in dangerous tides, possibly an attractive encounter with a little stranger.

Track 5  Raw Power opens with a herky-jerky fuzzed out riff that sounds awesomely sleazy in its attack and presence. Raw Power grooves along like a speed-addled freight train. Iggy muses about the invigorating pulse of raw power. The tracks meaning is very much open for debate. Is Raw Power about Heroin? Is it about the viciousness of Iggy & the Stooges live performances, or ultimately the power of Rock N Roll at its most primal and raw? We sense that Iggy is rapping on the power of primal Rock N Roll, as he has always been a master at simplistic catch-phrase.

Track 7 “Death Trip” closes the album in fine fashion with its dank delivery. Throughout Raw Power’s 7 tracks we are taken on a death trip; 7 tracks of pure voodoo, of primal-sleazy Rock N Roll sang by a wild-man from the trailer parks of Michigan, dressed in tight silver pants, wound up like a napalm bomb ready to implode at any moment.

Raw Power is austere in its power, auspicious in its influence, and legendary in its legacy. A perfectly imperfect record that remains relevant today as it did back in ‘73. Since its release in ‘73 Raw Power has garnered many a follower; with Kurt Cobain, Johnny Marr, Henry Rollins and Steve Jones listing the album as an influence. Morrissey has gone on to state Raw Power as one of his favorite records as well. This album redefined how Rock N Roll could and would sound, (specifically punk-rock) with its snotty attitude re-writing the rule book. Raw Power serves as punk rock’s blueprint, with the album’s driving rhythms, the wild abandon of Iggy’s vocal delivery and lyrical imagery. If Fun House is the sound of Detroit, Raw Power is the sound of LA in all its sleazy, decadent and immoral glory.

I will close by saying this; Raw Power will hit you in the groin, unleashing its nasty grooves upon your soul, and once it has, it’s hard to come back. This is pure gutter poetry by a band sounding like they could explode at any moment.

To quote Iggy put this record on and dance like a hypnotized chicken, I do. So go find yourself some Shake Appeal.