MAMA’S BOYS “Mama’s Boys” /LP/

The fourth full-length studio album by cult British Hard Rock/Heavy Metal band.
In the wake of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal explosion of the early '80s, several bands attempted to blend in with the movement even though they formed long after such bands as Iron Maiden and Def Leppard began to enjoy success, one such band being a Hard Rockin' trio of brothers, the Mama's Boys. The trio hailed from Northern Ireland and consisted of Pat McManus (guitar, vocals), John McManus (bass), and Tommy McManus (drums). Later in their career they became a four-piece, adding Rick Chase on vocals in 1986, who in turn was replaced by Keith Murrell in 1987 due to Rick's ill health. Keith was later replaced with Connor McKeon in 1989 who was subsequently replaced with Mike Wilson in 1990. 
Mama's Boys recorded their first self-funded album, "Official Album" (re-released in 1981 as "Official Bootleg") in 1980 in only four hours. In 1981, they were invited to support Hawkwind on their UK tour. They recorded and self-financed their second album, entitled "Plug It In", in 1982, and achieved a Hit Single in Ireland with the most Pop-oriented song on the album, "Needle in the Groove". The third album, "Turn It Up", was released in 1983. The same year they toured with Thin Lizzy on that band's farewell tour, played at the Reading Rock Festival and signed a worldwide record deal with Jive Records.
Their fourth album, self-titled "Mama’s Boys", was their first album released on Jive, and contained some songs previously released on early albums but completely re-recorded with a few new songs. One of the new songs, a cover of Slade's "Mama Weer All Crazee Now", was released as a Single and reached number 54 in the American charts. The video for the song got a lot of airplay on MTV and helped the band to become known in the US, which they toured in 1984. Coincidentally, the American Heavy Metal band Quiet Riot also released their cover version of the song at the same time as Mama's Boys, but Quiet Riot's version gained more airplay.
1985's "Power And Passion" album broke into the Billboard top 100 in the US and the band toured in the US, Europe, and Japan. During the European leg of the tour, Tommy had a relapse of leukaemia which he had been treated for as a child and a replacement drummer Jimmy DeGrasso was brought in to complete the tour. The recovering Tommy re-joined the tour in Ireland, but had to be rushed back to hospital after another relapse.
In 1987, former Airrace vocalist Keith Murrell was brought in after Rick Chase started having trouble with his vocal cords, and they recorded the album "Growing Up The Hard Way". Murrell left in 1988 to join Cliff Richard as a backing singer. Connor McKeon replaced Keith in 1989, but this was short-lived, and he was replaced by Mike Wilson.
In 1990, with a new vocalist, Mike Wilson, and under new management, Mama's Boys moved their base to the UK. The live album, "Live Tonite", was released in 1991 and the band toured extensively in Europe. In 1992, the band released "Relativity" album. While on tour in Italy in 1993, Tommy became ill again and the tour had to be cancelled.
In 1994, Tommy McManus passed away after a long battle with leukaemia. Tommy underwent a bone marrow transplant, but he did not survive. His brothers were devastated, and Mama's Boys did not continue.
On the first anniversary of Tommy's death, John composed a traditional lament on the low whistle for his brother, and this led to himself and Pat revisiting their traditional Irish music roots and forming a Celtic/New Age band called Celtus.
In 2003, Pat McManus joined with Irish Rock band Indian for two albums and live shows. After this he joined the Painkillers for a short while, and then formed "Pat McManus and High Voltage" which in 2007 became the Pat McManus Band (with Marty McDermott on bass and Paul Faloon on drums). The Pat McManus Band released "Tattooed In Blue" in 2018, and an acoustic guitar based album called "Rewind" in 2019, alongside a European tour.
“This album is dedicated to the memory of our beloved sister Valerie McManus who we miss very much”.
Jive Records/Quality Records, 1984 (JV-6612). Made in Canada. First press. Used (cover/disc): EX/EX.


Tracklist:

Side 1
1. Crazy Daisy's House Of Dreams 3:39
2. Runaway Dreams 4:41
3. Mama We're All Crazy Now 3:22
4. Gentleman Rogues 3:38
5. Lonely Soul 4:33

Side 2
6. In The Heat Of The Night 3:22
7. The Professor 5:27
8. Midnight Promises 4:26
9. Straight Forward (No Looking Back) 4:49

Total playing time: 37:57 min.