Kitchen Sink Chronicles - Episode 3

[ThatWriterGuy]

What happened, live on stage, in Australia 1993?
Why did Patti nearly quit the band before the tour came to an end?
And what became of the fully recorded, never-released concept album that - for all intents and purposes - could've been the follow up to Bat II instead of Welcome to the Neighborhood?

All of this and more at Kitchen Sink

[AndrewG]

Interesting Paradise was rehearsed that way. It always came across as improv no matter how many times I saw it.

The version I saw at the first Meat Loaf show I attended in 1996 ran close to 40 minutes with multiple props / part of sets and outfits. Patti wore at least 3 outfits; waitress-esque, some type of nympho S&M outfit and the sort of 60s housewife dressed in a robe with curlers in her hair if memory serves, or perhaps the curlers were an illusion. I do have photos somewhere.

I remember Patti "hitting" Meat with a pot in the improv section when the band stopped playing and him crying to Steve Buslowe "Stevie, she hit my arm, my arm Stevie..."

It was rather epic, and that for a first show. Subsequent versions I saw were never quite that elaborate.

Quite revealing what happened in Oz on that first tour.
I suspect it probably has something to do with treating women just as that; as objects in the show and they need to be seen to be available (part of the attraction to fans or even crew members I guess?) and never have private issues.
Perhaps something along those lines. Definitely comes across as bullying went on at times, even in the show where that was unwarranted. Sad to hear but explains two things to me:
1) Many of Patti's tweets
2) Patti lasting so long in the band because she fought back in that show with the wig.

[aks650]

Again very, very interesting! Keep up the good work.
Intrigued to know more about this concept album.. i assume it’s been fully recorded?

[AndrewG]

I was right about the 3 outfits during Born to Rock's Paradise in 1996 and the curlers.

[ThatWriterGuy]

The comedic turn that Paradise took on stage later on was all Patti. She wanted to soften the scene, add another layer of theater (I think the crazy S&M was Meat, if I recall rightly, but I'll need to clarify that one).

Glad you're all enjoying the show

Something altogether different coming next.

[anotherday]

I'm enjoying the show, yet it also saddens me...
Not quite sure how to feel...

[ThatWriterGuy]

Don't be sad (2 outta 3 ain't bad?).
Happier times on the way.

[nightinr]

Another great installment from Patti and yourself.

Dont think we can read too much into the "boyfriend ban" though....as an inexperienced band member maybe Meat and Co did want Patti to concentrate on the tour without any distractions?

[jmfreeman]

Yes, I'd have thought partners being discouraged from accompanying band/crew members on tour wouldn't be so unusual. They'd be seen as a distraction from the work, and if rules were relaxed for one member then before you know it, everyone would start feeling lonely and flying in family and friends to keep them company. Especially so when it's a quick and intense overseas jaunt in the early stages of a tour. I can see why it might seem unsettling to somebody new to the experience, though.

[Guy]

Loving these episodes. Its the classic no smoke without fire!
For me, its the whole exerting power regarding Patti's boyfriend coming over. Yes, it was unannounced, but to leave Australia! Wow.
Keep enjoying your freedom Patti. Xo

[ThatWriterGuy]

RE 'the boyfriend' issue.

It's common practice for musicians to take their partners on tour.

With regards to Patti's situation, think about it this way: It was less what happened, and more how it happened.

That said, the reason we put these stories out there is because A) they're stories that need to be told, and B) you can really make your own mind up in so much as what to think of them. I can help clarify here or there, but ultimately it's always up to you in so much as what you glean from these anecdotes.

Glad that you're all enjoying our little ventures into the past.
More to come

[Wario]

great stuff. its not often i hear ab someone hearing something unreleased I never heard before. intrigued for next months episode

as for Meats actions: uncalled for. im just curious why, it just seemed really odd. did her boyfriend rub him the wrong way? curious

[ThatWriterGuy]

All great questions to ask.

[Danny L]

Who's house to I need to break into to get this lost album?!

[AndrewG]

Originally Posted by Danny L

Who's house to I need to break into to get this lost album?!

I'm making a wild guess here and thinking it may have been a concept album either involving classics of songs of The Beatles since those must have been rehearsed by the band at some point or there is perhaps more to the "Oh what a beautiful morning" B side that didn't make it on WTTN. Perhaps more Rodgers & Hammerstein songs?

During the promo of WTTN Meat mentioned he wanted to do country stuff and record with Garth Brooks.

Thus I doubt it was a country album.

Given the quality of Bad Attitude, Modern Girl & the WTTN song a full album filled with 90s songs from Paul Jacobs & Sarah Durkee would have been interesting also.

[ThatWriterGuy]

Wrong on every count, but well deduced theories all the same.

What I can tell you:

This concept album of original material was written by a then current NLE member (for the most part).
Great demos were made of each and every track.
There are vocals in full, but whose ...?

[ThatWriterGuy]

It is both bigger and broader than Bat II in terms of theatricality and narrative, and - to these ears, at least - feels like it had the potential to be a true progressive follow up from that album (despite being a non Steinman cut).

It was an exciting first listen, having the opportunity to revisit that era after all of this time, and indulge in a daydream for an hour or so of what this album could've become.

[Danny L]

I hope it gets out somehow, I mean how many demos of Steinman's have leaked out through the years?! Many sounding as good if not better than the eventual products.

Sounds exciting, especially from that era - Meat and the NLE were on top of his game in the 90s

[Danny L]

tHE BAND AT THE TIME

Meat Loaf
Steve Buslowe
Kasim Sulton
Pat Thrall
Mark Alexander
John Miceli
Patti Russo
Pearl Aday

Apparantly there was a song at the time 'A Date With Destiny' or something that Meat was supposed to record for around Bat iI?

[nightinr]

Presumably it was Steve Buslowe or Pat Thrall?

[letsgotoofar]

As someone who knows a little bit about this story and that lost album in particular, without wishing to spoil episode 4 too much, I don't know if I'd personally call the person who wrote it an NLE member exactly, unless he was actually (must've been briefly, if so) on board in some capacity we don't know about, or there was someone from the band who chimed in and contributed a lot.

(I mean, guitars and production on "Amnesty Is Granted" are not necessarily what I'd call NLE membership... hint: the one who wasn't Sammy Hagar or the album's producer, but a recognizable name in his own right...)

[ThatWriterGuy]

Drip, drip, drip.

Amnesty is Granted, and I'd Lie For You are both on there.

And are pre Neighborhood takes.

...

[roomster]

I hope the album will be "accidentally" leaked at some point

[ThatWriterGuy]

Originally Posted by roomster

I hope the album will be "accidentally" leaked at some point

How much do you wanna pay me?

[Danny L]

My DM box is open

lol I naughty - wasn't there talk about a Bat 2 follow up being called ESCAPE FROM HELL? Is that it?

Also Hagar's co-producer are easy to find if you read the credits :P