↑ June 2021 Tarock Music released a remastered version of Fatal Slide.
↑ 1982 ARTWORK
The Reds, America’s best-known post-punk rock band, is launching the strongest assault on the country’s corporate rock fortress ever to be seen from an American band. Their secret weapon? A nuclear bomb about to be detonated, their third and finest album, Fatal Slide.
Like Britain’s finest, the Philadelphia band has made quantum leaps from its punk roots. It’s become a musical force to be reckoned with, without selling out to the flabby fat-cat highway ride of area rock. Leader Rick Shaffer and his band could easily have compromised. Instead, The Reds chose the tougher route, staying true to themselves, and to a clean-cut, impassioned, rockin’ sound.
The Reds are survivors. They’ve been through initial press put-downs, through critical kudos from The NY Times, Village Voice, Rolling Stone and Trouser Press to self-promotion and production when the crunch hit the industry.
The Reds don’t quit. They have turned whichever way possible to keep their music in front of the people. Formerly with A&M, who have just re-released the Propaganda album featuring The Reds, Joe Jackson, The Police and Squeeze, the aural invasion continues with the release of Fatal Slide.
In this age of lethargy, singer/guitarist/songwriter Rick Shaffer demands we look at ourselves. He pulls together Tom Petty’s intense involvement with a detached scrutiny of today’s world. The Reds are charging the trenches. They use three or four themes in the space of four minutes. But they never ever become pompous, or sacrifice their over-riding dauntlessness.
The Reds . . . they force you to listen . . . . they’re too good to ignore.
∎ Tarock Music, November 1, 1982
