"Shock Rock" is a silly and archaic term and its granddaddy is Alice Cooper. Really nothing compares to the unique presentations that this guy has made, and he has been around since (get this) since around 1963. Think of the era this guy entered the seen in and its easy to see how he paved the way for so many other 'hard rock' theatrics. It was often said that Cooper " "driving a stake through the heart of the Love Generation" alrighty then.
Let's see he has eaten a live rat and guillotined his own head off and he's done a bunch of stuff with snakes. But in the midst of all this showmanship he has created amazing anthems such as "I'm 18" and "Welcome To My Nightmare" along with the mega hit "School's Out".
Riding on the humongous coat tales of the "Schools Out" popularity comes this new box set. Due out in the US on December 4th, the 4 disc set his packaged in a silly school desk. Sigh..why? It would have been so much more cool without that. But I suppose you pay homage to the tunes that paid you best.
The box set demos, includes pre-production and rehearsal recordings of tracks, radio spots, interview anecdotes, plus a full live show captured on the 1971 Killer tour — Live in St Louis — along with a 60-page yearbook charting the rise of Cooper complete with many rare photos.
What's the most interesting part of this? Its the second box set called Old School. In 2011 a limited edition 'Old School: 1964-1974'..only this is a condensed version. Say what?! Isn't that double dipping? Here is the latest "Old School" track listing- although, I suppose its very similar to the last.
Look disc three is all spoken word.. say what?!
Disc One: Treasures One
01. No Price Tag – Spiders (1966)
02. Nobody Likes Me – Pretties For You Demo (1969)
03. On A Train Trip (Sing Low Sweet Cheerio) – Pretties For You Demo (1969)
04. Reflected – Pretties For You Demo (1969)
05. Easy Action – Version Two Radio Ad (1970)
06. Mr And Misdemeanor – Chicago Underground (1970)
07. Fields Of Regret – Chicago Underground (1970)
08. I'm Eighteen – Chicago Underground (1970)
09. Love It To Death – Radio Ad (1971)
10. I'm Eighteen – Love It To Death Pre-production (1971)
11. Be My Lover – Killer Demo (1971)
12. Killer – Killer Demo (1971)
13. Halo Of Flies – Killer Demo (1971)
14. Tornado Warning (Desperado) – Killer Demo (1971)
15. Killer – Radio Ad (1971)
16. Is It My Body – Seattle Live (1971)
Disc Two: Treasures Two
01. Akron Rubber Bowl Ad – Radio Ad (1972)
02. School's Out – Mar Y Sol, Puerto Rico (1972)
03. Kids Session School's Out – Kids Session (1972)
04. Outtakes/Luney Tune – School's Out Pre-production (1972)
05. Outtakes/My Stars – School's Out Pre-production (1972)
06. School's Out – School's Out Demo (1972)
07. Under My Wheels- Live at Madison Square Garden (1973)
08. Teenage Lament '74 – Muscle of Love Demos & Rehearsals (1973)
09. Never Been Sold Before – Muscle of Love Demos and Rehearsals (1973)
10. Working Up A Sweat – Muscle of Love Demos and Rehearsals (1973)
11. Muscle Of Love – Muscle of Love Pre-production (1973)
12. Teenage Lament '74 – Muscle of Love Pre-production (1973)
13. Muscle Of Love – Radio Ad (1974)
14. Good To See You Alice Cooper – Radio Ad (1974)
15. Muscle Of Love – Rio (1974)
16. Greatest Hits – Radio Ad (1974)
Disc Three: In Their Own Words
Alice Cooper group interview disc
Disc Four: Bootleg CD – Killer Live in St. Louis, 1971
01. Intro
02. Be My Lover (Intro)
03. Be My Lover
04. You Drive Me Nervous
05. Yeah, Yeah, Yeah
06. I'm Eighteen
07. Halo Of Flies
08. Is It My Body
09. Dead Babies
10. Killer
11. Long Way To Go
12. Under My Wheels