Reviews

SMASH HITS
Yes the 'Frogs have actually appeared in Smash Hits!

... Bugsy is what we call a local character, and it came as no surprise when he decided to give his band a name like THE AMAZING SPACE FROGS. His songs are invariably about taboo subjects, hence the title of the A-side, "Nuns Of Destruction". This will not help the single get radio airplay. The single was released in October, the backing band being half of Basczax and half of No Way, plus local whizz kid Pete Farrell ...

Maybe you can help, well it's like this Bugsy's brain isn't as big as it might be (to be honest none of him is as big as it might be!), anyway he can't actually remember when this review appeared in Smash Hits, it was in an article titled "Teesside Smells OK!", and probably appeared in late 1979 or around then anyway. If you have any old copies, and want something exciting to do one cold winters night, find the article and let us know when it was - cheers. See The interview Here

EVENING GAZETTE, Middlesbrough

Robert Nichols reviewing a gig by Hugh Cornwell (ex-Stranglers), where the 'Frogs supported him, well he is getting on a bit and probably has difficulty standing up these days (not that I'm saying he's past it or anything)

... First band Bugsy and the Amazing Space Frogs must have been fans. Those very original stalwarts of the local punk-faith, the Space Frogs glam up their punk as always. The elfin Bugsy leads his band through re-heated Seventies grind and adrenalin and combines it with outrageous Glitter Band posturing. Great entertainment ...

HOT LICKS REVIEW - Issue 13,
November 1997
SCRUFFY MURPHY'S, MIDDLESBROUGH, 16 OCT 97

Amazing. Not a word I use very often with any great conviction. So when I was pointed towards the Amazing Spacefrogs I was a little hesitant. Well, how many people do you know who would refer to themselves as amazing? Looking vaguely like rocks answer to Penn and Teller, they came on with a wry grin and a glint in the eye that suggested I may just enjoy this.

Enjoy it I did. I could only describe their style of music as "power punk". Heavy, powerful guitar riffs and a vocal, shall we say, in the upper register. A lacklustre PA did not do justice to this almost unique singing. But when belted out, most of the vocals could be heard. I was not the only one to enjoy it. The band played up to the camp styling of their choice of song, milking every bit of humour and fun out at them. This five piece guitar band performed well known covers as diverse as Kylie Minogue's I Should Be So Lucky, Chumbawumba's lager drink song and Dion and the Belmont's Teenager In Love. So if you can imagine these songs played with heavy distortion, flat out, rocked up, top of the voice, and as loud as you like, then you may start you get an idea of just what it was like.

Some of the better songs they played were equally remarkable. An excellent version of Elton John's Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting and a stinging AC/DC cover, All night Long were outstanding as they fitted the voice. Another suitable number was Cum On Feel The Noise, an old Slade song which sort of summed up the night really. It was where they were at, or at least where they were coming from. The singer could have been Noddy's half brother, The band could have been still in the seventies. They brought it into the nineties, still screaming.

Apart from myself and the band, the crowd enjoyed it too. A sizeable gathering stopped and took notice (the fact that you couldn't hear yourself talk had nothing to do with it, of course). Quite a few were actively getting into it, and sharing a bit of banter with the band. On the whole, and after some discussion with some friends, it was clear that you either loved their music or hated it. I do know some who couldn't stand this type of stuff, but they agreed that it was different and energetic. But I enjoyed it.

Quite amazing. Ste.

And believe it or not the Ste who wrote the review was NOT the same Ste as plays in the band!