I’m Alive

A-Side: I’m Alive
B-Side: Quite Disappointing

Record label: United Artists UP 36519
Producer: Andy Arthurs

Released: 08/77
Re-issued: 29/06/79

We should have reviewed this two weeks ago, but someone kept playing it on the office deck and forgot to put it back in the ‘To Be Reviewed’ pile. Two strong tracks above the usual high-velocity new wave format by a bit of tight arranging, rather than mere heads-down thrashing, and the distinctive, manic voice of Nick Cash. As songs, they’re a bit short on memorability though. (Sounds, 17/09/77)

Single of the week. 999 and bands like them prove that punk is already into its second wave – it’s advanced a lot since the early days when it was just down to energy. Not that 999 lack energy, but they also have the sort of inventiveness and pop star looks that would have guaranteed them success among the old wave. (Record Mirror, 10/09/77)

Eagerly awaited debut (apparently over 10,000 advance orders), it’s got all the right commercial qualities – tidy, urgent, brooding and a whiff of melody. The vocals, however, sound as if they were recorded at the wrong speed. (Melody Maker, 03/09/77)

Ramonic buzzsaw impressionism guitars lovingly poured like a truckload of Quaker Oats over the indecipherable lyrical content that sounds like a rancid moggie that has snorted too much Pro-Plus. The two-word title is also the chorus which can be discerned without too much perspiration and I thought I’d point that out because law-suits are starting to get tedious.

My neighbour – a cynical, four-eyed rustic hippie – is always telling me punks are no more than crop-barnet Heavy Metal freaks and I’m starting to believe his tongue ain’t forked. (NME, 03/09/77)