To be clear, this “supergroup” style party rock band really started out as a silly good time around clubs in LA during the heady mid-90s. Neurotic Outsiders have a pedigree that is really unmatched in the annals of punk or hard rock.
We’re talking about Steve Jones (Sex Pistols), Johnny Taylor (Duran Duran), as well as Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum (Guns ‘N Roses). I mean, c’mon, the album is produced by freaking Jerry Harrison (Talking Heads).
But, anyone expecting a serious art (Jerry), punk rebellion (Steve), disco-pop (Johnny) or dirty boogie (Duff/Matt) is missing the point. This band only existed as something of a gag. And their sole album came out in 1996 on Madonna’s Maverick label once they got enough cred to get some execs thinking they could get these guys to move some units.
The execs were wrong.
The album is a fun romp with a lot of silly sex talk (mostly courtesy of goofball lyrics courtesy of Steve Jones). They throw in a solid Clash cover (Janie Jones) but the rest of the album is just a bunch of well known supporting players having a hell of a time. You’re not going to find a Welcome to the Jungle, God Save the Queen, or Wild Boys on this record. It’s driving, melodic hard rock with its tongue firmly in its cheek.
Single Jerk is a great example. Big dumb lyrics and a lot power chords. It’s the kind of song that has some measured abandon, and it must have been a lot of fun to see them play live. This is music for a moment, but not memorable enough to really catch on for multiple listens.
Bad album? Not really, no. It’s a fun ride especially if you keep your expectations low. Outsiders, maybe? But they probably had a blast making an album that was instantly destined for the bargain bins (and strangely, a Record Store Day reissue 30 years later).