After releases from two different labels with varying results Deadline Music has released the definitive version of the first Thor album Keep The Dogs Away in a three-disc set. The Scratch Recordings anniversary release suffered from thin mastering but contained an outstanding booklet and some bonus tracks including “Dogs…” with guitar overdubs by Steve Price. The Essential Media Group release sounded much better than the Scratch release but was a strictly no frills affair with no pictures or bonus tracks. The remastering job on the Deadline edition sounds great and comes with a bonus disc of essential early Thor efforts and a DVD of a show from 1980. The included booklet is not as lavish as the Scratch release but has some rare pictures and an essay containing the revelation that this record was originally a concept album with a gigantic stage show to go with it.
On the original sleeve, and on this new release, it lists the recording as taking place May/June 1943. According to writer Brian Kehew, the story was that Thor was a hero from World War 2 who was injured and cryogenically frozen and then thawed in the early 70’s becoming a hero roaming the streets righting wrongs with his Hounds of Hell. The projected stage show reflected this concept. “There was a stage show much more elaborate than what you saw on the ‘Keep The Dogs Away’ video,” says Thor. “A stage set of Asgard with 3-D lasers. No one had this in 1978 and we were going to tour with it across the USA. Promoter Bill Graham was involved and Rolling Stone and Us magazine announced it.”
The album doesn’t suffer from the lack of narrative. It is unclear if songs were dropped after the initial concept was abandoned or if this was the running order to begin with. The songs are amazing and the title track is one of the greatest rock anthems ever. The memorable hooks and catchy choruses just keep coming and it is clear, from the dreamlike lullaby of “Sleeping Giant” to the pulverizing finale of “Thunder”, the songs were all brilliantly crafted with care. And this level of quality continues on disc two. Filled with songs from Thor’s storied past we finally get to hear tracks from Thor’s “Body Rock” and Thor and the Imps days. The tracks are all of very good sound quality and deserving of release. “The tracks were financed by my company Americana Productions in hopes of securing a major record deal,” Thor explains. “Although many thought we had hit songs they felt my leather and studs Thor image didn’t fit the power pop so they went unreleased. I’m glad after all these years they got to see the light of day.”
The third disc is a DVD featuring a two set show from Washington State University in 1980. “That gig was from the Keep The Dogs Away tour that my company financed when the licensee of the record did not supply tour support,” says Thor. “I travelled all through the US and Canada promoting the album using different accompanying band members.” The stage is barren with only Thor in costume and none of the elaborate set up from the iconic videos from the album. “The reasons we didn’t have the props is that half way through the tour an insane promoter burned down his venue with the props and equipment in it,” laughs Jon. “We had to pick up new amps. P.A. and lights just to carry on the tour.” The band is pretty killer for a pickup band and its interesting hearing them tear through many covers including Beatles and Rolling Stones tunes. Some of the footage was seen briefly in the An-THOR-ology DVD.
