This is a piece I’ve wanted to write about for a long time and its about the great lost Hair Metal album. If you enjoyed the late 80’s of Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Poison, Motley Crue etc. then this should be essential listening.

The self-titled (and only) album from No Sweat is a true Hair Metal classic and a victim of purely being in the wrong band, at the wrong time. Even now you will struggle to find the album on streaming services. 

I saw them play live once in Sheffield in possibly 1990, supporting Roadhouse which was a band put together by ex Def Leppard guitarist Pete Willis. Little did I know that was probably the career highpoint as Seattle was about to wipe out the whole genre 

No Sweat did have some chart success in their native Ireland, but nothing cracked the top 40 in the UK which is surprising.

The first single Heart And Soul was produced by Joe Elliott (Def Leppard) should have been a hit with its massive AOR radio friendly chorus and strong melodic/bluesy vocals from Paul Quinn.

However, it’s when you get to the credits of that debut album that its staggering they didn’t succeed.

Firstly, they didn’t have a full-time drummer at the time of recording, so James Kottak (Kingdom Come) helps out behind the kit. The producer is Keith Olsen (Whitesnake, Night Ranger, Pat Benetar), Michael Sadler and Jim Crichton of Saga help out with backing vocals and keyboards.

Bizarrely even Pol Brennan (Clannad) produces vocals on one of the tracks.

With that sort of backing, you wonder why no one has heard of them.

Musically the songs are catchy hard rock with the occasional twists – There is some stunning slide guitar on the intro to Mover and Stay is a high-level blues ballad.

Lyrically they may not have been the best. The line “Rock is rock and I’m rocking you” from Tear Down The Walls is unintentionally one of my favourite silly lyrics ever.

Over the last few years, I’ve been able to pick up both a vinyl copy of the album and a few of singles, while single handedly boring anyone that will listen as to what a great band this was.

If you can have a listen and enjoy.