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Song

Don’t Get Mad…Get Even

Artist

Alcatrazz feat. Girlschool

Alcatrazz backstory

Perhaps best known as the breeding ground for two of the world’s greatest guitarists, LA mob Alcatrazz hit 40 in 2023.

And if it’s some time since Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai learnt their trade alongside Graham Bonnet then this is a band (or bands) making up for lost time.

Talking of Bonnet — and this is where things get a little complicated — the former Rainbow man still fronts his own version of Alcatrazz.

But in a very Quireboys-meets-Queensryche scenario, there’s an ongoing debate about which version of the band can lay best claim to the original name.

And to avoid confusion (or compound it) this is the Jimmy Waldo offshoot featuring the dependable Doogie White on lead vocals.

Back in the day Bonnet, Waldo and Gary Shea enjoyed limited success on the back of singles Island In The Sun and God Blessed Video.

But after four years attempting to bed in a revolving doors line-up of red-hot axemen, the main men called it quits.

Bonnet revived the brand from 2006 and reunited with Waldo for a reunion show and 2020’s comeback album Born Innocent.

But within months the cracks had reappeared and Jeff Loomis joined the latest Bonnet-fronted Alcatrazz — leaving Waldo to work on new album Take No Prisoners with White, Shea, Joe Stump and Larry Paterson.

In Jimmy Waldo’s own words

“Don’t Get Mad…Get Even is a very Thin Lizzy, AC/DC-ish type of tune.

”To make it even better we have our friends Girlschool joining us on the chorus!

“We recorded this during our last European tour when both bands were together and it turned out fantastic!”

The verdict on Don’t Get Mad…Get Even

Alcatrazz always blurred the lines between Sunset Strip style and NWOBHM-influenced steel.

And Waldo still has a knack for crafting anthemic hard rock as the classy keysman throws himself into a fifth decade with the LA crew.

This fist-pumper of a single evokes memories of peak Donington and Troubadour tales wrapped up in layer upon layer of dirty denim and studded leather.

Waldo might liken this latter-day jukebox gem to Lizzy and AC/DC.

But the canny addition of Girlschool gives Don’t Get Mad…Get Even an even grittier feel.

It’s the 2023 collab nobody predicted.

But Alcaschool (sounds like the perfect place to practice pints and shots) is the hard rock union everybody needs.

What’s next for Alcatrazz

Waldo’s version of the band releases Take No Prisoners via Silver Lining Music on May 19.

Alcatrazz is on the road right now across the UK with Girlschool.

And you can catch Alcaschool in Bradford tomorrow and Newcastle on Wednesday with three more shows to follow.