Bernie Tormé was a damn fine guitarist. Virtually unknown in the US, Bernie has a sizable European following based on his work with Ian Gillan, Atomic Rooster and brief stints with Ozzy (he was Randy’s first replacement before Brad Gillis) and Dee Snider. He’s an ace fret-runner from the school of Eddie Van Halen and the aforementioned Mr. Rhoads, full of hammer-ons, screaming harmonic bends and speedy runs, yet has always had trouble finding the material to backup his guitar skills and maintaining a band long enough to capitalize on his buzz.
TORME was the band Bernie had while in America, and what a line up featured; future LA Guns, Shark Island, and Sham 69 members. The band released an album but never secured a major label arrangement for their mix of sleazy glam rock with a punkish street level attitude, at places similar to Billy Idol yet with real grit.
Released by Cherry Red Records, ”Die Pretty Die Young 2024 remaster” comprises the recordings of Torme from 1986 with 3 extra tracks from a limited edition 12 inch single available with the original release. Also including a previously unreleased version of ‘Let It Rock’.
These are the final recordings before the band imploded, with Phil Lewis joining the L.A. Guns, Chris Heilmann joining Shark Island, Ian Whitewood joining Sham 69, and Bernie Torme joining Dee Snider within a few months to form Desperado with Clive Burr (ex Iron Maiden) on drums.
”Die Pretty Die Young” is in fact a collection of demos and unreleased nuggets from the late Phil Lewis-era of the band, when the former Girl singer and soon-to-be L.A. Guns savior was fronting the band in the mid-‘80s. The sound quality varies, as does the song quality, but there are certainly some good cuts to be found here.
“Memphis” and “Louise” are solid, glammy rockers, while “Let It Rock” and “Mystery Train” have a harder edge. There’s even a tune here called “Sex Action,” which Lewis obviously swiped for his tenure with the Gunners but only a title, as the song here is very different. Bernie’s fret work is really good.
”Die Pretty Die Young” is an album that do much to prove what an monster shredder Bernie Torme was, and why he should be more popular than he already is.
Highly Recommended
01 – Let It Rock (2024 Remaster)
02 – The Real Thing (2024 Remaster)
03 – Ready (2024 Remaster)
04 – Sex Action (2024 Remaster)
05 – The Ways Of The East (2024 Remaster)
06 – Killer (2024 Remaster)
07 – Memphis (2024 Remaster)
08 – Louise (2024 Remaster)
09 – Crimes Of Passion (2024 Remaster)
10 – Ghost Train (2024 Remaster)
11 – All Around The World (Demo) (2024 Remaster)
12 – Chain Gang (2024 Remaster)
13 – Mystery Train (Demo) (2024 Remaster)
14 – Let It Rock (Alternate Take 2024 Remaster)
Vocals – Phil Lewis
Bass – Chris Heilman
Drums – Ian Whitewood
Guitar – Bernie Torme