Various (Challengers)

synopsis

review

Backed by the rest of the Challengers, Gary Usher and Richard Delvy created this obscure little gem for the Vault Records label. Under the pseudonym of three (imaginary) bands; Grand Prix, the Customs, and the Quads, Hot Rod City is a factory-assembled collection of groups singing and playing a healthy assortment of originals and covers - all with a car theme.​

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Some fantastic guitar playing opens up the album with 'Candy Apple Buggy', attributed to the Grand Prix. The strong opener is followed by a rendition of Usher's 'R.P.M.' in its second album appearance. The song had first appeared a couple of months earlier on a single by Usher's first group, the Four Speeds. ''41 Ford' clunks along, though is notable for some excellent playing courtesy of the Challengers. A quirky version of 'Competition Coupe' always brings a smile mainly due to an amicable performance from the lead singer. Chuck Berry's 1955 hit, 'Maybellene' gets a notable re-working that ends up actually being special, albeit somewhat unnecessary. After 5 consecutive numbers from Customs and Grand Prix, the Quads finally get a chance at the mic in 'Surfin' Hearse'; one of the better Usher compositions of the period. The Beach Boy's 'Little Deuce Coupe' gets a shoddy revisiting. Luckily 'Going' 88' gets things back on track, as the Challengers unleash their talents with a groove as sleek as a Mustang Fastback. The Customs' lackluster rendition of 'Hot Rod City' pales in comparison even to the rushed Super Stocks version on the "Shut Down" compilation. 'Shut Down ' is a difficult listen while 'Nifty Fifty' actually improves on the original. A lame version of '409' gets nowhere and the album concludes with yet another hang-over from the Shut Down album; ''54 Corvette'.

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Essentially what we have here is a long-lost Challengers album, except with added vocals. Curiously, not every tune recorded ended up on the album. As Sundazed Records discovered, there were actually three more tracks from the same recording sessions that didn't see the light of day until the mid-2000's when the album was reissued on CD (She Rides With Me, Little Queenie, Blonde in the 406). Additionally, a Challengers Hot Rod Album was also slated for release but never came to fruition. 

Hot Rod City