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Artist: Dirty Looks

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Dirty Looks Homepage

CD Title: Cool From the Wire

 

Category: Hard Rock

Year: 1988

Label: Atlantic

Catalog Number: 7 81836-2

Personnel

Henrik Ostergaard lead vocals, guitar
Jack Pyers bass
Paul Lidel guitars, backing vocals
Gene Barnett drums

Tracks

1.	Cool From the Wire	3:34
2.	It's Not the Way You Rock	3:49
3.	Can't Take My Eyes Off of You	3:22
4.	Oh Ruby	4:07
5.	Tokyo	3:06
6.	Wastin' My Time	3:32
7.	Put a Spell on You	3:49
8.	No Brains Child	3:53
9.	Get it Right	4:17
10.	It's a Bitch	4:26
11.	Get Off	3:26
Total Running Time:		41:21

If you see any errors or omissions in the CD information shown above, either in the musician credits or song listings (cover song credits, live tracks, etc.), please post them in the corrections section of the Heavy Harmonies forum/message board.

The music discographies on this site are works in progress. If you notice that a particular Dirty Looks CD release or compilation is missing from the list above, please submit that CD using the CD submission page. The ultimate goal is to make the discographies here at Heavy Harmonies as complete as possible. Even if it is an obscure greatest-hits or live compilation CD, we want to add it to the site. Please only submit official CD releases; no bootlegs or cassette-only or LP-only releases.

EPs and CD-singles from Dirty Looks are also welcome to be added, as long as they are at least 4 songs in length.

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Existing comments about this CD

From: jonnathan	Date: June 12, 2001 at 23:19
this is a must have for any ac dc fan this is the guys at there best. got to love the ruby song

From: Mike G.	Date: June 26, 2001 at 13:14
My gosh, Bon Scott is alive!! I've never heard such a close resemblance to Bon Scott and not to mention that the music ROCKS seriously!!! Very underrated!!!! You've got to get this one!!!!!!!!

From: GW	Date: September 11, 2001 at 5:53
Absolute no brainer!!!!

From: metal_man73	Date: October 31, 2001 at 15:59
This one is high up on my top 10 of all time!!! I never get tired of this cd. I even used to get the jocks liking this one in school. Thier follow up "Turn Of The Screw" was almost as good. If you are an AC/DC or just a hard rock fan, Pick this one up!!!

From: jason	Date: May 4, 2002 at 21:31
A very underrated band from the late '80s. This album was one of the best of it's time! It was produced by Max Norman (the man who made megadeth a big hit). This album has a great hard rock sound and alot of fun. I don't think that Atlantic Records bothered to push this band to much and of course the "grunge" movement didn't help them either. A 5 STAR ALBUM!!!

From: chad	Date: August 11, 2002 at 20:40
must have album...nuff said

From: Greendog	Date: January 7, 2003 at 3:17
Finally this band is getting the recognition it deserves!This band hes an unbeatable sound.

From: cquicmoi	Date: January 8, 2003 at 16:41
Sounds a little like AC/DC but still it has very catchy chorus and the axe work is very nice. It is absolutely the way you Rock!!! You gotta get this one.

From: ARXONTAS	Date: January 11, 2003 at 13:50
Great album ,great tunes.With some luck more they could be much bigger.This album contains one of the best sleazy songs ever 'put a spell on you'(in my opinion).Buy this album and make the best gift to yourself...Absolutely No Alternative

From: Mike K	Date: January 12, 2003 at 8:30
This is at the top of my list of best CDs ever! I still listen to it now and I am still not tired of it. I have told so many people about this CD and EVERY SINGLE one has loved it!

From: Keenan	Date: January 27, 2003 at 19:41
Great Songs...Very Much Like AC/DC but with better Guitar Solos..cant find it in stores..but good songs..d-load them

From: Blue Tequila

Date: January 28, 2003 at 1:50

Actually Keenan, "Cool From the Wire" is one of the few D.L. albums I still run across at musicland or wherever (assuming your in the U.S.). Unfortunatley all the rest are oop. They are all pretty easy to find at the local used CD shops though as they did have decent popularity at the time. I also think Perris Records still has some available (www.perrisrecords.com) although I have never dealt with them. But yeah I guess the only way to get the others is off the net...

From: jason (FA - Q)	Date: January 28, 2003 at 2:03
Hey Blue T., Have you ever seen Dirty Looks live? I've seen them once back in 1993/94. It was a great show! I have all their albums except 'Rip It Out'. They have a song called 'Blue Tequila', is that were you got your nick-name from?

From: Blue Tequila

Date: January 28, 2003 at 2:57

You nailed it Jason! I never did get to see them live but from everything I read I guess they put on a hell of a show. I got into them when Turn of the Screw came out and have been a loyal fan since then. I've got every CD they put out (including the horrid Slave to the Machine) and both Rumbledog CD's. I can't believe what Rip It Out is going for nowadays on Ebay...I used to see that cd everywhere. Later

From: jason (FA - Q)	Date: January 29, 2003 at 0:44
Alot of the songs on 'Slave To The Machine' are pretty good, it's the piss-poor production that ruined the album.

From: Blue Tequila	Date: January 29, 2003 at 1:36
Yeah production was bad--sounds like they recorded it underwater, but I think Henrik was definitely going for the heavier sound that was popular at the time. It just doesn't have that D.L. sound like the rest of the albums. Speaking of which I see Slave and Bootlegs aren't listed here...

From: creeper

Date: April 2, 2003 at 20:05

hey, i just wanted to let you guys know that this isn't Dirty Looks first album. They released three albums prior to Cool From The Wire. 1. Dirty Looks - You Can't Take Me/Crazy Crazy /Get Back/She's A Rocker/Get Off/Wild Child/Told You So/Get Ready/On Your Back/I Love You 2. In Your Face - She's A Rocker/Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You/You Can't Take Me/Put A Spell On You/Get Off/Tokyo/On Your Back/Let Me Go/Oh Ruby/Undercover

From: creeper

Date: April 2, 2003 at 20:08

cont. 3. I Want More - I Want More/Tokyo/Oh Ruby/Put A Spell On You/Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You/Too Bad/The Way You Rock/It's A Bitch/Let Me Go/Undercover In my opinion, In Your Face is their best. Picture Cool From The Wire with a raunchier sound. Dirty Looks used to do a killer version of So Happy Together by the Turtles live. Back in the Cool From The Wire days they would play clubs around here every weekend. Awesome band.

From: creeper	Date: April 2, 2003 at 20:14
Henrik also played guitar in a band called Burning Orange. They released one cd titled TAAR. If anyone has seen the video for 'Go Away", i bought that drum set off of the band. They gave me a pretty good deal on it as well.

From: SPOTLIGHT	Date: May 12, 2003 at 1:49
Before Dirty Looks, Jack Pyers was in a PA band called HARPO and he recorded an album with 'em, which can only be found on record...if you can find it. It's hard to come by. He's now in a band called SPACE TRUCKER, which is a damn fine band. Caught 'em live once and they kicked some ass.

From: Leatherwolf	Date: May 14, 2003 at 17:54
Kick ass shit here!! If your into awesome bands like Leatherwolf, Icon, Dirty Deeds. Get this cd!!

From: Ripshaa	Date: May 26, 2003 at 9:17
yes my best friend plays for this band in 1991

From: creeper	Date: June 5, 2003 at 18:05
Harpo, i have a couple releases by Harpo. They were a killer bar small club band in the same vein as Dirty Looks. Brian Perry (bassist on Five Easy Pieces) was also in Harpo before Dirty Looks. One of my friends played guitar in the later version of Harpo and then went on to play in Hair of the Dog for a brief period of time.

From: visitor	Date: August 20, 2003 at 13:56
"Oh Ruby" is SOOOO AC/DC itīs weird these guys donīt be ashamed! Ostergaard even sounds like Bon Scott, almost more than Bon himself! Nothing bad with the album, the songs are great, but one can hear the influence (or almost copying) of their role models so clearly that I would be embarrassed to put out an album like that..!

From: RR-Finland	Date: September 4, 2003 at 8:19
Itīs not the way you rock - Itīs the way that you roll! Absolut killer album! Canīt Take My Eyes Off Of You, Tokyo, No Brains Child and every other track is so big reason to buy this album! In "Oh Ruby" Henrik Ostergaard sounds so similar with Bon Scott, like itīs somekind of de-javu. "A shimmy shimmy coco gimme gimme more"!!!

From: Scandinavia	Date: September 25, 2003 at 11:14
What's the fuzz??? This is mediocre at best...Yes, as an AC/DC copy band they'd probably be perfect...But original? No way...

From: PaganBaby	Date: December 3, 2003 at 15:05
Re: The 3 early albums by Dirty Looks I have "In Your Face", but have never been able to locate the other two. Does anyone have copies of those? Dirty Looks is one of the best hard rock bands ever. Definitely in my Top 10 Favorites... possibly even my Top 5 if I was to really give it some thought.

Heavy Harmonies Volunteer
From: Blue Charvel	Date: December 9, 2003 at 16:28
Hey Scandinavia, I hear where you're coming from, the AC/DC influence is obvious, but that's just the surface. Dig beneath that I always found DL to be a bit darker, meaner and sleazier than AC/DC (and I love AC/DC, don't get me wrong). This is a great album, full of solid, simple, bone-crushing riffs with sleazy vocals and some damn good guitar solos (although they could've been a bit louder in the mix...). I have this, Turn of the Screw, and Bootlegs. How are the rest listed on here?

From: Atomic Punkster	Date: December 29, 2003 at 3:31
"Cool from the wire" and "Turn of the screw" are must haves, it went all down hill after that. Saw them a few times in boston in 89-91 great shows. "It's Not the Way You Rock" was on the "JOHNNY BE GOOD" soundtrack but was only played about 10 seconds in the movie

From: Metal Pete	Date: December 29, 2003 at 18:05
I have nearly all of their stuff, including 'Rip it out', 'Bootlegs', and 'Slave'. That said, I think '5 Easy Pieces' is one of their best works, again with Max Norman producing. If you like cool from the wire (which of course, you SHOULD!) go find '5 Easy Pieces'. Rock on

From: JarWi	Date: January 13, 2004 at 15:55
Bon Scott is reborn in Henrik Ostergaard's body (especially in his throat)!

From: all8br@aol.com	Date: February 7, 2004 at 10:17
if you never got to see dirty looks live you really missed out i've seen them multiple times and its a hell of a show one you dont want to miss.

From: all8br@aol.com	Date: February 7, 2004 at 10:19
if you never got to see dirty looks live you really missed out i've seen them multiple times and its a hell of a show one you dont want to miss.(kick ass show)

From: Blue Tequila	Date: February 7, 2004 at 16:11
Never saw them live but I do have a great concert video off of ebay from a show they did in '92 in PA. Henrik's voice is incredible (wish I could sing like that).

From: Dean	Date: February 14, 2004 at 15:16
Personally- i think AC/DC is the most overrated band in the world and i can't stand them, but for some reason i love the bands that sound like them; Dirty Looks,Johnny Crash,Broken Teeth- some killer tunes on this one. "Oh Ruby" was all over Headbanger's Ball for a while and is still one of their best tunes.

From: Proman1

Date: February 24, 2004 at 15:57

Damn, what can a guy say?? all ya in favor of D.L. are absolutely correct!! FKNRKN!! every single song, and you schmucks with your idiotic-"well they're not AC/DC" crap, shut up and enjoy good rock n' roll.. sure they sound similar but "well they're not AC/DC" they are Dirty Looks and they rock with the best. Comparisons to AC/DC do this band great justice actually, 'cause they are are the grandpapas of ROCK...

From: Uncle Salty

Date: May 22, 2004 at 10:23

I found this album on a little record store in Barcelona. I never heart this guys, I didn't even know who they were but I bought this album because it was very cheap and I though, because of their looks and the year it was published, that it was a hard rock band. So I bought it and it kicked my ass. It's similar to AC/DC but with that sleaze vibe from that period, pretty much like Johnny Crash, another great band. A must have.

From: manos	Date: June 28, 2004 at 11:45
Blast! Without doubt one of the greatest hair albums of all time! Attacking vocals, crunchy guitars and street attitude! No fillers in this album, every number here is individually awesome! It's sound very close to Britny Fox's 1st album. Slick! Proud to own this LP!

From: Scott

Date: October 13, 2004 at 9:12

My introduction to DL was a tape called In Your Face. I was an instant fan. Went to college in Rochester, NY from 85-89 when DL were hugely popular as a bar band. They quickly became one of my favorite bands from this genre of metal. "Cool From the Wire" is an awesome album that is just F.U.N.! It's not about being the flashiest musicans or super technical songwriting, but about rocking hard and having fun. I love it! Wish they were still around. http://www.nolifetilmetal.com/dirtylooks.htm

From: Niglin

Date: November 18, 2004 at 12:10

This CD is my favourite CD of all time. Vocals, of course are like AC /DC; without being a clone, the rest of the band is tight too. How many overdubs Atlantic did on this production is a mystery? Everytime (especially for guitar fans) you listen to it you hear something different. This is essential for any 'Hard Rock' fan. Does anybody know if the lead vocalist/guitarist have done anything recent or even semi recent, say last five years? 'It's not the way you rock, it's the way that you roll'.

From: sean	Date: January 14, 2005 at 8:01
If all of you guys like Dirty Looks and the AC/DC sound pick up Waysted. A great band and the lead singer sounds like Brian Johnson of AC/DC. I purchased five cd's last week on Amazon.com including: Waysted, Dirty Looks, Bangalore Choir(members from Hurricane Alice), Dangerous Toys, and Tuff! I can't wait to listen to the Dirty Looks cd-Live From the Wire!

From: k.c.	Date: February 8, 2005 at 16:41
hey Blue Tequila.... if you're out there, email me at kchild@180com.net. I have some holes to fill regarding dirty looks bio. wonder if you could help. thanks

From: Double J	Date: February 18, 2005 at 21:51
I was on the road with Henrick and the Boys from '92-'96.One Hell of a time. Henrick has his own business now. He doesn't play anymore.But he left us some GREAT music. I always told him, "Man you know how to write a GREAT riff". I'm sure he would love to know how much you guys dig his stuff. We are in the process of going through tapes for a LIVE CD. Keep your eyes and ears open. See Ya!!!

From: Geoff

Date: March 4, 2005 at 17:41

I must agree with Dean above. I don't even remotely like AC/DC at all, but man is there something about these guys! What a debut!!! As Double J says, and knows first-hand, this dude places some KILLER hard rock riffs on his discs. Check out 'Cool from the wire', 'No brain's child', 'Get it right' and 'It's not the way you rock' for prime examples, and my faves off this disc... but to be honest the whole disc is great. Love this band!

From: Rene	Date: March 19, 2005 at 12:56
This album is greattttttttttt. Sound very much like VAIN(NO RESPECT era) in my opinion. My favorite song is ITīS NOT THE WAY YOUR ROCK, and to be honest its my favorite DIRTY LOOKS song ever. what a great album, from the first till the last song. All hard rock lovers need to buy this album.

From: k.c.	Date: March 23, 2005 at 14:17
was wondering if you could link to my new Dirty Looks homepage (dirtylooksmusic.com) as the one you have listed is way out of date. thanks (kchild@180com.net)

From: headbanger4life	Date: November 29, 2005 at 5:35
Man I love this band. They sound like AC/DC and a little bit like Kix. I love AC/DC but a lot of these AC/DC clone bands always seem to bring something fresh and different to the table. An excellent debut from these guys that won't disappoint any hard rocker.

From: Nick C

Date: March 14, 2006 at 0:13

A lot of people think this is the bands 1st album but it ain't their first was released on Axe Killer in Europe and is called...Dirty Looks, I got it free as part of a subscription to a rock mag back in the 80's. I liked it...but didn't bother picking up the next two (also out in Europe) - I Want More and In Your Face, but I did pick this one up. Now although I liked it I preferred Kix by far and ended up giving it a mate along with the debut pity...some great stuff on here and I might have to g

From: Nick C	Date: March 14, 2006 at 0:15
ooops.....I meant to say... I might have to grab a copy of this again as it was bloody good and I kinda regret passing it on. Wish I'd bought those 2nd and 3rd albums too as they cost a pretty penny to buy these days, if you can even find them!! Grrr!

From: WASP1	Date: June 28, 2006 at 12:09
Looks I am in the vast minority here. I have this on cd and it's just alright for me. Like the vocals a lot, but the music is a bit too much in the background and not that memorable. As an early AC/DC fan I think that Rhinobucket's debut is far more better than this album.

From: Helix	Date: July 4, 2006 at 15:15
I enjoyed this cd since it came out, and have been listening to it ever since.If you don't have this in your collection it is a must CD.

From: m&m	Date: September 2, 2006 at 22:32
This album totally rocks from beginning to end. Not a bad song on the album. Buy it and crank it. On my top 10 albums of all time.

From: Fat Freddy	Date: October 12, 2006 at 10:30
Whoa nelly! Where has this band been my whole life? I only vaguely remember hearing "Cool From The Wire" on the radio back in the day but took a chance on a used copy of this disc last week and it blew my doors off! I am now on the hunt for more of their catalog! If you dig Kix, Bon-era AC/DC, etc., then this band is for you!!

From: firetruckdriver	Date: November 3, 2006 at 1:17
Great band! This album, in my opinion, is the best out of their collection. Tokyo is one of my all time favorite songs. All the rest on this one are very strong too though. Yeah, gotta agree, if you're a fan of Kix ( like me! ) you'll also enjoy these guys. Similar in style and both groups really rock. This is the album from these guys you'll want to check out, in my opinion. EXCELLENT!

From: Sex Driver	Date: March 30, 2007 at 16:43
Absolutely Classic! 10/10 Get it.

From: bolin44	Date: September 5, 2007 at 0:43
I don't see the AC/DC influences really, Just a little maybe. The singer doesn't sound like Bon Scott at all!! That being said, I still like this CD, It's not bad. It's a more sleazier than than AC/DC by far. The riffs aren't anything like AC/DC. I love AC/DC and can tell the difference. Still a great band otherwise. 8 out of 10!

From: bolin44	Date: September 5, 2007 at 1:18
If you want AC/DC sound-alikes, try Rhino Bucket! It's pretty close to them.

From: zzardozz666	Date: December 13, 2007 at 12:57
MEGA CD,EVERY TRACK HAS A GROOVE,HENRIK HAS ACDC RUNNING THROUGH HIS VIENS ON THIS CD, YET IT HAS ITS OWN VIBE AND SOUND,I HAVE A DVD OF THEM WHEN THIS CD CAME OUT FROM HAMMER JACKS1988, AND LIVE THEY F...IN SMOKED. BUY OR DIE

From: Rafo Phoenix	Date: March 24, 2008 at 17:26
Killer Hard Rock simply one of the best albums of Hard Rock, i don't like "Wastin' My Time" but the rest of songs 10/10..... a Super Album.

From: Doghouse Reilly

Date: November 18, 2008 at 1:34

Growing up on the East Coast and getting into hard rock in the late '80's and early '90's, I don't know how I missed out on Dirty Looks. I mean, Kix were everywhere, but, that I can remember, I never heard Dirty Looks at all. Anyway, Cool From The Wire is no-frills, stripped-down East Coast hard rock, sounding a lot like a scruffier Kix. Henrik Ostergaard has quite the, ahem, unique voice, very high-pitched but quite rough at the same time, but suited perfectly for the music. (He sings the words "Shoobie-doobie-doo-wah," and manages to sound snide and taunting.) This isn't a band that does ballads especially well, and so "Wastin' My Time" falls flat, but "Cool From The Wire," "It's Not The Way You Rock," "Put A Spell On You," 'Get Off," and of course "Oh Ruby" are great.

From: shoemaker	Date: March 19, 2009 at 4:40
Cool, one of the best AC/DC clones. But imo far better than Angus and co.

From: True Believer	Date: April 1, 2009 at 7:32
A cross between AC/DC-like riffs and the melodic approach of Dokken, especially in songs from the second half of this record. They proved they were talented musicians and songwriters. Unfortunately, the rest of their releases is not even close to this one. 8/10

From: Doghouse Reilly	Date: April 1, 2009 at 15:54
Dokken? You kidding? I don't hear ANY of Dokken's smooth, brooding melodies from this band.

From: Doghouse Reilly	Date: April 1, 2009 at 15:54
Dokken? You kidding? I don't hear ANY of Dokken's smooth, brooding melodies from this band.

From: rockhardrock	Date: May 28, 2009 at 16:45
this album was the first one of dirty looks i've heard and i liked it very much. henrik's voice is superb for such a band. my favs: Cool From the Wire, Can't Take My Eyes Off of You, Oh Ruby, Put a Spell on You and Get it Right

From: sluss528	Date: February 6, 2011 at 0:11
It's not the way you rock, it's the way you roll!!!!!!!!! R I P henrik!!! You will be missed!!!

From: WidoMakr	Date: February 23, 2017 at 18:06
Found this in the collection today, haven't played any DL in a while...damn they were good. I may in the minority but Get It Right is my favorite tune on the album...shame we wont ever have any new material...RIP Henrik, one of the unique voices that you knew it was DL immediately...Quote the WidoMakr...Never More

From: MetalPete1031

Date: November 20, 2021 at 18:28

A 2021 revisit, in the age of streaming...now in my early 50's, this slab of music still holds up. RIP Henrik, and thank you for the priceless Dirty Looks music you left us. Paul has moved on to Broken Teeth and beyond, but remembers his roots and Jack is doing different music but recalls DL fondly. Many of us are saying goodbye to CDs, but the music lives on in other formats, thank the stars! This CD is essential to any 80's era hard rocker. If you like KIX, Helix, AC/DC, Krokus, Rhino Bucket...well, you should already own this. If you're getting started, trust me you need this one. \../

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