Twisted Sister: Discography & Video (1982-2011) [13CDs, 6LPs, 8DVDs]

US-American heavy metal band from Long Island, New York.

Although the band was formed by guitarist Jay Jay French in December 1972, all of their songs were written by Dee Snider from 1976 onward.

The soon to be named Twisted Sister was formed after Jay Jay French was added following auditions in the 'band house' located in Ho-Ho-Kus New Jersey in late December 1972. Manhattan resident John Segall (Jay Jay French) auditioned and was asked to join the 'glitter band' Silver Star. Silver Star was the creation of the drummer Mel Anderson (Mell Star) as the New Jersey version of the New York Dolls. At the same time as Silver Star/Twisted Sister was created, Mell Star's brother, Al Anderson, was the guitar player for Bob Marley & The Wailers. Jay Jay hated the name Silver Star and pushed to have it changed. On Valentine's Day in February 1973 Silver Star changed its name to Twisted Sister.

The band found work immediately and started playing 6 nights a week (mostly in the same club for the entire week). They secured a residency at the Mad Hatter in East Quogue, NY for the summer of 1973 and played 105 nights from Memorial Day to Labor day. By December 1974, when this first version of the band broke up, Jay Jay had already played nearly 600 nights and about 3,000 performances as the band played 5 x 40 minutes shows per night, each with costume changes, some ending as late as 8 am the following morning. The second version of the band changed lead singers (Rick Prince) and guitar player (Keith Angel) and continued for a couple of months into 1975 before singer Rick Prince failed to show up for a rehearsal. In the third lineup change, Jay Jay the took over the lead vocal chores and management duties. The band split up after Labor Day weekend 1975. In October 1975 the fourth version of the band started to play the club circuit. Jay Jay hired a former high school friend of Eddie Ojeda, who joined as co-lead singer and second guitarist, and got drummer Kevin John Grace after reading an ad that Kevin put in the Village Voice. Bass guitarist Kenny Neill (Kenneth Harrison Neill) remained and completed the lineup. The band followed a glam rock direction. They played at local clubs but floundered in relative anonymity.

In February 1976, at the suggestion of the band's agent, Kevin Brenner, Jay Jay was told that the band could only go so far without being able to play Led Zeppelin cover songs and urged Jay Jay to hire Danny Snider (Dee Snider). This version lasted 6 weeks before version seven began on April 1st, 1976 with new drummer Tony Petri, the group took a heavier musical direction.

At this point, the bands popularity began to soar as the band, especially Dee and Jay Jay started to talk (rap) to the audience about current topics of the day between songs.

The band went though three more line up changes between 1979 and 1982. Drummer Joey Brighton replaced Tony Petri, former The Dictators drummer Richie Teeter replaced Brighton and finally AJ Pero replaced Teeter.

The band started its own t-shirt company and record label. They released two singles which eventually made it over to the UK and caught the attention of Martin Hooker, the president of indie label Secret Records.

In June 1982, the group released its first EP, "Ruff Cuts", on the Secret Records label. This was followed shortly by their first studio album, Under the Blade, produced by Pete Way (2) of UFO (5).

Around this time, Twisted Sister updated its feminized image with a more grotesque look that distinguished them from other glam metal bands of the era. The group was now regarded more as a weird-looking heavy metal band because its look and music, although still reminiscent of pop/glam styles, were growing closer to heavy metal's leather and chains image. At this point Dee Snider quote should be noted: "I don't think Twisted Sister is "glam" because that implies glamour, and we're not glamorous. We should be called "Hid" because we're hideous."

After an appearance on the music TV program The Tube, Atlantic Records approached the band and signed them. Their first LP under Atlantic, "You Can't Stop Rock 'n Roll", produced by Stuart Epps, was released in 1983 and included the UK #19 hit "I Am (I'm Me)".

International fame came for Twisted Sister when the band's third LP, "Stay Hungry", hit the stores on May 10, 1984. "Stay Hungry" sold more than two million copies by the summer of 1985, and went on to sell more than three million in subsequent years. It remains the band's biggest success.

On November 9th, 1985, the band released its fourth studio album, "Come Out And Play", produced by Dieter Dierks. It was not nearly as successful as its predecessor, although it did earn the band a gold album for sales of 500,000 copies.

After the tour, Pero left to rejoin Cities. He was replaced by ex-Good Rats drummer Joey 'Seven' Franco.

In 1986, Snider embarked on a solo project, reportedly approaching future Iron Maiden guitarist Janick Gers, but this did not work out.

Snider then recorded an album with Franco programming the drum machine and featuring several session musicians such as Reb Beach on guitar and Kip Winger (just before they formed Winger) and Steve Whiteman of Kix. Atlantic Records refused to release it unless it was labeled as a Twisted Sister album. So, on August 13th, 1987 "Love Is for Suckers" made its debut.

On October 12th, 1987, almost two months after the release of "Love Is For Suckers", Snider left the band, the record label cancelled its contract, and Twisted Sister disbanded. The public announcement of the band's demise came in January 1988.

After the band's break-up, former members were involved in different projects:

Snider formed Desperado, Widowmaker (2), and Dee Snider's Sick Mutha Fuckers. He also wrote and starred in the movie "Strangeland".

Ojeda went on to join Scarecrow and then formed Prisoners Of War. Both projects were unsuccessful. He also worked as a session guitarist and guitar instructor.

French stopped performing except for some guest appearances. He formed French Management and produced the alternative metal band Sevendust's first self-titled album.

Mendoza briefly joined Blackfoot. Then he worked as a producer and manager. He also occasionally pursued solo projects.

Pero was involved in several projects and subsequently toured with Dee Snider's Sick Mutha Fuckers.

Franco worked as a session drummer and played with Snider's Widowmaker (2).

In June 2006, the band announced that they had signed with the American record label Razor and Tie to release a final CD with heavy metal Christmas music called "A Twisted Christmas". The CD was released on October 17th, 2006, and was a commercial success.

The group is still together and occasionally makes small tours around the world, in full makeup. Before each of these mini-tours, they performed as Bent Brother, practicing its set and appearing without makeup, usually at reduced ticket prices.

Former Twisted Sister drummer Richard Teeter, who had played with the band from 1980 to 1981, died of esophageal cancer on April 12th, 2012.
Drummer A.J. Pero died of a heart attack 20 March, 2015.

~ discogs

Tracklist CD01. 1982 - Under The Blade [1989, Atlantic, WEA, 18P2-2745, Japan]:

01. What You Don't Know (Sure Can Hurt You) (4:46)
02. Bad Boys (Of Rock 'N' Roll) (3:20)
03. Run For Your Life (3:27)
04. Sin After Sin (3:22)
05. Shoot 'Em Down (3:52)
06. Destroyer (4:15)
07. Under The Blade (4:39)
08. Tear It Loose (3:08)
09. I'll Never Grow Up, Now! (4:08)
10. Day Of The Rocker (5:01)




Tracklist CD02. 1983 - You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll [1997, Atlantic, AMCY-3104, Japan]:

01. The Kids Are Back (3:17)
02. Like A Knife In The Back (3:05)
03. Ride To Live, Live To Ride (4:05)
04. I Am (I'm Me) (3:36)
05. The Power And The Glory (4:22)
06. We're Gonna Make It (3:45)
07. I've Had Enough (4:03)
08. I'll Take You Alive (3:07)
09. You're Not Alone (Suzette's Song) (4:06)
10. You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll (4:42)




Tracklist CD03. 1984 - Stay Hungry [1984, Atlantic, 7 80156-2, West Germany]:

01. Stay Hungry (3:05)
02. We're Not Gonna Take It (3:40)
03. Burn in Hell (4:43)
04. Horror-Teria (The Beginning): A) Captain Howdy B) Street Justice (7:44)
05. I Wanna Rock (3:03)
06. The Price (3:50)
07. Don't Let Me Down (4:28)
08. The Beast (3:29)
09. S.M.F. (3:01)




Tracklist CD04. 1985 - Come Out And Play [1997, Atlantic, AMCY-3102, Japan]:

01. Come Out And Play (4:55)
02. Leader Of The Pack (3:44)
03. You Want What We Got (3:45)
04. I Believe In Rock 'N' Roll (4:03)
05. The Fire Still Burns (3:33)
06. Be Chrool To Your Scuel (3:54)
07. I Believe In You (5:23)
08. Out On The Streets (4:28)
09. Lookin' Out For #1 (3:07)
10. Kill or Be Killed (2:46)
11. King Of The Fools (6:26)




Tracklist CD05. 1987 - Love Is For Suckers [1987, Atlantic, 32XD-807, Japan]:

01. Wake Up (The Sleeping Giant) (4:21)
02. Hot Love (3:34)
03. Love Is For Suckers (3:26)
04. I'm So Hot For You (4:06)
05. Tonight (3:53)
06. Me And The Boys (3:52)
07. One Bad Habit (3:18)
08. I Want This Night (To Last Forever) (4:20)
09. You Are All That I Need (4:17)
10. Yeah Right! (3:15)




Tracklist CD06. 1992 - Big Hits And Nasty Cuts [Atlantic, 7 82380-2, USA]:

01. We're Not Gonna Take It (3:39)
02. I Wanna Rock (3:04)
03. I Am (I'm Me) (3:36)
04. The Price (3:50)
05. You Can't Stop Rock 'N' Roll (4:43)
06. The Kids Are Back (3:17)
07. Shoot 'Em Down (3:55)
08. Under The Blade (4:40)
09. I'll Never Grow Up, Now! (4:09)
10. Be Chrool To Your Scuel (3:55)
11. What You Don't Know Sure Can Hurt You (Live Version) (6:21)
12. Destroyer (Live Version) (4:38)
13. Tear It Loose (Live Version) (3:06)
14. It's Only Rock 'N' Roll (Live Version) (10:13)
15. Let The Good Times Roll / Feel So Fine (Live Version) (4:15)




Tracklist CD07. 1995 - Live At Hammersmith CD1 [SPV, 085-18102, Germany]:

01. What You Don't Know (Sure Can Hurt You) (4:43)
02. The Kids Are Back (2:49)
03. Stay Hungry (5:09)
04. Destroyer (4:10)
05. We're Not Gonna Take It (3:17)
06. You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll (7:23)
07. Knife In The Back (2:47)
08. Shoot 'em Down (3:19)
09. Under The Blade (4:36)



Tracklist CD08. 1995 - Live At Hammersmith CD2 [SPV, 085-18102, Germany]:

01. Burn In Hell (5:50)
02. I Am, I'm Me (5:25)
03. I Wanna Rock (13:05)
04. SMF (7:28)
05. We're Gonna Make It (4:20)
06. Jailhouse Rock (Live At Detroit's 1979) (3:17)
07. Train Kept A Rollin' (Live 1979) (10:07)




Tracklist CD09. 1999 - Club Daze, Studio Sessions [Armoury, ARMCD536, Germany]:

01. Come Back (6:32)
02. Pay the Price (4:30)
03. Rock & Roll Saviors (4:39)
04. High Steppin' (2:47)
05. Big Gun (4:04)
06. T.V. Wife (4:04)
07. Can't Stand Still (3:58)
08. Follow Me (3:54)
09. I'll Never Grow Up Now (4:14)
10. Lady's Boy (4:23)
11. Leader of the Pack (3:56)
12. Under the Blade (4:31)
13. Shoot 'Em Down (3:44)




Tracklist CD10. 2001 - Never Say never…Club Daze Vol 2 [Spitfire, SPITCD059, Germany]:

01. Never Say Never (2:21)
02. Blastin Fast & Loud (3:01)
03. Follow Me (3:31)
04. Under The Blade (5:02)
05. Lady's Boy (5:10)
06. Come Back (6:55)
07. Can't Stand Still (4:49)
08. Honey,Look Three Times (4:13)
09. You Know I Cry (5:53)
10. Without You (2:28)
11. Plastic Money (4:11)
12. Long Tall Sally (2:26)
13. Johnny B. Goode (4:20)




Tracklist CD11. 2004 - Still Hungry [Spitfire, SPT 15142-2, USA]:

01. Stay Hungry (3:15)
02. We're Not Gonna Take It (4:37)
03. Burn In Hell (5:38)
04. Horror Teria: (a) Captain Howdy / (b) Street Justice (8:42)
05. I Wanna Rock (3:15)
06. The Price (4:08)
07. Don't Let Me Down (4:46)
08. The Beast (3:26)
09. S.M.F. (3:28)
10. Never Say Never (2:19)
11. Blastin' Fast & Loud (3:01)
12. Hero's Are Hard To Find (6:25)
13. Plastic Money (4:06)
14. Come Back (4:21)
15. You Know I Cry (5:04)
16. Rock n Roll Saviors (5:01)




Tracklist CD12. 2006 - A Twisted Christmas [Razor & Tie, 7930182964-2, USA]:

01. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (4:48)
02. O Come All Ye Faithful (4:40)
03. White Christmas (3:57)
04. I'll Be Home for Christmas (4:08)
05. Silver Bells (5:05)
06. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (3:39)
07. Let It Snow (3:10)
08. Deck the Halls (2:52)
09. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) (3:40)
10. Heavy Metal Christmas (The Twelve Days of Christmas) (5:15)
11. Twisted Christmas Cheer (0:36)




Tracklist CD13. 2011 - Live At The Marquee Club [Rhino, R2 528073, USA]:

01. What You Don't Know (Sure Can Hurt You) (5:02)
02. Sin After Sin (3:09)
03. Bad Boys (Of Rock 'n' Roll) (5:08)
04. Destroyer (4:17)
05. Under The Blade (3:11)
06. Tear It Loose (3:04)
07. BandRap (3:22)
08. You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll (4:16)
09. Run For Your Life (3:36)
10. Shoot 'em Down (3:32)
11. Dee's rap (4:37)
12. It's Only Rock 'n' Roll (But I Like It) (9:32)
13. Band Introductions (5:48)
14. I Am (I'm Me) (3:13)
15. Under The Blade (6:48)
16. Let The Good Times Roll (4:19)




Tracklist LP01. 1982 - Under The Blade (Atlantic):

01. What You Don't Know (Sure Can Hurt You)
02. Bad Boys (Of Rock'n'roll)
03. Run For Your Life
04. Sin After Sin
05. Shoot 'em Down
06. Destroyer
07. Under The Blade
08. Tear It Loose
09. Day Of The Rocker


Tracklist LP02. 1983 - You Can't Stop Rock 'N' Roll (Back On Black):

01. The Kids Are Back
02. Like a Knife in the Back
03. Ride to Live, Live to Ride
04. I Am (I'm Me)
05. The Power and the Glory
06. We're Gonna Make It
07. I've Had Enough
08. I'll Take You Alive
09. You're Not Alone (Suzette's Song)
10. You Can't Stop Rock'n'Roll
11. One Man Woman
12. Four Barrel Heart of Love
13. Feel the Power


Tracklist LP03. 1984 - Stay Hungry (Atlantic):

01. Stay Hungry
02. We're Not Gonna Take It
03. Burn In Hell
04. Horror-Teria (Captain Howdy / Street Justice)
05. I Wanna Rock
06. The Price
07. Don't Let Me Down
08. The Beast
09. S.M.F.


Tracklist LP04. 1985 - Come Out And Play (Atlantic):

01. Come Out And Play
02. Leader Of The Pack
03. You Want What We Got
04. I Believe In Rock'n'roll
05. The Fire Still Burns
06. Be Chrool To Your Scuel
07. I Believe In You
08. Out On The Streets
09. Looking Out For #1
10. Kill Or Be Killed


Tracklist LP05. 1987 - Love Is For Suckers (Atlantic):

01. Wake Up (The Sleeping Giant)
02. Hot Love
03. Love Is For Suckers
04. I'm So Hot For You
05. Tonight
06. Me And The Boys
07. One Bad Habit
08. I Want This Night (To Last Forever)
09. You Are All That I Need
10. Yeah Right


Tracklist LP06. 2004 - Still Hungry [2LP] (Drakkar):

01. Stay Hungry
02. We're Not Gonna Take It
03. Burn In Hell
04. Horror Teria - Captain Howdy, Street Justice
05. I Wanna Rock
06. The Price
07. Don't Let Me Down
08. The Beast
09. S.M.F.
10. Never Say Never
11. Blastin' Fast & Loud
12. Come Back
13. Plastic Money
14. You Know I Cry
15. Rock'n'roll Saviors
16. Heroes Are Hard To Find




Tracklist DVD01. 1984 - Uncut Live At San Bernadino:

1. Introduction
2. The Kids Are Back
3. We're Not Gonna Take It (Music Video)
4. I Wanna Rock
5. Under The Blade
6. The Beast
7. You Can't Stop Rock'n'Roll (Music Video)
8. The Price
9. Stay Hungry
10. Burn In Hell
11. S.M.F.
12. I Wanna Rock







Tracklist DVD02. 2005 - Live At Wacken - The Reunion:

1. What you don't know (Sure can hurt you) (Intro) 1:50
2. In the beginning
3. The final show… 1987 (Interviews)
4. The kids are back
5. Stay hungry
6. The speaks reunion (Interviews)
7. A night for Jason (Interviews)
8. Destroyer
9. Like a knife in the back
10. VH1 behind the music (Interviews)
11. The New York Steel benefit (Interviews)
12. Under the blade
13. Old school returns (Interviews)
14. You can't stop rock 'n' roll
15. The fire still burns
16. The U.S.O. Tour of South Korea April 2003 (Interviews)
17. Shoot 'em down
18. We're not gonna take it
19. Festivals (Interviews)
20. The price
21. Reflections (Interviews)
22. Burn in hell
23. I wanna rock
24. Intro of band S.M.F.
25. Credits







Tracklist DVD03. 2007 - A Twisted Christmas Live:

01. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
02. Shoot 'Em Down
03. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
04. The Fire Still Burns
05. You Can't Stop Rock & Roll
06. White Christmas
07. The Price
08. Oh Come All Ye Faithful
09. I'll Be Home For Christmas
10. Burn In Hell
11. Silver Bells
12. I Wanna Rock
13. Heavy Metal Christmas (The Twelve Days Of Christmas)
14. We're Not Gonna Take It







Tracklist DVD04. 2007 - Video Years:

It's Only Rock 'n' Roll (But I Like It) [TV Performance]
You Can't Stop Rock'n'Roll [Twisted Videos]
We're Not Gonna Take It [Twisted Videos]
I Wanna Rock [Twisted Videos]
The Price [Twisted Videos]
Leader Of The Pack [Twisted Videos]
Be Chrool To Your Scuel [Twisted Videos]
Hot Love (1987) [Twisted Videos]
Stay Hungry (1984) [Twisted Live]
The Kids Are Back [Twisted Live]
We're Not Gonna Take It [Twisted Live]
I Wanna Rock [Twisted Live]
Under The Blade [Twisted Live]
The Beast [Twisted Live]
You Can't Stop Rock'n'Roll [Twisted Live]
The Price [Twisted Live]
Stay Hungry [Twisted Live]
Burn In Hell [Twisted Live]
S.M.F [Twisted Live]
Dee Snider [Bonus Interviews]
Jay Jay French[Bonus Interviews]
Mark Mendoza [Bonus Interviews]
Aj Pero [Bonus Interviews]
Eddie Ojeda [Bonus Interviews]
Joe Gerber [Bonus Interviews]
Phil Carson and Lemmy Kilminster [Bonus Interviews]







Tracklist DVD05. 2008 - Live at the Astoria:

1. What You Don't Know (Sure Can Hurt You)
02. The Kids Are Back
03. Under The Blade
04. Destroyer
05. Like A Knife In The Back
06. Burn In Hell
07. Ride To Live
08. Shoot 'Em Down
09. You Can't Stop Rock N' Roll
10. The Fire Still Burns
11. We're Not Gonna Take It
12. The Price
13. I Am, I'm Me
14. I Wanna Rock
15. Come Out & Play
16. S.F.M







Tracklist DVD06. 2011 - Double Live DVD1:

North Stage Theater 1982
1) What You Don't Know (Sure Can Hurt You)
2) Destroyer
3) Tear It Loose
4) Bad Boys Of Rock 'n' Roll
5) Lady's Boy
6) Leader Of The Pack
7) Under The Blade
8) Shoot 'Em Down
9) Sin After Sin
10) I'll Never Grow Up Now
11) You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll
12) You Know I Cry
13) It's Only Rock 'n' Roll (But I Like It)
14) Rock N Roll Saviours


Tracklist DVD07. 2011 - Double Live DVD2:

New York Steel 2001
1) What You Don't Know (Sure Can Hurt You)
2) The Kids Are Back
3) Stay Hungry
4) Burn In Hell
5) You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll
6) Under The Blade
7) Shoot 'Em Down
8) Come Back
9) You Know I Cry
10) I Wanna Rock
11) We're Not Gonna Take It
12) The Price
13) S.M.F.







Tracklist DVD08. 2011 - Under The Blade:

01. What You Don’t Know (Sure Can Hurt You)
02. Sin After Sin
03. Bad Boys (Of Rock ‘n’ Roll)
04. Destroyer
05. Shoot ‘Em Down
06. Tear It Loose
07. Under The Blade
08. It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll

Interviews:
Remembering: The Reading Festival
Living and dining in the UK
The sound of "Under The Blade"
The recording of "Under The Blade"
Final thoughts: The Reading Festival





All thanks go to the original releasers