Mama's Boys - Official Bootleg

Review by Jason Buhagiar

Mama’s Boys’ Official Bootleg (1981): A Raw Slice of Hard Rock Magic Alright, buckle up, because we’re diving into Mama’s Boys’ Official Bootleg, a hard rock gem that dropped in 1981. This UK/Ireland export via Spartan Records and Pussy Records is like your favorite leather jacket—scruffy, unapologetic, and full of attitude. It’s not perfect, but damn if it doesn’t make you wanna crank the volume and annoy the neighbors. Let’s talk tracks, shall we? First off, there’s “Rock’n’Roll Craze.” If this song doesn’t get your foot tapping, check your pulse—you might be dead. The riff slaps harder than your older brother when you stole his Walkman. It’s catchy as hell, with hooks sharp enough to gut a fish. I mean, seriously, try listening to this without air-guitaring like a lunatic. Spoiler: You can’t. Then there’s “Belfast City Blues,” which hits different. It’s got grit, soul, and just enough melancholy to remind you why blues and rock are basically cousins who share socks. The vocals have that raw, lived-in quality, like they’ve been smoking too many ciggies backstage before the gig. But hey, isn’t that what makes it authentic? Plus, for anyone from Belfast—or even those who’ve just heard of it—it’s a love letter to the city wrapped in distortion pedals. The rest of the album keeps the energy high with bangers like “Hyland Rock” and “Without You,” though some tunes feel more filler than killer. Still, even the weaker tracks bring enough swagger to keep things interesting. And let’s give credit where it’s due—the production has that gloriously rough-around-the-edges charm only ‘80s rock could pull off. It’s like finding a dirty old vinyl at a garage sale and realizing it’s secretly gold. Now, here’s the kicker: Listening to Official Bootleg feels like stepping back in time to a smoky pub where everyone knows the words to every song—even the bad ones. Sure, it’s not gonna blow your mind like Zeppelin or Sabbath, but it doesn’t need to. What it does do is deliver solid, no-frills hard rock that’ll leave you grinning like an idiot. So, would I recommend this record? Absolutely. Just don’t expect polished perfection—this one’s all heart, sweat, and probably a few pints spilled during recording. Honestly, if Mama’s Boys were still around today, I reckon they’d laugh at how much Spotify streams cost now. Cheers to them, anyway. Now go listen to “Rock’n’Roll Craze” again and thank me later.

Artist: Mama's Boys
Album: Official Bootleg

Rock

Hard Rock

1981

Rating: 4.25

Review
About Album
Download
Tracks
Video
Images
Catalog Numbers
Labels
Listen online
Formats
Notes
About Artist
Interesting fact
Comments
Related albums

Download

Filename: mamas-boys-official-bootleg.zip

MP3 size: 54.4 mb
FLAC size: 304.8 mb

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Tracks

Track	Duration	Preview
I'm Leaving Home
Hyland Rock
Demon
Record Machine
Rock'n'Roll Craze
Belfast City Blues
Without You
Summertime

Video

MAMAS BOYS BELFAST CITY BLUES 1980 (Official Bootleg Album )

Mama's Boys - Down And Out

Mama's Boys - Demon

Record Machine, Mama's Boys (1981)

Without You, Mama's Boys 1981

Images

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Catalog Numbers

MBB 1
PU 007

Labels

Spartan Records
Pussy Records

Listen online

ascolta in linea
online anhören
lyssna på nätet
online luisteren
ouvir online
escuchar en línea
lytte på nettet
écouter en ligne
kuunnella verkossa

Formats

Vinyl
Album
Plain Red Sleeve
LP

Notes

Free ltd. edition with 12 SP 6 (Turn It Up)
Plain White Sleeve, Title Stamped in Red Ink

About Mama's Boys

Hard Rock band from Northern Ireland formed in 1978 and disbanded in 1993. Hard Rock trio (and at times quartet). Irish releases on the label. The first two albums "" (1980) and "" (1982) are harder rock than the third album "" (1983). Tommy McManus died after a long battle with leukemia in 1994. Lead vocalists have included (1987-88), Connor McKeon (1989) and Mike Wilson (1990). The McManus brothers come from a musical family; several members of which (but not including any of the members of Mama's Boys) recorded an LP of pop, cabaret and traditional Irish material as the in 1971.

Name Vars

Mamas Boys
ÞÞºûÜü¤º

Members

Keith Murrell
Pat McManus
John McManus
Tommy McManus
Mike Wilson

Interesting fact about Album

Here’s a cool fact: The album *Official Bootleg* by Mama's Boys is a raw gem from the early '80s. Released in 1981, it blends hard-hitting rock with a gritty edge. What makes it unique is that it was released under two labels—Spartan Records and Pussy Records—in the UK and Ireland. Tracks like "Rock'n'Roll Craze" and "Belfast City Blues" showcase their unpolished, high-energy sound. It’s like a snapshot of their live vibe, straight from the era when hard rock ruled the scene.

Comments

bypedubod

2025-03-15

love this band, seen em at Dominion Theater in 1985 and met em all and got their calendar signed, also at Knebworth 1985, nice lads, R.I.P. Tommy, great drummer

ich19crz

2025-03-14

Hot Blooded!

elfcroft

2025-03-14

The Boys rock!

benjymarks

2025-03-14

I saw them years ago supporting Thin Lizzy and at Knebworth in 84 at Deep Purple's comeback gig. This track was on a free album that I got with a 12" single of theres. I still have both but would love a digital cut of this.

julianadaily

2025-03-13

Hello Joasha156 ! I would like to know if you own the entire CD ? ...if yes...would you accept to send me a digital copy in a lossless format (FLAC) of it via google drive ?...thanks a lot in advance for your answer. Kind regards.