POINT BLANK
DISCOGRAPHY by John Molet - October 2002

1976 - FIRST ALBUM, the gem
Point Blank will surely always be an enigma in the southern rock world. How this band couldn't such recognition ? This question has been asked many many times, but !!
Everything starts back in 1974, Rusty Burns is the guitar technician for ZZ Top, and decides to start his own rock'n roll band. From this day, he assembles musicians for his project and the lineup is Kim Davis and Rusty on guitar, John O' Daniel on vocals , Phillip Petty on bass and Buzzy Grueen on drums. the band has such a high musical potential that they play everywhere from Texas to southern states, as a headliner or an opener for acts such as Bob Seger, Aerosmith, Ted Nugent, Kiss or ZZ Top. Back in those days, Point Blank was mainly a live band, with fans getting crazy on every show, they were a killer band. So, uin early 1976, they're entering the studio to record one of the best southern rock album : POINT BLANK FIRST ALBUM. An anthology, eight tracks with energy, crazyness and feeling, and this is the occasion for people to discover this great lead singer, John O'Daniel (some people even think his vocal cords are from an other galaxy !). But it's also Kim Davis on guitar who so beautifully play with the master Rusty Burns. And as the rhythm section got such an enormous potential, everybody understands a great rock'n roll band was born. Rusty Burns will later say they needed really short time to record the songs, the time needed to listen to them, so amazing !!! Today, for the die-hard fans, this album is considered a must, but with great songs such as "Free man", "Lone star fool", "Moving" and "Bad bees" , there's no other way.

1977 - SECOND SEASON, the pearl
The first album was released not so long ago and Rusty Burns and his buddies are back on the track and are releasing this new album, "Second season", which for many people, will the the Point Blank's masterpiece. Recorded with the same fire and energy, adding the bit of emotion, this album has sure to be on every southern rock fan's shelves. Everything is on this album : the blues with "Back in the alley", the rock 'n' roll with "Nasty notions' and "Uncle Ned", and the so beautiful ballads ( "Beautiful loser", "Waiting for a change" ) ; and all this is interpreted the perfect way. Point Blank is getting higher interest with this new album, fans are so happy, and the band is gaining a growing overseas reputation. ZZ Top is not alone any more !

1979 - AIR PLAY, the jewel
Early 1979 and Point Blank signed a contract with MCA and is releasing a new album. This "Air play" is full of wild energy. The atmosphere of this third album is kind of strange, the bluesy influences from the two first albums are still there, but they added such a heavy to this new one. It starts with a southern rock hit, "Mean to your queenie". Aie aie aie !!! What a killer riff !! Such class !!! The Blank at its best !! and all the ablum is full of this wild energy, no time outs, even the addintion of Steve Hardin on keyboards is enhancing this great rock'n roll band. Steve Hardin writes "Mean to your queenie", "Shine on" and "Danger zone", so beautiful songs which are really in the Balnk's style. Waht can I say about "Louisiana legs", "Two time loser" or "Changed my mind", nothing, everything is perfect. Say nothing and listening to the music is certainly the best thing to do, especially if the song "Penthouse pauper" has the effect of a tornado in my head.

1980 - THE HARD WAY, the diamon
We're back in 1980 and I must admit, southern rock is not at its best, certainly because of the major labels which force the bands, for commercial purposes, to play music not formatted for them. Waht a shame ! Anyway, Point Blank seems not to ear it this way, and if they have to fall, they'll the arms in their hands ("Rock'n roll soldier"). So, Rusty, Kim, John'O, Buzzy, Bill, and Karl are releasing this great album, "The hard way". May be this one doesn't sound as hard as the last one, but there's always this quality. The band is at its band, professionnally, the songwriting's still fabulous and we have three songs recorded live. The album contains the fabulous "Rock'n roll soldier", sung by Rusty Burns, followed by the great "Turning back", "The hard way", "On the run", to finally get the diamonds live rock'n roll songs which are "Wong to cry" (a so emotional blues song), "Thank you Mama" (real rock'n roll) and "Highway Star", the tribute to Ritchie Blackmore and Deep Purple. Let's note the guitar solo is played with two guitars, certainly in the more intense way I've never heard. With this album, "The hard way", Point Blank certainly reached their goals, the maximum level, but fans are wondering what is gonna come next and can they get higher ?

1981 - AMERICAN EXCESS, the decline
It seems pretty obvious Point Blank had reached highs with " The hard way" and they had to evolve to keep their recording contract. The release of this "American excess" would confirm the great rock'n roll era of Point Blank would be over ? many many fans were disppointed and thought so, other ones were waiting and hoping for better days with a return to the roots (we could have this dream !). With this new musical direction, it's also the lineup which is gonna change, Karl Berke and John O' Daniel had left the band ! Can you imagine Point Blank without John O' ? Is this possible ? Many fans (and you can count me in) were sceptical, not because Mike Hamilton on keys and Bubba Keith were nor doing their job. No, but when we know the charisma of John O' Daniel in Point Blank, we thought would never be the same !!! So, we only had to try to enjoy the few good moments with this "American excess", and there are some ones, such as "Nicole", "The way you broke my heart" or "Cadillac Dragon", but it seemed the southerners were on the FM rock's road.

1982 - ON A ROLL, the end
First, the cover of the last album, "American excess" was a surprise for many people, but with this "On a roll" we really don't know what to think of !!! Surprising !!! Were they the same poeple who were playing on "Second Season" or on "Air Play", a few years ago ? Nothing could assert that. You really have to be an expert to realize they were the same. Well, it's not only the cover art but on a musical side .... The ones who were expercting for a return to the roots were really surprised...Rusty and his buddies had left the steson and the bourbon for something else !!! Real hard !!! To understand the situation, imagine someone who really loves to eat natural food who you're taking to a Mc Donalds for a meal ! As would say our nationel José Bové, it's not gonna make it !!!! For wure it won't make it !!!It's about the same for Point Blank, we were so used to get such a great music from them, they shouldn't have release this new album. Sorry Rusty, Kim, John, Buzzy, Phillip, Bill, Karl, but we love you so.

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