From the Bun E's Basement Bootlegs Collection (I looked on the Cheap Trick site for them but I guess they're all sold out now). This is from the volume entitled "Beertown '75". Yes, I said '75. I always kinda figured that Cheap Trick were like a normal 70's rock band that heard Punk Rock and adapted (like the Only Ones), but I think this recording proves that Cheap Trick were exactly the same band before and after Punk Rock. This ended up on the 1st LP (if you've never heard the 1st LP you've never heard Cheap Trick-that's the one Nirvana ripped everything off of) as "The Ballad Of TV Violence".
UPDATE : Before someone quibbles with my Nirvana comment here's a quote "…We sound just like Cheap Trick only the guitars are louder"- Kurt Cobain, Rolling Stone magazine."
Cheap Trick-The Ballad Of Richard Speck [Milwaukee 1975].mp3
The Ballad Of TV Violence-Cheap Trick [Alternate Version - live].mp3

where is the_ballad_of_richard_speck_live_1975.mp3.
it was gone before i got around to capture the stream. Do you know if a recording is available for purchase somewhere?
Posted by: John | April 19, 2005 at 12:04 AM
I can't download the Joe Meeks Flakes MP3's. I keep getting errors saying it is not there or something.
Posted by: Jon | May 14, 2006 at 07:03 PM
I lived on the Southern border of Wisconsin in 1977, and Cheap trick was the local band at several loal venues. Sadly, I never saw them. i've always thought they had similarities to the LA based Christopher Milk, except the latter never took off...
Posted by: Robert | June 16, 2008 at 11:42 PM
"Speak Now..." is a great, great hardrock song. Yes, the first LP is terrific. Saw the band in '78 for the firstime, a $5 show, I was a fan right away..
Posted by: Jim | October 25, 2010 at 01:55 AM