MALPRACTICE (UK) - It's OK (7'', SRT, 1980)

RATING: 6/10

By the time I'm dropping these few humble lines for you good reader, not much is known about Malpractice, a band that entered the NWOBHM collectors' radar by virtue of their sole "It's Ok" 7'' EP from 1980. As a result, I'm afraid the band's entry around here will be somewhat brief, though we'll surely be filling the blanks and adding info as we get to learn about it. Of course, if you happen to know more than us about the band, please kindly enlighten us by sending an e-mail or leaving your thoughts on the comment section, will you? Thanks a ton in advance!

This Teesside band seems to have been based in the borough of Stockton-on-Tees, though at least one of the members (guitarist Carl Booth, that is) is known to have been living in Billingham during his tenure with the group. I'm not at all sure of the timeline here, but it seems that Malpractice first got together in 1979 and were active for the best part of two years, recording and pressing this piece of wax during their original, 3-piece incarnation - Carl Booth (G), Mal Smith (D) and Andy Haughton (V/B and main songwriter). They surely played a few shows in the usual haunts of the area during their lifespan, though I don't think they ever became true local heroes, and the modest run of 500 singles seems to have outstripped the original demand for quite a margin (there are some tales circulating that Carl Booth had nearly 200 unplayed copies in his possession for a long while, stacked literally under his bed!). A few line-up changes took place after the single was out, including a slightly more convoluted 4-piece with a dedicated singer at some point, but it all seems to have folded by 1981 at the very latest, when mainman Andy Haughton decided to try his luck and relocate to the London area. I'm afraid nothing too solid came out of it though, and the only further development from Malpractice's camp that I'm aware of has to do with drummer Mal Smith, that would notoriously lend his drumsticks to the services of Black Rose on two different periods of time (he's not there anymore, you see, and I have no info on what endeavors he may or may not be involved nowadays). I swear, officer, that's all I know.

As for the three songs featured on the band's sole release, I'd say they fit well enough the NWOBHM ethos to be worth a few listens, though it's not a perfect match when it comes to musical style. It's clear to me that these gentlemen really enjoyed their Dr. Feelgood records (not too surprising, considering they named their own band after one of their heroes' albums), though there's also more than a hint of UK's hard rock from the 1970s (think of Stray, Nutz and, to a lesser extent, the British version of Gun) going on, and I wouldn't at all be surprised to learn they were loyal fans of Status Quo as well, as there's definitely a pinch of boogie added to the proceedings. Opening track "It's Ok" is the one that better showcases such characteristics, being a rock/boogie/semi-metal collision that is, if truth be told, fairly typical to the NWOBHM universe and therefore have a good chance to appeal to a large number of enthusiasts. Andy Haughton's voice is quite nice here, pretty melodic but with a reasonably soulful vibe, and bonus points are added for the presence of a slide guitar solo, quite an uncommon occurence when it comes to the NWOBHM universe. To my ears, following track "Wish You Would" is quite reminiscent of pre-NWOBHM bands like Spoonful and Street Legal, this meaning we're dealing with very direct, unpolished heavy rock played with a bit more vigour than usual. Sorry for the unintentional wordplay here, but it's OK, I guess, though not a remarkably memorable piece of songwriting or anything like that. 

Flipside "Don't Take it Out" starts in such a way that makes me think of a less heavier, more rock-oriented version of Black Sabbath's "After Forever", if that does any sense at all. But it's only a fleeting similarity to be honest (same chord progressions, or something like that), and soon the song metamorphoses into a predictable, but mostly well-crafted and reasonably engaging pub rock, with something of a slightly heavier edge - a bit like Wilko Johnson from Dr. Feelgood was trying to write a heavy rock song, let's put it that way. It's nice enough, and it sure scores better on my Metalomether than "Wish You Would", but I'd say that "It's OK" will have to be the main focus of attention here, the two extra tracks being something of a bonus for those who venture to locate such a rare item - and let's face it, this one won't come cheap at all. Prepare your wallet for three-figure prices if you ever feel like making a serious attempt to add it to your collection.

Well, that's the end of the tale by now. Hopefully there will be more to add in the future - and keep your fingers crossed for extra studio material, as there are some tenuous (though significant) indication that Malpractice recorded at least one lenghty demo session (in a live-in-studio vein) during their prime. Wouldn't that be dandy? I'll light a candle to that.

Thanks a million to Discogs for label scans

Andy Haughton (V/B), Carl Booth (G), Mal Smith (D).

01. It's OK (Haughton) 3:00
02. Wish You Would (Haughton, Booth) 3:09
03. Don't Take it Out (Haughton, Booth) 3:57

Have you been involved with any of the bands mentioned here? Have any extra info and/or corrections? Please e-mail me at drequon@gmail.com and let me know!