Don’t Say Make Me

The Zoo Crew is spinning the hard-hitting track "Don’t Say Make Me" by Coney Hatch from their 1983 album Outta Hand, and the Zoo Freaks are loving the raw energy. This song, the opener of the album, is a fan favorite for its raunchy, British-influenced sound and a blistering guitar solo by Steve Shelski that sets the tone for the record. According to a 2014 blog post on Super Deke’s WordPress, the track was a standout for its polished production by Max Norman, known for his work on Ozzy Osbourne’s iconic albums with Randy Rhoads. The post describes how the song’s snappy vocals and guitar riffs “slayed” the writer as a 16-year-old in 1983 and still held up decades later, capturing the band’s ability to deliver no-nonsense hard rock. Interestingly, there’s a rumor mentioned in the same post that Kim Mitchell, who produced Coney Hatch’s debut album, might have played the solo in another track, "Monkey Bars," though this remains unconfirmed hearsay.

Another tidbit about "Don’t Say Make Me" comes from its critical reception. A 1983 review in The Georgia Straight, republished on Ear of Newt, praised the song for its heavy, gritty vibe but noted the album as a whole didn’t maintain that intensity. The track was seen as a high point, with Shelski’s solo perfectly complementing Carl Dixon’s commanding vocals. Fans on Genius have also pointed out the song’s lyrics, like “Something’s gotten into you / I don’t need to be told,” as reflective of the band’s bold, confrontational style. Despite its energy, the album Outta Hand struggled commercially, partly due to record company politics. As noted in Sean Kelly’s book Metal on Ice (referenced in the Super Deke post), the album’s lead single, "First Time for Everything," was overshadowed when Def Leppard’s Pyromania dominated the label’s attention, leaving Coney Hatch’s promotion in the dust.

Coney Hatch formed in 1980 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, when vocalist/bassist Andy Curran and drummer Dave “Thumper” Ketchum began jamming together. The lineup solidified in 1981 with the addition of vocalist/guitarist Carl Dixon, formerly of Firefly, and lead guitarist Steve Shelski. Taking their name from the infamous Colney Hatch Lunatic Asylum in London, the band quickly developed a reputation for their loud, electrifying live shows. They caught the attention of Kim Mitchell’s Anthem Records, which led to their self-titled debut in 1982, produced by Mitchell himself. The album’s raw energy and melodic hard rock style earned them a loyal following in Canada, though they struggled to break through internationally. By 1983, they were opening for Iron Maiden on their World Piece Tour, performing at 40 shows, which gave them significant exposure but didn’t translate to the commercial success they hoped for with Outta Hand.

Despite challenges, including lineup changes and a breakup in 1986, Coney Hatch’s resilience shone through. A near-fatal car accident in 2008 left Carl Dixon with severe injuries, but he made a remarkable recovery, even returning to perform with the original lineup in 2010. The band has since released new music, including their 2013 album Four and a 2023 live album, Postcard From Germany. Fans can stay connected with the band through their official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts. For Zoo Freaks looking to dive deeper, the Coney Hatch Fan Club on Facebook is a great spot to join fellow fans, share stories, and keep up with the band’s latest gigs and releases.